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Become A Travel AgentThere has never been a better time than now to be a travel professional. I've heard it said that if you love what you do that you'll never have to work a day in your life. Well, MANY people absolutely love working in the travel profession. While the hours can sometimes be long, the benefits of the job FAR outweigh any negative side. Some of those benefits end up being:
The benefits of being in this industry are countless and now's a perfect time to jump into it. |
"Tell me your troubles and I will send you to the sea. There is no ailment that saltwater can't wash clean."
-S.J. Murphee
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Travel Agents will be in HIGH demand
While there was a huge decline of the use of travel agents in the early 2000's, the trends have started to reverse. There's a reason for that too:
A New Generation of Traveler There is so much built up demand for travel around the world. With travel numbers still down 44% from 2020 - 2022, travel is quickly returning to pre-pandemic levels with expectations to surpass those numbers exponentially in the years to come. Younger Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Y 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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COVID Changed Everything
Travel completely stopped during the Covid era. Travelers who did not use a travel agent to book their trips saw their trips cancelled with hardly any communication on refunds, rescheduling options, and some lost $$$. Travelers with travel agents were able to communicate with their agents about what was happening, received faster refunds, and had more benefits for rescheduling their trips down the road. All of this without having to do the work themselves.
Too Much Stress
Setting up travel can be overwhelming. There are countless destinations to choose from. Once you choose your destination, there are countless accommodation, car service, and excursion options. Then there's flights and travel insurance and restaurant options and ... you get the point. Creating itineraries, especially for groups, can be stressful for the average person. Travel Professionals are great at their job because they can work ALONGSIDE the client to create a truly unique trip without it seeming so stressful.
Travel completely stopped during the Covid era. Travelers who did not use a travel agent to book their trips saw their trips cancelled with hardly any communication on refunds, rescheduling options, and some lost $$$. Travelers with travel agents were able to communicate with their agents about what was happening, received faster refunds, and had more benefits for rescheduling their trips down the road. All of this without having to do the work themselves.
Too Much Stress
Setting up travel can be overwhelming. There are countless destinations to choose from. Once you choose your destination, there are countless accommodation, car service, and excursion options. Then there's flights and travel insurance and restaurant options and ... you get the point. Creating itineraries, especially for groups, can be stressful for the average person. Travel Professionals are great at their job because they can work ALONGSIDE the client to create a truly unique trip without it seeming so stressful.
With the demand for personalized and professional services, Travel Professionals will be in high demand for quite some time. |
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Joining Catalyst Travel is Different
While there are so many travel agencies that you could join, Catalyst Travel is different. Catalyst Travel specializes in group travel. We can provide travel services to anyone for any type of trip that they want. So if you want to plan your parent's next solo trip then go ahead. But, the majority of Catalyst's bookings are in group travel. There's a reason for that too--CONNECTIONS! |
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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. Catalyst's ultimate mission is to inspire connections through group travel. This is where our great travel agents come in ... it is the travel agent's role to help people connect. By creating this 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. Not only did those trips connect the travel to the area, it also also connected travelers to people who had different perspectives and experiences than them. Those perspectives helped them better understand the people groups in those regions and what was going on in that part of the world. Each trip has helped people gain deep friendships that are crucial in their lives today. 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. However, the work pays off when you see those great connections beginning and prospering because of your efforts.
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. Not only did those trips connect the travel to the area, it also also connected travelers to people who had different perspectives and experiences than them. Those perspectives helped them better understand the people groups in those regions and what was going on in that part of the world. Each trip has helped people gain deep friendships that are crucial in their lives today. 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. However, 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 within group travel.
Can I be a full-time travel agent? Is this a realistic expectation?
- Yes and Yes! Full-time travel agents still exist. With the increasing demands for travel agents, it will be a even more in need in the future.
- While it is a realistic expectation to become a full-time travel agent, it does take time to build a customer base, create/sale custom travel experiences, and get paid from completed travel. It can generally take 1-3 years for someone to become a full-time travel agent.
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.
- Average hotel commission is 10-15%
- Average cruise commission is 10-20%
- Professional Fees are set by agent. New agents are recommended to start their professional fees at $50-$100 per trip for standard groups. For groups larger in size or with complex itineraries, it is recommended to have a per person professional fee at $25-$100 per person.
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.
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.
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, and starting booking travel for your contacts and clients.