How To Start Your Own Successful Travel Agent Business

The travel industry has certainly grown in leaps and bounds from what it once was. The travel agency business has also come a long way and it is now easy to become a travel agent. The work of an independent travel agent has also evolved from informing the clients of the availability of flights and ticket issuing to earn a commission from airlines. Nowadays agents are also required to book tours, holiday packages, cruises, hotel packages among many other things. So what do you need to do to become a home based travel agent?

You will need to determine if you want to specialize in tours to certain parts of the world, to work as an independent agent or have a host agent. You also should look into whether you will deal with business or leisure travel. Once you are settled on a niche you will be ready to register your business venture with the state secretary as the first step towards legitimizing the venture.

The laws requiring licenses vary from state to state vary so you should find out what the laws in your state are. For you to be fully compliant by law you are required to have a business license so find out what the requirements to get one are. This will make sure you are legally allowed to operate an agency from your home.

After you get a license try to join an international air association like IATA. This will not only give you credibility in the industry but it will be easier for clients to trust you if you are in a recognized professional body. Trust is very important if you are to handle someone's travel arrangements and even accommodation.

If you are not ready to start your own travel agency you can join a host agency. This way you will have a bigger name to lean on as you get started and learn the ropes. Once you feel confident enough you can break away from the host and conduct business on your own.