Travel | travel advisory cancun

How to become a travel agent starts with deciding why it is you want to be a travel agent. If you want to be an agent to make commissions on selling travel, to help people book travel and to travel cheaply at travel agent rates – then becoming an agent is extremely simple. However, if you’re looking to become a licensed agent, with a Main Street address, and brochures in your lobby. . .wait – that’s easy too.

There are several companies that enable interested parties to become agents for them for a small fee. In exchange they provide an internet site branded with your ‘travel agency’ name, they provide the booking engine to help you book travel and give you access to travel agent sites that provide travel agent rates. This is the path I have chosen, and would recommend to others.

The disadvantage to becoming an agent this way is the lack of SABRE computer system training or use. Also, you don’t automatically become a cruise expert or a vacation expert. By joining your local travel agency, you would get these things automatically as part of the new team.

However, on the flip side of that coin, by going the route I have chosen, you can get any credentials or level of expertise you want with the training they do provide, access to independent training and even virtual training done through the company’s website. Why would you want to be a cruise expert anyway, if you haven’t taken the classes to learn the trade.

The SABRE computer system is pretty outdated as well, the software the new breed of agencies provides gives you all the access to the help and research that you need to be great in the travel industry.

Becoming a Travel Agent

Travel agents need to become well-organized and detail-oriented in order to compile information from various sources in order to plan and organize their clients travel needs. They encourage people to travel and help them plan and prepare for their trip. Travel agents help travelers sort through large amounts of information in order to make the best possible travel arrangements. As an agent you are also expected to know how to advise travelers about their destinations, such as the weather conditions, local ordinances and customs, attractions, exhibitions, and money exchanges. These professionals increasingly specialize in specific destinations or by type of travel. Those who specialize in a travel destination, will have the best chances for success. Travel agents held about 101,000 jobs in May 2006 and are found in every part of the country.

Travel Agents face increasing competition from travel and airline websites for low-cost fares, but travelers still prefer using a travel agent who can cater to their specific needs. To attract these travelers, many agents specialize in specific interest destinations, travel to certain regions. Advanced computer systems and other networks make it possible for a growing number of travel agents to work from home; however, some agents desire to have an office presence for walk-in business. Opportunities should be better for agents who specialize in specific destinations, luxury travel, or particular types of travelers.

Visualize a vacation of self-indulgence in massages, savory culinary treats and boutique shopping. Furthermore, luxury and specialty travel is expected to increase among the growing number of Americans who are seeking out exotic and unique vacations and a growing part of travel agents business is organizing and selling tours for the growing number of international visitors.

The multi-billion dollar travel business is one of the largest industries in the country. Spending on travel is expected to increase significantly within the next 10 years. Much of the travel will continue to be related to business but as business activity expands so will business related travel. At the same time more leisure, longer frequent vacations, will also give people more time to travel for pleasure. As an Agent you will help travelers define their interests and needs, including time and budget concerns. Many new agents are under the impression that they are going to have to pay big dollars for travel agent training. Not so!