How To Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Step Three - Evaluating A Good Host Agency

As mentioned before, becoming affiliated with a good host agency is vital to your success as a new home based travel business owner. You will be much more likely to succeed if you have someone who is willing and able to help you learn the ropes, so to speak, of the travel industry.

At the beginning, you will need to learn about travel destinations, reservation booking procedures, tour operators and what they have to offer, cruise line policies and procedures, how to find the best deals for your clients, how to find clients, how to find groups, how to sell group travel, special group travel requirements, and more.

Being affiliated with a good host agency who specializes in helping new business owners will save you money, shorten your learning curve, and help you to establish a successful home based travel business.

Here are a few things to consider:
Is the Host Agency recognized by ARC, CLIA, and IATA?
Does the Host Agency have a good reputation with travel vendors?
Is the Host Agency staffed by people who are experienced, knowledgeable, and willing to take time with new home based travel agents to help them succeed?
How long has the Host Agency been on business?
What type of training does the Host Agency offer?
What is the cost for joining the Host Agency?

Since 1974, we have been helping people, just like you, to get a solid start in the travel industry.
Host Agency Affiliation as an independent contractor with International Tours of Houston includes access to our full appointment credentials with ARC, CLIA, IATA, and
others. You will also benefit from the relationships that we have built with all of the major travel providers and their local representatives.

We also provide access to our special New Owner's Training, Travel Industry Manual, product training, vendor training, travel agent familiarization trips, phone support
and office support that includes invoicing, ticketing and help with research tips that will help you provide the best value to your clients.

Startup Costs
While other host agencies charge an average of $495 or more for access to their agency services, International Tours of Houston wants you to be able to get started with minimal expense. Below is our current starup costs.

Initial Investment: $135*
A pre-payment of $135 is required to join our travel program. This amount would
apply to a single owner, partnership or corporation and permits the issuance of one
TRAMS account number, one Cruise & Tour Manual, a New Entrepreneurs Orientation
session at ITH offices, and a single name registration with IATAN.
Additional Independent Contractor names from partnerships or corporation entities may be added as the IC entity qualifies
with the IATAN earnings guidelines in effect at that time - currently $5000 in annual earned
commissions from sales made via the Host Agency in one fiscal year.
*Note: The annual renewal fee ($100) beginning with the first anniversary sign-up date is waived if the IC
has earned a minimum of $600 in sales commissions via ITH in the previous year.

Travel Agent's Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions) $100
For your protection, ITH requires you to participate in either the ITH E&O program (the most economical way to cover yourself), in which you are
charged for the E&O coverage provided via the ITH umbrella policy, or you may purchase your own E&O insurance and add ITH to your policy as an additional insured.
If you purchase your own E&O and include ITH under your coverage, the ITH fee of $100 is waived.

Click Here to Continue to Step Four - How Do I Get Started Today?

To Watch our Complete Video Series entitled
"Introduction to the Travel Industry,"
go to:

www.TravelAgentVideos.com

ITI – International Travel Institute was established in Houston, TX in 1974 – Thirty-six (39) years of continuing travel industry training. Proud member and participant with the following professional organizations: