Y’all I’m stuck. Flat out, ain’t no way around it I am stuck. As some of you know, my current goal in life is to become a travel agent. In my pursuit of that endeavor, I have been stymied. I want to break down, why I haven’t moved forward with my plan of starting a travel agency. Additionally, I would like to shed light on the current systems and why they aren’t or don’t work for me.
The Travel Agency business is hard to get into. As it stands there are basically 2 options for getting the foot in the door anywhere. Those options are to work at a brick-and-mortar established Travel Agency or go through the pyramid scheme/MLM bull shenanigans. Brick and mortar is next to impossible without knowing someone or having 5+ years’ of experience. This is a bit of an issue as no places want to give years 0-4.999999999999999999 the chance. They all want to have a 5+ year vet on day one.
No big deal right, just start your own. WRONG! The options in the private realm are to get a 50k bond and certifications such as IATA, however, to get those certifications, a book of business already existing is part of the forms to fill out. It becomes a chicken and egg situation. You can’t get the certifications without the book of business, and you can’t get the book of business without the certifications and licenses. It’s a real pickle and I don’t relish it. The other option which is far cheaper and far easier, is far crap too. It’s the pyramid scheme style. You sign up for a provider, pay them money, and the person who signed you up gets a cut of your commission. In the immortal words of Hulk Hogan, “That Don’t Work for me Brother.” If I have to pay to do work somewhere, I am no longer the employee, I am the customer. I have zero interest in this method of business. It is predatory, outdated, and immoral in my opinion.
Now all that leads to the unasked question. Well, what are you going to do? I have no clue honestly. I have been stuck for 2 months now, and I am not sure how to proceed. I can start a travel planning program, which helps people plan but I can’t book for them. I can lie my face off on a resume and hope it helps me get a foot in. Otherwise, not sure. Any real suggestions in the comments would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry, this was a real downer of an entry.
Safe Reading and Happy Travels,
Clint Wehrman