Archive for Legal
Travel Agent Education
Posted by: | CommentsAttend as many seminars in your area of specialty. Going to a supplier seminar just because you get a free dinner or possibly win a prize is not productive or fair to suppliers. Going on legitimate FAM (Familiarization) trips can be very beneficial and educational if done with the right supplier. It is good to check with other agents that have traveled with this supplier to see if the time and money investment is sound. Take the time to study your destination prior to travel and be sure to take good notes and pictures. Good photos can be one of your best selling tools if used on your website or if showing to a client. Many clients like them better than the air brushed shots many resorts and cruiselines publish.
Being on a 7 night FAM with the wrong supplier can be a huge waste of time and money! If your idea of a FAM is a cheap vacation, you are not being realistic and are not really adding to your destination knowledge. Knowledge is King in the travel industry and the more you know and can properly advise a client, the more sucessful you can be.
Get Legal
Posted by: | CommentsIf your State has Seller of Travel laws, please register. Failing to do so can result in fines or worse. States such as California require all printed agency material such as letterhead and business card to list your Seller of Travel Number. This is also the case for all online and newspaper advertisements. Many potential clients will not do business with an agent that is not properly registered.
Please purchase a Business License for the City or town where you are located, if required by law. Many home businesses do not think they need one, then the City finds out you have been doing business in their City for “X” amount of years and decides to fine you. It makes good business sense to get the proper licensing and stay out of trouble. We have found other travel agencies have turned in a competitor to the City for not being licensed.
Early in your Home Based Travel business is the time to get your accounting in order too. Waiting until later can end up costing you a lot of money if you are not properly using deductions for your home office and for your own travel to destinations you are selling.