by Robin Amster
Last updated: 11:15 AM ET, Wed January 17, 2018
The MAST Travel Network is out to prove that a career as a travel agent-beset for so many years by negative perceptions-is not only rewarding but even glamorous at times.
A Midwest-headquartered consortium also known as MAST Vacation Partners, MAST Travel Network surveyed its members on "what makes them happy" about their profession as well as other questions related to being a travel advisor.
The survey, conducted in December 2017, is based on findings from 74 agents. (MAST has 220 agency members in 14 U.S. states and Canada.)
On a scale of one to ten, 33 percent of travel agents rated their happiness level at 10, with 28 percent at 9, and 19 percent at 8. At the lowest end of the scale, just one percent of respondents rated their happiness at two.
"Being a travel advisor is a viable career choice," said MAST President and COO John Werner. "The opportunities are truly limitless. But outside the travel industry, this is not well known. MAST and many others in the travel industry are trying to change this perception."
As for the notion that travel agent jobs are low-paying, "There is money to be made in the industry despite the starting rate of pay for entry-level positions," Werner said. "There are plenty of travel rewards for top sellers and VIP treatment all the way.
"At times, it's glamorous. And what can be more fun than talking about peoples' dreams and bucket lists?"
The survey also found that 58 percent of respondents believe being a travel advisor brings them a great feeling of accomplishment compared to other things they've done in life. Just one percent disagreed with this view.
Seventy-five percent of agents said a passion for-and opportunity to-travel initially attracted them to the career. Among other reasons:
-11 percent said the ability to work for themselves
-5 percent noted financial opportunities
-3 percent each cited flexible hours, the ability to work from home and the desire for a part-time job.
The five most common gratifying aspects of being a travel advisor were: happy and appreciative clients, helping people realize their dreams, hearing clients talk about great memories, finding the perfect destination for clients, and capturing repeat and referral business.
To a related question-how do you find meaning in your work?-respondents' top five answers were: helping people, learning about the world, sharing in peoples' excitement, 'knowing my experience helps someone find the best vacation', and 'knowing clients trust me with their vacation'.
Among the other findings:
-Compensation: Commission was only cited by 40 percent of agents, salary by 23 percent, both hourly-only and salary/commission at 14 percent, commission and fees at 8 percent, and salary, commission and fees at 1 percent.
-Type of trip most fun to plan:Family vacations were cited at 30 percent, honeymoons at 23 percent, luxury trips at 20 percent, adventure and exotic travel at 15 percent, and multigenerational trips at 6 percent.
-Agents' top ten destinations?: Jamaica, New Zealand, Italy, Paris, Australia, Greece, East Africa, Hawaii, Thailand, and Morocco.
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