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[B265]Become A Home Travel Agent

by Alecia Barnes, Ale

A key factor in this growth phenomenon is the steady stream of baby boomers who are retiring, or getting ready to retire. In fact, baby boomers are retiring at a rate of one every eight seconds. Travel was rated the number one thing these baby boomers intend to do when they do retire.

There is now an increased demand for qualified travel agents, due to the explosive growth of the industry as a whole. To become a certified travel agent, your options are not limited to the traditional brick and mortar setting.

Many reputable travel agencies are now offering attractive options for the individual looking for a legitimate home based business.

If your goal is to work as an independent travel agent from the comfort of your own home, you may want to consider working as an online travel agent.

Here are some companies that you can research, that offer excellent income opportunities and complete training. Please note, that many travel companies that actively recruit agents to work from home, will hire their agents as employees.

There are also travel companies that recruit independent agents. This option will offer the agent the freedom of being self-employed, and the ability to set their own hours.

To take advantage of this option, be aware that there will be an investment required. The ability to make money will be solely at the discretion of the agent who chooses to invest in this business model.

On a positive note, many agents who have invested in this business model are making a very nice income, so be sure to research this option before ruling it out.

Travel companies that currently offer the independent agent business model include TraVerus Travel Network, Global Resorts Network, and Your Travel Business, also known as YTB.

Make sure to do your due diligence! Be sure to research each company carefully, and make it a priority to fully understand the compensation plan. You will also need to know what training is available, and whether the company will offer you the opportunity to become certified.

Don't be afraid to ask important questions, such as whether the company has IATA(International Air Transport Association), IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network), and CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) Credentials. This is important information to know, especially if you intend to take advantage of the travel perks and benefits available to those in the travel industry.

Here are some questions to ask - What is the initial investment, if any? Are there any additional costs or fees associated with obtaining licensing, or becoming certified? And finally, if you are considering a work at home position, what kind of support and training is offered?

Next, determine whether you a right fit for the travel industry. Lets break down the qualifications that will determine whether you are suited for this challenging, but rewarding career.

Travel agents should have a minimum of a high school diploma. Agents should have a true love for travel,as well as a sincere enthusiasm and love for working with people, because these traits are crucial elements for success in this industry.

Travel agents should also possess excellent multi-tasking and organization skills. Attention to detail and accuracy are very important, along with great communication skills. In addition, good computer skills will be needed.

Travel agents should possess a professional, courteous demeanor when working with suppliers, and the general public. Sales ability and great interpersonal skills are an added plus.

The benefits of becoming a travel agent are many. I have listed the top three.

Travel agents save up to 80% on travel to many of the worlds exclusive resorts and destinations. These discounts include, but are not limited to:

a. Complimentary upgrades
b. Hotel room upgrades and discounts
c. Car rental discounts and upgrades
d. Cruises
e. Theme park discounts
f. Vacation Packages

FAM trips, also known as familiarization trips. Suppliers will offer access to their facilities at substantial discounts so that travel agents will have first hand knowledge of their facilities. The travel agent will then be able to make recommendations and book travel for their clients based on their personal knowledge and first hand experience.

The supplier will roll out the red carpet for the travel agent to ensure the travel professional has an outstanding time.

There are also tax benefits for individuals who chose to do this profession as an independent travel agent. You should consult with your CPA or tax professional for more information regarding this benefit.

So, how do I become a travel agent? In summary, becoming a travel agent can be a lucrative and rewarding career. Should you decide that you possess the skills and abilities needed for success, you can look forward to a promising career.

In addition to the companies named in this article, you can do further research online at Google or Yahoo using the following keywords - become a travel agent, how do I become a travel agent, travel agent careers, or online travel agent.

With multitasking becoming a common ability for most individuals, it is difficult to find time to make travel arrangements for your upcoming escape. Fortunately, it is possible to provide a travel agent with basic information about where you would like to go and allow someone else to do all the legwork. Before you know it, the plans will be ready for your review and can be booked as soon as you approve them.

One of the benefits of allowing a travel professional to handle your vacation arrangements, is that he or she is much more likely to be aware of any type of special offers or discounts that fit into your basic ideas for the vacation. Often, these discounts are not advertised in a place where unknowing clients will be looking. This means you would never be able to find them even if you did take the time to make all the arrangements yourself. As a result, you may find yourself paying less for airfare, enjoying a discount on the rental car costs, and staying in a nicer hotel room at a lower daily rate.

In addition to saving you money, there is also a good chance your travel agent will be aware of circumstances that may not be easy for you to discover. Agents tend to know when particular hotels are undergoing remodeling or if construction is taking place next door. If the idea is to have peace and quiet during your vacation, the agent can easily avoid booking you into those hotels, and can find something that provides all the amenities you want and still offer plenty of quiet time for relaxation.

Agents are also very helpful when you only have a vague idea of what you would like to do with your vacation. Perhaps you would like to spend some time near the waterfront but have no firm ideas about whether you would prefer a beachside setting, or time at a lakeside retreat. Your agent can investigate any options that fit into this broad category and develop plans using each option. At that point, all you have to do is pick one and the booking can begin.

Working with an agent does not mean you have to be left out of the loop until all the proposed plans are ready for your review. Many agents provide an email address that clients can use to reach them at any time. This means that if you think of an amenity you want at the hotel, such as a gym or steam room, you can quickly forward an email to your agent and make sure that is taken into consideration. The process is quick, easy and allows you to get right back to whatever other tasks are on your plate.

Reviewing proposals for your trip can be handled in more than one way. If you have the time, you can drop in at the agency and meet with the travel agent face to face. For people with very little spare time, there is often the option of receiving information about the proposed travel plans by email. The agent can include an overview of the plans in the body of an email, and then attach documents you can open and review at your leisure. If everything is in order, simply contact the agent and confirm which plan you prefer, make payment arrangements, and then turn your attention elsewhere while the agent takes care of everything else.

With reputable travel agencies, you will find that a great deal of effort goes into creating just the right travel plans for each customer. Lesser firms will offer stock packages that are very rigid in nature, where nothing can be changed and the discounted rate does not apply. When you are working with a top quality agency, they tend to think outside the box and tailor vacations in any way necessary. While you may begin with a package deal as the foundation for your vacation plans, the agent will seek to customize the elements of the package while still providing as many price breaks as possible. While this type of service does require more time, the end result is well worth the extra effort.

Over time, your agent will become familiar with what you like in terms of destinations, hotel accommodations, and other amenities and amusements. This will make it much easier for the agent to focus on vacation ideas that will be of interest to you when vacation time rolls around again. Developing a rapport of this type will translate into a quicker turnaround on delivering the proposed plans for a vacation, making it possible for you to quickly strike one more line item off your list of things to do.

Article Source : Hunting Land In Texas

About Author

Both Alecia Barnes & Jenniferb are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alecia Barnes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Home Based Business and Work From Home. Alecia Barnes is a successful Internet Entrepreneur and Network Marketing Professional who assists other MLM and Network Marketi. Alecia Barnes's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.

Jenniferb has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Careers and Job Hunting and Travel and Leisure. Jennifer Bailey is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure, often focusing on a particular aspect of vacationing such as working with a .. Jenniferb's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.