10/18/2007

Start a Home Based Travel Business and See the World

When you start a home based travel business, you get the best of all possible worlds. First of all, you can make a high income. Secondly, you can work full time or part time in the comfort of home. Thirdly, there is the fun part.

If you like to travel, this is the right business to be in. Why not spend a week in Cagliaria, Sardenia enjoying the warm evenings in the open air Caffè degli Spiriti? Cool off in the refreshingly cool Roman baths of Szechenyi in Budapest. Or, island hop between Jamaica, Martinique, and St. Lucia. Plus, when you are not traveling, you can work from home in comfort.

How to Get Started.

When setting up your work from home business, it is important to check out your state and local laws. You may have to register as a seller of travel. Be sure to open two bank accounts. One is a checking account for your business. The second is a trust account to hold your clients’ money in escrow.

As an independent travel agent, you may want to work with a host agency. This is a travel agency that works solely with independent travel agencies. They do not sell travel to the public. The host agency is the middleman between the supplier such as the airlines or cruise lines and you, the independent travel agent. The host agency can help you get on your feet.

There are a number of first-rate travel agent associations to join. They offer support, education, training, certification, resources, networking with other professionals, and trade fairs. Here are a few of the best:

* The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is the largest association of travel agents in the world. They offer education, training, and jobs.

* The National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) offer their members seminars-at-sea. Here is where you learn while on the job.

* The International Air Transport Association (IATA) provides you with accreditation and a useful ITAN Travel Agent ID card.

* The Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) has many great benefits.

Clients like to see credentials. Your membership in a big travel association such as ASTA, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau builds confidence.

How to Make Money.

You can make a lot of money in the luxury travel business. This can include around-the-world cruises, leisurely first–class train trips through several countries, an African safari, or 5-star stays in big cities of the world.

One of the best paying travel businesses right now is the cruise business. Travelers love to go on cruises. The big cruise lines are well-known for the type of travelers they attract. For instance, Carnival is known for carefree fun. Royal Caribbean caters to families. Princess Cruises are for adventure-loving types.

In your own travel business, you may find you will attract more customers if you focus on specific types of travel. For instance, you could specialize in honeymoon travel, seminar cruises for investors, and celebrity cruises. You could also concentrate on cruises and travel to the South Pacific. Holiday cruises are big sellers – particularly at Christmas time.

River cruises throughout the world are extremely popular. France is famous for its romantic canal cruises on luxurious barges with gourmet food. The Midi Canal cruise goes through ancient Roman cities. Another favorite is the Burgundy Canal cruise.

Tourists also rave about the great canal and river cruises in Germany, Russia, Belgium, Great Britain, Holland and Italy.

When you decide the cruise travel business is for you, you may want to find out more about it. One of the best places to get a thorough understanding of the travel business is Princess Cruises. They have the Princess Academy which offers quick, in-depth courses.

To keep customers coming back to your agency, be sure to pass on good deals to them such as discounts on trips and hotel stays.

If you decide to start a home based travel business, be prepared for adventure. At any time, you may be offered a free or low-cost FAM (familiarization) vacation trip by travel suppliers in hopes that you will recommend them to your customers.

The most important part of starting a home based travel business, though, is that you love your work. If you want to travel, meet people, and make money, there is no better home business. If you start a home based travel business, it could be the happiest adventure of your life.

Siriol Jameson helps you make m0ney from home. Choose from over 40 guaranteed profitable businesses and make m0ney forever. To uncover a business that is perfect for you, visit http://www.easy-home-businesses.com/work-from-home-businesses.html Get insider m0ney tips http://www.easy-home-businesses.com/newsletter.html

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1 comment:

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