Travel Agencies

Types of Travel Agencies

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 88,590 travel agencies in the US in May of 2005. This number includes everything from large conglomerate travel companies, such as American Express to one-person home-based agencies. Types of travel agencies include:

• Neighborhood Retail Agency – These agencies are generally small storefront businesses who sell everything from airline tickets to group travel. This type of agency is still the "bread and butter" of the travel community.

• In-House Corporate Agency - Many large corporations have on-site travel agencies within their corporate headquarters to help them control their travel costs. These agencies are usually affiliated with a host agency and work with only one client – the company itself.

• Cruise-Only Travel Agency – This type of agency has become increasingly popular with the wide appeal of cruise travel. This agency specializes in cruise travel and usually is not appointed to sell airline tickets.

• Home-Based Travel Agency – The advent of the Internet has made working at home possible for hundreds of thousands of travel agents. Some are home-based businesses that are affiliated with an umbrella group for support with marketing, advertising, and increased commissions. Others are actual employees of travel companies who work remotely at home.

This list is my no means exclusive, but it gives an idea of the many forms a travel agency can take.

Careers in Travel Agencies

• Travel Consultant – This broad term covers anyone who sells travel, whether that is cruise travel, vacation packages, airline tickets, group travel, or any other form of travel arrangements. Travel agents may be paid a set salary or by commission on what they sell. The most common arrangement is a combination of salary and commission.

• Outside Sales Representative – An outside sales rep for a travel agency might sell corporate clients on the agency's travel services or put together groups that use the agency's services. An outside sale representative is generally paid on commission. Perks of this position frequently include being able to escort the groups that he or she brings to the agency.

• Travel Manager – A travel agency manager is a supervisor in charge of an office or division. Their responsibilities generally include hiring and firing, training, ordering supplies and promotional material, and advertising. A travel manager also, frequently, handles the agency's most valued clients. Agency mangers are generally paid a salary with a performance bonus, although this varies widely among different companies.

• In-house Corporate Travel Agent – These agents work for an in-house corporate agency and are generally employees of that corporation. As such, they are eligible for the corporation's benefit package and other perks. These agents book business travel for associates of the corporation and are generally paid a set salary.

• Group Travel Consultant – Group travel requires special skill and knowledge. These agents are generally industry veterans and adept at making arrangements for 10 to 1000s travelers at one time. Group agents frequently work with outside sales reps and sometimes travel with the groups they book.

• Other Opportunities – Most travel agencies are small businesses, and as such need bookkeepers, secretaries, receptionists, and other support persons. Starting in one of these positions is a great way to learn about the travel business.