In Europe and America, people have long been abandoning the services of large agencies and companies in favor of independent consultants. Similar trends are observed with us.
Becoming a tour operator is an opportunity to create an excellent launching pad for the further development of your own business.
What attracts people to this job? High salaries, constant trips ... For many, the life of a travel agent seems like a real fairy tale. But at the same time, practically no one dares to take any decisive steps towards the fulfillment of their dreams. Do not want to be among them? Then this article is for you!
Step 1. Training
Being interested in how to become a tour operator, you first of all need to figure out where and how you will receive training.
There are two options: regular colleges and universities, as well as special schools for training operators.
The first option is attractive in that you will study in depth all the disciplines related to tourism and hospitality, get a huge base of theoretical knowledge. However, it will take several years to fully complete the entire training course. An alternative is via distance learning. Actually, in the educational institution itself you will appear 2-3 times a year, and the rest of the time you can use in order to prepare the ground for further work.
If you want to get the most useful practical information and get to work as soon as possible, it would be more logical to enroll in a special school for training operators. Here you will learn how to become a tour operator, get an overview of travel destinations, sales and booking systems, marketing, etc.
Step 2. Obtaining certification
Work as a tour operator is impossible without obtaining certification. For your future customers this will be a proof of your competence and deep knowledge of the specifics of your activity. Therefore, they will trust you much more.
As a rule, relevant certificates can be obtained at the place of study. But some people turn to the CLIA International Association, which offers well-known and respected certification programs in the tourism industry.
Step 3. Obtaining a license
If you want to have your own travel agency, it is better to formalize a business for a legal entity (CJSC, LLC, etc.). But for those who want to become a travel agent (that is, an intermediary between a travel agency and its clients), it will be enough to register as an individual entrepreneur - PSBN. To obtain a license, you will need to pay a state fee of 1300 rubles.
You should be aware that a license to sell and pre-book air travel is issued separately. The certification conditions are dictated by the Federal Aviation Rules. At the same time, certain requirements are imposed on the premises, personnel, security systems and reservations. If you intend to sell not only tickets, but also airline tickets, you will need to conclude an agreement with the airline and get this certificate.
Deciding to become a travel agent, it is very important to choose the OKVED codes correctly. The most commonly used code is 63.30 - “Activities of travel agencies”. In addition, it is advisable to apply for inclusion in the All-Russian register of travel agencies.
Step 4. Choosing a tour operator company
Perhaps this is the most important stage. The travel agent can independently choose which of the many operators to collaborate with.When choosing, you should take into account the size of the remuneration, the reputation of the company in the market and the convenience of work.
An important question that is faced by almost everyone who is interested in how to become a travel agent: "Where to look for these very operators?" The easiest way to do this is by visiting specialized tourism fairs, exhibitions, etc. It is best to “catch luck” in Moscow, where such events are held annually (MITT, MITF, Intourmarket, Rest). Hundreds of representatives of various companies and organizations gather here. As they say, there is plenty to choose from. You can also visit similar regional exhibitions.
A variety of conferences and fairs are also held in workshop format by professional travel publications (Tourist Industry, Banko, Turinfo, Travel Expert Consulting Group, etc.). The atmosphere at the workshop is usually calmer and more business-like than at exhibitions. There are more opportunities to meet partners, discuss important issues and get ready for work.
Step 5. Conclusion of the contract
And now we have got to the most important thing. How to become a travel agent? After you have decided on the choice of a tour operator, you will need to sign an agency agreement. Under the terms of such a document, you will receive a reward for each sold tour. The amount of remuneration can vary, but on average it is about 10-15% of the cost of the tour itself. If in the future you will prove yourself well in the eyes of the tour operator and will successfully sell tickets, the percentage that you get from each transaction may increase.
In addition, partners of travel agencies that are part of the Agent Networks (for example, “Kuda.ru” or the chain of stores of “Burning tickets”) receive an increased commission. Due to the powerful corporate support, agencies included in such networks (which, incidentally, are not so easy to get into), are able to deduct a rather large percentage of their income.
Step 6. Advertising
Suppose you have already found a suitable company and entered into an agreement. Done: now you are a tour operator in Italy, France, Greece or Russia. It would seem that everything is going well, but ... But no, for some reason in a few weeks you managed to sell only a few tickets. And then to my friends. It affects the lack of advertising of your services.
First of all, we would recommend that you pay attention to the numerous publications, catalogs and applications that publish tourist advertisements. Of course, standing out among hundreds and thousands of other offers is not easy. Therefore, in the first place, it is necessary to determine your target audience.
So, if you offer expensive sea cruises, posting information in the "yellow press" is pointless at all - your potential customers simply will not see it. In this case, it would be more logical to use respectable business publications and glossy magazines.
But, let's say, a tour operator in Spain, offering inexpensive family tours, can choose large travel catalogs - these are the same “Leisure and Travel”, “Tourism and Leisure”, etc. Before you pay for the placement of your advertising, be sure to think it over. Your offer should stand out clearly from the rest. If you offer tours at a significant discount, say so directly.
In addition, you can distribute flyers in shopping centers, near registry offices and wedding salons (especially when it comes to wedding tours), etc.
The main condition: that the advertisement was not one-time, but namely periodic. Frankly speaking, people should not forget that a certain Vasya Knopochkin lives in their city, which can help you choose a good tour and book it.
Advertising on the Internet - a powerful tool to increase sales
However, for entrepreneurs who are interested in how to become a tour operator, in recent years it has been much more profitable to place advertising information not in print and press, but on the Internet. First of all, we are talking about large tourism-related resources.
Do not forget also that for the successful presentation of your services on the network you need to create your own website. Let it be small, without impressive functionality and kilometers of text - the main thing is that, having switched to it, a person understands that it is with you that he is ready to book a tour, that he is ready to trust you. Tell us about yourself and your achievements in this field, let customers leave feedback about your work, periodically publish interesting and informative articles on your blog.
People trust professionals. This is an unshakable truth, and you should already from the first lines show yourself as a truly competent specialist who is well versed in his business.
Do not be upset if in the first months your income level is not too high. In order to form a customer base, it takes more than one week. Drop everything at the very beginning - and you will never know how much you could earn by learning how to become a travel agent at home, and bringing it to the end!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
How to become a tour operator, you already know in general terms. However, hundreds of rumors are still circulating about this work. And before you take any real steps, you should understand if you are not captured by myths, and whether this is really what you want.
Is it true that travel agents can travel for free?
Use the word "free" in this case is not worth it. Of course, there are so-called "advertising tours", which in some cases are paid by the company itself. However, this is not a carefree trip, but another part of your work. For example, if you are a tour operator in Spain, you can be sent to one of the Spanish resorts so that you can explore local attractions, remember the hotel's living conditions, information related to local transport and entertainment, etc.
Is it possible to work as a travel agent without a special education?
According to the law, there can be no restrictions in this regard. Often, tour operators are interested in high sales, rather than the presence of a pile of pieces of paper. If you are a born seller who can bring good profit to the company and ensure a steady flow of customers, even without a diploma from a prestigious university, other agencies will lure you.
Is it true that it is better to start with domestic tourism?
It really is. First of all, it is better to learn how to become a tour operator in Russia, and work in this area. Why? Yes, everything is very simple: the design of international tours is associated with many subtleties (obtaining visas, checking passports, monitoring foreign citizens in the territory of another state). Add to this the troubles associated with living, eating and entertaining - and you will get such a “brain takeaway” for which a person who has no experience is simply not ready. Of course, a tour operator in Italy or, for example, Germany, earns a lot more. But it’s really better to be prepared for this and have at least basic experience in organizing domestic trips.
Do I need to insure my liability?
A private travel agent, according to current law, is not required to provide financial security for its transactions. But the tour operator, by contrast, must draw up a civil liability insurance contract for poor performance or non-fulfillment of obligations under the agreement on the provision of a tourist product. Another option is to get bank guarantee fulfillment of these obligations. Moreover, in one thing, in the second case, the insurance amount cannot be called small - on average they range from 500 thousand to 100 million rubles.
Should I buy a franchise?
If you want to get started as soon as possible and start earning money, that makes sense. However, it should be understood that for this you will have to pay a certain amount (from several thousand to several tens of thousands of rubles).
In addition, without a preliminary study of the market and obtaining in-depth knowledge in the field of tourism, it is almost impossible to reach an adequate level of income. Another thing is if you already have some work experience. However, after spending a little time and agreeing with a tour operator, you can begin to work on much more favorable terms.
Do travel agents have career prospects?
First of all, it depends on the tour operator you work for. If we are talking about a small company, then you should not count on promotion on the career ladder. As a maximum, your wage level will increase several times. But if we talk about large organizations, then over time they can entrust you with a whole direction, and you will have several agents subordinate. However, in order to make this possible, you need to show yourself not just as “valuable”, but as an invaluable employee on whom the entire success of the company is based.
Here, perhaps, are all the moments associated with the organization of the tourism business. Go for it! Good luck in your endeavors!
