Travel Agent

Who doesn’t love a vacation? Time off to see the world even if only for a few days. Experience different cultures, take in the sights and cuisine or simply relax and do nothing. When you arrive home do you tell everyone and anyone about your trip? After seeing your pictures and hearing all the wonderful things you did are you often asked for information on where you stayed on where the best places to visit are? Are you more than happy to supply them with all of this information and help them plan their trip? If so, then you could make a living as a home based travel agent.

A travel agent markets, plans and sells transportation and accommodations to people looking to go on vacation. This could be a trip to Disney, a cruise to alaska ora full european vacation. You would take care of everything from limousine services, car rental, hotel and air travel as well as entertainment and meal packages.

Training and certification is not necessary depending on where you choose to work. There are many travel agencies where you could take a position as an agent in their office but the truth is that you don’t have to. You could be a home based travel agent. In order to collect commissions for the trips you book you will need to work with merchants and set up an account. Typically they require an ARC (airline reporting corporation) or CLIA (cruise line international association) or IATA (international air transportation association) number; they may also require you to have previous sales of travel packages, travel agent certifications and sufficient funding in your business account. Not all merchants require the same criteria. In order to obtain an ARC or IATA number you can apply directly to the organizations. Some key requirements for membership include:

Proof of legal form of business

Proof of commitment to travel business through sales & financial standing

Errors and Omissions insurance

Ethical responsibilities

State and local licensing

For a quick peek at detailed requirements for IATA membership click here.

If you choose not to apply for such numbers or to set up merchant accounts but still want to be on your own you could work as an independent contractor and team up with a host agency in order to collect commissions on your bookings. The host agency would act as a liaison between you and the merchant in order to collect a commission. The host company will split the commission with you.

No matter which way you go, independent home based contractor or agent in an already established agency, if you truly enjoy planning vacations this is one career that will take you places.