How to become an independent travel agent

Travel Agents

Do you dream to become an independent travel agent? There is cash to be earned but also many other benefits. And, most important fact, the entry barrier in the travel agents world can be easily passed with the assistance from the right business, in this case i’m talking about specialized independent travel agents networks like globaltravel.com.

It’s common for people to mistakenly believe that travel agents get a lot of free travel or free travel perks like upgrades, etc. They don’t. Maybe they used to 25 or more years ago. But the free travel and VIP treatment is reserved mostly for agents or agencies selling a LOT of a specific travel supplier’s product. Yes, there are familiarization trips for a travel agent to experience the product, but they are fast paced, high intensity, long days, and require a lot of focus and energy. Simply put, they are no vacation.

Key qualities and skills for travel agents ? Once you know your customer as good as you possibly can, it’s time to start giving them some ideas of what they can do with their plans, money and time and to start planning their trip and sell them a travel product. Think about how you would like to be approached by a travel agent yourself! Try to ask as many open questions as possible. These are questions that cannot simply be answered by a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. Let as much come from the customer self as possible. Don’t put words in their mouths. Ask them to tell about a previous holiday experience they enjoyed, instead of asking them if they like beach holidays. Discover extra info on Become an Independent Travel Agent.

Travel agents advantages over online booking websites ? They don’t charge hidden fees. In a column for Business Insider, Avery Hartmans described her experience using the Hotels Tonight app for a staycation in New York City – and noted that the prices listed did not include taxes and fees. Hartmans said she was charged an additional $121 in fees for the weekend, an expense she wasn’t expecting; “the extra fees were a bad surprise, and they put us well over budget for the trip,” she said. Many agents don’t charge fees at all, and those who do are up-front about the cost. They’re specialists. Agents have a personal understanding of your interests and insight into a specific destinations and segments of travel, like LGBT or destination weddings. A good travel agent spends time getting to know the customer and so can make recommendations tailored to what you want to do.

When booking online, you can save more money, be flexible about what you see and do and make changes on the fly. It’s easy to comparison shop. You don’t have the pressure of someone trying to sell you something. Designing your own itinerary may force you to do more research about your destination, which may give you insight on activities to do and landmarks to visit. You control what you do. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations, which can be invaluable. Once you get some experience putting together your own trip, you may have a better idea of what to do and what not to do on your next trip.

Our Independent Travel Agents have access to unparalleled training opportunities designed to maximize knowledge, skill, PROFITS and membership benefits. Some people learn by reading, others by listening and for those who learn by doing, GlobalTravel.com FAM trips might just be perfect for you! Our GlobalTravel.com Training FAMs are a unique way to increase your knowledge while traveling to exciting destinations all across the globe! While on a Training FAM, you may do a city tour, hotel inspections, ship inspections, seminars and much more! We’ve got your member training covered in a variety of ways so you’ll learn the business the way you learn best. Source: https://www.globaltravel.com/.