Whether you’re considering a part-time or a full-time job in the travel industry, the path ahead is lined with amazing opportunities. You can enjoy the chance to travel while earning. You’ll also enjoy independence and work from the comfort of your own home, while booking memorable trips for your clients.
However, this vocation is broad and there are different types of travel agents with unique roles. For example, you may think about working as a corporate travel consultant or becoming a travel agent for leisure and holidays.
These distinct roles should be explored in more detail so that you make the best choice for yourself. That’s exactly what this article covers, so keep reading to learn more.
What is a business travel agent?
A business travel agent is a professional who provides and books travel services for corporate clients. Many organisations have unique travel needs, fixed budgets and corporate travel policies that must be adhered to.
Business travel agents cater to these expectations by offering customised travel planning and booking services for business travellers that align with each organisation’s budget, policies and objectives.
Their role is to be as efficient as possible when making business travel arrangements and to adhere to internal travel and budget guidelines.
What does a corporate travel agent do?
Some of the specific tasks that a corporate travel agent handles include:
- Managing travel bookings (including travel, car hire, transportation and accommodation)
- Arranging travel visas, where necessary
- Creating itineraries
- Adhering to organisational budgets
- Sorting travel expenses
- Ensuring compliance with corporate travel policies
The advantages and disadvantages of being a corporate travel agent
Each role in the travel industry has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. We explore these in the context of corporate travel agents in more detail below:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Working with established corporate clients | Strict adherence to corporate policies |
| Potential for higher earnings | High-pressure environment |
| Help businesses secure good travel deals for their employees | Fixed, regimented hours (09:00 to 17:00) |
| Working for someone else and not for yourself | |
| Fewer opportunities for personal travel | |
| Working from an office, with more time spent on commuting to and from work |
If you’d like to find out more about how one travel agent transitioned from corporate travel to become a leisure travel agent with The Travel Franchise, resulting in greater flexibility, less time spent commuting and earning attractive commissions, read what Nikki Peachey had to say.
How to become a business travel agent
Starting your own business travel agency will require that you register a travel business. Prior to this, you’ll need the necessary qualifications and certifications. Also advisable is that you have prior industry experience when making travel bookings for business trips.
Furthermore, you’ll need to acquire the necessary licences and memberships, such as Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) and Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).
Altogether, this can be quite a costly and time-consuming exercise before you start seeing returns on your investment. Carving out a niche for yourself will require that you put in hard work before you can gain a sound reputation in the industry as a corporate travel company.
What is a leisure travel agent?
Unlike business travel consultants, the roles and responsibilities of a leisure travel agent are to assist clients in planning holidays, cruises and other personal travel experiences. They work with clients to identify their goals, aiming to understand what they’d like from their trip.
Once they have gathered the necessary information, they can recommend hotels, resorts, restaurants, tours, sightseeing activities and others. They also book flights and transfers/car hire and accommodation, such as hotels. A leisure travel agent will also create the client’s itineraries and provide sound advice.
Since they often work hand-in-hand with tour operators, they can also recommend budget-friendly travel deals that are personalised to the client’s needs and preferences.
What does a leisure travel agent do?
A leisure travel agent works with private clients, helping them book and arrange their holidays. If you are wondering what does a travel agent do, below is a short summary of their roles:
- Planning holidays, cruises and personal travel experiences
- Creating tailored travel experiences based on client preferences
- Booking flights, car hire, accommodation, etc.
- Creating personalised itineraries and travel plans
- Offering sound travel advice
- Being available to help in case something goes wrong
The advantages and disadvantages of being a leisure travel agent
By partnering with an industry leader in travel such as The Travel Franchise, becoming a leisure travel agent with your own travel business comes with many advantages and few disadvantages. Let’s explore these in more detail below:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Flexible work hours | Occasionally needing to be available for clients outside the standard 09:00 to 17:00 work hours |
| Creating memorable travel experiences for clients | |
| Working in a more relaxed environment from the comfort of your own home | |
| No prior experience in travel is required | |
| Attractive commissions and potential for earning well | |
| You can assist corporate clients as well | |
| Opportunities for personal travel | |
| Incredible levels of support |
How to become a leisure travel agent
There are many routes to becoming a leisure travel agent. You can work your way towards the role by earning certificates recognising your knowledge of and skills required by the travel industry.
However, you can also work and gather experience as an apprentice or a trainee at an established travel agency. However, there is another way and that is to become a travel agent who works from home. And that is to become a leisure travel agent with The Travel Franchise.
You don’t need any experience to get started and you can be your own boss while managing a flexible part-time or full-time schedule. Few other professions give this amount of freedom to not only enjoy a work-life balance but also the chance to travel as you make others’ holiday dreams a reality.
And if you’re interested in capturing a truly booming and successful industry, we strongly encourage you to become a home-based cruise travel agent with The Travel Franchise. Grab the opportunity with both hands now and take advantage of high-demand periods like September to make the most out of your travel agency business.
Conclusion
As a recap, the key difference between business and leisure travel agents is that business or corporate travel agents only deal with corporate clients. Meanwhile, leisure travel agents help clients create memorable holiday experiences, be it to exotic destinations or on cruises.
We encourage you to consider which option aligns best with your goals and interests when deciding between becoming a business or leisure travel agent. Ultimately, joining The Travel Franchise is the ideal option for those looking to become leisure travel agents.
