The Tax Man Cometh
It is often said that the two things you can’t avoid are taxes and death and nothing is truer when you start your own home based travel business. Your should engage a tax professional to advise you as you set up your business, as this is the only way you can be sure that […]
How to Avoid Being Scammed When Looking For a Host Agency
One of the biggest challenges for folks looking to get into the travel industry is sorting through the multitude of host agencies that are all vying for your investment and all of them have a great story to tell. One sure way to avoid being scammed is to read Tom and Joanie Ogg’s book […]
Host Agency, Franchise or Consortia?
When looking for a host agency you will notice that they all may different a bit. Some have no upfront fees, others require upfront fees, some are host agencies and other are franchise organizations. For the uninitiated it can be quite confusing. To make matters even more confusing, an agent can also elect to […]
Starting Your Travel Business
Of course, the best way to get definitive information on starting your home based travel agency is to purchase the book of the same title at www.HomeBasedTravelAgent.com. This book will enable you to breeze through the start-up process and also evolve a business plan and selecting a host agency. But, there are several steps […]
Partners, With Benefits
One of the ways that you will know you are on the wrong track to finding a quality host agency is if the host you are talking to is selling all of the great travel benefits you will receive by joining their hosting program. Usually pitches like this come from multi-level marketing groups who […]
Your Host Agency Contract
One of the things necessary to be an independent contractor working through a host travel agency is a valid contract. In the absence of a contract the IRS is sure to determine that you have been misclassified as an I.C. and should have been treated as an employee. Your host contract will spell out […]
How to Pick a Host Agency
Each host agency has their own unique value proposition. One may specialize in working with new agents, another may offer a franchise opportunity selling cruises under a consumer branded franchise arrangement, yet another may only work with highly experienced travel professionals and another may only work with independent agents specializing in the luxury travel […]
Exactly What is a Host Agency?
Prior to the elimination of airline commissions, travel agents were associated with “appointed” travel agencies who maintained the appointments necessary to process accountable traffic documents such as airline tickets. When the airlines stopped paying travel agent commissions, agents responded by giving up their airline appointments and moving to a home base to operate from. […]