The Yellow Board

Travel Agent Career

Posted by DudeBro on 2/2/2021, 9:15 pm

Does anyone have any experience as a travel agent?
This is something I'm strongly considering as I get burnt out teaching. I love travel and I love planning trips, but I would love to hear from any of you who have any experience.

Thanks!

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Eric on 2/4/2021, 9:21 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

I frequently wanted to become a travel agent so I could tell people where to go!

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Art Vandelay on 2/3/2021, 11:32 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

I'm sure you already thought about being a travel agent for large performing groups! Straight A Tours and other travel companies create great experiences that might fill your passion for organizing and travel!

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by drumguy on 2/3/2021, 8:53 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

I've got a side hustle as a travel agent right now specializing in Disney and Universal destinations, which I've been doing for about 3 years. In addition to what everyone else is saying about the travel industry being down right now, I would also put this out there...you need to have something else to help your finances when you first start out. It can take awhile to get a large enough client base so that you have enough money coming in to support yourself. Travel agents only get paid after folks travel, so there can be lots of work going into what you do before you see any actual $$.

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Just a guy on 2/3/2021, 7:59 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

There is really only one way to know. Put yourself out there. If it is what you really want to to do, don't live with regret that you never tried it.

Look at the travel market in your area. Are there other travel agencies in your town or immediate area? If there are, maybe sit down with them over coffee or an adult beverage and pick their brain about your idea.

If you decide to move forward, maybe do it as a side business while still teaching until your travel agent business can become your main income. There are lots of teachers who have a side business.

Decide if you want to to specialize in general travel, or specific areas or trips.

As the year moves on, more things will start to open up and people are ready to start getting out again. I believe if you are patient, the travel industry is on the verge of resurging and people in that industry will do well.

There are no guarantees. What you have to ask yourself is if the risk is worth the reward for you and your family.

Is being a travel agent or doing another job besides teaching the right move for you? Will changing jobs make you happier? Will it make life better for you and your family? These are questions to look at when considering a career change.

People on the yellowboard can give you lots of secondhand stories about this topic. Most are probably going to tell you not to do it. Do a search and see if there are travel companies being successful during this pandemic and see what they are doing different to be successful.

There have been lots of successful people who were told no but went ahead with what they wanted to do and were very successful.

If this is what is in your heart, and you are willing t put the work in, I say go for it!

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Also Consider on 2/3/2021, 7:10 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

Right now, in the middle of the pandemic, the travel industry is struggling. Probably not as many potential clients right now.

Best of luck to you. I'm looking for something else as well.

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Friends on 2/3/2021, 6:49 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

I have a couple of friends in the industry. I would not even consider a move over this direction for at least 2 years. They got hit probably harder than anyone else with the pandemic. I would wager that it will recover, but it is a packed industry as it is anyway. I'm actually curious to see if one friends company even makes it out of this in business still...

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Yes, but... on 2/3/2021, 6:49 am, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

There's still a market for niche, specialized travel. When my brother got married a few years ago they had a destination wedding in Mexico and hired a travel agent to organize the whole thing. Of course there's also the whole group travel thing. Unless you find something to specialize in, I don't know that it's a viable career.

Re: Travel Agent Career

Posted by Consideration on 2/2/2021, 10:10 pm, in reply to "Travel Agent Career"

The travel agent field is not what it once was as anyone can now go online and book anything they need through the many websites that help to book flights, hotels, tours, cruises, etc.

« Back to index

389

[ The Yellow Board ]