What are the disadvantages of working as a travel agent?


What are the disadvantages of working as a travel agent? It can be a demanding job. Travel agents with clients traveling worldwide often have to be on call pretty much 24/7 due to the vast time differences. Clients having issues on their trip will call a travel agent immediately, which might be in the middle of the night back in the United States.


Can anybody become a travel agent?

Formal Training Needed to Become a Travel Agent In terms of the training time you need to put in before becoming a fully-fledged travel agent, it depends. You could start your career right after high school, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree in tourism.


Is it hard to make money as a travel agent?

How much money do travel agents make? This comes down to certain factors such as the type of clients, level of expertise and the ability to offer specialized services. According to Indeed, the average salary of a travel agent in the US is $49,608 but there are many making up to six-figure incomes.


Do travel agents have a future?

A 2023 consumer research survey from ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) found that 50% of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic. (This is a 7-point increase from 2022.) Here are the crib notes: There's no better time to become a travel agent.


What are the pros and cons of being a travel agent?

Weigh all the pros and cons of being a travel agent before jumping in as a franchise owner.
  • Pro: You Can Work Anywhere & Set Your Own Hours. ...
  • Con: You Can Work Anywhere & Set Your Own Hours. ...
  • Pro: You Can Travel the World. ...
  • Con: You Might Get Calls at All Hours. ...
  • Pro: No College Degree Required. ...
  • Con: You Are in Control.


What are the disadvantages of travel agency?

  • You're Not The One Planning Your Travel. While not planning your travel is a pro to some, for other travelers, it's a major con. ...
  • You Add Another Person To The Equation. ...
  • You Actually Have To Find The Agent. ...
  • They're Not Great For Spur-Of-The-Moment Changes.


Why are travel agents high risk?

Find a Credit Card Processor But travel agencies also typically fall under “high risk.” One reason for that is the higher-than-average chargeback rates that can come from bookings for a future trip that a client later wants to cancel. Not to worry.


How are travel agents paid?

Travel agents, including Fora Advisors, are paid in commissions. A commission is a percentage of the cost of a travel experience (such as a hotel stay). Some agents also charge planning fees for additional services (more on that below).


Is it smart to become a travel agent?

If you're looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so. Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you'll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales.


What is the most important job of travel agent?

A travel agent's role is to help people plan, choose and arrange their holiday. They will usually work to a budget set out by whoever is planning the holiday. They also offer advice and opinions on where to go and local tourist attractions, events and customs.


What is the hardest part of being a travel agent?

Travel agents sometimes feel as if they're working “blind.” They don't have access to their clients' personal information, such as vacation dates and preferences. You can't plan a strategy, segment your client base, or know what to offer them without these details.


Is a travel agent high risk?

But travel agencies also typically fall under “high risk.” One reason for that is the higher-than-average chargeback rates that can come from bookings for a future trip that a client later wants to cancel.


How stressful is being a travel agent?

Being a travel agent is a stressful job. Agents must keep up on all new traveling information as it develops. Those working for themselves will experience tough times if they don't get enough customers. Travel agents market themselves by creating websites, belonging to travel consortiums, and networking.


Do travel agents work all the time?

Most travel agents work full time, although part-time work is common. Some work additional hours during peak travel times or when they must accommodate clients' schedule changes and last-minute needs.


What is the average age of travel agents?

Travel agent demographics research summary. There are over 29,992 travel agents currently employed in the United States. 78.1% of all travel agents are women, while 21.9% are men. The average travel agent age is 50 years old.


What is the highest salary for a travel agent?

Highest paying cities for Travel Agents near United States
  • Queens, NY. $23.05 per hour. 11 salaries reported.
  • Jacksonville, FL. $22.75 per hour. 8 salaries reported.
  • Denver, CO. $19.41 per hour. 13 salaries reported.
  • Orlando, FL. $18.63 per hour. 12 salaries reported.
  • Las Vegas, NV. $18.37 per hour. ...
  • Show more nearby cities.


How to make 6 figures as a travel agent?

Getting to a Million: Top Travel Agents Share Tips for Six-Figure Sales
  1. Set goals. ...
  2. Education is key. ...
  3. Be in it to win it. ...
  4. Find a mentor. ...
  5. Choose your clients rather than vice versa. ...
  6. Mingle where the high rollers go. ...
  7. Consider working for someone else first, so you can start a business with a book of travel in hand.


Is being a travel agent a good side job?

Approach it as a side hustle with the potential for growth. Being a travel agent can be a great way to make extra cash, especially if you already have other businesses or entrepreneurial ventures. If you're a serial entrepreneur, juggling multiple ventures might come naturally to you.


What are the advantages of being a travel agent?

10 Reasons Becoming A Travel Agent May Be Right For You
  • You Get To Work From Home. Some people like an office, but most of us prefer our homes. ...
  • The Perks Are Great. ...
  • Own Your Business. ...
  • Low Start Up Cost. ...
  • Flexible Work Hours. ...
  • You Can Start Part Time. ...
  • Training Is Easy. ...
  • Expand Your Network.