Getting Started as a Home Based Travel Agent question

Linda from Wheelersburg asked: “Steve you have been very critical of what you call card mills but can someone still become a home based travel agent and make money?".

Absolutely! If you have a passion about selling travel and are willing to work at it you can earn good if not great money.

I believe that you need to have a passion about a product or destination and become a specialist in that area. For example if you love cruising and have only sailed on Carnival then become a Carnival Cruise Line specialist. As you get comfortable selling one product then progress and study a new one like Norwegian Cruise Lines.

There are many programs available to help your learn what to and how to sell. Both Carnival and NCL offer web based and ship training classes.

There are professional organizations that offering sales training and product knowledge classes. In the cruise industry the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) offers some excellent and affordable training sessions. Once you get involved in the industry you will be amazed at the training opportunities.

By investing your time and energy you become a product specialist and offer your knowledge and expertise to your potential cruise customers.

This is a good start but there in much more to talk about so check back here frequently. We need to examine topics like locating the perfect host agency, how to sell and market yourself.

Got travel questions? Email them to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.