If you’re passionate about traveling, you’ve probably thought about having your own travel agency. And perhaps you’ve also wondered if it’s possible to become a travel agent without experience.
As a mom who loves to travel, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make extra income without sacrificing my freedom.
After doing some deep research, I’ve found that becoming a home-based travel agent comes with amazing perks, such as getting big discounts and even free trips. You get to enjoy this all while also earning incredible commissions on the bookings you make.
If this sounds like the side hustle you’ve been waiting for, you’ve landed on the right page😉. In this blog, we’ll explore how to become a home-based travel agent without experience, and why you should start today!
Why You Should Be A Home-Based Travel Agent
First, with $5.81 trillion in revenue, the travel and tourism industry is absolutely BOOMING! This means there’s plenty of cash to go around and a wealth of opportunities.
In addition, technology has made it possible for anybody to work as a home-based travel agent. You can set your own schedule and work from anywhere, giving you the freedom to balance work and personal life.
Finally, working as a travel agent allows one to experience the rewarding feeling of fulfilling the aspirations of other families, as well as creating enduring experiences. It’s a profession that brings joy not only to clients but also to those who book their travel experiences.
Do You Need Experience To Become a Travel Agent?
If you are worried about needing the experience to become a home-based travel agent, the short answer is No. You do not need experience or formal education in the travel industry.
Your main responsibilities include:
Research potential destinations.
Provide advice to customers on travel routes.
Make hotel and transportation arrangements.
Ensure that the entire trip is seamless.
Although, having travel knowledge and personal experience is definitely beneficial, and here is why-
Most clients prefer booking with travel agents who’ve actually been to the same places they’re interested in. It demonstrates a deeper understanding of what the client wants in an itinerary. That’s why having personal experience can really pay off.
How to Become A Travel Agent Without Experience
Who wouldn’t love working from anywhere in the world, planning dream getaways, and exploring new destinations indefinitely? Well, I’m here to guide you on how to become a travel agent without any prior experience.
Let’s get started.
Choose A Travel Niche
Before you start your travel agency venture, it’s important to pick a niche where you can become an “expert.”
For example, if you’re familiar with booking Disneyland vacations, you might focus on becoming a “Disneyland travel” specialist. With countless hobbies, destinations, and traveler preferences out there, the options are endless.
Focusing on a niche gives your business a distinct path to follow, and by specializing, you can provide outstanding service that is specifically catered to your area of expertise. If you feel stuck on finding your perfect travel niche, check out this step-by-step guide, which I found to be extremely helpful.
Use a Host Agency
Starting a travel agency can cost you a fortune, mainly because of the need to obtain licenses and certifications, which can be both pricey and time-consuming, especially for beginners with limited budgets.
For this reason, aspiring home-based travel agents choose to team up with hosting agencies in an independent contractor agreement (1099). These hosting agencies serve as partners, offering valuable resources and assistance without the headache and effort of setting up solo.
In addition, the host agency just acts as the assistant, and they are not your boss, so you maintain complete ownership and control over your company despite this collaboration.
Why You Should Use A Host Agency As A New Travel Agent Without Experience
Here are the top 6 reasons why you should partner with a host agency:
1. Low Start Up Costs
To gain credibility with airlines and tour operators, your travel agency must meet industry standards, which can cost you an arm and a leg!! By partnering with host agencies, you gain access to their established credentials and certifications like CLIA and IATA, plus their insurance policy. This saves you A TON of money.
2. Training Support
When you’re first starting out as a new travel agent without experience, it’s crucial to get the right training to really thrive in this field. Host agencies are awesome for that—they offer a wealth of travel knowledge and practical education, covering everything from booking engines to business know-how. They also provide a mix of online courses and in-person training to keep agents informed of the latest business practices.
3. Supplier Access
Host agencies have established relationships with the Business Development Managers (BDMs), which come in very handy for agents when handling or resolving concerns during client travel.
4. Bookkeeping Services
Let’s be real—bookkeeping might not be our strong suit, but it’s gotta be done, right? Luckily, host agencies take care of commission tracking and reporting, so agents can kick back and keep tabs on their earnings and how they’re doing financially without the headache.
5. Marketing Tools
Finding the right way to market an agency is the biggest obstacle for new travel agents without experience. Host agencies offer marketing support, educating agents on effective client attraction strategies and providing tools to create websites and engage with potential clients.
6. High Commission Rates 🤑 🤑
Host agencies use the combined purchasing power of their agent network to negotiate better commission rates with suppliers. That means they can swing some sweet deals with suppliers for higher commission rates, which is a big win for travel agents.
How Much Does It Cost To Join A Host Agency?
As a travel agent, you are usually required to pay setup and monthly fees in order to join many host agencies. These fees usually handle all sorts of admin stuff and give you access to the GDS (Global Distribution System) platforms. That’s where we dig up those sweet net hotel and airline prices.
How Much Do Travel Agents Without Experience Make Per Booking?
No matter what your level of expertise is, all travel agents make money through a commission-split agreement with the host agency.
What this means is that, once you sell travel using the host agency’s IATA, ARC, or CLIA number (which are unique identifiers used by airlines to recognize travel agents), the vendor will pay the host agency the commission for the sale, and the host agency will give you a portion of that money. The 70/30 formula is the most popular split for commissions.
So, let’s say you book a $10,000 trip. You will receive 70% of the total commission earned ($7,000), while your host agency keeps 30% ($3,000).
As a new travel agent, it’s important to establish a formal agreement with your host agency regarding the commission split before starting work. This should be all sorted out and spelled out nice and clear in your contract.
What Are The Best Host Agencies
Here is a list of some of the best agencies for new travel agents.
If you are totally new to the travel industry, Travel Planners International is a great place to start. They have reasonable fees and commission rates. They offer in-depth training programs, and marketing assistance, so you will be just fine joining this company with zero travel agency experience.
To allow you to choose how much you pay in fees and how much of your commission you keep, they provide multiple commission split structures. For example, if you choose to take home less of your commission, your fees to them are lower.
Avoya Travel is an excellent program for new travel agents without experience. One of its biggest perks is the wealth of resources through their partnerships, groups, and systems. For instance, their Live Leads program provides you with leads, which can be a huge help as you get started.
The commission split works like this: for customers brought in through Avoya’s Live Leads, it’s 70% for them and 30% for you; for customers you bring, like friends and family, it flips to 80% for you and 20% for them; and if it’s your own travel, you keep 100%.
Nexion is a super popular host agency known for its fair prices and awesome value. They do weekly Zoom trainings, which is fantastic for new beginners, as well as marketing assistant and access to preferred supplier connections.
What stands out about Nexion is their personalized programs for independent travel agents. You can alter the bundle to suit your needs by selecting your plan and any appliable add-ons.
Outside Agents is a top-choice host agency that’s widely favored among agents. Not only do they pay top-tier commissions, but they offer unmatched support & training. With affordable fees, competitive commissions, extensive training, and a strong community, it’s a compelling choice for new travel agents without experience.
They offer two monthly membership options: $26 or $46, along with a commission split ranging from 80% to 95%. This is one of the highest commission rates in the industry.
Expedia Cruises offers a franchise model for travel agents specializing in cruise vacations and provides full training. Their buying power scores you top-notch commissions—up to 18% for cruise bookings. And let’s talk about their online training— It’s simple to guide yourself through, easy to follow along, interactive, and it’s useable in the real world! When you add that, to the personal assistance provided by the team you have the absolute best support in the industry!
KHM Travel Group is a top-notch host agency trusted for its outstanding support, training, and resources. They provide all the support and tools you need to learn the travel business, as well as the right suppliers, training, content for social media and marketing tools to look like the professional you are. You cannot go wrong with this agency if you are jus starting out as a travel agent without experience.
In addition, they offer two payment plans, including a monthly fee of $64.95 or an annual fee of $649, along with one-time registration fees, they ensure agents start with an 80% commission payout.
Cruise Planners is a great organization for new travel agents, specializing in cruise travel. They provide extensive training, marketing support, and exclusive technology tools for their agents. What people like about them the most is that they are always upgrading and improving their tools, so that you can grow your business quickly and easily. Cruise Planners is competitively priced at a fee of $9,995, which is one of the most affordable low-cost agencies to work with.
Authors Pick
After extensive research, here is my pick for the best host agency in the industry-
Drum roll please! 🥁🥁🥁
Outside Agents appears to be the best option for a travel hosting agency. The training they give you is more than enough to become successful. They also have one of the best commission structures in the business that sets them apart. So if you’re seeking a supportive and resource-rich environment to start and grow your travel business…look no further!
There is only one con about using Outside agents that is worth mentioning. You do need to have earned $5000 in commission to be approved for your own IATA AND CLIA. You will need this to qualify for travel agent rate stays. However, on a positive note, you can still book under their IATA and CLIA credentials once you partner with them.
Can I Become A Travel Agent As A Stay-At-Home Mom?
Absolutely!! Many stay-at-home moms find that becoming a travel agent offers the flexibility to work from home.
Meet Tyra, the owner and founder of Mommy and Wee Travels, a fully accredited travel agency. Before breaking into the world of travel, Tyra worked as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. There she held a management position at a large corporation for several years. When she wasn’t busy with work, she was juggling all the typical mommy duties while planning her next exciting vacations. Now, Tyra helps aspiring travel agents achieve their dreams while excelling in her own career. Despite her busy schedule, she continues to be a wonderful mom to her daughter.
I Am Ready To Become An Independent Travel Agent – How Do I Get Started?
If you’re ready to take the plunge and become a travel agent, check out Outside Agents website. They offer all the resources you need in one place and can answer any questions or concerns you may have.
If you’re someone who learns best with hands-on guidance and clear instructions, you’ll appreciate Outside Agents’ award-winning training program. Their approach is simple: better education leads to better agents and higher earnings. So, even if you’re starting with little to no prior knowledge, you’re in good hands with their supportive training.
Evelyn is a dedicated working mom and blogger who has spent the last decade navigating the world of parenting and entrepreneurship. As a proud momma to a wonderful boy, she has gained invaluable insights into effective parenting practices, particularly through the Montessori method, which she passionately shares with other parents online. Evelyn defies the notion that having children limits your potential, proving that it’s possible to achieve greatness while raising a family.
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