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Become A Travel AgentDo you have a passion to connect with others?
Do you love getting people together?
Do you love to travel?
BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT! |
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There has never been a better time than now to sell travel! Much of the world was unable to travel recently so there is so much built up demand for travel around the world. With 2022 travel still down 44% from 2019 travel, 2024 is set to become the year of travel where those numbers final surpass pre-pandemic travel levels.
Travel Agents will be in HIGH demand over the next few years!
While there was a huge decline of the use of travel agents in the early 2000's, the trends have started to reverse. More and more people want the benefit of using someone experienced to help them plan their travel, give them ideas of where to go to, and make sure that all of the loose-ends are tied up nicely. This is the perfect time for people to travel and the perfect time for YOU to help them with it.
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While there are so many travel agencies that you could join, Catalyst Travel is unique!
Catalyst Travel specializes in group travel. There's a reason for that too! Connections are SUPER important to the founders and current leaders of Catalyst. Connections to other people, connections to destinations, connections between people groups and cultures, connections are one of the most important things that matter in this world. So Catalyst wants to be able to help foster those connections.
This is where our great travel agents come in ... it is the travel agent's role to help people connect. By creating a niche, the travel agent will help to group leaders create group trips that foster connection to places, movements, organizations, people groups, experiences, and so much more.
Sally Goodgion, one of the founders of Catalyst Travel, has taken over 20 groups to the Holy Land to connect people to that unique area, but also through some of the multi-narrative groups connected travelers to an Israeli, Palestinian, Druid, Jewish, Christian, Muslim experience. Those in the group may have had experiences with one of those segments maybe two, but it opened their eyes to see a broader perspective than they could ever imagine. And THAT, that is what it means to be a travel agent who fosters connections. It is a lot of work to network with partners and to be a sales person selling trips to the public. But, the work pays off when you see those great connections beginning and prospering because of your efforts.
Catalyst Travel specializes in group travel. There's a reason for that too! Connections are SUPER important to the founders and current leaders of Catalyst. Connections to other people, connections to destinations, connections between people groups and cultures, connections are one of the most important things that matter in this world. So Catalyst wants to be able to help foster those connections.
This is where our great travel agents come in ... it is the travel agent's role to help people connect. By creating a niche, the travel agent will help to group leaders create group trips that foster connection to places, movements, organizations, people groups, experiences, and so much more.
Sally Goodgion, one of the founders of Catalyst Travel, has taken over 20 groups to the Holy Land to connect people to that unique area, but also through some of the multi-narrative groups connected travelers to an Israeli, Palestinian, Druid, Jewish, Christian, Muslim experience. Those in the group may have had experiences with one of those segments maybe two, but it opened their eyes to see a broader perspective than they could ever imagine. And THAT, that is what it means to be a travel agent who fosters connections. It is a lot of work to network with partners and to be a sales person selling trips to the public. But, the work pays off when you see those great connections beginning and prospering because of your efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the benefits to being a travel agent?
Can I be a part-time travel agent in addition to my full-time job?
Can I be a full-time travel agent? Is this a realistic expectation?
How much do I get paid? What do commissions typically look like?
Do I have to have prior travel experience? Do I have to have prior experience in the travel industry?
Will you provide training?
Is there legal liability if I mess up someone's trip?
How do I find clients?
What are the benefits to being a travel agent?
- Being a travel agent has a ton of benefits. In addition to seeing connections being made, travel agents:
- get discounts of travel,
- FAM (familiarization) trips,
- get group discounts for their groups,
- are able to work from anywhere in the world,
- have flexibility to create their own work schedule,
- (with Catalyst Travel) are a part of a larger brand and network of travel agents that can work together and do marketing together, and
- are paid to travel.
Can I be a part-time travel agent in addition to my full-time job?
- Yes! Being a part-time travel agent is a great way to start out in this industry while you build your customer base and your niche.
Can I be a full-time travel agent? Is this a realistic expectation?
- Yes and yes! Full-time travel agents still exist and with the changing culture of the general public using travel agents, it will be an increasing profession.
- While it is a realistic expectation to become full-time, travel agents need to realize that it does take time to: build a customer base, create and sale custom travel experiences, and get paid from completed travel. It can generally takes 1 -3 years for someone to become a travel agent full-time.
How much do I get paid? What do commissions typically look like?
- All travel agents with Catalyst Travel are Independent Contractors who start out having a shared commission structure of 70 (agent)% / 30 (agency)% + a yearly bonus off of sales for the year.
- Commissions are better when you do groups! Typically they vary depending on the type of travel that you are doing and how direct our partnership is with our vendors, but ultimately the pay can vary anywhere between 4.5% - 25% in commission.
- The other component is FREE or reduced rate travel. As the travel agent for your trips, you have the opportunity to work for the groups that send to exotic destinations as the TC or Tour Conductor of the trip. This gives you the opportunity to travel either for free or for a significantly reduced rate.
Do I have to have prior travel experience? Do I have to have prior experience in the travel industry?
- No! Absolutely not! Nada! It is always helpful when you bring prior information into your next career, but in this instance it is not necessary. Catalyst Travel provides training and mentoring along the way. You have questions? Pick up the phone or meet with your mentor to ask questions and figure it out together.
- PLUS, with our newly created CADRE Cohort, you will have time to learn about the industry and role play through various scenarios that professional travel agents deal with on a daily basis.
Will you provide training?
- Yes!
- Catalyst Travel provides training and mentoring along the way. You have questions? Pick up the phone or meet with your mentor to ask questions and figure it out together.
- PLUS, with our newly created CADRE Cohort, you will have time to learn about the industry and role play through various scenarios that professional travel agents deal with on a daily basis.
- The next Cohort will start December 2, 2023.
Is there legal liability if I mess up someone's trip?
- Yes! There is always legal liability; HOWEVER, the good thing is that Catalyst Travel has a professional liability and Error and Omissions insurance plan that covers our travel agents and corporate partners. We have long standing pride in knowing that we provide our clients with the best care and do our professional best to make sure that everything is covered--even by asking if they want travel insurance for their trip.
How do I find clients?
- There are two ways that Catalyst helps you find clients: our existing network of our 2,500 person database and by helping you develop your niche and network within those niche arenas. This is a major part of the training Cohort in finding clients, developing your niche, networking, catering to your client--the group leader, and so much more.
MORE FAQs
How do I sign-up?
- First: Fill out at application ($50 application fee) and questionnaire to schedule an interview time with a Catalyst rep
- Second, schedule an interview with a Catalyst rep where you get to know about Catalyst and the travel agent profession, and see if Catalyst Travel is a good fit for you.
- If you feel like Catalyst is a good fit and the rep feels the same, you will sign a contract that includes a $300 yearly fee. This fee ensures that you are an independent contract that can be covered under Catalyst's insurance. **Application Fee is deducted from the Agency Fee at this time (Agency Fee $300 - Application Fee $50 = $250).
- At that point, you will be an agent that will receive credentials to book on Catalyst's behalf, attend the next training Cohort (December 2, 2023), and starting booking travel for your contacts and clients.