I did some research earlier this week on becoming a travel agent.
Turns out they pay is a lot less less to slightly more than what I’m making now, with longer hours (i’m a teacher).
There are a couple of commission positions at large companies, where you can earn 70K-100K and up, but since its a commission-based position, the hours are long and therre’s only 3 wks vacation a year- which kinda negates becoming a travel agent if in fact you do want to travel a lot.
Then add things like “Travelocity” and “Orbitz” and it has gotten even tougher. Many of the “direct” connections that they used to have or now available with the click of a mouse.
My understanding is that the key to succeeding is 1) specialization 2) catering to a “high-end” clientele and 3) finding a particular “niche” (like “European Bike Tours” or something).
I cant think of any thing else I want to do with my life. I’m not salying I want to be a travel agent that bad, just dont knwo what else I want to do.
4 year colleges are out of the question for now, community college or trade schools are a possibility, First We need a way to pay for this house when I quite my job.
You realize you need to know certain computer programs?
[quote]DF85 wrote:
I cant think of any thing else I want to do with my life. I’m not salying I want to be a travel agent that bad, just dont knwo what else I want to do.
4 year colleges are out of the question for now, community college or trade schools are a possibility, First We need a way to pay for this house when I quite my job.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
With the ability to book hotel rooms and flights on the internet the tradional travel agent career doesn’t seem to be promising.
I would venture that money could be made by in specialty areas though.[/quote]
That’s exactly what I thought by reading the thread title. I really didn’t know they still had travel agents except for international flights 'n shit. So many of those places go out of business.