How to start a home travel business
The home based travel business is no longer the wave of the future. Home based travel businesses are the hot trend right now. So if you’re considering becoming a travel agent, this quick guide will provide you with the information you need to know.
First, there are generally two types of home travel businesses:
- Referral agencies
- Booking and sales agencies
Home travel businesses that fall under the referral agency category do just that: they refer people to a travel agency. They may have several agencies that they refer people to, but generally they have one travel agency that they work with on a regular basis. In exchange for referrals from a home business travel agent, the travel agency pays a referral fee or a percentage commission on top of what the travel agency receives from the supplier. Part-time referral agents can earn up to $500 per sale, and sometimes even more.
Home based travel businesses that fall under the booking and sales agency category usually work with a single travel agency. These travel booking and sales agencies actually do the booking and planning involved in making all the necessary arrangements for great trips.
These are people who like to take care of all the little details. They serve more or less as intermediaries between their clients and the travel agency. Travel business agents who book and sell earn a much higher percentage of the total commission, but they do a lot more work. A full-time worker in it, however, can earn $50,000 or more per year.
Some things you want to consider before deciding to open your own home travel business are:
- Do I need special training or education?
- Should I pursue this part time or full time?
- Does my family support my decision?
- Do I have a room in my home where I can create an office?
- Should I get an extra phone line?
- What kind of office equipment do I need?
- What will I do with accounting?
- How do I manage my tax needs?
- Is this a job I will love?
- How much money do I want to make?
- Should I advertise?
- Do I have the necessary contacts to pursue this business opportunity?
- If I don’t, how do I make the necessary contacts?
- Am I willing to put in the necessary effort in this business?
- Does my state require me to have a business license?
Once you have answered all or at least most of these questions, you will need to make a business plan outlining the steps you need to take to achieve your goal of having your own home based travel business. And a plan just isn’t good unless you follow it.
You also need to make sure that your business plan is realistic. If you have to take a course to run the type of travel agent home business you want to have, the decision to open up shop next week is not a smart one. By being realistic about your business plan, you will save yourself an untold amount of frustration as you start and grow your business.
And starting your own business, whether it’s a cruise home or a vacation home travel business in Europe, can be frustrating. Be ready for obstacles to rear their ugly heads when you least expect it, and roll with them as much as you can.
Your goal is to offer superior, professional travel services. Don’t let a cranky customer get to you. Always maintain a pleasant, cheerful demeanor. You can scream later. Even better, you can laugh with friends while sipping a glass of fine wine that you bought with the money you earned as a home business travel agent.
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