Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Bad Times or Good Times
What Are Travel Professionals Saying?
By Joanie Ogg CTC, MCC
Part Two

Last month, I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of NACTA Members here in my hometown of San Diego at their Chapter meeting. As I was preparing for the meeting and what I would speak about, it dawned on me that I really wanted to hear from them. I was initially going to share my thoughts on how to deal with some of the current issues facing agents when I realized that it would be far more interesting to have them share what they are doing and how they deal with it.

I love to hear success stories from agents and often do a seminar entitled “Ideas for Prizes” where agents share things they have done with success to build their businesses. However, we rarely talk about the other side of the coin. How does one deal with lousy leads, low priced cruises earning perhaps $25 dollars in commission if that, and the list goes on. So, I approached this group of agents and asked them to share their thoughts on the good, bad and how they are doing and what works and what does not.  This will be a two or more part series of articles beginning with two agents who were the first volunteers to share.

Let me introduce you now to the following travel professionals who shared their thoughts with the group at the meeting.

Paul Herron

Paul told us he was very new to the travel business but that he finds using his skill acquired over many years of being a salesman in his past life has readied him for the role of travel consultant. 

He also uses a host that provides leads and has found that the quality of the leads while not that great, do occasionally end in a sale. He thinks that just providing a quote to a prospective buyer is simply a waste of time.  He likes to give some general information to shoppers but not so much that they simply turn around and book their trip on their own online. He says that giving them details about flight schedules and resort rooms and amenities is too much information. He would prefer to attempt to lock them in to his services and then share the details.  He believes that a personal call to share this information is the best way to handle it and not in an email.  Emails can easily be copied and pasted and used to shop.

He firmly believes that he is a travel consultant and not a travel agent. Paul has a very interesting background working for Club Med at one time as their first underwater photographer. He is sure to do well in this business with his wit and charm. Thanks Paul.

Anita Murphy

Anita shared some great ideas with the group about how she has found success with her home-based travel business. She owns and operates Murphy’s Travel and has been doing so for ten years.  She works at this full time and believes that keeping in contact with her clients regularly has been a key advantage for her, She specializes in Honeymoons and Destination wedding but having been raised in Europe she also finds that she can sell that very well. She knows it cold and she believes when she speaks to clients with that knowledge, they feel confident that they will get what they paid for and more.

One of her claims to fame is what she calls her Trip of Lifetime, which is a European FIT she plans. A great idea I think to name it and make it seem as if it is one’s specialty. She also likes to do the Wedding Show in Del Mar, which she finds very lucrative.  Anita is a firm believer in education of those destinations and product she sells. She travels frequently to uncover the “real” destination she is selling and brings that knowledge to her clients with enthusiasm and excitement. 

With a warm personality and a winning smile, this classy lady will be successful for many years to come. Thanks Anita!