Here’s what you need to know
Dream Vacations has been working with independent travel advisors since 1992; this is your opportunity to become a travel advisor, share your passion for travel and earn some extra income. One of the best parts is that you can make money while traveling, and do it at your own pace, one step at a time.
We understand you have questions about becoming an independent advisor with Dream Vacations, so we’ve compiled the answers to the questions we hear the most; please see our list of FAQs below.
What is a Dream Vacations Travel Advisor?
At Dream Vacations, an independent travel advisor works to sell cruises from home, as well as resorts and tour vacations among other exciting travel experiences. This is a remote position, which means you’ll often hear the term “home based travel advisor” referenced as well. You earn commission from the sales of your vacations, and while you’re selling incredible vacations to your customers. You’re hosted via the mentorship of a Dream Vacations Franchise owner who hosts you within their independently owned and operated franchise.
The corporate headquarters team at Dream Vacations provides you with robust tools to help set you up for success – tools such as a website, marketing programs, training, ongoing support via a virtual business center and more. You are partners with a Dream Vacations Franchise who hosts you within their agency. The franchise owner is an experienced franchise owner with an established travel agency and they partner with you, guide you in developing the required skills to sell vacations and understand the travel industry. You’ll participate in training, covering how to book vacations, find clients and service your customer’s vacations. As a Dream Vacations Travel Advisor, you’ll take pride in delivering a remarketing experience to your customers and share any first-hand knowledge of vacation destinations that you have personally been to or have completed training on.
Each independently owned Dream Vacations Franchise can choose to include advisors as independent contractors affiliated with their franchise agency – this is an optional program that franchise owners can participate in.
How Do You Become a Travel Advisor?
Many people who become a cruise travel agent and Travel Advisor with Dream Vacations have no prior travel industry experience. Many have a day job, but also love to travel and enjoy planning vacations for themselves, friends and family. Perhaps you have been looking for opportunities for fun, flexible part-time jobs that also help you make money selling vacation packages.
We recommend a few steps to take to start your journey toward becoming an independent travel advisor with Dream Vacations:
- If you have not already done so, you’ll register for the Dream Vacations webinar and take the next step in learning more about the Dream Vacations Advisor opportunity and what this incredible opportunity can offer you! Most of your questions should be answered in this webinar, and we’ll explain the following steps to get onboard.
- During your discovery process, we recommend that you look into important aspects such as commissions, schedule flexibility, marketing tools and training opportunities, which are important factors in helping to set you up for success.
- Keep in mind that this is an independent business opportunity – you’ll receive a wide range of tools such as websites, training, marketing programs and more – so you’ll need to invest time and some money to get started. You can become a Dream Vacations Advisor for $39 a month!
What Are the Perks of Being a Travel Agent?
Have you ever wondered, “how can I make money while traveling?” Dream Vacations Advisors have the chance to take familiarization trips at significantly reduced rates so that you can learn first-hand about new cruise ships, destinations and resorts — and then pass that knowledge on to customers!
One of the other exceptional perks of becoming a travel agent with Dream Vacations Advisor is the ability to work from the comfort of your own home. That means that if you have internet connectivity, a tablet, laptop or smartphone, you can work from anywhere. You can set your hours and work around your family’s schedule. You can work at your own pace and be your own boss.
What Is a Host Agency?
Host agency is a term used in the travel industry and is a business that affiliates with home-based travel agents in an independent contractor agreement. So as a Dream Vacations Advisor, your host agency is the independently owned franchise agency you’re partnered with. When you become a Dream Vacations Advisor, you are working closely with an experienced Franchise Owner that will assist you with your training and understanding of the key tactics to sell vacations. You are not an employee, but an independent contractor earning commission on your sales. You are also offered a wide range of tools, programs, training and support from the corporate headquarters team at Dream Vacations.
What’s the Difference Between an Independent Advisor vs Franchise Owner?
Dream Vacations offers two unique opportunities. First, we offer a Franchise Opportunity whereby you own your own travel agency business. Second, we help our franchise owners grow their agency via independent travel advisors who partner with the franchise owner but work independently within the agency. As a Dream Vacations franchise owner, you operate your own travel agency earning 100% commission. As an independent contractor, you are still your own boss, but do not own your own business, instead you are working independently within the franchise owner’s travel agency and earning a commission split of 60%.
Will I Be an Independent Contractor?
Yes, you are not an employee; you are an independent contractor. Dream Vacations is a franchise model; the franchise industry terminology includes franchises as being a host agency model. Each independently owned franchise agency can choose to have independent contractors (Dream Vacations Advisors) affiliated with their franchise agency. So, you are considered an independent contractor that is part of a franchise/host agency business model.
How Does the Program Work?
Once you decide to join Dream Vacations as an independent travel advisor, you’ll be offered training and access to our booking system. The Franchise Owner you’re partnered with can help set up your business and answer your questions. You’ll be partnered with a Dream Vacations franchise host who will mentor you. Based on your knowledge, needs and other key factors, you are assigned to an experienced franchise owner that best suits you and will assist in developing your business.
You will obtain specific training and learn about the operational part of the industry and the right marketing tools to promote your business and have good lead generation. This program aims to give you the expertise and guidance to help you create dream vacations for your client and help your business succeed.
We have invested in trailblazing technology so you can have access to all booking tools online and work your cruise travel agent jobs from home.
As part of an industry powerhouse with Dream Vacations, you can offer better prices to your clients than booking directly with suppliers. One of the great perks is that you will be provided with opportunities to travel – so basically, you’ll make money while traveling and learning about various cruise lines, destinations and resorts to help you become more educated and provide more insights to your customers.
For each sale you make, you earn at least 60% on the supplier commission. You can sell to friends, family and anybody who loves to travel and is looking for their next vacation gateway. You are your own boss, so you set the pace and decide how much to sell and when.
What is the Initial Fee?
The Initial Fee is a one-time charge of $69. This covers the background check fee and the first-monthly fee. An ongoing fee of $39 a month is charged thereafter.
What Do I Get for My Monthly Fee?
There is a monthly administrative fee of $39 (tax included) to be a Dream Vacations advisor, and you get a great value for your investment:
- Support from a dedicated corporate team and a passionate community of fellow advisors.
- 24/7 access to more than 1,500 on-demand eLearning modules that progress with your travel career. Start learning the basics and continue with ongoing weekly refresher courses on your schedule.
- Access to lead generation and brand awareness programs, plus customizable marketing material that will fit your local market and your clientele.
- Personalized consumer-facing booking website maintained by Headquarters.
- Weekly marketing and promotional emails sent on your behalf.
- Private Facebook group support from your peers.
- Access to free or reduced rate travel with our travel suppliers.
- Access to our Business Center intranet and to Cruise Control, our online CRM reservation and financial system.
- Maintenance of all required industry memberships and certifications on your behalf, as well as errors and omissions liability insurance.
How Much Money Can I Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a travel agent in 2021 was $43,810. How much you earn as a Dream Vacations Advisor depends on your time and effort. You’ll earn a 60% commission on each sale, which includes various vacations such as cruises, resorts, tours, theme parks, villas, excursions and more. Dream Vacations offers travel advisors the industry’s highest-paid commissions!
You can earn extra commissions by offering travel protection, shore excursions, hotel stays, consolidated airfares and other optional cruise features. You can choose to sell any travel experiences such as cruises, all-inclusive resort stays, tours, travel insurance and more.
Do I Have to Sell a Certain Amount?
Dream Vacations does not have any sales requirements for Dream Vacations Advisors. You sell as little or as much as you want. We recommend you set your own realistic goals and work with your franchise owner mentor to create a plan and reach those goals. Ultimately, your total amount is entirely up to you – since this is a transactional business, the more you sell, the more you earn.
How Do I Get Paid the Commissions That I Earn?
Dream Vacations processes incoming commission checks to our franchise owners weekly, upon receipt of the commission from the cruise line or other vacation vendor, which is generally when the final payment is received. Dream Vacations makes all payments directly to franchise owners, and then franchise owners pay their advisors their commission split.
What Are Other Opportunities to Earn Income from Each Sale?
You can earn commissions by offering travel protection, shore excursions, pre-and-post hotel, consolidated airfare and other optional features. Plus, sales are not restricted to cruise vacations. You can also sell hotels, all-inclusive resorts, land vacations, independent tours, escorted tours, travel insurance and more.
What If I Need Help or More Assistance?
Dream Vacations wants you to become an expert in selling vacations, and that’s why we provide you with a broad built-in support system. As part of a franchise host agency, your primary support will be the Franchise Owner who will act as your mentor and other advisors who may be part of the franchise agency. Alongside, the Dream Vacations headquarters support team offers unlimited training and resources found in our Business Center and Learning Center – you’ll have more than 1,500 learning courses and much more wealth of knowledge, training and support at your fingertips.
Will I Be an Employee of Dream Vacations?
No. You will be an independent contractor doing business as Dream Vacations and receive a commission on your sales.
Will I Be Entitled to Deduct Expenses From My Earnings?
Please see your tax advisor and discuss what applicable business expenses may be deducted, such as the cost of equipment purchases and certain educational expenses, including traveling to discover new products and destinations, as well as claiming a home office deduction.
Are There Any Territory Restrictions Placed on Me as a Dream Vacations Advisor?
No. You may book vacations for customers all over the country and world. Generally, our contracts with cruise lines and resorts allow us to book U.S. and Canadian residents. However, some cruise lines and resorts also allow bookings to anyone internationally. Note that bookings cannot be made for anyone from the following countries: Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan and North Korea. Please note that due to business opportunity laws in specific states, the Dream Vacations Advisor opportunity is not available for residents of the following states: Hawaii, Indiana and North Dakota.
What Kind of Office Equipment Do I Need?
The great thing is that your office can be anywhere – your home, the beach or on a hiking trail – if you have an internet connection, you can sell vacations through your own booking website. All bookings made through your website are tracked back to you and your commissions – it’s as easy as that! Most popular internet browsers are supported.
If you’re ready to make money while traveling and do something you’re passionate about – get started by signing up for our FREE webinar today!