Become a Travel Agent

What is a Professional?
By: Jim Terracciano, CTC, MCC
Executive Director, TPN

Ironically if you ask that question of a consumer on the street you will get a more consistent and distinct answer than you will from people in the travel industry. To consumers a professional is someone who knows their business inside and out, who works for a reputable company, is timely, conscientious, is recognized within their own industry, and who stands behind their work. Ask that same question of ten travel industry insiders and you are liable to get ten different answers depending on what perspective they answer from. It may be from an agent’s standpoint, a supplier’s or an association’s. Isn’t it time we all got on the same page?

“We are all professionals” you may say. That is a good start. If you didn’t believe that then you have no business selling travel. But calling yourself a travel professional because you paid someone $495 to join their organization holds about as much credence as calling yourself a doctor because you bought every DVD of a popular medical show. Yet, unfortunately, in some circles within our industry that is an accepted practice. You may have the legal ability to call yourself a travel agent with no preamble, no training or testing, no track record of sales or no personal experience, but a professional? I think not. The title professional is one that is earned, not bought or self appointed, yet in the travel industry we have grown to accept this lesser standard; why?  Aren’t we all consumers too? Wouldn’t we answer the above question the same way others do if it did not have to do with the travel industry?

Sooner or later some of these thousands of pseudo agents that are flooding our industry are going to make mistakes with the few consumer bookings, or referrals, they actual attempt. Unfortunately we will all be painted with the same broad brush when talk about the need for travel agent regulation begins as a way to correct wrongs done. Unless we want to eventually face regulation from the outside, we need to take action from the inside. 

With this in mind the Travel Professional’s Network was conceived. Our goal is simple…we will verify an agent’s professional status provided they meet minimum requisite criteria. We have no other agenda. You cannot buy our designation, you must earn it. We are not an association or an organization, we are not an educational institution, and we are not a consortium or a supplier and most importantly we are not competition for them. We have no ‘preferreds.’ We are not sponsored by (read indebted to) any entity. We exist for the sole purpose of encouraging and recognizing professionalism amongst sellers of travel. That is a big distinction. We are focusing on the front line of our industry…travel agents.

The process is simple or more accurately simple for a true professional. You provide the documentation that shows you actually sell travel to the public in a meaningful amount, you pass a test that would not be a challenge for a practicing agent, you provide information about your involvement in the industry that has led to bettering yourself and you have the option to write a paper that will provide insight and assistance to other agents. Easy right? Not so if your title ‘travel agent’ was mail ordered..that is the whole point.

Based on your gross sales and experience you will qualify for one of three designations; Independent Travel Professional (ITP), Advanced Travel Professional (ATP), or Distinguished Travel Professional (DTP). Note that all are Professional status. Where you fall is entirely up to you and the business model you choose and are comfortable with. We make no judgment on the level you choose and hold none in higher regard than the other…the important fact is you have attained professional status, and have the credentials and background material to prove it. If at some time you wish to advance to the next level that is your choice, and we would encourage you to, but it is not a requirement. By displaying the TPN logo, your true professional status will become instantly recognizable to others including agents, suppliers and consumers.

If you are tired of being stereotyped and thought of in the same manner as someone whose only intent is to get benefits and sell memberships, then its time to do something about it. Set yourself apart from the crowd before the crowd damages your good reputation.

www.travelprofessionalsnetwork.com