Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Technology in 2010 and You
By Tom Ogg

Wow! How things have changed. I just returned from Fry’s where I purchased a 2-terabyte external hard drive for $89.00. For those wondering how big a 2-terabyte hard drive is, it is 2,000,000,000,000 bytes, or two trillion, as in 2 thousand billion, or 2 million million bytes.

Contrast that with the first IBM XT machine that I purchased in 1983 to upgrade from my Tandy Model 3 running CPM. I paid a whopping $8,995.00 for an IBM XT with a  8088 CPU, 768 Kb RAM, 360 Kb floppy disk drive, a 10 Mb hard drive, and a special add-in card containing an Intel 8087 math coprocessor. Of course the MS DOS operating system and a monitor ware extra. And, those were 1983 dollars.

A 10 Mb hard drive was considered revolutionary, as the XT was introduced with dual 360Kb floppy drives. The idea that one could have long term storage on their computer, rather than on floppy disks stored somewhere was radically innovative. It was so ground breaking that it motivated millions to spend thousands of dollars to enter the new PC evolution by investing in the new technology.

It was the same for software. The open architecture of DOS allowed for an explosion of software to ensue. Fantastic developments occurred in word processors, spreadsheets, desktop publishing applications, drawing and graphics programs and so many new opportunities to use evolving technology to increase efficiency. Even more impressive has been the evolution of online communication. My XT computer had a 300-baud modem allowed me to log into Usenet and San Diego Online. These were the forerunners of today’s high speed broadband access to social media, blogs and the World Wide Web.

All of this technology has enabled even the smallest travel professional, no matter where they are located, to evolve a sophisticated and robust global presence. No longer are travel agents tied to their local market offering general services. Using the skill set of research and presentation that makes travel agents unique, an agent can reach out to the world in a way that will reward them with solid business. All that is required is technology to enable them to create motivating content. Here are the areas enabling travel professionals.

HTML Editors: No longer does a travel agent need to employ a webmaster to create compelling web content. One can use any one of the current HML editors to build compelling web sites. There are hundreds of thousands of pre-designed web template that one can purchase to bypass the creative process of design and web creation. Virtually all database driven websites are equipped with their own HTML editing tool making it easy for travel agents to insert text, pictures, hyperlinks and all of the rest of the HTML functions. While there are several excellent sources for booking engines and industry content, each agent should know how to use a HTML editor to take advantage of web opportunities.

Web Graphics Programs: Once travel agents were dependent of web designers to create the graphics and effects that made websites cool. Today, they can purchase the same software that the developers use themselves and create their own graphics. As an example, creating a very compelling animated banner ad used to be very difficult, but now anyone using Adobe Fireworks can create complex animated graphics almost immediately. Since compelling graphics are key to success on the Internet, travel agents should invest the time and money to acquire graphics programs and learn how to use them.

Digital Camera and Photo Processing Applications: Along with graphics, clear, clean and fast loading pictures are a must to capture the attention of potential clients. Today’s inexpensive, yet highly effective digital cameras coupled with the current array of photo processing and optimization programs insure that a travel professional’s photos can be displayed quickly and with optimum quality.

Digital Video Camera and Video Editing Software: Digital video has completely changed the idea that someone must hire professionals to create video advertisements, travel videos, video hotel, resort and ship reviews, or any other type of video presentation. Digital video cameras and editing software is so inexpensive today, it should become a part of every travel professional’s tool box to produce motivating travel productions.

There is no question that the World Wide Web has had an effect on travel distribution enabling those that were ready for it to cash in on the paradigm. Social media, such as Facebook and YouTube and the continuing refinement of search on the Internet will further change travel distribution enabling those that are using technology to communicate with those that are looking for their specific expertise.  By embracing technologies to embrace these changes, a travel professional opens many new doors of opportunity.