Travel Agent Career: 10 Things to Know Before Starting
Introduction
This guide covers essential insights for aspiring travel agents, including realistic expectations, required skills, and the path to building a successful business.
1. It's Real Work, Not Just Laptops on Beaches
The Reality:
- Being a travel agent involves actual work, whether running your own business or working at a traditional agency
- The "laptop on the beach" stereotype is misleading
The Perks:
- Flexible schedule
- Amazing discounts and deals
- Access to FAM (familiarization) trips
- Ability to stay in places like the Maldives for under $1,000/week
Flight Discounts:
- Travel agents typically don't receive flight discounts for themselves
- Sometimes can secure flight deals for clients when booking packages (car rentals, resorts, meal plans, theme park tickets)
- Other amazing perks compensate for lack of flight discounts
2. Sales Skills Are Essential
Key Points:
- You must be willing to develop sales skills since agents are paid on commission
- Sales isn't a natural talent—it's a learned skill set that requires practice and refinement
- Same applies to marketing skills
Marketing Considerations:
- Social media is optional—many successful agents build businesses without it
- If uncomfortable with social media, alternative marketing strategies exist
- Sales fundamentally means building relationships, identifying problems, and solving them
3. Networking Is Everything
Why It Matters:
- Attending conferences and joining professional organizations is essential work, not just busy work
- Sales requires building relationships, which starts with networking
- Having industry friends provides encouragement and support during challenging times
Community Benefits:
- Learning from agents who are a few steps ahead
- Sharing tips and promotions (cruise deals, marketing ideas, content strategies)
- Non-competitive environment even when specializing in the same areas
- Access to group support (80+ agents in supportive community)
Networking Options:
- In-person events (conferences, professional organizations)
- Free online networking opportunities
- Industry group chats and communities
4. Continuous Learning Is Required
What You'll Learn:
- The fundamentals of being a travel agent (booking systems, tools, technology)
- Sales and marketing techniques
- Your personal preferences (what you love and hate booking)
- Client management and communication
Why Learning Never Stops:
- Countries, destinations, and companies constantly change
- Partners, suppliers, and vendors evolve
- You personally grow and change over time
- The travel industry has many moving parts requiring ongoing adaptation
Experience Level:
- Even with years of experience (since 2017/2020 officially) and helping agents sell $5M+ in travel, there's always more to learn
- Constant refinement of skills, communication, automation, and team management
5. Time Management and Organization Are Crucial
The Three Most Important Skills:
- Time management
- Organization
- Communication (includes sales)
Why They Matter:
- Much of the work involves communicating and staying organized
- Helping clients stay organized (organization skills aren't universal)
- Managing multiple stakeholders: clients, partners, host agency staff
- Being flexible with others' communication styles and requirements while maintaining your own systems
6. Building a Client Base Takes Time
Realistic Timeline:
- Mentally prepare for one year without income
- First client possible within 2 weeks to 3 months
- Most agents interviewed are 1-3 years into their business
The First Year Reality:
- Focus on learning fundamentals
- Developing your brand
- Determining what you will and won't do
- Creating assets and products
- Building service offerings
- Defining client communication strategies
- Identifying your target clients
Why It's Different from Traditional Employment:
- Beginning involves extensive learning and strategic thinking
- Moving from planning to action takes time
- Similar to any career: first jobs and roles take time to master
- Example: Teaching career didn't feel solid until year three
Setting Expectations:
- Prepare for hard work and effort in the beginning
- "Grinding and hustling" is temporary but necessary
- Working harder initially is required in any business model
- Having realistic expectations leads to pleasant surprises
Financial Considerations:
- Don't start a business without any savings
- Reputable host agencies require membership fees/certification costs
- Monthly or quarterly membership dues are standard (like membership fees)
- Host agencies take on liability and risk by endorsing new agents
7. FAM Trips Are Work, Not Just Fun
What Are FAM Trips:
- FAM = Familiarization trips
- Experiencing destinations and companies to better understand what they offer
- Purpose: selling more of that experience
Benefits:
- Heavily discounted rates (sometimes 80% off)
- Possibility of free trips once booking significant travel volume
- Learning differences between brands (e.g., Princess vs. Royal Caribbean)
The Work Aspect:
- Taking extensive notes
- Conducting research
- Creating content (photos and videos constantly)
- Building professional credibility
- Networking with suppliers
- Positioning yourself as a knowledgeable professional
Access to FAM Trips:
- Learning where to find them
- Shared weekly via FamFinder membership or team affiliations
- Opportunities shared on Instagram (@TravelAgentHaven) and YouTube Shorts
- Application windows can be as short as one week
Professional Impact:
- Original content demonstrates professionalism
- Shows investment of time, energy, effort, and money
- Distinguishes you from agents who only share random Facebook ads
- Increases networking opportunities and future invitations
8. You Wear Many Hats Beyond "Travel Agent"
Multiple Roles You'll Play:
- Model in your own photos/videos
- Photographer and videographer
- Marketing specialist
- Communications director
- Business owner
- Customer service representative
- Problem solver and advisor
Why Learn Everything Initially:
- Understanding all aspects helps when hiring or delegating later
- Knowing how to do tasks helps evaluate others' performance
- Eventually can hire, delegate, or automate
The Coaching/Advisory Aspect:
- Helping clients through travel anxieties and stress
- Supporting first-time solo travelers or international travelers
- Addressing fears about flying, packing, or the unknown
- Providing empathy even if you've always been comfortable traveling
Transactional vs. Relational Approach:
- Can choose to be more transactional if preferred
- However, booking platforms beat agents on automation and convenience
- Clients book with agents for: experience, expertise, stories, support, and personal connection
- Parasocial or real relationships are why clients choose personal service over platforms
9. Having a Niche Is Important (Eventually)
When to Develop Your Niche:
- Don't need one figured out to book your first trip
- Taking action provides clarity
- Focus first on reaching 100 leads and getting 10 bookings
- After 10 client interactions, you'll understand your preferences
Ways to Specialize:
By Destination:
- Specific city, state, place, region, or country
- Leveraging personal experience or family connections adds unique value
By Occasion:
- Honeymoons
- Destination weddings and elopements
- Family reunions
- Multi-generational travel
- Solo trips
- Girlfriend getaways
By Travel Type:
- Outdoor/adventure travel
- Luxury travel
- Budget travel
- Specific activities or experiences
By Traveler:
- Specific demographics (e.g., teachers)
- Life stages or interests
- Professional groups
Approach Options:
- Start with the traveler, then determine their preferences
- Start with destination/occasion, then find your ideal clients
- Consider your own likes, experience, and expertise
10. The Freedom Is Unbeatable
Why Start Sooner:
- The flexibility and freedom to travel
- Getting paid for travel expertise
- Earning commissions helping others experience the world
- Mission-driven work (helping everyone see more of the world)
Lifestyle Flexibility:
- Work from home while being with your kids
- Make full-time income working a few hours weekly
- Have a jet-setter lifestyle if preferred
- Choose what works for your life
Professional Photography Tip:
- Book local photographers through Airbnb Experiences or Viator
- Get city tours with professional photos
- Elevates your personal brand
- Creates valuable souvenirs
- Ensure commercial use rights for business purposes (different from personal use licensing)
Background Context:
- Author's undergraduate degree: Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
- Considered becoming a travel agent for years before starting
- Started in 2020 (challenging but ultimately good timing)
- Previous experience: Summer camp director, community center work
- Former classroom teacher for 5 years
Additional Resources Mentioned
- Free training: Staying in the Maldives for under $1,000/week
- Pack Your Passport Podcast (YouTube playlist with agent interviews)
- Instagram: @TravelAgentHaven (FAM trips, tips, one-on-one questions)
- FamFinder membership (weekly FAM trip emails and links)
- Team opportunities (80+ agent supportive community)