Thread: Question for the TA's

Just a question, not sure if it's ok to put it on here, I don't mean to offend anyone, but how does someone become a travel agent? I love reading these forums, questions and reviews. I love researching my up and coming cruises and the feeling I get knowing I will be sailing soon. I guess I am thinking why not have a job where I could include these feelings. I would love to know how you got started. Thanks!

There are a couple of ways to do it; one is simply to apply at a travel agency where they'll provide the training. You work in an office and the push is to sell, sell, sell. They can pay you by the hour or on commission or a combination of both.

Another way is to start your own agency. There are several 'host agencies' where you buy a franchise or sign a contract to work for the host agency. If you buy a franchise, the business is yours and you share a small portion of your commission with them. If you sign a contract and don't 'buy' your agency, then your commission is smaller and their portion is larger. Both will provide training and support.

However, if you choose this method, make sure you have another source of income for a while as it will take some time before you actually start making enough money to pay the bills. Depending on how fast you get started and how many sales you make, it can take at least a year to three years before you become solvent.

And lastly, you can take the training through various means and then start your own company without any host agency, but your commissions will start less as they are based on total sales with each individual cruise line.

Obviously, there are many advantages and disadvantages with each of these methods.

But with all of them, you have to be detailed oriented and work well with people. It's not an easy job and not everyone can do it or be successful at it. And it's definitely not all travel and fun.

Just some basic information and obviously the details will vary depending on how you get into the business.

Pete

Originally Posted by redsox

I would love to know how you got started. Thanks!

I got started at the recommendation of friends..
I think Pete gave you great options if your serious... about getting into this industry..

Good luck!

Thanks for the help. I really do appreciate it. I am just in a position where I am seriously thinking about changing my career. I find myself researching and reading about cruises a lot and was wondering if this might be the right path for me.

Originally Posted by redsox

Thanks for the help. I really do appreciate it. I am just in a position where I am seriously thinking about changing my career. I find myself researching and reading about cruises a lot and was wondering if this might be the right path for me.

If you are at the crossroads where you feel that your job is going nowere GO FOR IT.