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Every job takes a specific set of skills to be successful and being a travel agent is no exception. You need to be able to multi-task, use computers, know how to research, and communicate well. But it also takes a specific set of personality traits too:
Passion and empathy: "To me the most important trait for a travel agent to have is empathy for people and a passion that they spend time together," said Margie Lenau, owner of Wonderland Family Vacations. "For me I have a passion for families. I think it is important to spend time away together making memories that will last. I am persistent enough to try to help give families the best value so that they can afford to travel and see the world with different eyes. No matter how far away from home families want to travel, they are taking time for each other and teaching their children important lessons best learned while they are together. This passion keeps me involved and interested in travel options for all types of families."
Determination: "Especially if they work from home under a host agency," said Shannan Wright, from Addicted To Mickeys World. "When things with my first host didn't work out, I thought maybe it just wasn't in the cards for me.
After a year off, Wright found another agency that she enjoyed. "My sales goals were met and then exceeded," she explained. "Many agents were leaving and I wasn't sure why because I doing great and loved it. I finally found out. The agency was failing due to the fact that the owner was skimming off the top. The owner shut down the agency and I wasn't paid the commission I was owed.
It hit Wright's family hard. "I wasn't about to be discouraged from pursuing my passion and I found an amazing new agency where everyone talks and shares everything and even has a prayer room," she said. "The trials I have been through are only making my business strong and I'm glad I never gave up."
Patience: Beth Johnston decided to follow her passion and become a travel designer just a few months ago. "It takes time to become successful," said Johnston of Beth's Beautiful Getaways. "It doesn't happen overnight. I have spent quite a bit of my own money to get up and running with no income as of yet. When you book clients on vacations it usually happens months in advance of the actual travel. You must wait for the clients to actually travel to finally collect commission on the trip. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to get new clients so you must wait until you have some successful trips under your belt for the word to get out. You have to market, market, market, build lists and create systems that will benefit you down the road when you have a steady flow of clients. Don't give up."
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