If you’re thinking of setting up a business working from home, you might want to consider a travel agent franchise.
Before you make any decision as to enter the travel agency business, there are a number of important things to consider.
Keep reading to discover whether or not a travel agent franchise could be the work from home opportunity you’re looking for.
” Are you well travelled?
It goes without saying that in order to be a good travel agent, you should be well travelled and knowledgeable yourself. Being able to answer any questions your potential clients might have comprehensively will inspire confidence in your service.
The travel agency business is fiercely competitive, so if your knowledge is lacking, you may struggle to convert prospects into sales.
” Do you have a sales/customer service background?
As a travel agent you’ll be on the phone a lot to customers and suppliers making sure holiday plans are in place. If you don’t have a customer service or sales background, you may find it hard in the beginning to get your travel agent franchise up and running.
As an independent or work from home travel agent, exceptional customer service is one of the things that can set you apart from the bigger High Street agents, so it’s vital you have these skills in place.
” Can you manage your own workload?
If you’ve never worked for yourself before, running a travel agent agency business can be demanding. It can be difficult to manage your own workload and keep on top of everything if you’ve come from a background where you’ve had a boss telling you what to do and when.
However, managing your own workload is a skill that’s easily developed and you can improve on it while you’re busy running your travel agent franchise.
” How much freedom do you want?
Not every travel agent franchise is the same. Your choice of franchise depends on what you want to get out of it and the way you want to work.
There are some travel agency business models whereby you get the backing of a large, established firm, and receive a commission from them every time you make a sale. These may come with initial training or full ongoing support complete with technical backup and marketing help.
It certainly pays to do your research before choosing a travel agent franchise. There are some out there that offer a choice of niche markets to specialise in, or you might want to become a general travel agent. It’s important to focus on what you get for your money, rather than just the lowest price franchise deal.