Travel is a constant. It doesnt matter if the economy is in the tank, or not. Citizens travel for a myriad of reasons, eg, to conduct business; to visit friends and relatives who may not be in the best health; to celebrate special occasions like births, graduations and marriages. As travel is an evergreen industry, starting a home-based travel agency is an excellent business opportunity.

If working from home as a travel agent interests you, following are three things to look for.

3 Things to Look for When Starting a Home-Based Travel Agency

Travel Perks: Obviously, one of the best things about being a home-based travel agency business owner is that you reap the discounts on your own travel. The travel perks vary from organization to organization though.

The best way to ensure that you get top-notch travel perks is to sign on with a reputable, travel-based marketing organization. As one of their agents, you get the full benefit of being a travel agent.

Sound Commission Structure: If you are considering going into business for yourself, then you owe it to yourself to work with an organization that has your best interests at heart, especially in the area of the commission structure. After all, isnt that why someone goes into business in the first-place? It is strongly recommended that you stay miles away from the MLM or network marketing scene. Offers made by MLM companies might be tantalizing, but most of these types of organizations are frowned upon industry-wide, most people dont succeed and it is not for a lack of trying either. Trying to make sales is hard enough, especially a business in its infancy, but when you tack on the need to have to recruit your neighbors and keep them motivated all the while you are trying to make your business work for you is a recipe for failure.

On another note, many travel organizations would have you believe that the commission on travel is between 5% and 10%. However, depending on your home-based travel agencys sales volume in combination with the travel marketing organization you go with, preferred travel suppliers may pay out as much as 13%, 15% and in some cases up to 20%.

Some home based travel agency program are able to do considerable better for their agents namely, KHM Travels Pro Plan, which can pay out their agents up to 80% to 90% of the total commission on travel sales made within that program.

Business Support and Training: Perhaps the number one reason to become a home-based travel agency within the confines of a travel-based marketing organization is for the in-built business support and training it entitles you to.

Every new business owner has a learning curve. This support is invaluable, for it can literally save you thousands of dollars. You get help on marketing, billing, setting up your website, and so much more. This type of help can make your home-based travel agency business a success much quicker than you ever could if you went it alone.