Eight Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent Franchise Owner (2024)

Calling all travel aficionados! If you have the travel bug, love interacting with all kinds of people and have a knack for organization, becoming the franchise owner of a travel agency may be your next calling. On the surface, working in the travel industry and being your own boss sounds like a dream come true. While it truly is one of the most fulfilling careers, it’s important to know what you’re signing up for ahead of time – before you start learning how to become a travel agent! Weigh all the pros and cons of being a travel agent before jumping in as a franchise owner.

Pro: You Can Work Anywhere & Set Your Own Hours

Work from your hotel room with a view of the Eiffel tower. Or maybe you prefer to work from a café in Tulum, steps away from the beach. One of the bestbenefits of owning a travel agencyis deciding where your office is. You can book vacations as long as you have a smart device with stable internet connection. You work whenever it feels right for you and your clients. So, if you need to squeeze in a dentist appointment, go for it!

Con: You Can Work Anywhere & Set Your Own Hours

What is a pro for some can be a con for others. While you get to work whenever and wherever you want, you must ensure you still get the job done. If you’re wondering, “Should I buy a travel franchise?” remember that the job is perfect for someone who can hold themselves accountable and stay organized. If you let your schedule get too flexible—or even too rigid—you may miss out on working with a dream client. Many franchise owners find it helpful to create a daily schedule and stick with it as often as possible. Also, limit distractions if possible. Sometimes that may mean working from home rather than that Tulum café!

Pro: You Can Travel the World

Already one of the mostaffordable franchises, Dream Vacation Franchise Owners can continue to save even more money on their own dream vacations! You’ll have access to all the best travel deals as a franchise owner. We even offer familiarization trips so you can learn about the various vacation products and share your experience with your clients. After all, the best way to sell travel is to experience it yourself firsthand! Plus, it’s your job to talk about the fun things your clients can experience when they travel! So, we consider it as a top pro of the Eight Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent Franchise Owner.

Con: You Might Get Calls at All Hours

Emergencies happen, and your clients may turn to you if something goes unplanned while on vacation. Make sure you set aside time for yourself during the week to make up for any unexpected work that may come up. You’re here to make vacations a perfect experience for your clients. Your ability to help solve upsetting situations makes clients even more grateful and happy to work with you.

Pro: No College Degree Required

Dream Vacations Franchise is one of the best franchises for veterans or stay-at-home moms looking to start the next chapter in their lives without having to go back to school. You get to learn and grow your business at your own pace and get plenty of resources to help you succeed. Every step of the way, you have a whole travel community to support you and cheer you on!

Con: You Are in Control

As a franchise owner, you get to own your business and remain in complete control of your success. Depending on your perspective, you may see this as a pro or con of being a franchise owner. You set your hours and tell yourself what to do. Of course, your income will reflect the amount of work you’re willing to put into your business. Again, it’s up to you to put in the elbow grease. But then you reap the rewards, like sipping out of coconuts on the beach.

Pro: High Earning Potential

The sky is the limit when it comes to earning potential. Thetravel agency franchise costis a one-time fee when you first begin. After that, you don’t have to worry about budgeting for other fees or commissions afterward! You can offer many different services to your clients, as well as many different vacation packages, from cruises and resorts to tours and safaris. This is a job where you get back what you put in, so if you work harder or smarter than your competition, you’ll see results.

Con: Learning Curve

When you’re first beginning a new career, it can feel overwhelming. Initially, it may seem like you are putting in a lot of hours training and learning about all the different destinations, resorts, cruise lines and more. Keep going! Think of your business as a snowball rolling down a hill, getting larger, and gaining speed. If you put in the hard work and promote yourself and your services, you’ll see it get easier over time.

Join the Dream Vacations Franchise Team!

Every day feels like a holiday while working in the travel industry. Once you’ve analyzed all the pros and cons of being a travel agent, it’s time to take the next step! Dream Vacations Franchise is always looking for new adventurers to join our team. Learn more by signing up for one of our free webinars.

Eight Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent Franchise Owner (2024)

FAQs

Eight Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent Franchise Owner? ›

The True Challenges of Becoming an Independent Travel Agent

One of the main hurdles is the investment of time and money you must make when starting out. There are start-up costs, host agency fees, and other upgrades you may need to consider. As a contractor, you do not receive traditional employee benefits.

What are the pros and cons of a travel agent? ›

9 Pros And Cons Of Using A Travel Agent
  • Pros.
  • You're Not The One Planning Your Travel.
  • Price.
  • Someone's Always On Your Side.
  • They Want You To Be Happy.
  • They Make Seeing A Brand-New Place Easier.
  • Cons.
  • You're Not The One Planning Your Travel.
Oct 29, 2019

What are the cons of being an independent travel agent? ›

The True Challenges of Becoming an Independent Travel Agent

One of the main hurdles is the investment of time and money you must make when starting out. There are start-up costs, host agency fees, and other upgrades you may need to consider. As a contractor, you do not receive traditional employee benefits.

What are the benefits of owning a travel agency? ›

8 Reasons Why a Travel Agency Is the Best Business to Start
  • You Don't Need an Office. ...
  • You'll Be Working in a Prosperous Industry. ...
  • You'll Enjoy Great Financial Rewards. ...
  • You Get to Travel More. ...
  • You'll Feel a Sense of Satisfaction. ...
  • You Can Fit It into Your Life. ...
  • You Can Get the Perks of Working for a Big Company.
Feb 15, 2019

Are travel agent franchises profitable? ›

Not only is it a profitable industry, but because many opportunities allow you to work from the comfort of your home, there is minimal overhead and low-investment costs for franchisees. If this career path sounds like it's for you, here are the top travel agency franchise brands in 2023.

What are the pros and cons of business travel? ›

The decision to engage in business travel involves a careful consideration of its pros and cons. While it offers unparalleled opportunities for business expansion, networking and skill development, the drawbacks, such as time away from home, health concerns, and expenses, cannot be ignored.

What are the pros and cons of travel? ›

Table of contents
  • Advantage of travel: it's incredibly fun.
  • Disadvantage of travel: it can get tedious sometimes.
  • Advantage of travel: you learn a lot.
  • Disadvantage of travel: sometimes you don't appreciate the experience.
  • Advantage of travel: you grow as a person.
  • Disadvantage of travel: you aren't there to see others grow.
Oct 6, 2023

Is a travel agent high risk? ›

Chargebacks are another reason to think about risk assignment of travel agencies since they most often have an elevated level of chargebacks and are highly susceptible to fraud. In addition, travel agencies reportedly have been used to transfer value through the provision of in-kind services.

Is it still worth it to be a travel agent? ›

Being a travel agent is worth it many times over. It's a career path where you get to set your own schedule, make people happy, live out your passion for travel and make a fantastic living. It does take effort and commitment, but the work is fun and rewarding in so many ways.

Is being a travel agent big money? ›

As a travel agent, the potential for earnings can be quite remarkable. Some agents earn over six figures annually by specializing in certain areas of travel and providing unique services. Most start this side hustle part-time and shift to full time as they build their client base.

Is it worth being your own travel agent? ›

Ultimately, whether or not becoming a travel agent is worth it will depend on your personal goals, interests, and skills. If you are passionate about travel, have excellent customer service skills and enjoy helping people achieve their dream holiday, it's a fulfilling and lucrative career.

Do travel agents charge a fee? ›

According to a survey by Travel Weekly, 71 percent of travel agencies in 2023 charged some form of service fee for working with them. These days, there are three main ways travel agents get paid: Flat rate fee. Percentage.

What does it mean to own a travel agency? ›

A travel agency is a private retailer or public service that provides travel and tourism-related services to the general public on behalf of accommodation or travel suppliers to offer different kinds of travelling packages for each destination.

How much do travel agency owners make? ›

How much does a Travel Agency Owner make? As of May 10, 2024, the average annual pay for a Travel Agency Owner in the United States is $114,182 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $54.90 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,195/week or $9,515/month.

Can being a travel agent be a side hustle? ›

Travel agents can work full time, or it can be a side hustle to help you earn a little bit extra each month.

Is it a good idea to start a travel agency? ›

Starting a travel agency can be a fun, fulfilling and profitable career, and with the number of resources available today, anyone with a passion for travel can start a travel agency. That said, as with any new business, there is a substantial amount of work needed to get your travel agency off the ground.

When should you not use a travel agent? ›

If you have credit card points or airline miles to cash in, a travel agent might not be the best fit since they typically can't help you redeem them for the trips they plan. However, niche advisors can best advise you on booking using your points and miles or use your stash to book for you.

Is it a good idea to get a travel agent? ›

Travel Agents Save You Time

With years of experience and knowledge about destinations, transportation options and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time. “The options come to my mind quickly as we speak about their trip vision,” said Allison Walker, a AAA Travel Agent in San Clemente, California.

What are the weaknesses of a travel agent? ›

Lack of experience in certain types of travel, high competition in your chosen niche, or dependency on a specific market segment could be potential weaknesses. These areas may require strategic planning, additional resources, or diversification of your services.

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