Perhaps you have worked with a travel agent to plan a vacation for yourself or your family. Maybe you have played the role of “travel agent” to plan your own getaway. If you enjoy travel and have good people skills, you may be able to start a home-based business as a travel agent.
When I started looking around for information about becoming a home-based travel agent, I quickly realized that there are scams out there masquerading as “home-based travel agent opportunities”. If you are interested in becoming a home-based travel agent, do not let the fact that there are scammers out there looking for you deter you from pursuing your dream. Be sure to be extra cautious as you review any information about becoming affiliated with a travel agent business opportunity. Make a list of questions that come to your mind as you review the information that is provided on the web site. Look for a phone number to call so that you can speak with someone who should be able to answer your questions to your satisfaction. If there is no number or the person cannot provide you with the answers that you need, this is a red flag and you should leave that so-called business opportunity alone.
Before you begin thinking about how you will set up your home-based travel agency, it is a good idea to read a book about becoming a home-based travel agent. The reason that I suggest reading a book instead of purchasing one of the many online study courses that are available on the topic is that the study courses are often aimed at getting you to buy into a specific business opportunity. A book may take a more neutral stance and give you information that you can use to decide how to set up your business and choose what agencies to affiliate with. People seem to like Kelly Monaghan’s book “Home-Based Travel Agent”, which is now available in its 5th edition.
If you are willing to put in a little time and effort to educate yourself about becoming a home-based travel agent and work through the business planning process, you may soon find yourself booking cruises and other fun trips for family, friends, and other clients. Travel is exciting, and a career as a home-based travel agent could be just the ticket to making your home-based dreams come true.
Photo by scarab on morguefile.com.