Job Description of Travel Planner
- Research and design a vacation trip based on the wants and needs of a client.
- Work with travel suppliers to put together the best-priced package for yourclient.
A good travel agent—someone who gets to know you and your interests and is an expert on travel and destinations—is hard to find. Always keep in mind how traditional travel agents earn a living: They are paid commissions by travel providers. The higher the price tag on the package they sell, the more they receive in commissions and perks (such as free trips for themselves).
We’re not saying that travel agents are dishonest, that they don’t provide a valuable service, or that they don’t deserve to earn a living for their investment of time. It’s just that they may not always deliver the best deals.
By contrast, a travel planner works directly for the customer and is paid by the hour for research and expertise. One reason this sort of business is viable is the tremendous amount of information available over the Internet. Travel planners can shop for the best airfare, car rental, hotel or cruise accommodations, and every other element of a trip through Internet web sites, easily comparing offerings of different providers.
The travel planner can also produce customized itineraries with information about museums, attractions, and restaurants for each day of a trip.
Travel Planner Business Challenges
This is a job tailor-made for someone who is capable of focusing on the hundreds of little details involved in a trip. You must also be comfortable using Internet search engines and travel portals.
You’ll also need to spend the time to get to know your clients well. Find out their interests and experience in travel. Determine if they require five-star hotels or would be perfectly happy with clean, safe, inexpensive bed-and-breakfasts.
Find out your client’s budget for the trip. As a travel planner, you have no incentive to boost the cost of the trip to increase your commission; however, you might want to present your client with several alternatives at different price points.
Know the Territory of Travel Planner
It certainly helps if you are an experienced traveler yourself. You’ll need to keep current by reading travel guidebooks and magazines and searching Internet web sites regularly.
Learn how to use travel portals like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, and Priceline.com. You can conduct research without actually booking tickets on any of these sites. You should also keep current on terrorism and health warnings posted for certain parts of the world.
How to Get Started Travel Planner Business
Announce your services on bulletin boards in community centers and schools. Advertise in newspapers and shopping guides. Ask your friends and relatives to spread the word; offer a bonus to satisfied customers who refer new clients to you.
Up-front Expenses for Travel Planner Business
The principal expenses are for advertising and promotion, plus setting up a computer with access to the Internet. You should also purchase a library of guidebooks and maps. Investigate purchasing computer software that allows you to print out detailed driving instructions and maps for day-to-day itineraries.
Charge for Travel Planner
Charge by the hour, and add in the documented cost of related phone calls and guidebooks or maps. Planning a trip may require 6 to 10 hours and include a visit to your client’s home for an initial session plus a final visit to present the options.