How to Become a Successful Travel Agent
Eight clear steps from “I love travel” to a thriving travel business — what every new agent needs to do, and how we help you do it faster.
Start with step 1 »Anyone who loves travel can learn to sell it — but the people who succeed follow a plan. These eight steps reflect how the industry works and how successful agents build their businesses. For each one, you’ll see what every new agent needs to do and how we help, drawing on Peter Coloyan’s experience since 1972.
Decide how big you want to go
What every new agent needs to do
Be honest about your time and your goal. Some people want a rewarding side income planning trips for friends, family and their community; others want to build a full-time travel business. Neither is better — but the answer shapes every decision that follows.
- How many hours a week can you give it?
- Do you want extra income, or to replace a paycheck?
- What kind of travel do you already love and know?
How we help
We built two paths around exactly that choice:
- Additional Income — part-time, around a job, family or retirement.
- Career Fast Track — full-time, with your own established website and a year of personal help from Peter.
You can start part-time and move up later.
Learn the business of travel
What every new agent needs to do
Clients pay for knowledge. Before you sell, learn how the industry fits together: suppliers and how they pay commission, how bookings, deposits and cancellation rules work, travel documents and insurance, and the basics of geography and trip planning. A recognized entry-level course gives you a solid footing and something to show clients.
How we help
We don’t run the training ourselves. We provide the extras — a website, personal assistance, lead generation and directory listings — and we direct you to the specialist programs that fit what you want to sell.
- Your host agency’s own training on its booking tools, suppliers and procedures.
- The Travel Institute — foundation courses, professional certification and Destination Specialist courses.
- CLIA — the cruise industry’s own certifications and online learning.
- Supplier Specialist programs from cruise lines, tour operators and tourism boards.
Specialist designations from these programs are what we verify for entry to our leads program (step 4).
Where agents get Specialist training
Two organizations are where most travel agents go for recognized training. We recommend both, and we direct you to the programs that match what you want to sell.
The Travel Institute — for every kind of travel
- TRIPKIT (Travel Introductory Program) — a self-paced online course for people new to the industry, including preparation for the TAP® Test.
- CTA® — Certified Travel Associate — a professional certification to aim for once you have some experience.
- Destination Specialist courses — short online courses, each with an optional exam, on places such as Tokyo, Netherlands, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Central Europe, Italy, Paris, Hawaii, Alaska, The Caribbean.
- Niche and lifestyle Specialist courses — including luxury, cruise, group, wellness and golf travel.
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) — for cruise sellers
- CLIA Certification — the cruise industry’s own ladder of designations: Certified Cruise Counsellor (CCC), Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC), Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC).
- CLIA online learning — short self-paced courses on cruise selling and business building, plus live and virtual learning events and cruise line webinars.
- Membership: CLIA certification is open to CLIA Individual Agent Members. Membership is arranged through CLIA itself; ask your host agency how its agents join.
Supplier and tourism-board programs
Most cruise lines, tour operators, resort brands and tourism boards run their own agent academies, many of them free. They teach one product in depth and award a Specialist designation for it.
Want a second opinion on the steps? The Travel Institute publishes its own guide: How to Become a Travel Agent. We are not affiliated with The Travel Institute or CLIA; we recommend their programs because they are the industry’s best-known sources of agent training.
Join the right host agency
What every new agent needs to do
Most new independent agents work under a host agency: an established agency that gives you supplier relationships and commission levels a beginner could not get alone, services and pays commission on your bookings, and trains and supports you. Hosts differ a lot — in fees, commission splits, training, technology and the kinds of travel they are strongest in.
How we help
We match you. From the leading host agencies we partner with, we choose the one that fits what you want to sell and how you want to work — and introduce you. You don’t work for us; your host services your bookings and pays your commissions.
Peter Coloyan owned a host agency himself from 2001 to 2007 (87 agents and $17 million in annual sales when he sold it to Expedia CruiseShipCenters), so we know what to look for. Career Fast Track agents have their host’s first-year fees covered.
Specialize — and get verified
What every new agent needs to do
Generalists compete on price; specialists win on expertise. Choose a lane — ocean or river cruises, a cruise line, all-inclusive resorts, escorted tours, a region such as Alaska, Hawaii or Europe — and go deep. Cruise lines, tour operators, resorts and tourism boards run agent training and Specialist programs, often free, that teach the product and earn you a designation.
Pair those with a recognized credential: a Travel Institute Destination Specialist course for the region you sell, or a CLIA cruise certification if cruises are your lane. See where agents get Specialist training in step 2.
How we help
Specialist status unlocks our leads. We tell you which programs fit the travel you want to sell. Leads in a product area go only to agents who are verified Specialists in that area — and every designation is verified.
What we verify for entry to the leads program:
- The Travel Institute — Destination Specialist and niche Specialist designations, plus CTA® and its other certifications.
- CLIA — CCC, ACC, MCC and ECC cruise certifications.
- Supplier programs — a cruise line’s, tour operator’s or tourism board’s own Specialist designation.
Tell us you’re a Seabourn expert and we’ll ask you to show us; we may confirm it with Seabourn.
Why it matters: in our experience, Specialists close up to six to seven times more often. That is more income for you and your host, happier travelers, and happier suppliers — a win-win-win.
Set up your business the right way
What every new agent needs to do
Selling travel is a regulated business in some places. Seller-of-travel laws vary by state — California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii, among others, have registration or disclosure requirements, and some can apply when you sell to their residents, not only where you live. Also check your local business license, keep your travel income separate, and talk with an accountant about taxes.
Protect yourself with errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance.
How we help
Working under an established host gives you a professional framework from day one. Ask your host how its registrations work, which filings are yours to make in your state, and how E&O coverage is handled — many hosts include it or arrange it for their agents.
We’ll help you ask the right questions before you sign.
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm them with your state and your host agency.
Build a presence travelers can find
What every new agent needs to do
Travelers check you out online before they call. You need a professional web presence focused on your specialty, and listings where travelers search for specialists. Building a brand-new website from scratch takes time — new sites usually need months or years to earn search traffic.
How we help
- Career Fast Track: a personalized domain and an established website that already has traffic, from our inventory — and after your first year, the website is yours.
- Career Fast Track: a Showcase listing on every one of our consumer directories — the Official Travel Directory, Official Cruise Directory and Official River Cruise Directory — plus the Official Vacation Directory and Official Tour Directory as they launch — more than $3,000 in value on our live directories alone.
- Additional Income: a free listing on our consumer travel directories.
Find your first clients
What every new agent needs to do
Every agent starts with the people who already trust them: friends, family, co-workers, clubs and community groups. Tell everyone what you do, follow up promptly, and ask happy clients for referrals. Over time, a steady source of new inquiries is what separates a hobby from a business.
How we help
A real source of inquiries. In a single year, our network generated more than 68,000 cruise leads and more than 30,000 other travel leads — all-inclusive resorts, tours and escorted tours, and business- and first-class airfare. Verified Specialists can receive leads from our network.
- Your own bookings: keep 80% of the commission in your first year.
- Leads we send you: you keep 50%; we receive 30% and your host 20%.
- Inquiries from your own directory listing: they come straight to you — no lead share, full commission.
Keep learning and growing
What every new agent needs to do
The best agents never stop learning. Add Specialist designations, attend supplier events and webinars, travel to the places you sell when you can, and look after your clients so they book again and send their friends. A mentor who has done it before saves you years of trial and error.
How we help
Career Fast Track agents get a full year of personal assistance from Peter Coloyan — with his direct phone number when you sign up. Peter has sold travel since 1972, has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises, and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
After the year, you own your website, you are in our leads program as a Specialist, and Peter’s advice continues for as long as you are producing and taking our leads.
Everything You Need, From Day One
Most new agents spend years assembling a website, a host, a client pipeline and a mentor. The Career Fast Track gives you all of it at the start — so you can spend your time selling travel.
It is Peter Coloyan’s conviction, after 54 years of selling travel, that there is no better program for becoming a successful travel agent.
Pricing depends on the website you choose and is provided after a consultation.Installment plans may be available.
Prefer to start part-time? See the Additional Income path »
Becoming a Travel Agent — Common Questions
How long does it take to become a travel agent?
There is no single timeline. Many people can start helping clients within weeks of joining a host agency and beginning their training. Earning Specialist designations from suppliers or destinations takes longer — often weeks to a few months per program, depending on your pace. Building a steady client base is an ongoing effort, which is why our leads program and directory listings matter.
Do I need a license to be a travel agent?
There is no single national travel-agent license in the United States. Some states, including California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii, have seller-of-travel registration or disclosure rules, and some local governments require a business license. Your host agency can explain how its registrations work and what you need to file yourself. This is general information, not legal advice.
What training is best for a beginner?
Start with your host agency’s training, add a recognized foundation course such as The Travel Institute’s TRIPKIT program, and complete Specialist programs from the suppliers and destinations you want to sell. Specialist designations are what qualify you for leads from our network — and every designation is verified.
Where do I get Specialist training?
Most agents train with two organizations. The Travel Institute offers Destination Specialist courses (Tokyo, the Netherlands, Northern, Southern and Central Europe, Italy, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean and more) and niche Specialist courses such as luxury and cruise. CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) offers the cruise industry’s certifications: Certified, Accredited, Master and Elite Cruise Counsellor, plus online learning; certification is open to CLIA Individual Agent Members. Cruise lines, tour operators and tourism boards also run their own Specialist programs, many of them free. We do not run the training. We provide the extras (a website, personal assistance, lead generation and directory listings) and direct you to the programs that fit what you want to sell. Designations from The Travel Institute, CLIA and supplier programs are what we verify for entry to our leads program. We are not affiliated with The Travel Institute or CLIA.
Do I need a host agency?
Most new independent agents start with one. A host agency gives you supplier relationships and commission levels that a beginner could not get alone, services and pays commission on your bookings, and trains you. We match you with the right host from the leading host agencies we partner with; you do not work for us.
Why does specializing matter so much?
Travelers want an expert. In our experience, Specialists close up to six to seven times more often than generalists — more income for the agent and the host, happier travelers and happier suppliers. That is why leads from our network go only to verified Specialists in each product area.
How will I find clients?
Start with the people who already know you, then add a steady source of new inquiries. Verified Specialists can receive leads from our network, which generated more than 68,000 cruise leads and more than 30,000 other travel leads in a single year. Agents in our program are also listed on our consumer directories, and inquiries from your own listing come straight to you with no lead share.
Can I start part-time?
Yes. Our Additional Income path is built for people who want to sell travel part-time, around a job, a family or retirement. You can move up to the Career Fast Track later.
What does the Career Fast Track include, and what does it cost?
A personalized domain and an established website with traffic from our inventory, your host agency’s first-year fees, our leads program once you are a verified Specialist, a Showcase listing on every one of our consumer directories, and a full year of personal assistance from Peter Coloyan. After the first year, you own the website. Pricing depends on the website you choose and is provided after a consultation. Installment plans may be available.
Learn From “Mr. Cruise”
Be a Travel Agent is led by Peter Coloyan — “Mr. Cruise.” Peter has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises, has trained more than 500 travel agents, and owned a host agency himself from 2001 to 2007 — it grew to 87 agents and $17 million in annual sales before he sold it to Expedia CruiseShipCenters.
That last point matters to you: Peter knows how host agencies work from the inside — what they offer, how they differ, and which kind of agent thrives with which host. And now we’re back, with one mission: training the travel-industry community to be better prepared for the future.
Take the first step today
Choose your path and tell us your goals. We’ll match you with the right host agency and show you the way to Specialist status and our leads.
Career Fast Track »