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Is a travel agent worth it the pros and cons.

Travel experts agree there are several advantages to hiring a vacation planner.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent

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A travel agent can save you money and time.

Need to pivot your trip plans but don't want to deal with the extra time, money and hassle of rebooking flights and accommodations on your own? That's just one area where a knowledgeable travel agent (also commonly known as a travel advisor) can help. Read on to discover the other benefits – as well as the downsides – of using a travel agent, so you can confidently decide whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks.

"In some cases, you'll actually get a better  deal by working with a travel agent," says Jackie Steele, travel expert at MagicGuides . "This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren't aware of." The best agents will even keep an eye on new discounts as they're announced and apply them to your trip even after you've booked, he notes.

Travel agents handle all the details

Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent handles every detail of your vacation itinerary. "The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer .

Molly McShea, owner and travel advisor at McShea Travel , points out that travel agents can also help with timing logistics. "Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day," she says, adding that crafting an itinerary can be challenging if it's not something you regularly do. Additionally, travel agents can help you choose the best time to visit your preferred destination(s) based on seasonality and your budget, and sift through travel insurance policies to find the best option for your needs.

Travel agents can provide local expertise

"A travel advisor's industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients," says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and agency owner at Cultured Travel LLC. She says when working with a travel agent, travelers gain access to a global network of connections including:

• In-destination specialists who work exclusively with travel advisors and can connect travelers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences they wouldn't otherwise know about
• Exclusive experiences not available to the general public

You'll avoid surprise fees

When deciding if a travel agent is worth it for you, remember this: A reputable agent can guarantee you won't encounter any surprise fees on accommodations and activities once your trip is booked.

You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues

A travel advisor is essentially your personal vacation concierge. "Because they've been around for so long, agents really know what to look for," says Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and journalist. "Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays , making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away." 

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

It might not be your cheapest option.

There are some instances when it makes more sense to plan your own trip. "If you're planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it's easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site," says Elliott. "If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon , that's when you call the experts."

You'll have less flexibility in your itinerary

The upside of working with a travel agent is having someone plan an epic vacation for you based on industry knowledge and local expertise. But this can also be a downside in the event you discover an activity you'd like to do or a restaurant you'd like to try that isn't on your pre-planned itinerary. If you alter your plans, you risk losing money; plus, the time it takes for you and your travel agent to coordinate your change of plans may not be worth the hassle.

You still have to do some research

It's important to find an agent you can trust, which means you still have to do some of the vacation planning. For this part, Parker recommends picking up the phone. "Lots of people avoid or don't pick up the phone as much anymore," she says. "That's where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage." She advises to look for the following red flags:

• No fees: " Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions," Parker explains. "There are a lot of things that are non-commissionable and the advisor's time and expertise shouldn't be given away for free, either. That's the best way to show an advisor takes their business seriously."
• Limited options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has an incentive to book you with a certain supplier, they may not be prioritizing your best interests. "It's important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures," says Parker. "That level of mindshare doesn't come with a lone advisor unless they have many, many years of experience."
• Slow response times: If communication is delayed, that's a sign they may be too busy to plan your trip – but again, this is something you can avoid by having the right conversations early on.

Edman suggestes starting your search with the American Society of Travel Advisors . "ASTA-verified travel advisors are committed to the highest industry standards and have verifiable industry knowledge so consumers can feel confident in working with them," she says.

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14 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent

Get information on Travel Agent Training programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

2021 may not have been the best year for the travel industry, but, thankfully, things have been turning around.

What does this mean for industry professionals?

It means that the demand for their services, including the services of travel agents, has been growing again.

But what exactly is a travel agent, and what are their responsibilities?

A travel agent is a middle person connecting tourists with companies that provide travel-related services, such as accommodation, transportation, and entertainment.

They are also responsible for letting their clients know about important requirements, like visas and vaccinations.

In addition, they process payments and deposits and take care of issues and emergencies on behalf of their clients.

Article Table of Contents

• 1.1 Decent Income
• 1.2 Flexible Working Hours
• 1.3 Travel Opportunities
• 1.4 Independence
• 1.5 Supplementary Income
• 1.6 Different Specializations
• 1.7 No Required Special Training
• 2.1 High Amount of Stress
• 2.2 Stiff Competition
• 2.3 Exposure to Client Lawsuits
• 2.4 Increased Price Transparency
• 2.5 Uncertain Job Security
• 2.6 Limited Opportunities for Advancement
• 2.7 Difficulties in Maintaining a Positive Online Presence
• 3 Should You Become a Travel Agent?
• 4 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent – Summary Table

Pros of Being a Travel Agent

Decent income.

Being a travel agent can potentially be a very lucrative endeavor.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics , travel agents make an average salary of $46,650 (as of May 2020) with a range of $25,230 and $73,360.

Of course, a travel agent’s income depends on a number of factors, including experience, number of clients, and commission rates.

It is not uncommon for a hardworking agent to make as much as $80k to $100k per year.

Flexible Working Hours

If you decide to become a home-based agent (which many travel agents do), you will have the luxury of working wherever you want, whenever you want.

There is no need to report for duty early in the morning.

You get to call the shots and start working whenever the time is perfectly right for you.

That being said, it is important to have a routine.

According to Northwestern Medicine , having a routine alleviates stress, allows you to sleep better, and improves your overall health.

And, in the long run, it makes you a more productive travel agent.

Travel Opportunities

Every kind of business requires that you be good at what you do.

Being a good travel agent means having in-depth knowledge about what you are offering your clients.

That means you have to travel a great deal to see and experience the destinations you are promoting.

Thankfully, many hotels and destination packages offer travel agents with “familiarization” trips, also known as FAM trips .

Through these discounted trips, agents can gather the facts and knowledge they need to successfully sell their services.

Independence

Not all career paths offer the flexibility of owning your own business and being your own boss.

But, fortunately, as a travel agent, you can have that kind of independence.

Freelance/independent travel agents are growing by the day.

And maybe it is your turn to hop on the bandwagon and become a self-employed travel agent.

One of the perks of being independent is that you can set your own hours and decide where you work.

But, as we mentioned earlier, it is essential to have a schedule/routine .

Supplementary Income

Not all aspiring agents want to work in the field full time.

Some just want a secondary source of income.

Thankfully, the travel agent job is versatile enough to suit both full-time and part-time working schedules.

If you are a part-time travel agent who wishes to take the job to the next level and make it a full-time career, that is absolutely possible, too.

Different Specializations

No two travel agents are the same.

While one travel agent might specialize in Caribbean cruises and honeymoon destinations in Europe, another might concentrate on African safaris or mountain-climbing trips in the Himalayas.

The specializations you choose will, of course, depend on your interests.

After all, you have to love and be passionate about what you are selling.

No Required Special Training

Travel agents do not need a special certificate or license .

However, some formal training in the hospitality or tourism field would be very beneficial if you are applying for a job at a travel agency.

In the end, your most important asset is your passion for the travel industry.

If you let that shine in your application and interview, you will much more likely stand out.

Cons of Being a Travel Agent

High amount of stress.

A high level of responsibility can come with a large amount of stress.

Working as a travel agent can be very fun and rewarding.

But when tasks pile up during peak season, travel protocols change, or clients let you know they are less than pleased with the services they have received, the work can get mentally and emotionally draining.

Working in this field is not for the faint of heart.

However, if you have thick skin and are always up for a new challenge, being a travel agent might be for you.

Stiff Competition

Although people are always traveling, travel agents have to stand out from the crowd.

Agents are all over the market, clambering to attract potential clients.

The key to success in the market is positioning yourself in a way that gets you noticed.

One of the biggest factors that differentiate you from your competitors is your unique selling proposition (USP) .

Once you have found your destination’s USP, you will have what it takes to catch people’s eyes and convince them to visit your destination.

Exposure to Client Lawsuits

One of the perks of being a travel agent is getting to meet people from all walks of life.

But there is a possible downside.

Not everyone will be pleased, and some might even go as far as suing you or your company as a way to settle disputes.

Lawsuits might be based on things like misinterpretation or negligence.

Although what happens during your client’s trip is not your responsibility, you do have to make sure that you present your destination in a completely truthful manner.

Also, having your clients buy travel insurance may greatly alleviate their emergency costs and significantly lessen their chances of filing a lawsuit.

Increased Price Transparency

Of course, honesty, openness, and transparency are extremely important for any travel agent or business person.

However, increased price transparency , which has come with the rise of the internet age, has brought on new challenges for travel agents.

Information is easily accessible online, and clients can see and compare an array of prices and offers.

This has made competition stiffer, which means travel agents really have to focus on their USP and make sure their prices are competitive.

Uncertain Job Security

One common belief is that the internet is taking the place of travel agents.

With a wealth of information at their fingertips, clients can just conduct research on their own.

But travel agents will never be fully replaced by the internet.

As long as people are traveling, travel agents will still have jobs.

That being said, the internet has impacted the market to a degree.

Some people simply plan and book their trips online without the help of a travel agent.

This means you really need to sell yourself.

If you do not uniquely position yourself within the market, people will either opt for your competitors or do everything online.

Limited Opportunities for Advancement

This field offers limited advancement opportunities.

But if you are fine with staying in the same line of work for many years, this might not be an issue for you.

The highest position level you can achieve is probably that of a branch manager.

If you really want to advance in your career and maximize your earning potential, you would be best served by starting your own travel agency.

Difficulties in Maintaining a Positive Online Presence

We have already mentioned the importance of having a USP.

One of your biggest tools in accomplishing this will be your website.

However, a simple, basic website will not cut it.

You will need some strategies to attract people to your site.

Ways to increase traffic include having an active social media presence, advertising, optimizing your site for searches and keywords , sending email newsletters, and creating a travel blog.

Should You Become a Travel Agent?

With the travel industry gaining traction again, travel agents are in growing demand.

As intermediates that connect their clients with travel-related services like transportation and accommodation, they have a huge amount of responsibility.

They also have to be up-to-date on the latest visa and vaccination requirements, so travel agents always have to be on their toes.

There are many advantages of being a travel agent.

These include a decent income, flexibility, opportunities for travel, and different specializations to choose from.

Many people opt for careers as travel agents for these exact reasons.

However, like every other career, the travel agent career has some downsides.

One disadvantage is that it can be a very demanding and stressful job.

Competition can also be very stiff, thanks to the internet and a large number of agents in the market.

Luckily, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages for most travel agents.

If you end up pursuing this path, you will be on your way to a very lucrative and rewarding career.

Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent – Summary Table

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Raise your hand if you love to travel. Whether you’re often on the road or take a vacation just once a year, you’ve probably heard of travel agents. These folks help plan and book itineraries for you, eliminating a lot of the pain points when it comes to traveling.

These days many people skip out on a travel agent in lieu of booking their trip online, but if you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to become a travel agent yourself. Why? Because it can save you a lot of money — and may even earn you some in the process.

Let’s take a look at how to become a travel agent, why it’s something you may want to consider and the ways it can work for you.

Why become a travel agent?

Have you ever obsessively researched the best hotels in a city you’re planning to visit? How about checking seat maps on an airplane? If getting into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics is something you do in your spare time, you might also enjoy becoming a travel agent.

Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel.

This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

» Learn more: How to get a refund from a travel agency

How to become a travel agent

Find a program.

Becoming a travel agent isn’t as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that’ll teach you the basics of running your own travel business.

There are a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals. Most programs will teach you about the business side of being a travel agent as well as how to plan trips, so your courses in itinerary planning and travel insurance will be coupled with business ethics and customer service.

If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent from home, don’t worry. Many of these courses don’t have to be done in person; there are online programs that will teach you everything you need to know from the comfort of your living room.

Apply for certification

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll want to apply for certification. Although there is no single standard that designates you a travel agent, there are a number of different identifiers that you can acquire. Some of the more common ones are:

International Air Transport Association, or IATA, which allows you to book travel on domestic and international airlines.

Travel Industry Designator Service, or TIDS, which allows agents to book trips with a variety of travel suppliers and receive commissions.

Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, which provides agents the ability to book trips on cruises around the world.

In order to access Marriott’s travel advisor rates, for example, you can use any three of these designations, along with a variety of others.

Each of these associations and identifiers have different implications for your business, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve fully researched them before applying for membership.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Save money as a travel agent

Once you’ve qualified as a travel agent, what comes next? If you travel frequently, becoming a travel agent can be a huge benefit to you, as it offers discounted rates and access to luxury travel options.

Discounted rates

Travel agents have access to negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. The exact amount will vary depending on the business. Hilton, for example, will give personal travel discounts of 50% off at newly-opened hotels and up to 25% off at the remainder of hotels within Hilton’s portfolio.

Hyatt, meanwhile, will give you a discount on personal travel of up to 50%, but only during select dates of the year. And although not all airlines give discounts to travel agents, many do.

Regardless, these are some pretty spectacular savings, and if you’re looking to save money on your vacations, being a travel agent can help.

Luxury programs

Becoming a travel agent isn’t only about saving money, however. It also grants you access to many hotel chains’ luxury travel programs.

If you’re big into elite status benefits, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider — especially since you don’t need any status at all to receive these perks, as long as you book through the hotel’s agent portal.

Most major hotel chains have these programs, including Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

While benefits vary by brand, many of these offers include things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, early check-in or late checkout and credits for expenses like dining or spa services. General consumers aren’t eligible for these programs, but once you’ve become a registered travel agent, they become accessible to you; however, some programs — such as Hyatt Privé — are invitation only.

For the most part, booking rooms through these programs shouldn’t cost more than the standard rate you’d be paying anyway, so you have the potential to get big benefits without shelling out any additional money.

However, note that these numbers don’t take into account any other discounted rates for which you may be eligible, such as those offered to American Automobile Association members and veterans .

» Learn more: Uncommon tips for saving money on travel

Earn money as a travel agent

Of course, becoming a travel agent isn’t all about scoring discounts for yourself. If you’re looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so.

Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you’ll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales. Courses such as those mentioned above can help train you to do this and run a successful business.

If booking travel and organizing trips for others is something that appeals to you, there’s definitely money to be earned. Marriott, for example, gives agents a commission of between 8% and 10% for all eligible stays booked.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of booking through online travel agencies

If you’d like to become a travel agent

There are a few good reasons to become a travel agent, especially if you travel a lot. Although it takes time and effort to complete training and apply for accreditation, the benefits you’ll receive as a travel advisor can be significant. This is true whether you’re booking personal travel or have built yourself a client base. Either way, there’s money to be had — and saved.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

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2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

28 Major Pros & Cons Of Being A Travel Agent

“ The whole concept of the travel agent is absurd. They appear to be agents of the traveler but are actually agents of the airlines. “

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Businessman

Pros and Cons of Working as a Travel Agent

You think about becoming a travel agent but are not sure whether this career path is good for you or not? Great!

Stick with me since I will show you all the pros and cons of being a travel agent in the following so that you can better decide whether you want to become a travel agent or if you rather want to go for a different job option instead.

Table of Contents

Travel Agent Job Profile

Advantages of being a travel agent, working as a travel agent is not that stressful, you can make people happy, you can get new ideas for your own vacation, travel agents may get discounts on flights, stays and trips, you can improve your soft skills, travel agents can work indoors, you can talk to many different people, you can start a travel blog, travel agents don’t work many extra hours, you don’t have to work on weekends, you may be able to travel the world, travel agents have a decent work-life balance, travel agents can make decent money, you can start your own travel agency, you don’t need a college degree for becoming a travel agent, you can avoid student loan debt, travel agents can become independent rather soon.

One advantage of being a travel agent is that your job will simply not be as stressful as working in many other fields.

Yes, from time to time, you will have demanding clients who will do everything to annoy you and who will just never be satisfied.

You may also have to handle many clients at the same time during busy periods of the years.

However, you will still have a relatively comfortable and relaxed workday most of the time and this means that while other people are on fire at work 100% of their time, you will be able to enjoy nice little breaks on a regular basis and will also have enough time to chat with your colleagues.

Chances are that you will also have sufficient energy after work to meet up with your favorite people while many other people out there will be happy to just sit on their couches since they are so tired from working in their jobs.

Hence, becoming a travel agent can be great for you in case you don’t want to have a stressful job but rather want to have sufficient energy to spend on the things you like more than work.

As a travel agent, you will also play a quite important role in the lives of many people.

Since vacation trips are the highlights of the year for many people out there, it will be in your hands to make those trips as enjoyable as possible.

Thus, good travel agents can really make a difference in the quality of life of numerous people and you should not underestimate how important you will be for the success of those trips.

Consequently, you should also consider becoming a travel agent if you want to make the lives of people better while earning money at the same time.

Another upside to working as a travel agent is that you can also get many new ideas for your own travels.

Opportunities regarding traveling are almost endless, yet you might not know many of them yet.

In fact, travel companies always invent new things you can do on your travels and if you work as a travel agent, you will be one of the first people who get to know those things.

This not only means that you will be one of the first people who can try out those new activities, but you can also inform your family and friends about those new attractions and your loved ones will be quite happy since they will get additional ideas of what to do when it comes to their vacation plans.

Many travel agents also enjoy discounts on many things related to vacation.

For instance, as a travel agent, you may be able to book flights at a lower price and may also have to pay less for a stay in your favorite hotel. You may even get discounts on trips.

Especially if you have a big family, this can add up to significant amounts of money and I am sure you know many nice things you could buy from the saved money from your vacation trips.

Hence, while your base salary may not be that high as a travel agent, you can still save some money on vacation and this means that you will get additional implied income from your job.

By working as a travel agent, you will also have many different clients.

While some of them will be nice and polite, others will just be difficult and demanding.

This means that you will always have to improve your people skills and learn how to deal with these difficult people to stay successful in the long run.

While this can be annoying, it also gives you the opportunity to develop important character traits and to grow as a character in general.

In turn, you will be able to use those skills not only at work, but on many other occasions in your private life.

Another benefit of becoming a travel agent is that you will be able to work indoors.

While many people take this for granted, you shouldn’t!

There are still many people who have to work outdoors during bad weather and this can be really annoying and also potentially risky for your health.

By working indoors, you as a travel agent can make your work life as comfortable as possible and can even use heating or air conditioning to optimize your work environment while garbage collectors and many other people will sweat or feel cold outdoors.

As a travel agent, you will also be able to talk to many different people.

Good travel agents realize that their level of success in this field not only depends on the tours they have to offer, but also greatly on how they treat their customers.

If clients feel well in a travel agent office, they are far more likely to buy trips, flights and other things.

Hence, becoming a travel agent can be great for you in case you are the type of extroverted person who loves to talk to people all day long and who can give them a good feeling in general.

As a travel agent, you may not only make money from your day job.

If you know a little bit about digital marketing and are also willing to expand your knowledge in this field, you may be able to start your own travel blog and to make serious money from it.

Sure, this will not be an overnight project.

You would have to put in lots of work and it will likely take you several years to get to this point.

Yet, if you are willing to work hard and work on the weekends and before or after work, chances are that you will get to a point where you can quit your day job and solely rely on your income from your travel blog.

Sure, you could also just keep your job and enjoy an additional passive income stream from your blog.

Hence, working as a travel agent can also help you become financially independent sooner or later and this can be great since it gives you the opportunity to work less and to enjoy the nice things in life instead.

Employed travel agents will also not have to work that many hours.

In fact, most travel agents don’t work more than 40 hours a week and some of them even work significantly less.

This means that you will have enough time to spend on your hobbies and that you will also not be as exhausted from work compared to someone who works 60 hours+.

Travel agents usually also don’t have to work on weekends.

Sure, there are exemptions to this rule and if you are really ambitious and want to get promoted as soon as possible, you may also have to put in the work on Saturday or Sunday.

Yet, most travel agents are able to enjoy free weekends and this gives you the opportunity to spend your weekend with your favorite people or with the things you love more than just work.

As a travel agent, you may also be able to travel the world.

Of course, this also greatly depends on the type of travel agent you are.

While many travel agents mainly do office work and work for a local travel agency, you may be able to travel the world in case you offer pretty specialized trips and there will be a need to be present in your even locations quite often.

Thus, becoming a travel agent can also help you travel the world for free while even making money at the same time.

Since you will usually enjoy free weekends and you will also not work more than 40 hours as a travel agent, you will be able to enjoy a pretty decent work-life balance.

In fact, most travel agents report that they have more than enough time for their hobbies or for meeting up with friends.

If you are really good at what you are doing, you will also be able to make pretty good money from working as a travel agent.

Sure, you will not make a fortune.

However, if you are a trustworthy person and know how to convince people, you will sell lots of vacation trips and this means that you will also get a commission for each trip.

In turn, your income will often increase with the number of trips you sell and if you are a really good seller, you may be able to earn more money than many other people with similar qualifications.

Becoming a travel agent can also be great for you in case you don’t want to work as an employee forever but rather want to have your own business sooner or later.

You could just work as a travel agent for a few years to gather some experience and to save some money and start your own specialized travel agency later on in your life.

Of course, this will not be easy and will also take quite a lot of work.

However, it is definitely possible to build a business in this field if you are willing to work hard and you are the entrepreneurial type of person who can’t just work for someone else for your whole life.

Another advantage of working in the travel industry is that you will also not need to get a college degree or any other sort of certification.

Sure, those degrees and certificates can help you with getting a job in this field.

Yet, they are not mandatory and many travel agents don’t have this fancy education.

What’s more important is that you are a polite, friendly and convincing person who can sell trips to your clients.

Since you will not have to go to college for becoming a travel agent, you can also avoid spending lots of money on tuition and other expenses related to college.

In turn, you will have a much more comfortable life later on since you will not have to pay back debt from student loans like many other people have to do in our current state of the world.

This also gives you more financial freedom to save and invest money or to buy your own home while many other people who have to pay back student loans will often struggle with those things.

Since you will earn money right after high school, you can also become independent of your parents rather quickly.

This is especially important in case you don’t have a good relationship with your parents and just want to get away from them as soon as possible.

As you can see, there are definitely many advantages to working in the travel industry.

Yet, we should also talk about all the issues that come along with it so that you get a more comprehensive view of what working as a travel agent really looks like.

Disadvantages of Working as a Travel Agent

You will be replaceable quite easily, travel agents have rather questionable future job prospects, you will not get rich as a travel agent, you may dream about vacations you will never be able to afford, you will not learn many hard skills as a travel agent, hard to work in different fields, travel agents can’t brag about their jobs, your clients may be difficult, travel agencies will have a hard time to compete, travel agents are away from home quite often, your income will depend on your selling skills.

One problem with being a travel agent is that you will be replaceable rather easily.

Since travel agents don’t need special qualifications in most parts of the world, there will be plenty of competition in this field and if someone comes along who is willing to work in this field for a lower wage, chances are that you will get fired pretty soon while programmers and many other people who are in high demand right now don’t have to worry much in this regard.

You should also not expect to have good future job prospects as a travel agent.

In fact, many people book their vacations over the internet instead of consulting a travel agent right now and this trend will likely continue in the future.

This means that you will become obsolete as a travel agent sooner or later and will have to search for work in a different field.

Hence, if job security is really important to you, you should likely not become a travel agent but rather go for a different career path instead.

While you can make decent money as a travel agent, you should know that you will just not get rich.

Thus, if money and luxury are really important to you and you urgently need many nice things to be happy, you should either go for a different career path or marry someone who has lots of money 😉.

Another downside to a career as a travel agent is that you will also see many nice vacations that you may urgently want to do but you will simply not be able to afford them.

In fact, it can be quite frustrating to present all those nice vacations to your clients while you know that you will never be able to do those nice trips yourself.

While you will become pretty good at dealing with people and can therefore greatly improve your soft skills thanks to your career as a travel agent, you will just not learn that many important hard skills.

This can not only be frustrating, but it also implies serious issues in case you no longer want to work as a travel agent since you will just not be prepared to compete in the job market.

Due to your lack of hard skills, it can indeed be pretty difficult to find a job in a different field.

In fact, many travel agents get stuck in this field and have to work as a travel agent for many years or even decades before they find another job from which they can pay their bills.

Travel agents also don’t have the highest social standing.

While people will appreciate your work if you sell them nice vacations, you will just not have the same social standing as people who work in fields where they can save lives.

Consequently, people may often belittle you since you are “just a travel agent” and you should make sure that you are able to deal with those snarky comments in an emotionally healthy manner.

Another disadvantage of becoming a travel agent is that you will also have to deal with difficult clients sooner or later.

While some people will be nice, others can be quite demanding and some of them even only try to bring you down.

If you deal with the last group of people, this can really stress your nerves and you need lots of patience to handle those people in a proper manner.

Since an increasing number of people will book their vacations themselves without a travel agency, your travel agency may also have a pretty hard time competing in the long run.

In the long run, you may become unemployed or your own travel agency may just become bankrupt.

If you work in a specialized niche as a travel agent, you may also have to travel quite a lot.

While some people love traveling, this also means that you will be away from home quite often and this can lead to all sorts of family problems.

Last but not least, you should also be aware of the fact that your income as a travel agent will not be independent of your performance.

In fact, a significant part of your income will depend on the number and the volume of vacation trips you sell to clients and if you are not a good seller, your income will be pretty low.

Top 10 Being a Travel Agent Pros & Cons – Summary List

Should you become a travel agent.

Now that you know all the advantages and disadvantages of being a travel agent, you should take an honest look in the mirror and ask yourself whether your personality profile fits the arguments made before.

You should definitely take your time to make a profound career choice since it can greatly determine how your life will look like in the future.

If you are still interested in becoming a travel agent, you should also get detailed information on salaries, job prospects, future outlook, working hours, educational requirements, duties and job satisfaction of travel agents .

Also make sure to check out the following articles:

Advantages and disadvantages of a career as an insurance agent

Advantages and disadvantages of a career as a banker

Advantages and disadvantages of a career as a day trader

https://www.statista.com/topics/1859/travel-agencies/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_agency

About the author

My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different career paths that are possible in our current state of the world. In my opinion, people often make the mistake to choose their profession solely based on how much money they can earn from it instead of doing what makes them really happy.

This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Master’s degree in Economics. However, I’ve quit pretty soon after that since I haven’t found true meaning in my job.

Now I can do what I really love to do and I want to enable as many other people as well to go this exciting path towards happiness instead of money.

I conducted various interviews with employees to give you a good impression of what working in different fields will look like and that you can make the best possible decision regarding your future career choice.

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How to Become a Travel Agent—Because, Believe It or Not, the Industry Is on the Rise

By Scott Bay

There’s a reason “how to become a travel agent” has been a continuously trending search phrase on Google—it is a career path that offers a flexible work environment and schedule, ample travel opportunities, and an immersion into a supportive world-wide industry. It's a surprise to some in 2023: Once the internet became widely available, it was largely believed that needing a travel agent was obsolete. However, even though the brick-and-mortar agencies with punny names in strip malls have vanished, the career is on-the-rise .

New software options are making it easier than ever for people to make money planning trips, either as a side hustle or as a full-time business. That’s why Cherikonda, India-based stay-at-home mother, Maya Kapoor-Miller, decided to enter the professional world as a travel agent this year, at 31. “I knew nothing about the travel industry prior to signing up,” says Kapoor-Miller, who decided to use San Francisco-based booking platform Dreamport to establish her online travel advisor business. “It is my first business in life, and the only one that you can start with no investment.”

But there's also a rise in demand. When people ventured back into the world after the pandemic, travel agents saw an overwhelming amount of business . And that momentum hasn’t stopped—when travel is complicated, like it was in 2020 and 2021, travelers turned to professional trip planners to create a seamless vacation. For better or worse, traveling has remained complicated and chaotic, with new rules being implemented (like Americans needing to pay a fee to visit Europe in 2024 ) and airline strikes and staffing issues. Offloading all of the nitty-gritty details to someone else is more appealing than ever.

For those entering the field, there's also the age-old motivator: a love of travel. 

Shelton Ellis, who is based in North Carolina, recently saw these opportunities and left behind more than 20 years in public relations and global advertising to turn his passion into a career. “I was born with a wanderlust that would wear Rick Steves out,” Ellis says. “I decided to take the leap and follow that lifelong yearning. Transitioning into this role was really about learning how to monetize what I'm passionate about.”

Whether you are looking for a new career path or a lucrative side-hustle—or simply curious about those taking the plunge—here’s how to become a travel agent, from the qualifications and education required, to anticipated earnings, according to those who have made the shift in the past year. 

What exactly does a travel agent do?

Travel agents, or travel advisors (the term is mostly interchangeable), manage everything that goes into a trip for their clients: the flights, car transfers, accommodations, restaurant reservations, and more—they even inspire the itinerary. The reason people turn to travel agents, aside from having a helping hand during any travel chaos , is also to tap into the travel agent’s first-hand knowledge of destinations, and their industry partnerships, which often lead to perks such as hotel upgrades, ideal airplane seats, and experiences that can’t be found on a search engine.

“You have to remember that as a travel agent, you will be a guide for people during their happiest moments—family reunions, weddings , baptisms, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that people have dreamt of,” says Kapoor-Miller. “It has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being a travel agent. You navigate people, inform them, and help them choose.”

So, how do you become a travel agent?

There are many ways to become a travel agent, from joining an existing travel agency , to starting an independent business from the ground up. Others are opting for one of the buzziest start-ups in the travel industry, Fora . When it launched in 2021, the software company, which trains and provides search engine-optimized profile pages to advisors—at one point had a waitlist of over 30,000 people eager to begin a part-time gig. Travel photographer and Condé Nast Traveler contributor Amanda Villarosa is currently in the process of joining.

“I'm the person that friends and family come to for travel recommendations, tips and tricks, and general travel advice,” says Villarosa. “After discovering Fora and looking into it, I realized that it could be the perfect side-hustle, considering I'm already so involved in the industry.”

With additional flexibility, Villarosa was able to move from New York City to splitting her time between Denver and Los Angeles . She says that the sign-up was quite straightforward. “You're given a dedicated Fora email and have access to advising tools and fellow Fora advisors,” she says. “The training is in the form of Zoom meetings and videos, which you have the option to watch at your own pace. Once completed, you take a certification quiz and you're on your way to advising.”

The other ways in are slightly more involved. To begin an independent practice, you go about it like many other businesses. You will have to create an LLC, establish a business name, cultivate marketing materials, build a website, find clientele, and more.

Ellis found something in the middle, choosing to connect with an established travel agency. “Don't be afraid to reach out to an agency looking to take on new advisors and is willing to mentor," says Ellis. "I was fortunate to learn so much from Annie Chambers, the owner of Crafted Escapes , who has seven years in the business.” He now knows the ropes on everything from using itinerary-building software to destination-specific training, to the sales and marketing aspects of the trade.

Is there required education or qualifications?

Ellis says that there's no certification, per se, required to become a travel advisor, but there are countless training courses available like Departure Lounge ’s classes on navigating the industry through hotels and tour operators. He said it’s also important to stay on top of travel trends. Ellis recently completed travel agent training programs provided by premier cruise lines such as Virgin Voyages , Ritz-Carlton Yachts , and Cunard to help agents sell their products more accurately.

How much does a travel agent make?

What a travel agent earns depends on how many trips they successfully book for their clients. The entire model is commission-based, meaning agents earn a percentage of the total cost of the vacation they orchestrate. Many travel advisors choose to charge a flat-rate planning fee in addition to their commission, but balance is key—if you charge a high planning fee, it could lead to potential clients going elsewhere.

Sarah Enelow-Snyder

Juliana Shallcross

Boutayna Chokrane

Sarah James

Fora ’s website states that “some of our full-time, expert advisors earn well into the six figures (or beyond).” So a lucrative career may be on the horizon, for those who are able to build a robust client base and excellent industry connections.

How much you make can also depend on where you live around the world. “I am being paid in dollars,” says India-based Kapoor-Miller. “So the currency fluctuations of the local exchange rate are not something I am worried about.”

What are the key skills required to become a travel agent?

“Travel agents need a mix of customer service, communication, destination knowledge, organizational, and problem-solving skills,” says Kapoor-Miller. “But I would say that adaptability, flexibility, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity top them all—you have to put yourself in other's shoes, and understand the requirements, hopes, and expectations of your clients along with any worries and questions they may have.”

It’s vital to have a passion for traveling, even the aspects of the process that aren’t as exciting, such as learning about new airline routes, train schedule updates, and industry news. “It can be an information-heavy hustle, and I believe it's important to be excited about it as that energy definitely transfers to your clients and partners,” Villarosa says.

Should travel advisors choose a specialization?

Many travel advisors have found success through becoming an expert in a few types of travel and destinations. “It's important to become an authority and learn as much as you can through personal experiences and continuing education,” says Ellis. “As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community , an avid snow skier, and scuba diver, I know not only the popular destinations but others that are off the beaten path, equally safe and adventurous for all travelers.” This helps travel agents establish a competitive edge, and hopefully convince potential clients to choose them for their expertise.

What are the benefits of being a travel agent?

“Flexibility tops them all,” says Kapoor-Miller. “And the ability to start without industry knowledge. If you worry that you are too old for this job, the good news is that this is a job you can enter and enjoy at any age.”

Another great perk is the "Familiarization trip,” says Ellis. “Tourism boards and hotels invite agents to visit and familiarize themselves with a particular country and its properties. After all, any accomplished salesperson should learn everything they can about their products first-hand...even if they're in Bora Bora.” It's hard work, but someone's got to do it. 

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14 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent

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Trending Careers

Do you love traveling?

Then working in the travel industry may be the ideal opportunity for you.

Travel agents are the most common and revered workers in this industry.

And, there are a plethora of opportunities that open up to you when working in this industry.

It is a life filled with fun, excitement, and new destinations, and it is emotionally rewarding.

You will be working with people who are at their happiest when they are dealing with you.

Overall, it is a very positive and light-hearted industry to be working in.

Table of Contents

1. Opportunities to Travel

2. flexibility, 3. part-time employment, 4. being your own boss, 5. good earning potential, 6. job variety, 7. no training is required, 1. customers have choices, 2. no job security, 3. this is a demanding job, 4. keeping a strong online presence, 5. lawsuits, 6. stressful, 7. price transparency, pros and cons of being a travel agent – summary table, should you become a travel agent, pros of being a travel agent.

Without a doubt, being one of the most exciting industries has many benefits.

Here are the top seven benefits of working in this industry. 

One of the many perks of being a travel agent is the ability to travel to the destinations that you are offering to your clients.

In some instances, these hotels will invite travel agents over for a free stay in exchange for business or being promoted by the travel agent.

In other cases, the travel agent may receive a discount from the hotel that is meant to go towards their research of the best facilities to promote.

Either way, the agent is able to travel to many local, national, and international destinations in order to experience the location in the same way that the client will, so as to best promote the hotel or establishment. 

Another great benefit is flexibility and mobility.

Your primary goal is to sell holiday packages.

This is a job that can easily be done remotely.

Whether you decide to work from home, from the office, on your trip to London, or at a local restaurant, it is entirely up to you. 

In addition, there is the fact that you will be very mobile.

You often travel from one destination to another in your research efforts.

Unlike an office job that requires you to be present at the office for a certain amount of time, you can literally say that the world is your office. Because it is. 

Keep in mind that there are in-season and off-peak hours in the travel and tourism industry.

What this means is that at times you may experience somewhat of a dry spell in terms of finances when it is off-season. 

To offset this, you could easily get a second job.

The flexibility of this job allows you to schedule your working hours around your full-time job, or alternatively, you may work in the travel and tourism industry part-time.

Again, this industry is flexible enough to allow you to get another job to prevent dry spells. 

Working as a travel agent, you will quickly pick up the ropes.

This is the kind of job that will allow you to become your own boss in a very short amount of time.

In fact, you may only need to do some research online to be able to start your own business from home.

The start-up cost is relatively low and you will be able to break even in a short amount of time.

And, since the pandemic, work from home opportunities have skyrocketed.

This is the ideal work-from-home job. 

The salary is usually the first consideration when thinking about a specific industry. 

According to the  US Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ 2019 report , the average annual salary for a travel agent is $43.810 with top earners raking in $ 74,220 per year. 

The salary will also depend on your specific position in the industry, the type of holiday packages that you are selling, and the segment of the market that you are selling to.

In fact, some of the top travel agents bring in up to $500,000 annually. 

There is a wide selection of areas that a travel agent is able to specialize in.

Agents can place all of their focus on their specialty.

These may include the ability to only book cruise ships, African safari, honeymoon destinations, or even Caribbean trips.

In addition to this, the agent can select if they prefer booking local holidays, international holidays, work from home, for an agency, or for an international company.

While there are many courses that may prepare you for a career in this industry, it is not a prerequisite for you to enter this segment of the market. 

It is simply a matter of understanding your niche, having a rock-solid plan in place, getting accreditation online that is for free and having a passion for the industry.

Then you are set to go. Keep in mind that this job may require you to be very organized. 

Cons of Being a Travel Agent

As hard as it may be to believe, there are some disadvantages to working in this industry as well.

We have listed the top seven disadvantages of working as a travel agent. 

Agents are flooding the market.

Customers are spoilt for choice.

This means that whichever niche you are planning to enter, you can already expect serious competition to be in that market.

The key to being successful is to find your competitive advantage, what makes you stand out from the crowd, and sell your services by focusing on that point. 

Many people still book holidays through travel agents.

But, the introduction of the internet and access to information means that many people are now comfortable with booking their own holidays.

This poses a very big risk to travel agents all over the world as their job security is being challenged. 

Possibly the biggest disadvantage is the fact that this job is very demanding.

If you are an international travel agent and you are booking holidays all over the world, you may need to make yourself available 24/7 for your customers.

This is because your clients may be entering another country and be in a different time zone from you.

Therefore, should they need immediate assistance, you may need to answer the phone in the middle of the night.

While this is a very big disadvantage, it is also a great opportunity for you.

Online booking sessions will not give the client the human touch.

This may be your chance to establish yourself above and beyond what your clients expect from you and thereby secure you more future work through word-of-mouth references. 

With SEO optimization and big travel companies fighting for the first five spots on the first search engine page, it may become quite challenging for you to compete with these bigger companies.

One way to avert this is to create a responsive website that addresses clients’ problems in a timely fashion and that is also easy to navigate.

In addition, investing in content that will drive traffic to your online website may be a good idea to keep your online presence active. 

Customers seem to love to fight out their grievances through lawsuits.

They may claim negligence or misrepresentation on your part.

It is fair to say that some things may be out of your control but your customer will expect you to give sufficient information about the trip and destination. 

It may be a good idea for you to get business insurance for just such an incident.

This kind of lawsuit can cause serious damage to you, your company, your reputation, and your finances.

It may be hard to believe, but there is a lot of stress associated with this kind of job.

Firstly, as a travel agent, you are required to remain up to date with the latest travel news, travel destinations, discounts, and special promotions. 

Aside from this is the fact that you are replaceable, you will only earn a commission for the packages that you do sell, and peak season brings an array of its own challenges.

In addition to this is the constant need to be available to your clients who are traveling all over the world in different time zones. 

The internet now gives more power to the customer.

The customer has access to prices and this makes the market more competitive in terms of being able to offer something to your clients that they themselves can easily find cheaper on a different site. 

Travel agents are now faced with the added responsibility of finding trips that meet clients’ needs, budgets, and destinations while also making a profit on these trips. 

If you love to travel and see the world, then this may be the ideal job for you.

There seem to be many more benefits associated with this type of career, than there are disadvantages. 

It may be the ideal career when you are young, free, and looking for opportunities to travel the world.

As for those with families, this may not be the ideal job due to constant traveling, job insecurity, and financial flow. 

Related Resources

• How to Become a Travel Agent in Alabama
• How to Become a Travel Agent in Mississippi
• How to Become a Travel Agent in Wyoming
• How to Become a Travel Agent in Kentucky

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THE JOURNAL

Travel Advisor Resources

The Outlook of a Travel Agent Career: Fora’s Full Guide

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/travel-agent-career

Considering a travel agent career? You’re in the right place. When it comes to details on education and experience requirements, daily tasks and salary info, we've got your back. 

Already know you’re interested in a career as a travel agent? Apply to become a Fora Advisor today: we offer endless support, pro tools and access to an extensive network of supplier perks.

What do travel agents — or travel advisors — do?

You can check out our guide to what travel agents do if you’re completely new to travel planning, but here’s the short version. 

Travel agents — or travel advisors — plan and book trips for their clients. These trips can be for leisure, business or both, and at global travel agencies like Fora, we send travelers anywhere in the world. 

Planning can be as hands on or off as clients prefer. Some clients are after more of a concierge approach, where the advisor researches everything from restaurants to travel routes. Other clients just want their hotels booked. Either way, a travel advisor can help.

Do travel agents work for themselves?

Generally, yes: most people who work in the field are independent travel agents who belong to a host agency. 

Through this relationship, advisors are provided a variety of benefits, including access to supplier partnerships — which allow advisors to score perks for their clients — advanced booking software and the ability to operate under the agency’s licenses, among other benefits depending on the agency (see what Fora offers below).

How do travel agents make money? Who pays them?

There are two common ways travel agents make money: commissions and service fees. Our guide to travel agent commissions breaks down both in detail, but here’s the short version.

When travel advisors book accommodations, rental cars and so on, the supplier (the service provider) pays them a small percentage of the sale, usually between five and 10 percent. Additionally, many travel advisors also charge their clients to build itineraries, make larger bookings (find out why group bookings are great ) or provide other related services. 

(Curious about how much travel agents make or how travel agents get paid ? See our guides.)

What does a travel agent career path look like?

Not every travel agent career looks the same. Flexibility and variety are built into the role, and most travel advisors approach their craft differently. However, there are a few common beats that unify the profession — particularly if you apply to become a Fora Advisor .

First, you need travel agent training

It’s hard to sell travel without knowing the industry: relationships between suppliers and host agencies, various types of accommodations, destinations…there’s a lot to know. At the same time, travel agent training doesn’t need to involve a formal travel agent school (which probably teaches an outdated curriculum).

Fora offers the opportunity to become a remote travel agent online with exceptional training & certification paths

You can become a travel agent online with Fora. As part of our membership, you have access to training that covers everything you need to be successful as a travel advisor .

Moreover, we offer full travel agent certification and the ability to advance to higher ranks to help your career grow and stand out.

Can’t wait to start your travel agent career? Apply to become a Fora Advisor today.

Once established, the average travel advisor salary is solid (and some Fora Advisors make six figures or more)

Across the industry, the average travel agent career can be quite lucrative, earning enough to be comfortable anywhere in the United States. Many remote travel agents at Fora make great money, and our top earners pull in six figures — or more — annually (see our breakdown of Fora travel advisor salaries ).

Certain domains, like luxury or corporate travel agent jobs, tend to be among higher-earning travel agent jobs .

Travel agent careers can also look different depending on the niche

While all travel agent careers include making reservations and planning, the nature of trips can vary wildly by niche. 

Luxury travel advisors spend much of their time booking elite hotels in premier destinations, like the top hotels in Downtown NYC or the coolest hotels in Japan . Disney travel agents and Virgin Voyages travel agents cater specifically to their respective brands. Destination-specific advisors may specialize in booking vacations to Europe or even certain cities or regions. 

The list of potential niches is long, and at a host agency like Fora, you’re free to carve out any specialization you choose.

How do I start a travel agent career? (Hint: Fora makes it easier)

On one hand, learning how to become a travel agent isn’t overly complicated, at least not compared to other jobs in the travel industry (like hotel managers or cruise directors). On the other hand, starting a travel agent career does take patience and dedication.

Think you have what it takes? Apply to become a Fora Advisor .

Is it hard to get started as a travel agent?

Yes and no. Garnering clients can be one of the toughest parts of the job, especially if you’re not starting with an extensive network of friends, family and coworkers, which can be a great way to establish your foot in the industry.

That being said, we teach our travel advisors how to build up a client base early in our training program (you can also check out our guide to how travel agents get clients ). 

Do you need prior training or education to become a Fora Advisor?

No, you don’t need prior experience, travel agent education or training to join us. 

Travel agent career FAQs

Have more questions about travel agent careers? We answer a few of the most common questions below.

Do you have to make travel planning a career? Can you plan travel as a part-time gig instead?

Some host agencies may require full-time commitments or set schedules. We do not. Within that context, you can pursue a full-blown travel agent career or a part-time endeavor. It’s whatever works best for you. 

Many Fora Advisors make great side money on top of their normal careers. Ultimately, flexibility is one of the best reasons to become a Fora Advisor (and also makes travel planning one of the best remote jobs for moms and dads, if you’re interested).

Is a travel agent career stressful? Is it fun?

Like any profession, it can be a little stressful to get your travel agent career off the ground. At the same time, travel planning is really fun. For one, you get to research awesome destinations, hotels and attractions for a living. Second, you’re selling people happiness and excitement: vacations are often among people’s fondest memories. Both aspects can be extremely rewarding, especially for those with an insatiable wanderlust. 

The most successful travel advisors are often invited to sample the product, too. Site inspections and hotel tours are some of best ways to know the what you’re selling.

Love the idea of selling travel to excited clients? Apply to become a Fora Advisor .

How many hours do successful travel agents work?

Some travel agent careers encompass the 40-hour workweek standard. Some work considerably more. And others may only dabble a few times a week, whenever they can. The time spent planning travel as an advisor varies dramatically, even among those at the top of the field.

How quickly can I start my travel agent career? (With Fora, more quickly than you might expect)

There’s no real timeline for establishing your career as a travel agent. Many Fora Advisors have been known to start earning big bucks almost immediately, while others need more time to build their client networks. We do offer a considerable amount of training, advice and assistance that can help you along, however. Even better, you can start booking from day one.

(For more intel, check out our guide to how long it takes to become a travel agent .)

What does a typical day look like as a travel advisor?

Every travel advisor is free to set their schedule, and you’ll probably find that everyone has a slightly different approach. 

Still, there are common elements. Successful travel advisors tend to split their time between self-marketing, researching industry topics and actual travel planning with clients.

What kind of overhead do travel agents have? Are there monthly fees? How about licensing fees?

A travel advisor’s overhead — the cost they pay to maintain their business — varies by the host agency they work with. Monthly fees to use the agency’s tools and access partnerships are industry standards, but licensing fees usually only apply to the agencies themselves (one of the reasons starting a travel agency is so difficult).

Fora’s membership currently costs $299 annually or $49 monthly. With it, Fora Advisors receive access to our expansive network of partners , our in-house reservation system (which dramatically cuts down on booking times), expert-led training, professional marketing tools and more. 

If you want to learn more, read our guide to how much it costs to become a travel agent , which compares joining Fora to the industry at large.

Will a travel agent career take you around the world? Do travel agents ever get industry discounts?

It certainly can, especially as you become more successful and suppliers work with you more. Moreover, compared to most jobs where you travel , a travel agent career tends to require considerably less investment in education or prior professional experience. 

It’s also worth mentioning that travel planning can be counted among the most exciting jobs you can do remotely while traveling , at least with Fora. All you need to become a Fora Advisor is a passion for travel, an internet connection and a capable device (even a smartphone will do).

Industry rates and other special perks are generally only unlocked once advisors surpass a certain booking threshold.

Overall: is a travel agent career worth it?

We think so! If you love travel, working with people and researching awesome destinations and sights, a career as a travel agent is probably for you.

( Is being a travel agent worth it ? Our guide offers more intel and context.)

Start your awesome travel agent career: become a Fora Advisor

Eager to start your travel agent career? Apply to become a Fora Advisor today.

Or check out the travel advisor resources below for more guides:

How to Become a Luxury Travel Agent: the 2023 Guide  

How Much Do Travel Agents Make Per Booking?  

How to Market Your Travel Business Like a Pro: Tips from the Experts  

5 Types of Bookings You Can Make as a Fora Advisor (That Aren’t Hotels!)  

How to Become a Cruise Travel Agent (It's Easier Than You Think)  

What Does It Take to Become a Travel Agent?

Debunking 3 Myths about Becoming a Travel Advisor

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

14 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent

Get information on Travel Agent Training programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Do you dream of visiting far-off destinations?

As a travel agent, you can explore your passion for travel and help others do the same.

Travel agents help people book trips for vacation travel.

They offer counsel on holiday hotspots, help plan people’s itineraries, and make all the arrangements for their trips.

To succeed in this profession, you must be well organized, industrious, and have great people skills.

Getting started in this career can be a challenge, but the rewards make it a worthwhile pursuit.

Here are some pros and cons of establishing a career in this field.

1. Flexible Schedule

2. discounted rates, 3. fam trips, 4. earning potential, 5. no need for a college degree, 6. doing what you love, 7. networking/building a support system, 1. lack of job security, 2. challenging profession, 3. need for ongoing training, 4. demanding customers, 5. competition, 6. risk of lawsuit, pros and cons of being a travel agent – summary table, should you become a travel agent, pros of being a travel agent.

There are many advantages to becoming a travel agent.

You not only get to travel yourself, but you can help others fulfill their travel dreams.

Here are some very good reasons to consider this field:

Travel agents help people plan for their holiday travels.

They give input on vacation destinations, book tickets to travel, reserve hotel rooms, schedule tours, and more.

As this work can be done online, it isn’t restricted to just an office.

Many travel agents work remotely from the comfort of their own home.

If you work from home, you have greater flexibility in setting your schedule, making it easier to have a good work-life balance.

You can work full-time or part-time to achieve your monetary or career goals.

Travel agents are often rewarded for their services with discounted rates for personal vacation travel.

This gives you a chance to explore exotic destinations and enjoy all that they have to offer at reduced costs.

Many resorts and hotels offer travel agents discounted stays and amenities in return for promoting their establishment.

While on vacation, you can glean information about new locations to pass on to your clients.

These perks are all part of the job.

Part of the job of a travel agent is visiting new places, so you can sell these destinations to clients.

This is made possible through FAM trips sponsored by hotels and resorts in vacation hotspots.

You travel to far-off places, research their facilities, and experience first-hand the amenities they offer.

This gives you a better idea of what these locations are like, so you can promote them in your travel packages.

If you’re good at your job, you may be offered free trips by national or international tour boards, tour operators, or hotels in different areas.

FAM trips are beneficial to you, your customers, and the destinations seeking to attract new visitors.

Travel agents have the potential to earn good money.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 the annual median salary of a travel agent was about $44,400.

Those who excel in this field can rake in $70,000 or more annually.

Salaries vary depending on your location, marketplace, packages you are offering, and willingness to put in the hours.

The more industrious you are in developing your career, the greater your chances of earning top dollar.

Becoming a travel agent doesn’t require a college education.

This can save you time and money in academic studies.

If you have a passion for travel and are interested in turning this passion into a profession, it could be the career path for you.

You can learn the ropes by taking an accredited travel agent training course online .

From there, you can learn as you go and get practical experience by joining a travel agency or working independently on your own.

To succeed in this industry, travel agents must have a passion for their job.

If you love what you’re doing, you’ll put more time and effort into your profession.

You’ll show more interest in helping clients choose the best packages and get the best deals.

Your love and enthusiasm will shine through when serving your clients, which will earn you their loyalty and support.

You’ll be among the few in our society today who can actually make a living out of doing what they love.

Travel agents have opportunities to meet new people daily and make new friends.

Networking and building a strong support system are valuable perks of the job.

This profession requires that you work well with others – customers, fellow travel agents, tour operators, hotel personnel, etc.

The people you connect with may eventually become loyal supporters and friends.

Building lasting relationships with others will enrich your personal life and boost your professional career.

Your connections can help open doors for the future to advance your career.

Cons of Being a Travel Agent

Despite these positive aspects, not everyone is cut out to be a travel agent.

Along with the good, there are also cons to the job.

These include:

Most of the income of a travel agent is made through sales, which depends a great deal on your performance.

The higher your sales, the higher your salary.

When sales are down, you can lose money.

Your job depends on establishing a strong customer base and keeping them happy, so you can reach your target goals.

In a prolonged slow economy, your business could fold, or you could lose your job.

There are many challenges to being a travel agent, especially if you run your own company.

Independent travel agents have many responsibilities, including sales, customer service, marketing, management, and accounting.

Juggling these different tasks can be daunting and time-consuming.

Newbies in the industry will need to learn quickly to keep up with their competitors.

If you have little business experience, you’ll need to learn and hone business skills that will help your company grow.

The travel industry is constantly evolving.

To succeed, you’ll need ongoing training to keep up with new trends and technologies.

You’ll also need to stay on top of emerging destinations, nationally and abroad, so you can promote these places to your clients.

Travel agents also need exceptional communication and people skills that make them personable to others.

Your ability to relate well with others will enable you to establish strong relationships to build your business.

One of the biggest drawbacks of this job is working with difficult clients.

You may have to put up with rude or demanding customers who take up a great deal of your time.

Clients who travel internationally may contact you at inopportune times due to time zone differences in other countries.

Your availability and willingness to be of service could make a difference in keeping or losing clients.

Your ability to handle people with patience, understanding, and finesse will set you apart from your competition.

In most cities, the competition for travel agent services is steep.

You’ll need to find ways to make yourself known to your local community and stand out.

A unique and responsive website is one way you can differentiate yourself from others.

Your website should be easy to navigate, informative, and thorough in meeting the needs of those who want to travel.

You can also establish yourself as an expert in a specific travel niche to stand out from the crowd.

This gives you an advantage in drawing in new clients.

Like many people in the service field, travel agents are at risk of being sued for damages.

If something goes wrong with a trip you organized, a customer can sue you for negligence or misrepresenting facts about the destination.

A lawsuit can damage your reputation and cut into your profits.

Even if you’re not at fault for anything that happened, you may wind up paying legal fees to protect your business.

Having commercial liability insurance is a must to protect you from the risk of lawsuits.

The job of a travel agent can be stressful due to the pressures of the job.

You’ll be working with all kinds of people, some of which can be unpleasant and demanding.

You need to be on top of your game at all times, so you don’t lose customers to the competition.

You need to stay abreast of changes in your industry and learn about new destinations that may arise.

You’ll also need to make yourself available at all times to help your clients.

If you’re not willing to deal with these issues, you’d do well to choose another profession.

Working as a travel agent can be exciting, rewarding, and profitable.

It’s a multifaceted profession that comes with a wide range of benefits.

You’ll be able to explore exotic places and engage in fun activities at reduced costs.

On the flip side, working as a travel agent may also be challenging.

You may have to deal with difficult people, work overtime to make quotas or take on more responsibility than you can handle.

By understanding the intricacies of the job and weighing its pros and cons, you can determine if it’s the right profession for you.

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20 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent

Are you considering a new or secondary career? Well, if becoming a professional travel agent is on your shortlist, then you’ve come to the right place to get all the information you need. While this wouldn’t have been a viable option 5 years ago, the travel agent profession is gaining traction as the world recovers from the great recession . The timing couldn’t be better for anyone looking to get started in this profession and experience great success.

If traveling is your passion or you love to assist others to plan their dream destinations, then being a travel agent might be the job for you. With this job, you can have the laptop lifestyle, get paid for what you love doing, help people make lasting memories, learn something new every day, and spend your working hours on a happy topic –vacations. You also don’t need any special training for a job that allows you to travel the world. However, being a successful travel agent is not a walk in the park. It requires commitment, passion, hard work, and a lot of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Read Also: 20 Pros and Cons of Being a Psychologist

Before making a final decision, it’s best to weigh the good and bad things about being a travel agent. Without further ado, let’s get started:

In this article you will find out:

10 Pros of Being a Travel Agent

1. Mobility

As a travel agent, your main job will be to sell travel to customers –how you do it is up to you . For instance, you can sell your Paris trip while in Paris or the comfort of your home. Some travel agents work from a call center, others work for travel companies that are based overseas, while some go freelance. This freedom of mobility allows travel agents to relocate, which makes it a great career path for expats.

Read Also: 20 Pros and Cons of Being a Pediatrician

2. Opportunity to travel the world

As a travel agent, it’s important to know the destinations you’re selling. You’ve probably heard of FAM trips . These are discounted trips intended to aid in research and familiarisation so you can sell the destination better. Most of them include an exhaustive itinerary so you can experience everything related to the destination. This makes you much more knowledgeable, not to mention, you’ll be brimming with facts that are more reliable to customers than what’s available online.

3. Travel like a millionaire

Most people work all year and save every dollar just so they can go on an annual vacation. Travel agents, on the other hand, can get free trips from airlines, hotel companies, tour operators, or governmental tourism boards. This is done with the hope that the agent will promote the destination, products, or services to their clients. Note that such trips are only offered to top-selling travel agents with a huge customer base, capable of bringing in business.

Read Also: 20 Pros and Cons of Being a Psychiatrist

4. Travel agents are still relevant

Travel is becoming a more popular activity, with millennials incorporating it into their life goals and budgets. You’ve probably heard that travel agents are a dying breed because of the internet, but nothing could be further from the truth. People get overwhelmed and confused with all the information available online that they aren’t sure which way to go. Those who are looking for an authentic experience abroad will pay to get insights from someone who’s actually been there. Also, travel agents personalize things, help with organizing complex itineraries, understand clients better, and have expert knowledge.

5. An opportunity to be your own boss

If you have the entrepreneurial skills, then being a travel agent is a viable choice. Nothing says work perk like not having a boss, right? Well, most of the people in this profession work as home-based travel agents –whether hosted or independent. Running your own business allows you to set your working hours, giving you extra time for work-life balance. You also get to reap the financial benefits of your efforts.

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6. You can work part-time

If you’re looking for a secondary job to earn additional income, then being a travel agent is worth considering. The flexible hours will allow you to keep your current job and build a customer base until you’re ready to go full-time. Even after going full-time, you can still have another occupation, especially during the low season when there aren’t many clients to handle.

7. Job variety

It’s impossible to have knowledge of the entire world; as such, you should take a more specialized route . You can choose to focus on African safaris, cruises, travel & tours for expats in your country, or travel for destination weddings and honeymoons to Hawaii, Fiji, the Caribbean, Paris, Rome, and so on. Being a travel agent is also a versatile occupation. As mentioned earlier, you can work from home, for a local travel agency, for big cooperation, or even while traveling yourself.

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8. Potential to earn

Travel agents have the potential to have lucrative jobs. As an employed travel agent, you make money from commissions . Depending on the number of clients you pull in and their commission rate, you can earn more than what other entry-level employees in other professions make. It’s not unusual for a hard-working travel agent to make $80k or even $100k annually. Self-employed travel agents get to set their fees. You can take on extra clients if you want extra cash, or choose to say no to focus on work/life balance.

9. No degree or experience required

No skills or long, expensive courses are required to become a travel agent. A viable career path without all the schooling and student loan debts –who wouldn’t want that! There may be a few local jurisdictions that require certification, but that should take a couple of weeks to complete. Your host agency will provide the necessary training and tools to get started. Even so, it can be an added advantage if you know basic geography and history, and possess people skills.

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10. An exciting job

Travel agents get to travel the world, meet people from all walks of life, and create some of the best experiences for others by bringing their travel dreams to life. The job requirement is also always changing with new destinations, activities, rules, and challenges. There’s no room for boredom when you’re surrounded by all this.

10 Cons of Being a Travel Agent

1. Demanding

This job is pretty much 24/ 7. You’ll have clients traveling abroad where time differences could mean being contacted in the middle of the night. Some clients are just difficult and will treat you like you’re their personal butler, calling you to resolve every small problem they have. Regardless, you need to be reachable at all times to ensure your clients are well taken care of. After all, getting that human touch is the added value of booking with a travel agent instead of doing it online.

2. Stressful

Travel agents experience stress from all corners. First, they must stay updated on all new traveling information as it develops such as the aftermath of a disaster. During the high season, agents handle many clients at once with different expectations and demands. Those who are employed are under a lot of pressure to meet sales expectations to avoid getting fired. Given that pay is based on commission, you have to push yourself harder to get paid more.

3. Limited progression

Most professions have several advancement opportunities . Unfortunately, when you are a travel agent, the much you can strive to become is a branch manager in your place of work. This is especially true if you work for a local travel agency. The only other means of progression is to get a job with a specific tour operator. The best way to be successful in this industry is to start your own business.

4. Uncertain market

When the economy is down or security concerns arise, the travel industry is the first to suffer . Travel agent jobs are also not recession-proof. People tend to travel less when they’re trying to cut back on spending. Travel agents must continually deal with all these uncertainties as they affect the number of people travelling. Since they get paid on commission, this market instability can affect one’s income.

5. Lack of job security

Travel agents are often assessed on performance . If your sales go down, your job might be in jeopardy. Also, discounted packages offered by online booking engines entice traveller more. This profession is always dodging extinction. As a travel agent, you must find niche markets and offer services that aren’t attainable in any other way.

6. You’ll constantly be away from home

This is especially true for those who are employed. Whether it’s to a FAM trip or a conference, being a travel agent means being dragged all over for education and events. These trips are sometimes sprung on you at the last minute, which forces you to cancel any personal plans you may have. However, if you don’t mind leaving your bed for a chance to mix and mingle with other professionals in some exotic resort, then this is not a con.

7. Exposure to customer lawsuits

Nowadays, customers who feel they’ve been wronged quickly turn to lawsuits to settle disputes. Many businesses and professions have been victims of large lawsuits, and the travel industry is no exception. A client may sue alleging misrepresentation or negligence. While it’s true that you can’t predict what will happen on a trip, remember you’re being paid to provide information and advice for travel. It’s important to have insurance to protect you financially in such scenarios.

8. You control your paycheck

Most professionals know exactly what they’ll get at the end of the month. This makes it possible to plan for financial responsibilities. We already mentioned that most travel agents get paid on commission. Your salary is likely to vary at the end of each month. While others do the bare minimum at work and get paid, you have to put in the effort to make as much. On the flip side, your hard work pays instantly.

9. Reputation

If you thought getting sued was bad, you haven’t seen what social media can do . In this digital age, people can share their bad experiences and dissatisfaction with your services on a large, public platform. While it’s common for small mishaps to occur, there are next-level blunders that can be very damaging. You can’t blame customers though. Booking a holiday is something many people wait for all year, not to mention, it’s a huge expense. Anything that jeopardises it can provoke a highly emotional reaction. To avoid all that, strive to offer stellar customer service.

10. A few players dominate the market

This is more of a challenge for the self-employed. The travel industry is very competitive and travel agents have to scramble for clients, considering many now prefer to book a holiday online. Just a handful of companies have a stranglehold on the industry. They have made a name for themselves and attract more clients than anyone else, sucking the life out of start-up agencies and smaller competitors.

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4 Things to Know When Choosing a Travel Agent

Even the most D.I.Y.-inclined travelers are considering working with a professional adviser these days. Here’s how.

By Lauren Sloss

So, you’re thinking about traveling again? You’re not alone. The pandemic may not be over, but the expansion of vaccine eligibility in the United States — hiccups, delays and pauses aside — plus the news that the European Union will be opening up to vaccinated travelers is inspiring many to plan a real-deal summer vacation, or even take the leap on booking bucket-list adventures.

Travel remains far from simple, however. The virus is finding new footholds around the world, leaving an ever-changing set of rules and restrictions in its wake (and all of this is compounded by a run on home rentals , rental cars and more). It’s a reality that’s inspired many D.I.Y.-inclined travelers to consider working with a travel agent , or travel adviser, for the first time, in the hopes of skipping the travel-planning stress and focusing on actually relaxing on vacation instead.

Most travel advisers provide their services free of charge to clients (though some charge a booking fee, which can range from $25 to $100, depending on how complicated a trip you’re after) and instead make their money through commissions from hotels, tour operators, cruise lines, airlines and other travel companies.

Finding the right adviser for you is “like finding a hairdresser,” said Erika Richter, the senior communications director of ASTA , the American Society of Travel Advisors. “You want someone who understands your personal style.”

Ms. Richter, along with Misty Belles, the managing director of global public relations for Virtuoso , an international travel agency network specializing in luxury travel, shared their tips on how you can find an adviser who will understand you and your dream trip.

Begin your search close to home

Start by asking trusted friends and family members for recommendations. “The same holds true for any professional service in your life,” Ms. Belles said. “If you know someone who is working with a travel adviser and was pleased with the experience, that’s a great place to start.”

If that’s a no-go (or if your friends and family, while beloved, don’t have the same travel style as you do), Ms. Richter strongly suggested seeking out local businesses where you live.

“Supporting small businesses in our communities is more important than ever right now,” she said. ASTA has a directory that allows you to search for advisers close to you; a quick Google search will likely do the trick, too, Ms. Richter said.

Think about where you want to go

Another way to find a travel adviser is to seek one out based on a destination, or destinations, that he or she may specialize in. Are you interested in going to a specific Caribbean island nation? You’ll likely want to work with an adviser that has booked a number of trips in that country, and has connections and contacts there. Some advisers specialize in trips to Disney resort properties; others focus on cruises. If you’re interested in planning a trip outside of their purview, advisers can refer you to someone else within their network, or do the heavy-duty research themselves.

“Choosing someone who specializes in a destination is a good first foray into working with a travel adviser,” Ms. Belles said. “But when you work with the same adviser for a while, they become a specialist in you.”

Consider their professional networks

Speaking of what you want, it can be useful to understand the organization, or organizations, an adviser is associated with. Whether they work alone, with one partner in a small shop, or as part of a large agency, they are likely connected to a consortium, or a professional network, like Virtuoso, which is made up of more than 1,000 agencies in 50 countries around the world, or ASTA itself.

“Obviously, I represent ASTA, but I do think it’s important to look at an adviser’s professional affiliations,” Ms. Richter said. Affiliations can serve as a vote of confidence that the adviser has been vetted; it also gives you a chance for recourse should you find yourself unhappy with your relationship (ASTA, for example, can handle consumer complaints and be a part of the resolution process). Some consortiums specialize in a certain type of travel — Virtuoso agencies focus on luxury travel, for example, while others might highlight adventure travel, or family trips and so on.

An adviser’s affiliations also act as a conduit for one of their major selling points: traveler perks.

“Ask them what sorts of benefits they get from their professional networks,” Ms. Richter said. “Upgrades, free breakfasts, late checkouts when available — who doesn’t want some of those freebies?”

Make sure your adviser understands your travel style

Do you like leisurely, slow trips? Packed itineraries filled with sightseeing and attractions? Do you like to travel alone, or are you planning multigenerational trips with children and grandparents? Ensuring that your adviser understands what you want — and maybe even establishing that they have a similar travel style themselves — can greatly help with building rapport (and allow them to plan an even better trip for you).

Some important questions to ask: Do they charge a planning fee? What are some examples of trips that they’ve planned in the past?

“Be really upfront about your budget for a trip, and be sure that that is something they can help you make the most of,” Ms. Richter said.

Ms. Belles suggested asking the adviser how they personally like to travel, and some of their favorite destinations.

“Interview them a little bit! You can see whether there are some similarities there,” she said. But make sure they’re asking you just as many questions.

“If they’re not, that should be a red flag,” said Ms. Belles. “An adviser should be looking to get to the heart of what exactly you want as a traveler.”

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Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

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What does a travel agent do?

Would you make a good travel agent? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

What is a Travel Agent?

A travel agent assists individuals or groups in planning, organizing, and booking various aspects of their travel arrangements. They act as intermediaries between travelers and travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. Travel agents have in-depth knowledge of different destinations, travel options, and industry trends, which they leverage to provide personalized recommendations and advice to their clients.

One of the primary roles of a travel agent is to help clients navigate the complex world of travel. They listen to their clients' preferences, budget constraints, and desired experiences, and then work towards creating a tailored itinerary that meets their needs. Travel agents handle tasks such as booking flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and excursions, ensuring that all the necessary arrangements are made smoothly. They can also provide valuable insights on visa requirements, travel insurance, and local customs, helping travelers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

What does a Travel Agent do?

Travel agents possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry, including destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and guidance to travelers, helping them make informed decisions and create well-planned itineraries that meet their specific needs and preferences. They also have access to a wide range of resources and tools that enable them to efficiently search for the best deals, discounts, and promotions available. They can often secure exclusive rates and packages, saving their clients both time and money.

Duties and Responsibilities Here are some common tasks and responsibilities associated with being a travel agent:

• Client Consultation: Travel agents engage in thorough consultations with clients to understand their travel preferences, requirements, and budget. They ask relevant questions to gather necessary information and provide personalized recommendations based on the client's needs.
• Itinerary Planning: Based on client preferences, travel agents create detailed travel itineraries that include destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. They consider factors like travel dates, budget constraints, and any specific requests from clients.
• Reservation and Booking: Travel agents handle the booking process for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related services. They ensure that all bookings are made accurately and efficiently, securing the best available rates and deals for their clients.
• Travel Documentation and Logistics: Travel agents assist clients in obtaining necessary travel documents such as passports, visas, and travel insurance. They provide guidance on the documentation process and ensure that clients have all the required paperwork in order. Agents also handle logistical aspects like seat assignments, baggage allowances, and transportation arrangements.
• Knowledge of Destinations: Travel agents possess extensive knowledge about various destinations, including popular attractions, local customs, weather conditions, and safety considerations. They provide valuable information and recommendations to clients, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their travel plans.
• Customer Service: Travel agents offer exceptional customer service throughout the entire travel process. They address client inquiries, resolve any issues or concerns that may arise, and provide support during the trip. Agents act as a point of contact for emergencies and assist clients in making alternative arrangements if necessary.
• Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends: To provide the best service to clients, travel agents stay updated with the latest industry trends, travel regulations, and changes in travel technology. They attend industry conferences, participate in training programs, and conduct research to ensure their knowledge is current.
• Sales and Marketing: Some travel agents engage in sales and marketing activities to attract new clients and promote travel packages and services. They may participate in trade shows, develop promotional materials, and utilize online platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Financial Management: Travel agents handle financial transactions related to travel bookings, including processing payments, issuing refunds, and managing invoices. They maintain accurate records of financial transactions and ensure compliance with accounting procedures.
• Continuous Learning: Travel agents continuously enhance their skills and knowledge by staying updated on travel industry trends, new destinations, and emerging technologies. They actively seek opportunities for professional development to provide the best possible service to their clients.

Types of Travel Agents There are various types of travel agents, each specializing in different aspects of travel and catering to specific clientele. Here are some common types of travel agents and what they do:

• Leisure Travel Agents: Leisure travel agents focus on organizing vacations and leisure trips for individuals, families, or groups. They assist clients in planning and booking all aspects of their leisure travel, including flights, accommodations, tours, and activities. Leisure travel agents may specialize in specific types of travel, such as beach vacations, cruises, adventure travel, or luxury travel.
• Corporate Travel Agents: Corporate travel agents primarily cater to business travelers and companies. They handle the complex travel needs of corporate clients, including booking flights, arranging accommodations, managing itineraries, and coordinating travel logistics. Corporate travel agents are familiar with business travel policies, negotiated rates, and preferred vendors to ensure cost-effective and efficient travel arrangements for their clients.
• Group Travel Agents: Group travel agents specialize in organizing travel for large groups, such as family reunions, weddings, school trips, or corporate retreats. They handle group bookings for flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities, negotiating group rates and coordinating logistics to accommodate the specific needs and preferences of the group.
• Tour Operators: Tour operators design and operate pre-packaged tours and travel itineraries. They create comprehensive tour packages that include transportation, accommodations, guided tours, and activities. Tour operators often work with travel agents to sell their tour packages, providing them with a ready-made product to offer their clients.
• Destination Specialists: Destination specialists focus on specific regions, countries, or cities. They have in-depth knowledge of the destination's culture, attractions, local experiences, and logistical considerations. Destination specialists provide expert advice and create customized itineraries for travelers seeking in-depth exploration of a particular destination.
• Online Travel Agents (OTAs): Online travel agents operate through internet platforms and websites, offering a wide range of travel services. They allow customers to search, compare, and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services online. Online travel agents may also provide customer support and assistance through online chat or call centers.
• Niche Travel Agents: Niche travel agents specialize in specific types of travel, catering to niche markets or specialized interests. Examples include adventure travel agents, luxury travel agents, honeymoon specialists, culinary travel agents, or eco-tourism experts. These agents have extensive knowledge and expertise in their niche area, curating unique experiences and tailored itineraries for clients with specific interests.

Are you suited to be a travel agent?

Travel agents have distinct personalities . They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if travel agent is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Travel Agent like?

The workplace of a travel agent can vary depending on their specific employment arrangement. Some travel agents work in traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies, which may be part of a larger travel company or operate independently. In these settings, travel agents typically have a physical office space with workstations, computers, and travel industry resources such as brochures, destination guides, and reservation systems. They may have a reception area to welcome clients and conduct in-person consultations.

With the increasing prevalence of remote work and online booking platforms, many travel agents now have the flexibility to work from home or in virtual offices. They utilize technology, such as laptops, smartphones, and high-speed internet, to communicate with clients, access travel resources, and make online bookings. Virtual travel agents often communicate with clients via phone, email, or video conferencing, offering the convenience of remote consultations.

Travel agents also frequently visit destinations, attend industry conferences, and participate in familiarization trips organized by travel suppliers. These opportunities allow them to gain firsthand experience, build relationships with suppliers, and stay updated on the latest travel trends. While travel agents spend a significant amount of time working at their desks, they also have the chance to explore and experience the destinations they recommend to their clients.

In terms of work hours, travel agents may have a standard office schedule, working weekdays during regular business hours. However, they may also need to be flexible, accommodating clients in different time zones or assisting with emergency situations outside of regular office hours. The workload of travel agents can vary throughout the year, with peak periods during holiday seasons or when there are significant events or festivals happening in popular destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pros and cons of being a travel agent.

Being a travel agent can be an exciting and rewarding career for individuals who are passionate about travel and enjoy helping others create memorable experiences. However, like any profession, there are pros and cons to consider.

• Travel Opportunities: One of the major advantages of being a travel agent is the exposure to diverse travel opportunities. Travel agents often have the chance to visit destinations, experience different cultures, and explore new places as part of their job. This firsthand experience not only enhances their knowledge but also allows them to provide valuable insights and recommendations to clients.
• Personal Satisfaction: For individuals who are passionate about travel and helping others, being a travel agent can be personally fulfilling. The ability to create personalized itineraries and witness the joy and excitement of clients as they embark on their dream trips can be highly rewarding.
• Knowledge and Expertise: Travel agents develop a deep understanding of destinations, travel products, and industry trends. They stay up-to-date with the latest information, including visa requirements, safety advisories, and emerging travel destinations. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and recommendations to clients, ensuring they have well-planned and memorable travel experiences.
• Building Relationships: Travel agents have the opportunity to build strong relationships with clients, travel suppliers, and industry professionals. They can establish a network of contacts that can enhance their business and open doors for collaboration and future opportunities.
• Industry Changes and Competition: The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies, online booking platforms, and dynamic pricing models. Travel agents must stay updated with these changes and adapt their business practices accordingly. The rise of online travel agencies and self-booking options has increased competition, requiring travel agents to differentiate themselves and provide added value to their clients.
• Workload and Time Management: The travel industry can be demanding, especially during peak travel seasons. Travel agents may need to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate client needs and handle emergencies. Proper time management skills are essential to balance the workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Pressure for Exceptional Customer Service: Travel agents are expected to deliver outstanding customer service consistently. They must handle client inquiries, resolve issues, and manage expectations throughout the travel process. This level of customer service can be challenging, particularly when dealing with unforeseen circumstances or dissatisfied clients.
• Commission-Based Income: While some travel agents receive a salary or hourly wage, others rely on commission-based income. This means their earnings are directly tied to the bookings they secure for clients. It can take time to build a client base and establish a steady income stream, especially in the early stages of a travel agent's career.

Travel Agents are also known as: Travel Consultant

8 Essential Traits of a Thriving Travel Agent in Today’s Dynamic Travel Industry

Updated March 29th, 2024

The allure of a career as a travel agent captivates many, but it demands certain innate qualities for true success. The travel sector, with its ever-changing landscape, requires agents who are not only passionate but also adaptable, detail-oriented, and tech-savvy. In this comprehensive guide, we unveil the key traits that define a successful travel agent in the modern travel industry.

1. Unbridled Passion for Travel A genuine love for travel sits at the heart of every successful travel agent's career. This passion is crucial for deeply understanding diverse cultures, customs, and destinations. More than just knowledge, it's about imparting this enthusiasm to clients, aiding them in crafting their dream journeys.

2. Stellar Communication Skills Effective communication is the linchpin of a travel agent's role. This skill extends beyond mere conversation; it involves actively listening to client needs, clearly conveying intricate travel plans, and addressing any queries with clarity and precision.

3. Meticulous Attention to Detail Travel planning is an art that hinges on the minutest details. A successful agent's ability to juggle various elements – from flight schedules to accommodation logistics – while maintaining accuracy is indispensable.

4. Adaptive Flexibility The travel world is in constant flux, thus requiring agents to be highly flexible. Whether it's dealing with last-minute itinerary changes or unforeseen travel issues, the ability to swiftly adapt and provide solutions is paramount.

5. Persuasive Sales Acumen A travel agent's prowess also lies in their sales capabilities. Understanding client needs and effectively aligning them with the perfect travel solutions not only drives bookings but also fosters trust and reliability.

6. Technological Proficiency In an age where travel is intertwined with technology, being tech-savvy is non-negotiable. Mastery over various booking systems, digital platforms, and social media channels empowers agents to source exceptional deals and streamline client experiences.

7. Unparalleled Customer Service The essence of outstanding customer service in travel is creating memorable, hassle-free experiences for clients. This means going beyond the basics to anticipate client needs and exceed their expectations.

8. Networking Prowess Strong networking skills unlock doors to beneficial industry connections. Building relationships with suppliers, hoteliers, and travel professionals is key to securing the best value for clients.

Conclusion The journey to becoming a successful travel agent is paved with developing these essential traits. From a profound passion for travel to technological savvy and exceptional customer service, these characteristics form the backbone of a prosperous career in the travel sector.

Join the Gateway Travel Family At Gateway Travel, we’re dedicated to nurturing aspiring travel agents. Our comprehensive training programs and resources are tailored to imbue you with the necessary skills and knowledge for success. With our expert guidance, embark on a fulfilling career path in travel. Reach out to us to discover how we can elevate your journey in the travel industry.

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Travel Agent Career Outlook | An Insider's Take

It used to be when I’d tell people I worked with travel agents, I get a puzzled look and then they ask, "Does anyone even use travel agents anymore?" or "Is it viable? I mean, nowadays? A travel agent career?"

As the value of a travel advisor has really taken root—thank you, Pandemic—I don’t hear this question as often. But I still do… so let’s get some things straight when it comes to the outlook of career as a travel advisor.

In 2023, travel agents are in higher demand than ever before. A 2023 consumer research survey from ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) found that 50% of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic. (This is a 7-point increase from 2022.)

Not only that, but according to Phocuswright's US Travel Agency Landscape , there are more travel agents to meet that need, "Travel agency share of the total travel market will rise to 26% in 2026 from 21% in 2022, but still lags 2019 levels."

Here are the crib notes: There’s no better time to become a travel agent . And let me tell you, you have come to the right place if you dream of a travel agent career! We've got tons of info on starting how to start a travel agency , travel agent training , as well as an online course on how to start your own travel agency .

If you’re curious to dig a little deeper into a travel agent career outlook, then read on! Here's what I'll chat on!

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

Travelers want travel advisor services more than ever.

• Analysis Paralysis Is Real (And Travel Advisors Help You Through it)

Questions we Answer!

• Do People Actually Use Travel Agents?
• How Many People Use Travel Agents?
• How Many Travel Agents Are There?
• Is There Money In a Travel Agent Career?
• You're Biased Because You Love Travel Agents, Right?

Final thoughts!

• You Don't Know What You Don't Know
• Want to Become a Travel Agent?

Pandemic-ignited pent-up demand to travel has led to a boom for travel agencies. The U.S. Travel Association reported $1.2 trillion in direct spending for 2022, exceeding 2019 direct spending levels ( $1.1 trillion ).

By all accounts, there is more opportunity for advisors right now than I’ve ever seen in my entire 30-plus years in the travel business. - Perry Lungmus, VP of Travel Leaders Network

Here's what this travel demand looks like. As of the publication date:

• June 2023 TSA checkpoint travel numbers have tipped above 2019 levels.
• According to a 2023 UNTWO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) press release , “An estimated 235 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months, more than double the same period of 2022.”

That’s all fine and dandy but are all these travelers booking on their own?

When it comes to travel agents, the question is no longer, “Are travel agents relevant?” Now the question is, “Are travel agents able to meet the ever-increasing demand for their travel services?”

Perry Lungmus, VP of Travel Leaders Network, weighed in on what the demand for travel advisor services looks like on the ground among the TLN network of travel agencies:

By all accounts, there is more opportunity for advisors right now than I’ve ever seen in my entire 30-plus years in the travel business. Not only are agency owners looking for new talent and super supportive of those new to the industry, but travel sales continue to be very strong, supplier pricing and advisor commissions trends are great and most importantly, far more consumers now understand the advantages of working with an advisor. So, it’s truly a great time to build one’s career selling travel.  

- Perry Lungmus, VP of Travel Leaders Network

Analysis Paralysis is Real . . . And Advisors Help You Through It

A perfect way to break down why a travel agent career is a reality (even with the option to book online) is the TED talk "The Paradox of Choice."

It explains how the overwhelming amount of choices decreases satisfaction and increases paralysis. After watching this, you'll understand why travel agents will always be needed. You'll also understand why buying spaghetti sauce—with all those darn options—is exhausting!

It's our responsibility as an industry to educate the traveling public about the value of a travel agent.

After all, if we can't convince you—reading this because you WANT to be a travel agent—of your own value, how can you expect to convince anyone else? Want a few other resources to help you walk the walk? We have some. 😊

• Using a Travel Agent Vs. Booking Online: Hard data on how travel agents save travelers time and money.
• 3 Real-Life Ways a Travel Agent Can Save You Money That Expedia Can't: Want a few one-liners next time someone brags about booking online and not needing an agent because they are experts on everything? This one's for you. 

Now, let's get into the real questions you've likely got floating around in that head of yours...

1. Do People Actually Use Travel Agents?

First thing to know is that if you’re booking your air from MSP to LAX for a trip to see friends, you may not need a travel advisor if you’re familiar with the ancillary fees, different rules based on what type of ticket you’re booking, etc. 

Where do travel advisors of today really shine? Complex trips. When you’re spending thousands of dollars, traveling with a group or internationally, that’s when you’ll really be grateful for their expertise, connections and support.

Would you buy a house without a housing inspection? Would you buy a car without test-driving it first? No. Probably not. So why would dropping a nice chunk of change on a vacation be any different? 

A traveler can't "test drive" a vacation, but you know who can? A travel agent. Advisors have done the FAM trips , visited the destination, and toured the ship. They provide the knowledge and expertise from first-hand experience. They’ve already qualified suppliers , researched destinations, and established direct lines to suppliers they can rely on to support travelers during their trip. 

They qualify travelers too, asking travelers questions they may not think to ask themselves, From details like, "Is premium brand liquor important to have included in your resort?" to directing travelers to critical information on COVID restrictions such as, “What are the latest travel restrictions to New Zealand, and will my travel insurance cover a cancellation if those requirements change before my trip?” 

So why doesn't everyone hire a travel agent? I think it's primarily because of a lack of education. When people think of travel agents, they likely have a very limited idea of what a travel agent does—they just press a button and book a ticket right? Wrong. 

Consider that pre-COVID, travelers spent 23+ hours planning and booking a trip, visiting 140+ web pages before booking.

People certainly can book their own travel but whether or not they should is a whole different question. 

2. How Many People Actually Use a Travel Agent? 

Without a doubt, people love to travel. But does this correlate to using a travel advisor? The short answer is, yes. 

22% of U.S. travelers used a travel advisor 1 . This percentage will grow, with 50% of travelers reporting they’re more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic (a 14% increase from 2022!) 2 . 

While it’s tough to pinpoint the exact number of people that use a travel advisor, we know that nearly 3/4 of cruise bookings are made by travel advisors . And this is straight from the horse's mouth!

That's right, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), owned by their 53 cruise line members, found that not only do travel agents account for the vast majority of cruise bookings, but that younger generations are more likely to use a travel advisor than older generations 3 That makes a travel agent career look awfully promising, doesn't it? :)

But it goes beyond cruises. Traditional travel agencies still sell a significant chunk of land-based leisure vacations including custom trips, tours, all-inclusive resorts, etc., and sell about 1/3 of all air tickets.

And we'll end it with this factoid: PhocusWright, a market research firm in the travel industry space that leans heavily towards online travel agencies (OTAs), released their 2023 report on traditional travel agencies titled " U.S. Travel Agents: Optimism Abounds ".

I think they say it best:

Phocuswright has been researching the U.S. travel agency landscape since 2006. Our initial study examined the possibility of travel agency extinction. Instead, with business models changing, and new tools and technologies emerging, the need for professional, personalized services has stood the test of time. Travel agents are not only surviving; they are thriving.

3. How Many Travel Agents Are There?

The BLS’ latest travel agent headcount lands at 66,300. But this number is a tad misleading. Why? Because the BLS looks primarily at travel agent employees . What does this mean? Their count excludes self-employed agents from their count. 4  

This is kind of a big deal. There are tens of thousands of self-employed travel agents and these agencies—often home based with less visibility than traditional storefront agencies—are the fastest growing segment in our industry. So leaving them out of the statistics is very misleading when it comes to career outlook!

So, how many travel agents are really out there? ASTA reported that their trade organization and their affiliates represent 160,000 travel advisors in the United States according to its 2023 fact sheet. This includes employees and those home based independent advisors the BLS missed. 

4. Is There Money in a Travel Agent Career?

A travel agent career isn't a career unless you can actually make a living off it, right? And I’m happy to report that yes, you can make money as a travel advisor! You can read up on how much travel agents make in its very own article!

81% of advisors reported their 2022 sales increased from the prior year. 77% of all advisors reported their 2022 sales have recovered to pre-pandemic levels. 

What levels are advisors trying to recover to? In 2019, the average income for full-time experienced hosted advisors was at an all-time high, $64,377.

But ultimately, it's not all about money. A travel agent career has amazing perks, like special travel agent rates and FAM trips . It offers the chance to travel to beautiful destinations and to have great experiences, a chance to travel and get paid or write it off. Have you read our story from our ATMEX trip ? Heat not your thing? How about Alaska ?

Plus, if you open your own agency you get freedom and flexibility in addition to travel perks.

5. You're Biased Because You Love Travel Agents, Right?

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 20% career growth for travel advisors over the next decade (2021-2031), which is “much faster than the average for all occupations."

Busted. We are biased, and we do love travel agents and this a travel agent career is a great route for travel lovers. :) So let's bring in some opinions from media outlets who aren't necessarily on Team Travel Agent.

Forbes recently touted the value of the advisor. Media giants like The Boston Globe , Consumer Reports , Wall Street Journal , and Barron's also show a travel agent career is viable.

Data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projected a 3% career growth over the next decade (2022-2032), which is "about as fast as the average for all occupations". But! The April 2023 projection was a 20% career growth for travel advisors over the next decade (2021-2031), which is “much faster than the average for all occupations". As a travel industry insider, I can tell you there is a SERIOUS travel advisor shortage and an unprecedented demand for travel. And remember, the BLS growth numbers are just looking at travel agent career growth when it comes to employees , not the tens of thousands that are self-employed and start their own agencies.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

I want to do one final humble analogy. I bought a foreclosed duplex many years ago, a real fixer-upper. It had a total of 19 rooms—splashed with colors varying from blood red with sparkling gold trim to eggplant purple. It was hideous.

You know the saying, "You don't know what you don't know?" That was me.

When you're not an expert, you're too unskilled to realize it.

I'm a novice painter but after my first few rooms, I was feeling pretty proud of my accomplishments. Then, a peculiar thing happened. As I continued painting, I was learning enough to realize my paint jobs weren't—GASP!—professional! I made mistakes that would have been common sense to a pro and my end results were nowhere near professional.

After painting all 19 rooms, I became more efficient, better at painting, and much more appreciative of the skills required of professional painters. When it came to painting skills, there was a huge divide between me and a professional painter—I had a long way to go to even come close to being an expert!

The same goes for a travel agent career. You can book it yourself, but until it's something you do day in and day out, you can't appreciate what a real pro does. Someone that books travel all the time knows the nuances of travel and the tools to book it well . Travel agents know what to do, who to get it from, how to get the best deal, and how to avoid mistakes that would otherwise tank a bucket-list trip. 

Want to Try Out a Travel Agent Career?

A travel agent career means you live, eat, and sleep travel. Everyone likes to think they're a travel expert because they can Google it. But in reality, there is a lot more to being a travel agent than meets the eye, don't you agree?

If you're interested in a travel agent career, check out what it takes to become a travel agent. Better yet, take a gander at our free 7-Day Setup and the free trial of HAR’s course !

Our mini course will walk you through the steps you need to take before getting your travel agency off the ground! What more could an aspiring agent ask for? 🙂

• Source: ASTA 2023 Press Kit ↩
• Source: 2023 ASTA Consumer Survey ↩
• Source: CLIA State of the Cruise Industry 2023 ↩
• Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics , October 2023 ↩

About the Author

Steph grew up in the travel industry, helping on and off with her mom's homebased travel agency. She has worked with thousands of agents in her role as a former host agency director before leaving in 2012 to start HAR. She's insatiably curious, loves her pups Fennec and Orion, and -- in case you haven't noticed -- is pretty quirky and free-spirited.

If you’re looking for Steph, she leaves a trace where ever she goes! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (her fav) and Pinterest as 'iamstephly'. 🙂 You can also catch her on her Substack, Bumblin' Around, where she writes on things outside the world of HAR.

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Is being a travel agent a good side hustle.

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By Courtney Eisen

July 27, 2023

When it comes to finding a side hustle, there are countless options available. One option that often comes to mind is becoming a travel agent. But is being a travel agent a good side hustle? Well, the answer isn't so clear-cut. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of pursuing a career as a travel agent on the side. So, if you're considering becoming a travel agent as a side hustle, keep reading to find out what factors you should consider before taking the leap.

Flexibility is key.

Do you have a flexible schedule?

One of the most important aspects to consider when thinking about becoming a travel agent as a side hustle is your schedule. As a travel agent, you need to be readily available for your clients, especially during travel emergencies. This means being able to pick up your phone and get to a computer at a moment's notice. So, if you have a flexible schedule that allows you to dedicate time to your clients' needs, then being a travel agent as a side hustle could work well for you.

Side Hustle or Full-Time Career?

Approach it as a side hustle with the potential for growth .

Being a travel agent can be a great way to make extra cash, especially if you already have other businesses or entrepreneurial ventures. If you're a serial entrepreneur, juggling multiple ventures might come naturally to you. In that case, starting as a travel agent on the side while keeping your other businesses going can be a smart move. However, if you have a 9-5 job, transitioning into being a travel agent full-time might be necessary to maximize your earnings and ensure client satisfaction.

Time and dedication are key .

Growing your travel agent business takes time and dedication. You need to be willing to invest enough time to take this business seriously. Remember, you get out what you put in. While there may be instances where being a travel agent as a side hustle complements your existing priorities, most people would benefit more by approaching it as a profession that can grow into a full-time career over time.

In conclusion, whether being a travel agent is a good side hustle depends on various factors. If you have a flexible schedule, can provide excellent service to your clients, and are willing to dedicate the necessary time and effort, then being a travel agent as a side hustle can be a rewarding experience. However, it's important to consider your long-term goals and whether transitioning into a full-time career as a travel agent, once you've built a steady book of business, might lead to greater financial success and client satisfaction.

Can I become a travel agent without any prior experience in the industry?

While prior experience in the industry can be beneficial, it is not always necessary. Many travel agencies offer training programs for aspiring agents, allowing you to learn the ropes and gain the necessary skills to succeed. LuxRally Travel's free travel agent training is built around beginners. In fact, we do not allow travel agents to join our travel agency. It takes more time for us to reprogram existing agents than it does to train new ones.

How much can I expect to earn as a travel agent?

According to a survey done by Host Agency Reviews , the average annual income for a travel agent is $37,440, and the average income in the first year is $2,470 (part-time agents) and $2,662 (full-time agents). Our agents earn $28,904 on average in their first year, with no prior experience, and earn from a few thousand to over a million in commissions annually. If you are trying to determine how much you can make, know that it varies dramatically from person to person.

Suggested Article: How Much do Travel Agents Make?

What resources are available to help me succeed as a travel agent?

There are numerous resources available to support aspiring travel agents, including industry associations, online communities, and training programs. These resources can provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and educational materials to help you thrive in the travel agent industry. Most of your resources will come from your travel host agency. LuxRally Travel provides a free travel agent training course , continued education, mentorship and so much more.

So, if you're considering becoming a travel agent as a side hustle, weigh the pros and cons, assess your availability, and determine whether you have the dedication required to make it a success. Being a travel agent can be an exciting and fulfilling venture, but it's important to approach it with careful consideration and a long-term perspective.

More Resources

Why You Should Be a 24 Hour Travel Agent

How Do Travel Agents Make Money?

How to Start a Travel Agency From Home

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What Is a Buyer’s Agent? A Trusted Guide Who’ll Help You Find a Home

Ready to house hunt? It’s a jungle out there: Prepare for a flurry of paperwork, stampedes of buyers competing for the same digs, and other challenges, before you get your hands on those house keys.

We won’t lie: The process can be complex and stressful—especially if you are a first-time buyer. Having a real estate pro by your side can make all the difference.

You might have heard of buyer’s agents, selling agents, listing agents, and so on. You’re a buyer, so what is a buyer’s agent?

True to their name, buyer’s agents help real estate buyers navigate the real estate market; they can also save you tons of time and money on the road to your new home.

Read on to learn how a real estate buyer’s agent can help, and how to find the right one for you.

Buyer’s agent vs. Realtor: Benefits of using a buyer’s agent when buying real estate

“A buyer’s agent will guide you through the home-buying transaction and be at your disposal for any questions or concerns,” says  Shane Wilcox , a Realtor® with Partners Trust. Here are some of the things a buyer’s agent can do:

• Find the right property. After determining what the clients are looking for and what they can afford, the agent will schedule appointments to tour homes that fit the bill. The agent can also explain the ins and outs of various properties and neighborhoods, to help buyers decide which home is right for them, by explaining the pros and cons of various options.
• Negotiate the offer. The buyer’s agent will advise clients on an appropriate price to offer and present it to the seller’s agent. “Then they will negotiate on your behalf and write up the contracts for you,” says  Matt Laricy , a Realtor with Americorp Real Estate in Chicago. This is where the agent’s experience in negotiating deals can save you money and help you avoid pitfalls like a fixer-upper that’s more trouble than it’s worth.
• Recommend other professionals. A buyer’s agent should also be able to refer you to reliable mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, movers, and other real estate professionals. This can also help expedite each step of the process and move you to a successful real estate sale all the faster.
• Help overcome setbacks.  If the home inspector’s report or appraisal brings new issues to light, a buyer’s agent can advise you on how to proceed with the transaction, and then act as a buffer between you and the sellers or their broker. If negotiations become heated or hostile, it’s extremely helpful to have an experienced professional keeping calm and offering productive solutions.

Buyer’s agent vs. listing agent: What’s the difference?

Buyer’s agents are legally bound to help buyers, whereas listing agents—the real estate agent representing the home listing—have a fiduciary duty to the home seller.

“That’s why it’s in your best interest as a buyer to get an agent who is there to represent you,” explains Alex Cortez , a Realtor with Wailea Village Properties in Kihei, HI.

“Think about it this way: If you were getting sued, would you hire the same attorney as the person suing you? Of course not. You need someone who will diligently fight for your interests and rights.”

Let’s say, for instance, you walked up to the listing agent at an open house. You might gush about how you love the home and want to buy it, but add that you will need to move soon—because you’re expecting your second child and need to decorate the nursery, pronto, or because the lease on your rental is up in a couple of months.

A seller’s agent could then use this information against you by informing the sellers that your clock is ticking, so they shouldn’t budge too much on their asking price—if at all.

Yet make this same confession to the buyer’s agent you’re working with, and it’s all fine—this professional would know to keep this info private from sellers (and their agents), so it can’t be used against you.

Some states, recognizing this problem, required a disclosure of dual agency when a broker represents both sides of a real estate transaction.

However, you may still not be comfortable after signing an agreement saying you know someone is a double agent. You might want to hire an agent who is not representing the owner, and who is looking out for your best interests.

How to find a buyer’s agent

A good buyer’s agent can ease your way to homeownership—and a bad one can result in a bumpy ride.

You should not just take the first buyer’s agent you meet (as two-thirds of home buyers do), or blindly accept the recommendation of a friend (more than half do this). Instead, it’s best to interview at least three agents and ask them a few questions, including the following:

• What neighborhoods do you specialize in? Real estate requires local expertise, so you should find an agent who’s extremely familiar with the areas you’re interested in.
• What’s your schedule and availability? Part-time real estate agents who are committed can do a fine job, but if the house of your dreams pops up or you encounter last-minute closing snafus, you want an agent who will be readily reachable.
• How long have you been a real estate agent? You ideally want someone with a couple of years of experience, and a proven track record of selling homes.

To find real estate agents in your area, head to realtor.com/realestateagents , where you can also read online reviews provided by past clients and learn more.

The agent/buyer contract

Once you agree to work with someone, you will have to sign a contract called an “exclusive buyer agency agreement,” outlining the agent’s services and compensation (more on that next).

This contract also means that this person will be your sole representative and that you won’t work with other buyer’s agents.

Who covers the buyer’s agent commission

Home buyers don’t need to worry about the expense of hiring a buyer’s agent. Why? Because the seller pays the commission for both the seller’s and buyer’s agents.

Liz Alterman is a writer who's covered a variety of subjects, ranging from personal finance issues for CNBC.com to career advice for The Muse. She is also the author of a young adult thriller, "He'll Be Waiting." Follow her on Twitter @LizAlterman.

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Corporate Travel Agent

Published on 16 apr 2024, expires in 28 days (29 may 2024).

Our client is looking for a Corporate Travel Agent to join their growing team. As part of your responsibilities you will: 

• Manage travel arrangements for corporate clients: book flights, accommodations, and transportation.
• Research and suggest cost-effective travel options meeting client and employee needs.
• Handle changes or cancellations to travel plans promptly and efficiently.
• Provide assistance and support to clients during travel, resolving any issues or emergencies.
• Stay updated on travel industry trends, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Previous experience in a similar role.
• Experience sing Amadeus is a must.
• IATA Certification would be considered a plus.
• Extensive expertise in flight reservations using GDS systems, preferably with proficiency in managing cancellations, reissuances, revalidations, group bookings, and special fares.

Do you know anyone who might be interested in this job? Hurry up and share this with them!

Conference and Events Executive

Food and drinks oceana supervisor, assistant f&b manager.

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15 Jobs That Will Pay You To Travel

Posted: March 22, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

There are at least 15 jobs that will pay you to travel. Finding them is the hard part, keeping them is the important part.

It helps to build a reputation first as a guide since you do need to know a lot about a given area to talk about it. But a job like this that will pay you to travel is interesting and can widen your worldview in a big way.

Travel Agent

There are a few companies out there that will pay you to travel so that you can familiarize yourself with the packages they offer. Hey, the more you know, the better you sell.

Working on a Cruise Ship

This should speak for itself since there are only a few people who remain in port when a cruise ship strolls by. If you don’t mind being out at sea for a while, this is a great job for you.

Flight Attendant

Another job that speaks for itself, being a flight attendant does require working with people. But if you can be patient and understanding, as well as slightly authoritative, then you have what you need.

Archaeologist

It sounds like a dream, right? But there are a lot of caveats to this position since even being paid to travel, there’s a lot of fieldwork, and your education level needs to be at an exceptional high before you step into this arena.

Travel Writer

Much like travel agents, travel writers need to know something to write about it. While it’s true that they can use their imagination and creative skills to fill in the gaps, there’s nothing that beats experience.

Environmental Scientist

Between fieldwork and the need to visit one site or another for various reasons, this job is bound to keep a person moving. It might not be the best for people who want to visit home more often, but it’s hardly ever boring.

Storm Chaser

The travel might not be as extensive as other positions throughout the world, but a stormchaser doesn’t always stay still. It’s not like the movie Twister, at least not entirely, but it does keep a person on the move.

Event Planner

These folks need to know the venues that they’re booking, and therefore it’s necessary to take a trip now and again to see what’s what. This helps them to recommend one venue or another and keep their clients happy.

House Sitter

It’s interesting to think about this, but house sitters who can pick up and go at a moment’s notice are popular right now. There are such things as background checks of course, but building a reputation is important enough that a lot of people will keep themselves as honest as they can.

Much like a housesitter, pet sitters need to be vetted to make certain that the family pet, or pets, isn’t being placed in the hands of an inept individual. But being able to travel from one place to another is a big expense, so it’s fair to think that these jobs are very coveted and people don’t let them go lightly.

Photographer

People will travel the world over to get the best possible picture sometimes. A travel photographer will often spend months if not years abroad trying to capture the perfect images. If they find someone willing to pay for that, then kudos to them.

English Teacher

Traveling abroad isn’t uncommon for many teachers as American teachers will make their way to one country or another when their skills are in demand. With that in mind, other teachers are often tapped to teach students various subjects.

Construction Manager

A lot of construction managers might remain in a certain town or city, but those who have an exceptional skill set will be sent to projects around the world at times. Imagine being the person who’s placed on site to make sure something comes through on time or is being managed the way the big bosses want.

It’s very easy to act as a translator over a Zoom or Skype meeting, but some companies want to add a personal touch and send their people to those who need their services. This is the type of position that, if you reach it, is wise to keep for as long as possible.

The post 15 Jobs That Will Pay You To Travel appeared first on SheBudgets .

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