Here’s what you’ll learn after reading this article:
- Working as a travel advisor is an exciting opportunity, with benefits like flexible hours, location independence, turning a passion into a profession, and access to discounted or free travel.
- Joining a community like that of Dream Vacations provides aspiring travel advisors with a robust library of training resources, including modules on marketing, website setup, and client communication.
- The best training includes a supportive travel community of experienced Advisors who can offer guidance and tips to newcomers.
As demand for travel continues to grow, there’s never been a more exciting time to work as a travel advisor. Whether you’re trying to match your full-time income or just want a fun side gig to save some extra cash, becoming a travel agent is an exciting opportunity within the travel community.
Still, starting down any new career path might bring many questions. For those looking to begin their travel advisor journey, here’s what to know about the profession.
Why Become a Travel Agent?
Working as a travel advisor is full of exciting benefits, especially for those who already have the “travel bug.” You’ll get to:
- Help others plan trips of a lifetime: As a traveler yourself, you may know how rewarding it can be to experience a new place far away from home. As a travel agent, you get to share that feeling with others. Thanks to you helping them plan their trip logistics, your clients can focus on simply enjoying their vacation!
- Enjoy schedule and location flexibility: Independent contractor travel advisors (like Dream Vacations Advisors) are not bound to a 9-5 schedule or a desk in an office. You can choose which hours you work, as well as your login location. Whether you want to respond to client emails from a lounge chair on the beach, make phone calls from your couch at home or research new destinations from a cool coworking space, the choice is all yours.
- Turn your passion into a profession: For many travel agents, work doesn’t actually feel like work! Sure, there’s still responsibility, deadlines and tasks. That said, at the end of the day, your job is to help make travel dreams come true, coordinate with world-class travel brands and communicate with customers. A travel advisor’s work isn’t just fun – it’s also deeply rewarding.
- Access discounted (or even free) travel yourself: By becoming a travel advisor with a franchise brand like Dream Vacations, you can take advantage of travel deals for yourself or your family. You also get the chance to take travel agent fam trips, which allow you to familiarize yourself with a new location.
How to Become a Travel Planner
Many aspiring travel advisors wonder, “What education do you need to be a travel agent?”
The good news is you don’t need a specific degree! Still, you’ll want some education about the industry in order to do your best. Like with any industry, there are a wealth of travel agent classes online. But how do you know which education opportunities will set you up for the most success?
That’s where it can be helpful to begin your travel advisor journey through an opportunity like that of the Dream Vacations Advisor program. You’ll enjoy the benefits of working within the umbrella of a trusted, established brand – while maintaining maximum flexibility.
Dream Vacations has spent years building a robust library of travel agent training resources. With modules on everything from marketing and website setup to client communication and software tools, Dream Vacations ensures you have all the necessary tools to break into the business.
“As a newcomer to the travel industry, this franchise has provided me with the tools to hit the ground running from the start,” said Tim Henley, a Dream Vacations Advisor since 2023. “If there are any questions you might have, Dream Vacations likely already has a training module that addresses your specific question 95 percent of the time, which makes it easier to navigate complex issues.”
Training to be a travel agent involves education, of course — but even more importantly, the best training also includes a travel community. As you begin your journey, being able to lean on a network of other experienced travel advisors can be a lifeline.
“The veteran Travel Advisors associated with this company have a wealth of knowledge, and they are always willing to guide the newer advisors in the right direction and offer valuable tips,” Henley said.
Join the Dream Vacations Family
Becoming a travel agent with Dream Vacations is – for countless travel lovers – truly a dream come true.
Ready to step into your own travel community and launch the ultimate side gig? Take your next steps toward becoming a Dream Vacations Advisor today!