Being a travel agent is enticing to many because of the fringe benefits of travel discounts and opportunities to see the world. Owning a franchise can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. As a travel agency franchise owner there is specific training, education, and certification that will help you reach your future business goals. Making the investment of proper training in the beginning of your franchise ownership will pay dividends with the high quality of service you are able to offer, giving you an edge over your competition.
To be profitable you will need to make several bookings, not just a few a week. The only way you can be successful is through proper training and experience so that you can meet your customer’s needs quickly and smoothly. This kind of operational success requires proper training.
A Travel Agent’s Expertise
As a travel agent, you will need to be aware of all the details involved with travel that your customers may not be aware of. In order to be empathetic and give your customers the best service, you cannot be consumed with the menial semantics of running your business. Here are some of the details you and your staff need to be experts in as members of your agency:
Booking and reservation operational procedures
- Local, domestic, and international travel laws and restrictions
- Geography
- Making reservations
- Completing payments within your reservation system
- Weather-related travel advisories
- Policies with specific airlines
- Stay abreast of the global political climate
Marketing
You will start branding and earning the reputation of your franchise the first day you open your doors. Be sure the impression you leave your customers is a positive one that sticks. Referrals will be your strongest future customers, and your customer service will need to be uncommonly superior to set your agency apart from the rest. Travel agent training programs cover what you need to know to successfully market your new business. Your enthusiasm will fuel your success!
Necessary Licenses and Certifications
In the United States, there is not a formalized process required by law for becoming a travel agent. There isn’t a minimum level of education or certification to qualify a person to be a travel agent or own their own agency. This leads to agents in the industry with many differing levels of skills and expertise.
To set yourself apart you can seek out travel agent certification education through franchise ownership. Having a business that you own and becoming a licensed travel professional can give you an edge as a qualified, travel professional. Seeking out these certifications as continuing professional education is a worthy goal to maintain your expertise in the field of travel and tourism.
- Travel Agent License
- Specialty Certifications through your Franchise
- Certified Travel Associate (CTA)
- Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)
- Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE)
Travel Education
College Degrees
You do not need a college degree in travel to be a travel agent, but it is helpful. In these degree programs, you not only learn about travel and tourism, but you learn about how to run a travel agency or other tourism business. This path of education is ideal for those who plan to run their own agency. College degrees in travel and tourism are typically available in Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degree programs. Some examples of those degrees are:
- Hospitality Management
- Tourism Management
- Travel and Tourism Management
Training and Support
Aside from certifications and college degrees, there are training and support programs available to travel agency franchise owners. Dream Vacations offers full, affordable training for their franchise owners. And you’re automatically welcomed into a professional network of other travel agents just like you. When you work with Dream Vacations this is some of the training and support you will receive for your investment in your new franchise:
- Franchise and travel licenses
- 6-day training at our world headquarters
- Award-winning marketing strategy
- Affiliation with World Travel Holdings
- Support from a corporate team available by phone, email, and chat 6 days a week
- And so much more!
Professional Networking
Connecting with other travel agents will allow you to have a network of support. The more support you have, the more successful you will be! Ask questions when you need help with customer needs, learn from the successes and failures of others.
Travel is a hospitality industry business, and as such you will need to meet your customer’s needs with superior service. Your ability to grow your travel agency franchise is up to how well you maintain your professional training and passionately exceed your customer’s’ expectations. Contact us at Dream Vacations to see what training and support we can offer your travel agency franchise today!
