Becoming a Travel Agent Online Is Easier Than You Think! Find Out How Here

Living in the era of Expedia and Airbnb means travel agents are not as important as they once were, people still work with travel agents a lot more than it might seem. That’s because they’ve also changed with the times and use the internet as a great resource to work and find new clients.

Just because fervent travelers don’t need a travel agent each time they want to book a flight doesn’t mean they haven’t consulted a professional before a big trip. Travel agents handle everything from bucket-list trips and honeymoons while coordinating translators and tour companies. And the best part about it is they do it all from their homes.

That said, you don’t need any special training or employment background to work as an online travel agent. Here’s a tell-all guide on all you need to know about becoming a travel agent online.

1. Complete an Education Program on Travel or Hospitality

Formal education is not a precise requirement but clients and employees often seek out travel agents with some sort of formal training in their field.

People who complete education programs might have high-value insight into the field which will give them some advantage as they enter the industry with valued skills and knowledge.

There are different programs at different levels such as diplomas, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. Therefore, choose one that suits your needs best in terms of cost, duration, and practicality.

2. Get a Travel Agent License

Another thing customers often look out for in a home based travel agent is whether they’re licensed or not. Additionally, some states require travel agents to have a license before they can practice. So, this is something you should consider owning.

Different states have varying requirements regarding travel agent licensure so make sure you do relevant research.

3. Receive Travel Agent Accreditation

Accreditation might not be necessary but it can open doors for you that you might not have otherwise had access to without it. Some of the organizations that offer accreditation include the Travel Institute and the  International Airline Transport Association’s Training and Development Institute.

4. Get Some Experience

As you complete your training, you will need to get some experience under your belt. This will not only give you some real-world experience in the travel space but will also make you a more appealing prospect to clients and employers.

Some training institutions offer students with supervised work experience or internships. However, applying for work from an established company can go a long way in building your career.

Becoming a home based Travel Agent Is Very Easy

If you’re the kind of person who loves hotel reward points, racking up their air miles, and spends their days scanning flights, you might have wondered if you would make a great home based travel agent.

A career as an online travel agent can be very rewarding, even with travel restrictions in different countries around the world. Just try and learn as much as you can. You’ll find that things will become a lot easier with time.