Home-based travel businesses are the trend of the future. Government and industry reports show that increasing numbers of people are now opting to work out of their homes. In fact, over 4 million entrepreneurs are now working at home, most of which are in the services industry, this includes travel.

Does it pay to work from home?

1. To Gain Personal Freedom. The most enticing aspect of starting a home-based business is the opportunity it provides to gain control over your own life. As a home business entrepreneur, you can shape your work life depending on your goals and environment. You have the freedom to work and earn as you choose in the comfort of your own home. Good time management skills and discipline are a must!
   
   
2. To Reap Financial Benefits. The convenience of having your office a few steps away from your bedroom allows you to save on commute time and expenses and you won't need those power suits any more. Since you work at home, overhead costs are cut significantly, allowing you to invest back into your business. Your earning potential is directly proportional to your performance. More importantly, however, a home-based travel business allows people who have been shut out of the job market to create new income opportunities.
   
   
3. For Tax Advantages. Using your home as a place of business offers a number of tax advantages. For starters, it allows you to deduct a part of the operating and depreciation expenses on your home. This means that a percentage of your rent or mortgage, depreciation, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and expenses for household maintenance, repairs, or improvements are deductible. You can also be entitled to deduct expenses from using a vehicle for your business, including gas, insurance, and depreciation. Consult your accountant for a careful evaluation of what can be and what cannot be deducted from using your home office.
   
   
4. To Be With The Family. Many opt to start their travel business (or move an existing business from an office) from their homes to strengthen family relationships. A home-based travel business allows family members to be involved in the business.
   
   
5. To Reduce Stress. Working at home can reduce the stress of juggling the demands of your work life with those of your private life. (It can also add to your stress if you're not careful!). You can work while staying at home to care for a sick child, or continue to work late at night after dinner and the kids are in bed.
   
   
6. For Job Enrichment. As a home-based travel entrepreneur, you are not boxed into one job. You are free to learn and perform a variety of work-related tasks. If you are a solo agent, then you will become a jack-of-all-trades: the strategy setter, marketing and sales person, agent, accountant, group escort, and other roles. You can vary your activities to keep you from getting bored. While it means a greater workload, the plus side is that you develop an understanding of all aspects of your own business and grow personally.
   
   
7. To Increase Productivity. Many home-based travel entrepreneurs find that working at home helps them to be more productive. With less time dedicated to commuting, there is more time available for your clients. Keep in mind that your productivity is directly related to your earning potential.
   
   
8. To Harness Competitive Advantages. One of the biggest benefits of working out of your home is the reduced overhead cost. Lower operation costs can enable you to be more competitive, not just in the prices you charge, but also in the quality of service you offer.

Given these benefits and more, the trend toward home-based travel businesses is clearly just beginning. We hope you'll choose to affiliate with AMTTravel.com to gain the necessary tools to be successful from home.

Up to 70% commission Agent Only and Private labeled Consumer Websites Unparalleled technology including proprietary dynamic packaging Reservations, accounting and marketing support Leisure, Corporate and Group products/programs E&O insurance Extensive on-line training library Travel benefits

Your Own Identity As a home-based agent or agency, you retain your own identity with your customers and are considered a "self-employed" independent contractor for tax purposes.

Secure Client List Because you are an independent contractor, your client list is your property and will not be used or sold. You control your list and your marketing. Strong Commissions Share in all upfront leisure supplier commission overrides. Some companies share commissions based on a 10% base commission, not us. You will enjoy a full complement of preferred suppliers offering commissions up to 16%.

Affordable and Inclusive We offer full support to home-based agents and our program is one of the most affordable, inclusive programs available today. We've bundled the services you need most and made them available at one low annual price, rather than nickel-and-diming you monthly. Optional add-ons are available should you desire them.

Sub-Agents Expand your business by recruiting your own sales force on independent contractors. Your agents will have access to most of the same tools you have, including a private-labeled consumer website. We pay you on their bookings. You pay them.

Technology

• Exclusive agent website with unparalleled on-line booking functionality
  
• Dynamic packaging tool to build custom air, car and hotel packages
  
• Blast email

What are classes like?
The courses are designed to teach you in a classroom learning environment with out compromising your freedom and flexibility to learn when it is convenient for you by using an asynchronous classroom. This means that as a student you may enroll for class when you are ready, study for as long as you have time, day or night and participate in our continuous classroom.

Do I have to take all of the courses?
No, you may pick and choose the courses that are of the most interest to you or will benefit your career. Each course description lists the careers it is most useful for. However, if you would like to become a travel agent we recommend you take all of the courses. All courses must be completed within 90 days of beginning your first lesson.

What type of career does the training prepare me for?
Graduates are trained and prepared to begin or expand theirs careers in the exciting and growing travel and tourism industry. This includes working as a travel agent, for airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and as an independent travel agent in your own home or office.

How will my questions be answered?
Individual or specific questions may be sent to our qualified instructors at any point during your training. To ask, simply click the Email Instructor button on the top toolbar of the classroom, write your question and send the email message. Your instructor will respond within 24 hours during normal business days.