The Perks of Being an Independent Travel Agent

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Fora Author Fora Travel

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

    Fora Advisor Swaylah Faroqi works from Fora HQ

    Fora Advisor Swaylah Faroqi

    If you have a passion for travel and an entrepreneurial disposition, becoming an independent travel agent may be the perfect career for you. Below, we discuss the benefits and challenges of being an independent travel agent and provide a comprehensive guide on how to become one. You’ll get an overview of useful skills and the steps necessary to get started, including tips on landing your first clients.

    What is an independent travel agent?

    A travel agent (also known as a travel advisor) is someone who earns money by booking and planning travel More specifically, an independent travel agent is a self-employed travel agent. As an entrepreneur, an independent travel advisor calls the shots and can work part- or full-time. Many independent travel agents start small, and eventually transition their business into a full-time career.

    Independent travel agents typically work with a host agency

    Independent travel agents work as contractors with a travel agent host agency, which provides support and resources such as training, partnerships and tools to partnered agents. Independent agents leverage these resources while maintaining their own brand and business operations. This arrangement allows independent agents to compete more effectively in the market without the overhead costs of developing these resources independently. If you’re looking to become an independent travel agent, you'll want to choose your host agency wisely. At Fora, we offer everything you need to succeed as an independent travel advisor. Learn more about our membership program.

    Why clients choose to book travel through independent agents

    Independent travel agents offer better value and support than online travel agencies (e.g. Booking.com, etc.). A client will typically pay the same for bookings in either case, but a travel agent can unlock complimentary perks for clients through travel partnerships that online travel agencies don’t offer. Moreover, support from online travel agencies typically stops, or tends to be limited, once the client makes their reservation. Successful travel agents will offer support any time their clients experience travel difficulties. There’s also a convenience factor to consider: travel agents handle all the details for their clients; that is, booking hotels, arranging ground transportation (rental cars, private transfers) and reserving tour slots, among other experiences. And even if a client likes to book directly, a travel agent still offers complimentary hotel perks that are otherwise unavailable.

    Benefits of becoming an independent travel agent

    Fora Advisors learning about a hotel property from a partner

    Fora's Live Forum 2023, an annual conference that brings together Fora Advisors and top industry professionals

    One of the primary advantages of becoming an independent travel agent is flexibility.  At Fora, advisors have the freedom to set their own work hours and location. Whether they prefer to work from the comfort of home or while traveling the world, they have the autonomy to create a schedule that suits their lifestyle.

    As mentioned, independent travel agents can start part-time — and can stay part-time — if they prefer. This flexibility allows advisors to test the waters of entrepreneurship. As their business grows and gains momentum, they can gradually transition to full-time work if they feel called to do so. It’s worth noting that not every travel agency accepts part-time agents, but Fora does. We don’t enforce strict sales quotas to get your foot in the door.

    "I had been dreaming about a career pivot for a while but always felt stuck on how to make it happen," Fora Advisor Alexandra Vigilante Chamberlin shared. "As an avid traveler who felt trapped in the rigid schedule of a traditional healthcare worker, Fora gives me the opportunity to grow my passion for travel into a business at my own pace while still working full-time and eventually make the leap to travel advising full time when I'm ready."

    There’s also a lot of creativity in the business. Independent travel agents have the chance to build their own brand and network of loyal clients (learn how travel agents get clients). Selling travel is a passion-driven career built around helping others plan their dream vacations and milestone moments. Witnessing the joy and gratitude of satisfied clients makes this career rewarding. 

    Working as an independent travel advisor also offers the chance to connect with a community of fellow travel lovers. The travel industry is filled with passionate professionals who share a love for exploration and adventure. At Fora, we’re big on community and have a ton of opportunities to connect with fellow Fora Advisors in person as well as online, as through live webinars or our community app, Forum.

    "The Fora community is an invaluable resource," Fora Advisor Timadge Berkhadley said. "Whether I have a question about a destination or need a recommendation on the perfect property, my network of fellow agents is always just a reach away. Plus, Fora HQ is fantastic — they offer ongoing support and are truly invested in my success."

    Challenges of becoming an independent travel agent

    Despite the flexibility and rewards, becoming an independent travel agent also comes with its fair share of challenges, and it’s important to factor these in as you decide whether it’s the right role for you. As with any new endeavor, there’s an initial learning curve. Building a robust book of business requires time and energy, but once you get going, momentum will build. You should not expect overnight success, and that’s okay! It’s a rewarding career that’s built over time.

    Additionally, irregular work schedules are often unavoidable. For example, if an agent is booking travel for someone over the holidays and they need support, that agent may need to step in and problem-solve on short notice. Additionally, the income of an independent travel agent can be uncertain. It is a commission-based business, and earnings can fluctuate in a way that’s different from a traditional 9–5. (Learn more about how travel agents get paid.)

    Related article: Is Being a Travel Agent Worth It? Fora Discusses the Pros & Cons

    Skills you need to become a successful travel agent

    a woman talks on the phone while sitting in a yellow chair

    Fora Advisor Gaya Vinay

    Whether it's planning a dream vacation, booking a cruise line or organizing an adventurous expedition, travel agents bring their expertise, creativity and enthusiasm to every booking. 

    "Prior to working with Fora, I had only planned trips for myself and other family members," Fora Advisor Jennifer Lopez said. "Working as a travel advisor had always appealed to me, but I couldn't figure out how to do it on my own in a way that made sense. That is, I couldn't figure it out until I came across Fora."

    Customer service skills

    As you dive in, you’ll start to hone your ability to sell travel. This includes being able to identify client needs, build rapport and close deals. Agents must be able to provide excellent customer service, which means being responsive to client inquiries, resolving any issues that arise and going the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction. In other words, travel agents love helping others.

    Excellent at research and invested in learning

    Another important skill for independent travel agents is the ability to conduct research. This might include building a comprehensive Costa Rica itinerary , comparing prices, finding the best hotel near the Coliseum or crowd-sourcing the hidden culinary gems in Morocco. Fora’s all-in-one booking platform for travel advisors, as well as the aforementioned Forum, help make all of that easier. 

    A sales and marketing-oriented mindset

    Finally, independent travel agents need to be able to market themselves and their business. This means getting out there, creating marketing materials and networking with potential clients. Learn more about how Fora helps advisors build their book of business.

    How to become an independent travel agent: a step-by-step guide

    Becoming a travel agent takes work and dedication. But if you stick with it, a career as a travel advisor can be rewarding in both an “I love my job!” kind of way and in a lucrative sense. Let’s break down the steps

    1. Find a host agency

    Fora Advisors on a scouting trip in Morocco

    Fora Advisors on a scouting trip in Morocco

    Independent travel advisors will want to partner with a host agency, where they’ll work as an independent contractor. The host agency offers legitimacy and an IATA number, enabling agents to book travel and earn commissions. Fora provides additional support with commission tracking and payments, in addition to preferred programs with top travel brands.

    "Once I decided that I wanted to become a travel agent, I spent quite a lot of time researching the many available host agencies. When I came across Fora, I knew instantly that I had found the perfect fit for me,”  Fora Advisor Jennifer Lopez said. “Fora's emphasis on technology and innovation appealed to me. I also appreciated their openness to what kind of business I wanted for myself. If I wanted travel advising to be my full-time job, Fora would help make that happen. If I wanted to do travel advising part-time and only book travel occasionally, Fora was open to that as well."

    We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to supporting our advisors. We offer travel agent training, community, technology, marketing tools and seamless payments. We’re also part of every major preferred partner program and have our own in-house program, Fora Reserve, which unlocks enhanced commission and perks exclusively for Fora Advisors at properties around the world. 

    "From the day I started working as a Fora Advisor, I had all of the tech tools and educational resources available to help launch my new career," Fora Advisor Jennifer Lopez said. "I have also had the support and advice of all of my fellow Fora Advisors, which is an invaluable help when I am booking travel to places that are unfamiliar to me.”

    2. Get formal training

    After joining a host agency, it’s time to dive into training.  Learn the lingo (like what a destination management company, or DMC, is), the basics of booking, communication skills and business best practices (our training covers all of this). Training as a travel advisor is ongoing. Even experienced travel advisors participate in ongoing training to stay in-the-know.  Fora offers an extensive catalog of travel agent classes taught by experienced travel pros at the forefront of the industry.

    "If I had to describe Fora's training program in one word, it would be robust," Fora Advisor Caroline Weilert said. "I love that Fora considers all angles related to training — business planning, destination overviews, hotel spotlights, mentorship programs, supplier overviews — and that it provides webinars, live training, recordings and, best of all, access to the entire supplier community. Everyone at Fora is a learner and a trainer because we all have different types of knowledge to share with each other."

    Even better, Fora’s training is flexible: It’s offered online, so our advisors can learn at their own pace.

    "Fora's self-paced training program was a game-changer," Fora Advisor Timadge Berkhadley said, explaining that it complemented her role as a mom. "Juggling other commitments, I could learn at my own speed, yet the content was rich and comprehensive. This empowered me to confidently navigate my client calls, feeling well equipped with the knowledge to succeed."

    3. Stay diligent and start booking travel

    Rows of historic Portuguese buildings on a hazy day

    After learning the ropes, it’s time to book travel for clients. Hotels are a great start, but there are plenty of other travel experiences Fora Advisors can book, from vacation packages to travel insurance. (Learn more about the different types of travel suppliers you can book as an advisor.) Success rarely occurs overnight. But you get out what you put in, and we’ve got plenty of resources to help you along the way.

    Become an independent travel agent through Fora

    Fora offers everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor, from your first booking to your 1,000th and beyond.

    "Simply put, Fora was the most innovative, tech-forward, community-focused and supportive host agency of all that I researched," Fora Advisor Caroline Weilert said. 

    When you’re ready to get started, apply to become a Fora Advisor today.

    Independent travel agent FAQs

    Here are a few more answers to questions about working as or becoming an independent travel agent.

    Is it possible to become a travel agent without an agency?

    Yes, but this isn’t the traditional path most advisors take (especially as they’re getting started). A host travel agency offers infrastructure and support that is difficult and expensive to set up on your own. For example, you cannot make commissions on bookings without an IATA number (a unique identifier assigned by the International Air Transport Association to travel agencies). Working with a host agency means that you have less upfront and ongoing work around legal matters and infrastructure to get access to an IATA number.

    In addition, host agencies offer support and scale. When you join Fora, you’re joining a network of fellow advisors who love travel as much as you do. Working with a well-established host agency also grants access to preferred partnership benefits through programs like Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred, Rosewood Elite and more. 

    How much do independent travel agents make?

    Independent travel agents get what they put in. The earning potential can vary significantly. There are many Fora travel advisors earning well into the six figures.

    How do I get clients as an independent travel advisor?

    Red and white umbrella tops before calm, blue waters, and verdant foothills in the distance

    It can be daunting to try and figure out how to get your first clients as a travel agent. We recommend beginning by tapping into your personal network. (Never underestimate the power of word of mouth.) Then, you’ll want to expand your network through marketing initiatives. We offer training on how to market yourself, plus templates that help you stay active on social media. We also have an industry-leading Client Lead Program that allows travel advisors to build their client base. (Learn more about how we help you build your book of business.)

    What qualifications do I need to become an independent travel agent?

    While formal travel agent education is technically not required to become an independent travel agent, some sort of training is highly recommended. There are several travel agent schools and training programs available to become accredited in the industry. Fora’s training covers everything you need to know about the travel industry, from booking flights and hotels to marketing your services. We also offer various certification tiers, which can give you a competitive edge when looking for clients. We will also provide you with ongoing support and resources to help our advisors succeed.

    "I love that Fora's training program meets me where I'm at — I have access to live training but also on-demand resources," Fora Advisor Alexandra Vigilante Chamberlin said. "It's amazing forging bonds with my fellow advisors as we learn and grow together but also having access to highly experienced travel advisors that I respect and admire."

    How do I stand out?

    Being an independent travel agent comes with its perks, and it also means you’re developing your own business. One of the best ways to stand out among the crowd is thoughtful, creative and consistent marketing. As an independent travel agent with Fora, you'll have access to marketing tools like email templates and social media resources to help you peacock your travel knowledge. We’ll also help guide you in building your brand around your niche (if you choose one), from cruises to Disney (read how to become a Disney travel agent).

    Success as an independent travel agent requires dedication, hard work and a passion for travel. By effectively marketing yourself, delivering exceptional customer service, networking strategically and committing to professional development, you can establish a successful and rewarding career.

    More travel advisor resources

    Check out these articles for more tips and intel on becoming a successful travel advisor:

    Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

    Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

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