How to Start Home Based Travel Businesses

Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of the future. Home travel businesses are the hot trend right now. So if you're considering becoming a travel agent, this brief guide will provide you with information you need to know.

First, there are generally two types of home travel businesses:

• Referral agencies
• Booking and selling agencies

Home based travel businesses that fall into the referral agency category do just that: they refer people to a travel agency. They may have several agencies they refer people to, but most generally have one travel agency that they work with on a regular basis. In return for the referrals from a home based business travel agent, the travel agency pays a referral fee or commission percentage on what the travel agency receives from the supplier. Part-time referral agents can earn up to $500 on each sale, and sometimes even more.

The home based travel businesses that fall into the booking and selling agencies category usually work with one travel agency. These booking and selling travel agencies actually do the booking and planning involved in making all the necessary arrangements for great trips.

These are people who enjoy attending to all the little details. They serve, more or less, as facilitators between their clients and a travel agency. Booking and selling home based travel business agents earn a lot higher percentage of the overall commission-but they DO do a great deal more work. A full-timer at this, however, can earn $50,000 or more a year.

Some things you want to consider before you decide to open your own home based travel business are:

• Do I need any special training or education?
• Should I pursue this part-time or full-time?
• Is my family supportive of my decision?
• Do I have a room in my home where I can set up an office?
• Should I get an extra phone line?
• What sort of office equipment do I need?
• What will I do about accounting?
• How do I manage my tax needs?
• Is this a job I will love?
• How much money do I want to make?
• Should I do any advertising?
• Do I have the contacts I need to pursue this business opportunity?
• If I don't, how do I make the contacts I need?
• Am I willing to put the necessary effort into this business?
• Does my state require me to have a business license?

Once you've answered all or at least most of these questions, you will need to make a business plan, outlining the steps you'll have to take to achieve your goal of having your own home based travel business. And a plan just isn't any good unless you follow it.

You also need to make sure your business plan is realistic. If you have to take a course to run the type of travel agent home business you want to have, deciding to open up shop next week isn't reasonable. By being realistic in your business plan, you will save yourself an untold amount of frustration as you start and grow your business.

And starting your own business, whether it's a cruise travel home business or a European vacation home travel business, can be frustrating. Be prepared for obstacles to raise their ugly little heads when you least expect them to, and roll with them as much as you can.

Your goal is to offer superior, professional travel services. Don't let a cranky client get to you. Always keep a pleasant, cheerful demeanor. You can scream later. Better yet, you have a laugh or two over it with friends, while sipping a glass of fine wine that you bought with the money you've earned as a home based business travel agent.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy is owner of Profitable Home Businesses. For more information on Successful Businesses check out Home Based Businesses. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003. Currently full time owner/operator of several online businesses.

---

How to Define Business Objectives

Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More

7 Advantages to Incorporating

There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More

How to Remove Stress from Owning a Business... Forever!

I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More

Small Business Failure? Nuts!

Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More

Creative Marketing Tips: Simple Things You Can Use In Your Business To Attract More Clients

The single most important activity you can do in your... Read More

Employee Email and Internet Use - A Small Business Guide

IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is... Read More

Tips on Setting Up Your Small Business Bank Account

One of the first things you will need to set... Read More

Earn More Money in Your Small Business by Creating a PIG

If you really want to earn more money with your... Read More

Is Brick and Mortar A Passing Fad?

Q: Is the online world the best place to sell... Read More

Overcoming Your Biggest Competitor

Before you read any further in this article, I'd like... Read More

Making Your Purpose Your Business Step #2- Getting From Point A to Point B

In my previous article, Step 1, your challenge for the... Read More

6 Steps to a Successful Medical Spa Expansion

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More

Business Pain Defined

Every company has business pain, but the pain does not... Read More

North County San Diego Small Business

North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and... Read More

How To Plant Seeds of Success With Small Business Ideas

Think of all of your business ideas as tiny seeds... Read More

Due Dilegence 101 Or What You Do Not Know Can Kill You! - Part 1

Introduction: This article is written as a general discussion on... Read More

Take a Break - Have a Pity Party

Pity parties are nothing new. In fact, we do it... Read More

The Inside-Out Business Plan? -- Your Small Business Plan in 10 Easy Questions

Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More

Why Small Businesses Fail (or Fail to Thrive)

Tammy, a skilled and gifted horticulturist, called me to discuss... Read More

Attributes Of Companies You Don?t Want To Buy!

There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More

Tracking Revenue For MORE Profits

The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More

Top Ten Resolves for Building Your Business in 2005

1. Resolve to build a consistent network system.Since referrals are... Read More

Small Business Essentials: Start Here

Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More

How To Start A Blind Cleaning Business Quickly And Easily

Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best... Read More

Starting a Virtual Assistant Business

If you're organized, smart, capable and willing to work with... Read More

Boston Market; Mobile Auto Detailing

Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More

Creating Time the Virtual Way

Time. As a small business owner, it's the commodity you... Read More

Why is My Restaurant Not Full Every Monday Night?

In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More

The Game Plan ? The Difference Between Small Business Success And Failure

It is an American dream to own a business. But... Read More

Hiring A Virtual Assistant Can Help Your Business Grow

Are you a home or small business owner and you're... Read More

Practical Money-Saving Tips For Small Businesses

One of the primary concerns all small businesses have is... Read More

Do You Own Your Business Or Does It Own You?

What was your aim when you went into business for... Read More

The Greatest Challenges the Internet Consultant Faces!

While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More