Are You A Travel Agent or A Home-Based Agent?
- Feb 04, 2010
- By: Staff
- TravelAgentCentral
Do you see a downside to being identifed as a home-based travel agent instead of simply as a travel agent? We asked this question in December and, if you check out the comments posted by readers, the answer appears to be no. So we have a few follow-up questions, and they come on the heels of Group Publisher John McMahon's recent column on the subject of what's in a name.
First, take a look at some of John's main points:
* Research estimates that the share of packaged tours and FITs for home-based agents is about 30 percent, cruises is 43 percent and air, car rentals and hotels is 19 percent and that this distribution channel accounts for about $9.7 billion in annual sales.
* If a lawyer works out of his home and a real estate agent works from home, too, do they read home-based publications or attend events specifically for professionals working from home?
* Howard Tanenbaum, vice president of sales at Club Med USA, says there’s no need to differentiate, asking, “Aren’t they all just travel agents?”
So we want to know: If you are a home-based agent, do you see the need to be segmented out and treated in a special manner when it comes to your business?
And, as John asks: Are your needs any different than those of a storefront travel agent? Besides picking a host agency to work with, are you any different from other travel agents?
We want to hear from you. Post a comment below. Write us on our Facebook page. Send a tweet to our Twitter page. Join the discussion at AgentNation, where all travel agents (home-based, independent or what) are welcome do interact with each other online.
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Comments 1-10 of 16
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Lucy Hirleman, CTC, MCC (FEBRUARY 23, 2010)
A lawyer and an accountant were used as an example.....both require licensing. And that's the part that concerns me in this industry. I think anyone responsible for the thousands of dollars we are, whether they are home or a brick and mortar as I am, should be licensed. Anyone can say they are a travel agent or consultant and that's just wrong and a disservice to the consumer. For those that say it can't be done with so many states and different regulations just look to the insurance industry. They have managed to do it and have reciprocal state licensing or recognition across state lines. The people most vocal about not being licensed are the ones that do not want to make a financial investment in either a bond, letter of credit, errors and omissions insurance or whatever is required to be certified a professional.
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Sylvia Waxman CTC (FEBRUARY 17, 2010)
I am an independent contractor working from home due to a recent lay-off when my in-house corporate agency for employees was cut.
This is my first experience working as an IC and find that the most significant difference is in working with vendors in setting up a web presence which links up to my own co-branding needs rather than that of my local host agency. I have found that this is simply an issue of vendors not paying attention to the needs of home-based agents for on-line branding needs and especially online booking portals for home based agents with their own websites - i.e. If a potential client is steered to my host agency site and has not registered with me yet, there is no way to monitor the potential sale back to me. However, if a potential client can go to my own website and books travel on a booking portal directly with the vendor but linked to my name and host agency ARC, the booking can be tracked. See www.travel.soulprintjourneys.com -
Kristy Redmon (FEBRUARY 08, 2010)
This is my second career and after having worked in other industries, I'm taken aback by this terminology. I've never heard of any other professional working from home referred to as a "Home Based Agent." I don't think the term sounds professional at all. Frankly, I'm surprised more agents aren't bothered by it. We are professionals, we are specialists, and where we work from isn't of consequence. I would like to see the industry leaders take a stand and choose a more appropriate title.
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Kathryn Hoyt (FEBRUARY 06, 2010)
I have a home based travel agency, so I am a home based travel agent. I do not have the brick/mortar over-head, employees, insurance or strict schedule. I belong to the best host agency & they have the ultimate client fulfillment department. I have completed several courses of travel education at TAU & TAA as well as those offered by my host agency. I am available to my clients & give them the service they deserve & have come to expect. I see no need to differentiate or segment out. I attended the recent Lux Travel Expo in Las Vegas & found this was the first year they combined home based with store front agents. No one seemed to care & we attended the same vendor classes, & learned the same things at the same general sessions. Folks, this is a multi-trillion dollar industry. I am sure there is enough business to go around for every one including the public who chooses to not use a travel agent at all. Stay trained, stay up to date, & stay available to your client base.
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Yvette Mullins (FEBRUARY 06, 2010)
I am an independent agent that works from my home. I do not feel that there is a difference between a storefront agent and a home based agent. I feel that I give my clients the same service and dedication no matter where I work at. I do think that suppliers should take in consideration of agents that work for host agencies versus having their own "agency" so to speak. I am located on the East Coast, however the host agency that I work for is on the West Coast. All the events that the suppliers have for our agency are on the West Coast. While I do take the opportunity to go to a few of them, I cannot go to all of them as it is expensive to keep flying between to the two coasts. I have found trade shows and things to be worth while to go to though that are close to my community as well. I do not feel that the industry should be segmented though to repersent the home based agent vs the store front agent because we are all doing the same thing and trying to excell in the same field
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Larry Wittwer, MCC (FEBRUARY 06, 2010)
WE are a home based AGENCY, not home based AGENTS. Thus we do not fit this outdated terminology. We started in our home 23 years ago when the "Cottage Industy" was not acceptable to suppliers. Thus we were forced to move to an "Office Front" In 2000 we decided to "DUMP" the office front and return the Agency to our home. Today our Travel Agency HAPPENS TO BE HOME BASED. Our clients are aware our agency is home based and they may reach us day or night. There is NO NEED to be singled out with the HOME-BASED title. A good agent is a good agent!!! John we are self sufficient. Be advised, we do not work with a host agency & tell Tanenbaum we "Aren't JUST travel agents" rather we ARE travel agents and rank with the best. So there do we fit in? Have you ever heard of a home based AGENCY, rather than a home based AGENT?
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Allene McDaniel (FEBRUARY 05, 2010)
As a home based agent I do see a certain need for "special" services. Because I do work a traditional 9:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. job my travel business administrative needs operates between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. and weekends. Therefore, it is very nice when vendor webinars and other training opportunities take the home based agent into account.
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Ron Dello Russo (FEBRUARY 05, 2010)
Most of my business is referral, and it has been that way since 1992. Once a new client visits my web site and realizes that we are a very reputable agency, working at a home based office affliated with an award cruise agency they can relax and receive the best service 24/7 As a home based agent I find that this agency is able to customize, personalize with a great deal of integrity service our clients
Ron Dello Russo
Cruise Planners -
Dale Borske (FEBRUARY 05, 2010)
I am a home based travel agent and I do have some clients that are not comfortable with that. Once they look at our website and see my certifications though most of them are fine then. We have great support from our consortium and being able to work from my home the past thirteen years makes me so much more accesible to my clients seven days. I feel I can service them better than any agent that works only hours in a traditional agency.
Dale Borske
Cruise Planners -
Elizabeth Hoch (FEBRUARY 05, 2010)
There's really no downside as being identified as a home-based travel agent.
It's all about your knowledge, your expertise, in the industry, doing follow-ups and offering great customer service!
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