What’s It Really Like To Be A Travel Agent?

27 Jan What’s It Really Like To Be A Travel Agent?

If you’re considering a career as a travel agent, chances are you’ve got a LOT of questions. Here are a few that we get most frequently.


Q. How much do travel agents make?

1. It’s a commission-based business, so how much you make is really up to you. An agent can make as little as $15,000 a year, and as much as $125,000 a year. This is mostly determined by how much time and energy you dedicate to your career.

Q. Will I get to travel a lot?

1. There are a lot of opportunities for familiarization trips (commonly referred to as FAM trips) throughout the year that you can take advantage of. In my first couple of years as an agent, I was busy building my business but still managed to squeeze in a couple of trips a year. Traveling allows you to build connections that will benefit your business for years to come.

Q. What’s the training process like with Bliss Honeymoons?

1. Our training process typically takes 3-4 weeks; mostly online, in the comfort of your home, and then in person for a couple of days at our home base in Columbus, OH. The training is a collaborative effort with our senior travel advisors who have years of experience. Once completed you will be a confident and competent agent, ready to succeed in the travel industry.

Q. Where do I find clients?

1. Our website has great SEO and we have no shortage of leads. But we also encourage networking avenues including spreading the word on your own social media accounts to let people know about your new position. Again, our senior travel advisors are very resourceful and helpful as you get started with this.

Q. How long does it take to build a client list?

1. This really depends upon you. We get a lot of leads! But you’ll want to deliver great service so you can end up with repeat clients and referrals as well.

Q. Do you offer health insurance or other benefits?

1. All of our agents are independent contractors. We don’t offer health insurance, retirement, or other traditional benefits, but there are a lot of great resources out there for health insurance and retirement plans for independent contractors. And, as an independent contractor, there are a lot of tax benefits you can take advantage of.

Q. Do you offer paid training?

1. Our business model is very similar to what you would experience if you were pursuing a career in real estate, insurance sales, or a similar sales career. While you don’t need a college degree to start a career as a travel consultant, you do need technical training, as well as a basic understanding of marketing, networking, and sales. Our training program allows you to go down a career path that has tremendous earning potential. And you can earn back the investment in your training in just a couple of bookings. Our training and sign-up fee is $1500.00.

Q. How many hours a week do I have to work?

1. You create your own schedule. The more you work, the more clients you can take, and the more money you will make. Most of the wholesalers that we work with operate Monday-Friday during typical business hours. In order to build your sales and service your clients, you will need to be available during these hours.

Q. Where do I go to get answers to questions?

1. There are so many resources available to you and we are always here to help! Your fellow agents, tourism board sites, our hotel business development managers, and more are all available to you. There are countless Facebook groups for travel agents that are a great way to find information as well. We truly mean it when we say we are a team.

Q. What kind of equipment do I need?

1. A computer, strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, a great organizational system, coffee, and a good sense of humor! After all, this is a customer service-based profession.

Q. What kind of systems do you use?

1. We process most of our bookings through various wholesaler websites. We also use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets, Basecamp, Active Campaign, etc. We also provide you with a company email address.

Q. What’s the hardest thing about being a travel agent?

1. Travel agents are compensated by the hotels, once the trip has been completed. It can take a few months to a year before you’ve built up enough clients to have a regular, steady income. Most new agents work a part-time job until they’ve built up a steady flow of clients and paychecks.

Q. What are the best things about being a travel agent?

1. Of course, at the very top of the list is the opportunity to see parts of the world you thought you might never get to see. Additionally, the ability to build your own schedule, work from home, and make as much money as you want. This job truly is what you make it.