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Individual Package
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$1699.00 |
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Created for individuals wanting to enter the exciting world of travel as an independent travel agent. Includes the training and tools necessary for success with detailed attention to tours, cruises and vacation travel.
The Individual Package includes the following:
- 12 TravelCampus courses
- ASTA Marketing Course
- 1 year Web Site creation
- 1 year Web Site hosting
- Online access to Member Log In area
- TripItineraries Site Access
- Host Agency
- Membership discounts with Partners
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Two payment plans are available. Click here for details.
In order to receive commission on sold travel products you need access to a booking number. This number is used by travel suppliers (airlines, hotels, cruise lines, etc) to help track sales and commission. There are there are three ways to gain access to this number as you begin your career as an Independent Travel Agent. They are: - Registration with the Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC). An entity that controls ticketing for all US carriers. Registration with ARC requires that a business meet several qualifications, including purchase of a business bond, retaining an employee with a minimum of two years travel experience and being given the authority to generate airline tickets. These requirements may be cost prohibitive for most individuals.
- Registration with an independent contractor host agency. Host agencies are registered with ARC or affiliated with an ARC approved agency and provide their members with access to their IATA number. They may offer other services, including: Computer Reservations Systems (CRS) access through their personal computer, ticket printing and delivery, accounting, travel insurance, help/check support, bulk buying power, etc. for a fee.
This fee charged by the host agency is typically a percentage (5% - 50%) of the commission of a travel product sold. (For example, if the commission on a $100 hotel room is 10%, your commission as the booking travel professional is $10. The independent contractor would charge you 50 cents to $5 of this commission for their service as your host agency.) Sample host agencies are JoyStar, Montrose Travel, Travel Marketing Specialists and World Travel Management. These programs allow you to easily open an agency, out of your home or office, without having to register with IATA or ARC.
- Registration with CLIA. Most major suppliers now accept a CLIA (Cruise Lines International) number to book travel and receive commission. Most independent travel agencies qualify for a CLIA number. There are some restrictions and is a yearly fee to join. In addition you must have a business license. A discount on this fee is available to participants of the Independent Travel Agent Package.
The majority of new independent agents choose to work with a Host Agency or CLIA for their booking number after completing their training. Education Systems, operating partner of the Independent Agent Package, has researched and included reputable host agencies with great commission structures, generous support services and exceptional reputations. After completing the TravelCampus and ASTA training new canadits should consider the host agency options carefully and choose the program that best fits their needs.
Additional resources, services and products from professional travel orginizations are also available to those who purchase the Independent Travel Agent Package and can be seen on the Partners page.
When opening an independent agency consider that the break even point is typically between $18,000 and $22, 000 in commissionable sales annually. This will, on an average of 10% commission, pay you $1,800 to $2,200 a year to cover expenses. Additional sales will start to become income. In addition, to qualify for your IATAN card, the card that allows agents to qualify for special industry only discounts, you will need to work in the industry a minimum of six months or three months upon passing the TAP test (available through TravelCampus).
It is important to note that the requirements for selling travel differ in each state/province and you should research these with your local department of commerce prior to entering the industry.
There are no Federal licensing requirements for travel agents. However, nine states, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington require some form of registration or certification of retail sellers of travel services. More information may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Attorney General or Department of Commerce for each State.
Copyright 2007 Education Systems
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