During a mid-life crisis, I made the decision to change careers. Feeling somewhat depressed and lost in life, I was eager for a fresh start. Switching careers turned out to be one of the greatest decisions I ever made.
During my first year, I gained valuable knowledge and am deeply thankful for the incredible support of my friends, family, and clients who selected me as their travel agent. I am aware of the many agents available, so it truly means a great deal to me that my clients have faith in my services!
What challenges have I faced as a travel agent?
Developing expertise.
I have sat through hours and hours of training, every cruise line, resort, theme park has their own training. I have gained in-depth knowledge of various destinations. Attending trainings, webinars, my own research, and even my own personal travel has made me a better travel agent. I have to know Visa and health regulations, hours of operations, how to make reservations, and even the weather where my clients are traveling to. Would I say I am an expert? Not in all things, but I am getting there.
Mastering Technology and Marketing.
The behind the scenes programs that travel agents use is probably the most confusing thing on the internet. You have a hundred different sites you have to go to, not every site has the same price, and certain hotels don't even show up in your searches. This has been a very overwhelming task that I have had to learn. The software and platforms are supposed to be helpful, but I have found most of them to be huge pains in the butt.
Marketing functions on an entirely different plane. If I don't post often, the algorithm doesn't favor me, but posting excessively leads to losing followers. (I apologize if I'm being annoying.) It's difficult to come up with content ideas, decide what to communicate, and pinpoint my target audience. Besides being a proficient travel agent, I must also be adept at marketing. Crafting captivating marketing strategies for my audience has been an unforeseen challenge.
Managing Workflow & Time
My main challenge is staying focused while juggling multiple clients, deadlines, and maintaining organization. I often have several windows open, each with over 20 tabs. It took me some time to streamline my workflow and manage client expectations without sacrificing personal time. Although I have an excellent memory, handling requests from 5-10 people a week for vacation planning can be overwhelming. I've found that having clients fill out a Google form about their vacation not only helps me personalize their trips but also keeps everything organized.
Things I have learned as a Travel Agent.
Get the Travel Insurance.
Through my experience, I have come to understand the importance of having travel insurance, particularly when traveling abroad. For instance, I once had a client who got into a car accident just a month before their three-week European trip. Thanks to the trip insurance, what could have been a $15,000 mistake was averted. You never know when you might miss the last train or if someone falls ill before your cruise. Unless your credit card offers excellent travel insurance, consider spending a bit more.
Splurge a little.
Set a budget, I can find you a vacation within your budget. But don't be so worried about saving money that you miss out on once is a lifetime opportunity, or you choose to stay in the cheapest hotel on the outskirts of town but end up paying more in transportation costs.
Get outside your comfort zone.
Its easy for us to stay in our routine, get into our comfort zone, and not try things that make us mildly uncomfortable. Try new foods, go new places, do something that scares you. When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Off season travel saves you money.
When you choose to travel during the off season, which is typically characterized by lower demand for accommodations and attractions, you can take advantage of significantly reduced prices on cruises, flights, hotels, and various activities. Airlines often lower their ticket prices to entice travelers during these quieter periods, and many hotels offer enticing discounts or special packages to fill their rooms. Additionally, popular tourist attractions may also offer reduced admission fees, making it more affordable to explore and enjoy them without breaking the bank.
Don't fall for the scams.
There are a lot of scams out there. People claiming to be travel agents but aren't. People & agencies that claim to be travel agents, but are in a MLM (multi level marketing) and just are looking for people to work under them. Unfortunately the travel industry is not well regulated. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
Is it worth it?
As I continue to learn and grow in this business, I am humbled and grateful for this amazing opportunity. My job is helping people create memories, create opportunities for families to come together, and explore the world from others points of view. I know that I have so much more to learn, but I feel like I am in the right business for this stage of my life. In my first year I had a goal to sell $50k in vacations. I smashed that goal and booked over $250k in vacations, doing this job part time. Has it been easy? Absolutely not. Is it worth it? Yes.
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