How I Got Started as a Travel Agent

People always ask me how I got my start in the travel industry. For whatever reason, many people think becoming a travel agent is some long-drawn out process that’s hard to do. Actually, it’s not hard to become a travel agent, but there is a lot of misinformation and scams out there. Which me brings me to my next point.

I Got Scammed!

Yes, I got scammed when I first started out. Like many of you I saw an online ad talking about how I could make lots of money as a travel agent, get all sorts of travel agent discounts, get a travel agent id card, and make even more money by recruiting more people into the company. Blah,blah,blah. If you see any such ad online, be very careful because this is a scam.

Bottom line is this, if  the company puts more of an emphasis on recruiting new agents than it does on teaching you the travel business, this is a multi-level marketing scheme. Multi-level marketing travel companies are bad news! They have no credibility in the industry and do nothing but scam unsuspecting people out of their money. Don’t just take my word for it, read for yourself why MLMs and travel don’t mix.

I Had to Start Over

After having such a bad experience with this travel company, it took me a while to recover. I had lost so much money and made so little that it was hard for me to trust again.

Eventually I found a wonderful company that I’m still with today. I’ve learned so much about the travel industry and how to find clients. Something I never learned with the other company.

3 Things I Wish I Would Have Known

The travel industry offers so many benefits that it’s very attractive to a lot of people. Though many people enter this industry and get very overwhelmed due to the abundance of information to be learned. I know I was!

If I could do it all over again, there’s 3 things I would do differently:

1. I would have done my research. I got scammed because I didn’t take the time to research the company or the business opportunity. Before you get involved with a company, always do your due diligence and research the business opportunity.
2. I would have selected a travel niche right away. When I started out, I sold any and everything to everyone. Doing business this way is overwhelming and extremely time-consuming. If you start out pinpointing who you want to work with, it helps you to focus on that group of people and on only the type of travel that interests you the most. I have Meredith Hill to thank for this lesson.
3. I would have gotten a coach. Going into business on your own is a lot of work. There are so many decisions to be made and oftentimes we make mistakes that could have been avoided if we had someone to guide us. When I had my first coaching session with Coach Tanya Smith, she helped me gain so much clarity and was very instrumental in helping me attract my target market online.

How You Can Become a Travel Agent

If you are thinking about becoming a travel agent, I would advise you to go for it! But realize that with any business venture, there is a huge learning curve and it can be hard work especially when your first start out. Many people are not ready for all the business responsibility involved and get stuck. Another option for those wanting to get into the business is to partner with an established agency such as Williams Travel and Cruises. Williams Travel and Cruises is searching for new agents in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. If you are interested in learning more, contact us.

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