What are the pros and cons of becoming a travel agent?

Question

I am considering becoming a travel agent. What are the benefits and disadvantages of doing this sort of work?

Answer 1

Are you talking about a Brick and Mortar travel agent or a Home based business travel agent?

If you are talking Brick and Mortar the outlook is not good. Here is a quote from CNN

"Travel is the largest category of e-commerce, accounting for 43% of all online spending." - Dan Hess, CNN Money.

Even though travel is the worlds largest industry ( 6 Trillion per year ) the travel agent has pretty much gone by the wayside.


Now if you are talking about a home based travel agent it is a very good thing. I should know because I am one. I have been doing this for 7 months.

Pros:

Low start up fee
Training
Commissions
IATAN & CLIA travel agent credentials (huge savings on my travel)

Cons:

can't think of any


I am in the fastest growing travel company in America. We have been open since December '05 and we have over 17,000 Associates. The largest travel company has 25,000 Associates and they have been in business for 5-1/2 years.

We have also earned the ranking of the # 5 vendor for Carnival Cruise Lines in only 6 months.

learn about us here http://www.travelpresentation.com

Answer 2

Education is a great career with great benefits. Travel is a fun industry but very very competitive. I would recommend finding a steady job in education like teaching, but have your own internet travel business. Most teachers have summer breaks and this would give you time to travel and explore the world. A internet travel business will give you over 400 possible tax deductions. Talk to a professional tax person for advice on this area. When you have your own internet travel business, you not only earn commissions on your own travel, but also when friends,family and customers book on your site.

Answer 3

I considered that as a career also. What these 2 peeps said tho... the net is taking over & there's not much need for it. Think of something else in the travel industry. Think planes, airports, cruises etc. Good luck !!! :)

My dream job is to become a flight attendant.

Answer 4

internet has already taken over your job....there arn't many things travel agents can do now....i wrote a thesis on this...its not a bright field...but it will never die though

Answer 5

Well the internet has put most of them out of work.