Many travel agents want to be able to enter the luxury travel market. What does it take to start selling luxury world cruises, Arctic treks, or luxury African safaris? The answer is networking between the right groups and education. Some of this requires a financial investment, but agents can start learning at no cost. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that the median salary for a travel agent as of 2017 was around $ 36,990 per year. With the right clientele and hard work, that number can increase significantly.
Consider learning from free webinars provided by tour operators and cruise lines you want to sell. Here are ten tour operators, cruise lines, and hotels with free webinars or training to review and learn from:
- Crystal cruisers
- Abercrombie and Kent
- Seabourn
- Big five
- Hapaq-Lloyd Cruises
- World’s leading hotels
- Marriott and Ritz Carlton
- Quark Expeditions
- G adventures
- Intercontinental Hotels
Create a luxury travel agent resume
- Get certifications that provide agent influence in the luxury travel industry. Many tour operators, hotel chains, and cruise lines have their own certifications to earn.
- Join organizations that support and authenticate an agent’s good reputation in the luxury travel industry. If agents work in a travel agency, they may be members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the International Cruise Lines Association (CLIA).
- Make social media work to promote yourself as a luxury travel consultant. Network on Facebook, Linkedin, and other networking sites, in addition to Twitter. Some network media sites, such as Squa.re and aSmallWorld, advertise for members of high society, with invitation-only membership or require applications to join, plus a monthly fee.
- Attend luxury travel conferences and workshops.
Certifications obtainable for agents
- CLIA offers four levels of cruise certifications that can be very beneficial in the industry. Accredited (ACC), Master (MCC), Elite (ECC) and Elite Cruise Counselor (ECCS). Following these certifications, there is a Luxury Cruise Specialist Designation (LCS), then an Accredited Cruise Manager (ACM). Course work and ship inspections are required to achieve these certifications.
- IATA offers certifications to earn from the online training programs offered.
- Hotel chain certifications. Most hotel chains and tour operators offer certification after completing training programs.
Join luxury travel and travel agency membership organizations
- The World Association of Travel Agents (WATA) is a group of travel agencies with exceptional ethical standards and travel knowledge. It is allowed to join an agency by destination. WATA members are prominent in the community, generally have a long-standing business and excellent supplier relationships. WATA members adhere to a strict code of conduct. They strive to maintain an undisputed reputation that gives clients confidence to deal with the best.
- Virtuoso: a network of the best travel agencies in the world. This elite group only has membership by invitation. There are only 330 member agencies, with 7,200 elite travel consultants with outstanding experience in the luxury travel business. Virtuoso connects travelers with a Virtuoso affiliate travel agency.
- Luxury Travel Network – A Virtuoso member, hires luxury travel specialists as independent contractors with extensive travel experience. Their claim is to have high commissions, in addition to offering the best prices on luxury travel, in addition to the continuous training of travel consultants.
- CLIA
- IATA
Workshops and Exhibitions
- The Luxury Travel Fair presented by Conde ‘Nast Traveler. This event takes place in the London area around the end of each year.
There are various magazines and other outlets to gain insight into the luxury travel industry. Consider a subscription to Condè Nast Traveler, Luxury Travel magazine, or even watch the Travel Channel and look for segments geared towards luxury travel.
Luxury travel can be a very lucrative business for agents who make an investment to learn about the business and invest financially as well. Wealthy travelers want a travel consultant who is the best in the business and knows the business they offer.
