Learning how to become a travel online agent has never been more accessible. With a plethora of online courses and resources available, you can gain the necessary knowledge and skills from the comfort of your own home — or anywhere, for that matter. Whether you are passionate about helping others plan their dream vacations, seeking a flexible career path (or career pivot) or wanting a creative outlet, travel advising is a fulfilling, flexible way to enter the travel industry.
Fora Advisor Danielle Fisher has two young children, and has stayed home with them full-time since her first was born — just weeks before the Covid 19 pandemic.
“I have always been passionate about travel planning and intended to go back to work once my kids were both in school,” she said. “But the opportunity to become a travel advisor with Fora fast-tracked that plan and gave me a tremendous flexible opportunity I didn't even know existed!”
This guide breaks down how to become a travel agent online, with the necessary steps, pros and cons, tips and more. When you’re ready to jump in, apply to become a Fora Advisor. In the meantime, read on for an overview of what the life of a travel advisor entails.
How to become an online travel agent: the steps
Read on to learn how to become a travel agent online. For additional context, also check out our guide to how to become a travel agent.
Find the right host agency
Most contemporary travel agents partner with a travel agent host agency. The agent remains an independent business owner, but makes use of the agency’s extensive resources (including their relationships and IATA number, an industry-wide stamp of credibility) in exchange for a commission split and/or subscription fee.
Exact prerequisites for joining vary by agency, but Fora welcomes anyone who loves travel and has a roll-up-your-sleeves, entrepreneurial mindset. When becoming a travel agent, you’re building your own business, which is no small task. We’ll be with you every step of the way, of course, and the hard work is worth it.
Fora’s travel partnerships, many of which are invitation-only or exclusive to Fora, unlock VIP perks for Fora travelers, which makes booking with one of our advisors all the more special. When you join Fora, you’re joining a well-connected club of travel enthusiasts from around the world.
To further set our advisors up for success, we also offer a full suite of marketing and customer-relationship management tools. These include an in-house booking platform that streamlines hotel reservations and commissions tracking; the Vault, which securely stores client information; Forum, a community app that allows travel advisors to share intel, tips and more in a collaborative environment; and, an expert-led, online training program that covers everything travel agents need to know to run their businesses successfully.
Learn how to get clients & navigate the industry as a home-based travel agent
Fora’s online training program is split up into different tiers. Our Certified curriculum covers the basics, like earning commissions from hotel and other bookings (cruises, tours, et. al.) itinerary planning and taking advantage of Fora’s preferred partnerships to VIP a client. Our Advanced topics cover more nuanced topics like group bookings, brand-specific bookings, planning trips to unique locales and more. Best of all, all of our training is completely online and can be completed at your own pace. And you can start booking from day one.
Fora’s various training tiers allow anyone to make the most of their time at Fora, whether they’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro.
“There's industry terminology I wasn't familiar with but could learn quickly,” Fora Advisor Sequoia Armstrong, who already had a travel-planning business when she joined Fora, said. She had been planning trips for years, “but even a more experienced advisor might have to learn something for a new client or a [travel brand’ they haven't worked with yet.”
In addition to deepening one’s hard knowledge, Fora is big about imparting the requisite soft skills to help our advisors succeed.
“The training helped give me a deeper understanding of how I could confidently communicate how I can help a potential client,” Sequoia added.
Learning how to get clients is also a major topic of Fora’s training program. In fact, we recently launched a dedicated “Find Clients” curriculum, complete with tailored courses on getting your foot in the door, best practices and more. It takes time, but from here, you can start building your clientele with Fora’s ongoing support.
Pros of becoming a travel agent online
Becoming a travel agent online offers a high degree of flexibility; remote travel agent jobs allow you to work from anywhere (especially ideal if, like us, you love to travel). Plus, Fora’s online travel agent training is constantly being updated to remain relevant. We have our finger on the pulse of the industry at large, and adjust our lessons and webinar schedules accordingly. It’s dynamic, current and always evolving. You get to complete our training at your own pace. If you can’t make a live session, recordings are most usually available, and many sessions are repeated at various times throughout the month.
Cons of becoming a travel agent online
Although some clients still prefer in-person exchanges, this is no longer the industry norm. At the same time, working remotely does not necessarily preclude you from working with clients in-person, though it is less common.
If you love travel, you have what it takes to become a travel agent. But it certainly helps to have interpersonal skills, industry knowledge and a rolodex of relationships with travel partners around the world — all of which we provide in our online travel advisor training program.
(Check out more jobs in the travel industry or jobs where you travel.)
What are the benefits of becoming a remote travel agent with Fora?
We’ve covered the basics of becoming a travel agent online, and Fora is one avenue forward. We offer flexibility and consistent support. We’re big on inclusivity, and are proud of our dynamic, diverse, kind and fun community of travel advisors. When you join, you’re still an independent travel agent, but with an entire community behind you.
If you’re ready to get started, apply to become a Fora Advisor.
Become a travel agent online with Fora’s comprehensive training & tools
Between top-tier training taught by industry experts and a bevy of high-tech marketing and CRM tools, Fora is the ideal host agency for those interested in becoming a travel agent online. Apply to become a Fora Advisor today, and get access to our top-tier training taught by industry experts, bevy of high-tech marketing and CRM tool, vibrant community, in-person events and so much more.
How to become an online travel agent: FAQs
Read on for answers to common questions we receive on the process for becoming a travel agent online.
Can you become a travel agent online part time?
Yes. In fact, most Fora Advisors have other roles and responsibilities.
“I'm able to work around [(my kids’]) schedules and find pockets of time throughout my day to email clients, talk to suppliers and curate amazing travel experiences for so many,” Fora Advisor Danielle Fisher explained.
Some plan travel part time (nine-to-fivers, we see you), while others decide to pursue travel advising full time. You do you.
What are the logistics of becoming a travel agent from home? What do you need?
If you join Fora, you need an internet connection and either a smartphone or computer. All of Fora’s apps — our booking platform, Forum and marketing tools — are mobile friendly. Additionally, being labeled as a “home-based” travel agent does not mean you have to work from home.
“‘WFH’ means I work from anywhere: sitting in the car at school pickup, waiting in line to order a coffee or while cooking dinner for my kids at home.” Danielle shared. “I've become a multi-tasker extraordinaire.”
Do you need any certifications or degrees to become a travel agent online with Fora?
You do not need industry experience or advanced degrees become a Fora Advisor. We offer all the online travel agent training and travel agent certification programs you need to run your business. These courses can be completed at your own pace, and topics range from the basics of booking hotels to how to build a sales funnel and beyond.
How much money can you make as an online travel agent with Fora?
With great flexibility comes great ranges of Fora travel advisor salaries. The more you book, the more you earn. Check out our guide to how much travel agents make, and for a deep dive on commissions, see how much travel agents make per booking.
How does Fora pay remote travel agents?
Fora Advisors are paid via direct deposit. Our guide to how travel agents get paid offers an in-depth explanation.
How long does it take to become a travel agent online with Fora?
Becoming a travel agent online with Fora doesn’t take long. The application process is straightforward, and you’re allowed to start booking travel as soon as you’re accepted as a Fora Advisor.
Related article: How Long Does It Take to Become a Travel Agent?
How much does it cost to become a travel agent online?
At Fora, we charge a monthly subscription fee that covers our training program, access to our advisor community — which has an incredible depth of travel expertise — extensive marketing resources, access to our proprietary booking platform and much, much more.
It costs $49 per month or $300 annually for a subscription (and most advisors make back their membership fee within the first month).
Related article: How Much Does It Cost to Become a Travel Agent? Fora Tells
More travel advisor resources
Check out more travel advisor resources:
