More than 3 out of 5 Americans have travel plans this year.
Many travelers continue to rely on the expertise of travel agents to book their vacations and business trips.
The average travel agent in the United States earns nearly $40,000 per year. But nowadays you don’t even have to leave your house to run your own successful travel business.
Looking to learn how to become a travel agent from home? Keep reading to find out what steps you can take to start your new and exciting career path today!
1. Choose a Niche
Due to the competitiveness of the industry, picking the right travel specialty is vital to improving your chances of success.
Some agents specialize in luxury travel, whereas others focus on business travel. But you can get even more specific than that. For example, you can specialize in anything from demographics like single women to regions such as East Asia.
2. Deal with the Legalities
You don’t need a post-secondary education to become a home-based travel agent. But there are currently five states that require a Seller of Travel license:
- California
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Washington
At this point, it’s also a good idea to choose a business structure for your travel agency.
Make sure to file a DBA (Doing Business As) in your state if you want to conduct business as a sole proprietor. If you plan to establish an LLC and hire workers, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
3. Put Together a Home Office
You’ll spend most of your time interacting with clients in your home office, so you might as well create an enjoyable workspace.
Find a quiet room where nobody will disturb you during work hours. If you plan to have clients enter your home, it’s best to pick a room that’s close to the entrance. Just be sure your home office complies with local regulations and codes.
If you don’t have one already, get a desk that fits the size of your room. You may also need a printer and filing cabinets to keep your documents organized.
4. Design a Mobile-Friendly Website
While learning how to become a travel agent from home requires plenty of research, most people know they need a website for their agency. But since nearly 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices, a traditional site is no longer enough.
Use responsive web design to boost the mobile user experience on your site. Also, make your calls-to-action buttons wider so they’re easier to tap on small screens
5. Promote Your Travel Agency
Once you have your website up and running, it’s time to get the word out about your new agency.
Conduct keyword research and craft blog content to attract traffic to your site. If your niche is Mexico, for example, consider a long-tail keyword such as hoteles in Acapulco. This way, potential clients can find your website more easily on search engines.
Don’t forget to post on social media regularly, and launch Facebook ad campaigns as well.
Final Thoughts on How to Become a Travel Agent from Home
As a home-based travel agent, you can expect to juggle multiple clients on the daily basis. Therefore, you’ll need to develop strong communication and organizational skills.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to start your own agency. You can also choose to work as an independent contractor for a host agency. Many host agencies offer training programs, which can prove to be extremely beneficial if you’re just starting out.
Want to learn more about running your own business? Feel free to visit our business blog for other helpful tips and guides!