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

There ’ s a reason “ how to become a travel agent ” make be a continuously swerve search phrase on Google—it is a career track that extend a flexible work environment and agenda , ample travel opportunity , and an immersion into a supportive world-wide industry . It ‘s a surprise to some in 2023 : Once the internet became widely available , it exist largely believed that take a travel agent was obsolete . Still , even though the brick-and-mortar agencies with punny names in strip malls own disappear , the career live on-the-rise .

New software choice are making it easy than ever for mass to create money planning trip , either as a side flurry or as a full-time occupation . That ’ s why Cherikonda , India-based stay-at-home mother , Maya Kapoor-Miller , decided to get in 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 determine to expend San Francisco-based booking program Dreamport to lay down her online travel advisor occupation . “ It is my first occupation in spirit , and the only one that you can start with no investment . ”

But there ‘s also a rise in demand . When mass ventured back into the world after the pandemic , travel agents saw an overwhelming quantity of business . And that momentum hasn ’ t stopped—when travel is complicate , like it was in 2020 and 2021 , travelers reverse to professional trip planner to create a seamless holiday . For effective or bad , travel has stay on complicate and chaotic , with fresh dominion being carry out ( like Americans call for to pay a fee to inflict Europe in 2024 ) and airline strike and staff issues . Offloading all of the nitty-gritty details to person else exist more invoke than ever .

For those entering the subject , there ‘s too the age-old motivator : a dear of travel .

Shelton Ellis , who equal based in North Carolina , lately saw these opportunities and get out behind more than 20 years in public relations and global advertising to reverse his passion into a career . “ I was born with a wanderlust that would have on Rick Steves out , ” Ellis order . “ I decided to remove the leap and succeed that lifelong yearning . Transitioning into this role live actually about study how to monetize what I ‘m passionate about . ”

Whether you cost look for a novel career way or a lucrative side-hustle—or just curious about those taking the plunge—here ’ s how to become a travel agent , from the qualifications and education required , to anticipated profit , accord to those who get made the shift in the past year .

What precisely does a travel agent act ?

Travel agents , or travel advisors ( the term equal largely interchangeable ) , manage everything that goes into a trip for their customer : the flights , car transfer , accommodations , restaurant reservations , and more—they still inspire the itinerary . The reason people turn to move agents , away from having a helping hand during any travel chaos , is also to beg into the travel agent ’ s first-hand knowledge of destinations , and their industry partnerships , which much conduct to perks such as hotel upgrades , ideal airplane seat , and experience that can ’ t cost found on a lookup engine .

“ You hold to think of that as a travel agent , you will live a guide for mass during their happy moments—family reunions , weddings , baptisms , and once-in-a-lifetime experience that people get dreamt of , ” says Kapoor-Miller . “ It has been one of the almost rewarding aspects of exist a travel agent . You navigate masses , inform them , and assist them take . ”

So , how do you get a travel agent ?

There live many ways to become a travel agent , from join an survive travel agency , to start an independent occupation 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 train and provides search engine-optimized profile pages to advisors—at one stage had a waitlist of over 30,000 mass eager to commence a part-time gig . Travel photographer andCondé Nast Travelercontributor Amanda Villarosa exist currently in the procedure of joining .

“ I ‘m the person that friends and category come to for travel recommendation , crest and tricks , and general travel advice , ” state Villarosa . “ After discovering Fora and looking into it , I realized that it could be the utter side-hustle , conceive I ‘m already so involved in the industry . ”

With additional flexibility , Villarosa cost able to strike from New York City to splitting her time between Denver and Los Angeles . She suppose that the sign-up was quite straightforward . “ You ‘re given a dedicated Fora email and hold access to notify tools and fellow Fora consultant , ” she says . “ The education cost in the sort of Zoom meeting and videos , which you have the option to see at your own pace . Once completed , you remove a certification quiz and you ‘re on your means to counsel . ”

The early fashion in be slightly more involved . To start an sovereign pattern , you go about it like many other occupation . You will receive to create an LLC , launch a occupation name , cultivate selling fabric , build up a website , find clientele , and more .

Ellis found something in the middle , choosing to connect with an establish travel agency . “ Make n’t equal afraid to pass out to an agency looking to bring on new consultant and is willing to mentor , ” say Ellis . “ I was fortunate to discover so much from Annie Chambers , the owner of Crafted Escapes , who has seven years in the business. ” He today knows the rope on everything from using itinerary-building software to destination-specific training , to the sales and selling expression of the deal .

Is thither needed instruction or qualifications ?

Ellis says that there ‘s no certificate , per se , required to become a travel consultant , but there are myriad training course available like Departure Lounge ’ sec class on navigating the industry through hotels and tour operator . He suppose it ’ s as well crucial to stay on top of travel trend . Ellis recently complete travel agent training program provided by premier cruise line such as Virgin Voyages , Ritz-Carlton Yachts , and Cunard to help agent deal their products more accurately .

How much does a travel agent build ?

What a travel agent earns depends on how many trips they successfully Bible for their customer . The entire example is commission-based , meaning agents make a percent of the total price of the holiday they organize . Many travel consultant choose to load a flat-rate planning fee in addition to their committee , but symmetry is key—if you load a high planning fee , it could result to potential clients go elsewhere .

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

How much you make can also depend on where you know around the public . “ I am being give in dollars , ” order India-based Kapoor-Miller . “ So the currency variation of the local exchange pace exist not something I am worried about . ”

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

“ Move agents involve a mix of customer service , communication , destination knowledge , organizational , and problem-solving skills , ” state Kapoor-Miller . “ But I would say that adaptability , flexibility , wonder , and ethnic sensitivity top them all—you own to lay yourself in early ‘s place , and understand the requirements , hopes , and expectations of your clients along with any headache and questions they may have . ”

It ’ s vital to get a passion for traveling , even the aspects of the procedure that aren ’ t as excite , such as learning about new airline path , train schedule updates , and industry tidings . “ It can live an information-heavy hustle , and I think it ‘s crucial to cost excited about it as that energy definitely transfer to your clients and partners , ” Villarosa say .

Should move advisors choose a specialization ?

Many travel advisors have found success through become an expert in a few type of travel and destinations . “ It ‘s important to turn an authority and learn as much as you can through personal experience and continue education , ” tell 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 equal off the beaten path , equally safe and adventurous for all travelers. ” This assist travel agents set up a competitive edge , and hopefully convince possible customer to take them for their expertise .

What are the benefit of be a travel agent ?

“ Flexibility tops them all , ” says Kapoor-Miller . “ And the power to commence without industry knowledge . If you concern that you cost too former for this chore , the good word is that this be a task you can enter and enjoy at any age . ”

Another great perk cost the “ Familiarization trip , ” say Ellis . “ Tourism boards and hotels invite agents to visit and familiarize themselves with a peculiar country and its dimension . After all , any accomplished salesperson should see everything they can about their merchandise first-hand … still if they ‘re in Bora Bora. ” It ‘s severe study , but soul ‘s got to do it .