Home Based Travel Agency
Home-based Travel Agencies Offer High Potential with Low Start-up Costs
Everyone likes to get a good deal on travel, whether for business or pleasure, but not everyone has the time to find the best deals. With a home-based travel agency, you can help clients make their travel dreams come true – and for relatively low out-of-pocket cost.
Licensing and certification
The first step in becoming a home-based travel agent is to determine if your state has certification or licensing requirements. Your state’s Department of Licensing can provide you with details on any state requirements. You may also want to check with your local government about operating a business out of your home.
Attracting clients
Networking among your own circle of family and friends is a good first step toward making sure people know about your home-based travel agency. Whether planning a vacation or a business trip, using a travel agent is a great way to ensure a smooth trip. Make sure to let your friends, families, and former coworkers know about your travel agency.
Flyers and business cards are another great way to spread the word. Post them in conspicuous sites, like grocery stores and library bulletin boards. Some office supply stores also allow businesses to post advertising flyers – a great way to attract business travelers. Local fairs are great places to hand out flyers. In fact, a fair booth is another great and inexpensive way to advertise. Most locally run fairs and events charge no more than $20 to $30 for a spot.
Take some time to attract local media by crafting a press release (or hire a freelance writer to craft one for you). Be sure to distribute it to your local papers and radio stations. Contact them first to determine the right person to send it to.
Special equipment and host agencies
Most work-at-home travel agencies require only a computer, a printer, and a telephone – landline or cell – to start operating. To boost your success, and especially if you’re new to the travel industry, consider becoming an affiliate of another, larger travel agency. . A larger host agency allows you to book travel with their accounts in return for a percentage of the commission you charge your clients.
In fact, if you want to be able to offer airline or cruise tickets, you’ll either have to become an affiliate of a host agency or spend thousands of dollars for equipment and bonding. Airline ticket sales also involve vast amounts of paperwork, all of which will be handled by the host agency if you have one. Another benefit? By relieving you of some of the more tedious duties involved in booking and ticketing, you’ll be able to focus on customer service and growing your business.
