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View Full Version : In search of WAH travel agent job...


Laura22007
Jun 20, 2012, 08:26 AM
I am in search for a "willing to train"and "work from home" travel agent job. Does anyone know of any agencies and or businesses that offer this?

Wondergirl
Jun 20, 2012, 08:36 AM
What my sil did was work for a year or so at a bricks-and-mortar travel agency and then moved to working from home. A friend started her own travel agency at home (but had worked in the industry for years and knew what she was doing).

Do you have any experience as a travel agent? Are you in a populated area?

Laura22007
Jun 20, 2012, 08:43 AM
What my sil did was work for a year or so at a bricks-and-mortar travel agency and then moved to working from home. A friend started her own travel agency at home (but had worked in the industry for years and knew what she was doing).



Do you have any experience as a travel agent? Are you in a populated area?

I don't have any experience except for my own traveling, and as far as a populated area yes I live in nj

Wondergirl
Jun 20, 2012, 08:45 AM
Have you explored the idea of working as a travel agent as far as what you would have to do and be responsible for?

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to be one?

Laura22007
Jun 20, 2012, 08:52 AM
Have you explored the idea of working as a travel agent as far as what you would have to do and be responsible for?

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to be one?

I have not completely done my research as of yet with the full involvement for the job, but part of the reason I'd like to do this is a change in scope of my career. I've been working in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time and want change.

Wondergirl
Jun 20, 2012, 08:57 AM
If you have no previous experience, please go to your local library and read up on being an agent. There should be books in the 371s or maybe 650s, depending on how your library classifies them. There is a book put out by the federal government every two years -- and is now online. Here is the section on travel agents --

Travel Agents : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Sales/Travel-agents.htm)

There will be a lot of phone and computer work apparently -- and just a lot of effort put into marketing yourself, whether you work for someone or are on your own. If the latter is the case, you will need a well-done web site and also probably an interesting and exciting blog.

Laura22007
Jun 20, 2012, 09:15 AM
If you have no previous experience, please go to your local library and read up on being an agent. There should be books in the 371s or maybe 650s, depending on how your library classifies them. There is a book put out by the federal government every two years -- and is now online. Here is the section on travel agents --

Travel Agents : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Sales/Travel-agents.htm)

There will be a lot of phone and computer work apparently -- and just a lot of effort put into marketing yourself, whether you work for someone or are on your own. If the latter is the case, you will need a well-done web site and also probably an interesting and exciting blog.


Thank you for this info I will look into it first.

Wondergirl
Jun 20, 2012, 09:19 AM
Best wishes! Be sure to ask a reference librarian for help if you aren't finding what you need. There are other resources at your library that I don't know about -- maybe a career database or some such. And be sure to report back on what you found and if you have more questions!

iamstephly
Jun 26, 2012, 09:41 PM
Here's a list of over 80 host agencies that all take home based travel agents to work under them. The level of training they provide varies but you can read a little about their program in their profile as well as read peer reviews. Not all hosts have reviews yet since it's a relatively new site but there are around 300 currently so enough to get a good taste of things.
Host Travel Agency List (http://hostagencyreviews.com/host-agency-list/)

You may also find the articles helping in understanding the home based agent industry and how things work.

Good luck!
Steph