A new Nexion survey is helping put to rest any lingering perceptions that independent travel agents are dilettantes, with the findings revealing that more than 60 percent of these travel advisors work full time. Furthermore, 75 percent of those surveyed said they worked 30 or more hours a week, with more than 60 percent working 40 or more hours each week. Twenty percent of respondents, meanwhile, said they work virtually all the time.

The hours Nexion agents are dedicating to selling travel appear to be reaping significant rewards, with 58.9 percent of respondents reporting higher bookings in 2014 compared to 2013. Twenty-eight percent said bookings were on par with 2013, with 13.1 percent reporting lower bookings.

The national survey was based on responses from 94 Nexion travel advisors who self-identified as independent contractors/commissioned agents.

“Personally, it drives me crazy that there continues to be a label of ‘home-based’ for these professionals, which – for many – has a connotation of a less-professional business,” said Jackie Friedman, CTC, president of Nexion, in a statement. “Regardless of where they’re physically located, these individuals are serious about their business, passionate about travel and preeminently concerned about their relationships with their clients.”

In other survey findings, 75.3 percent of respondents said their jobs as agents served as sole full-time careers, while 24.7 percent said they also had second, existing careers.

Thirty-five percent said the most attractive aspect of working as an independent contractor/commissioned agent was being able to own one’s own business. A little over 27 percent (27.1 percent) valued the flexibility of being able to work at home, 21.3 flexible hours, 9.6 percent being a part of a community of independent agents, and 5.3 the flexibility of choosing their own office location.

The survey also found that agents are selling a diverse range of products. When asked what they booked when working with clients, and told they could select all categories that applied, 95.7 percent said cruise, 92.6 percent hotel/leisure travel, 86.2 percent air/leisure, 79.8 percent insurance, 75.5 percent car/leisure, 69.2 percent groups, 52.1 percent rail/leisure travel, 42.6 percent personally escorted travel and 37.2 percent hotel/business travel.

When asked how long they have been employed as independent contractors/agents, 17 percent said up to two years, 23.4 three to five years, 11.7 six to seven years, 13.8 percent eight to 10 years, 17 percent 11 to 15 years, 7.5 percent 16 to 2 years, 3.2 percent 21 to 25 years and 6.4 percent more than 25 years.

Eighteen percent of respondents who have worked less than two years as independent contractors/commissioned agents said they formerly worked as agency owners, managers or agents in brick-and-mortar locations. A little more than 12 percent (12.5 percent) said they were formerly teachers or in the education field, 12.5 percent business management, 12.5 percent health care/medical and 6.3 percent travel and hospitality. Other responses included careers in human resources, emergency services, financial services, marketing/communications, and government and media.

“This data is extremely vital in further defining today’s business-minded independent travel agent professional. From becoming their own boss to increased flexibility in hours and location – either in an office or home – there is great variety in the reasons why an individual in our industry may choose to be an independent agent,” said Friedman. “The more we know, and can share with our supplier partners and any individuals looking to make a career in travel, the more we can help these individuals. Their success is our success.”