New Agent & New Owner Class
Now Online -
$175 Introductory Offer
How to Start Selling Travel
Learn at your own pace. Our updated online course can be completed in days or you can stretch it out over weeks or months as needed.
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Enroll in the course.
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Complete the course.
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Choose and register a name for your new business or use an existing business name. You can complete this step during the course or upon completion of the course.
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Course completed, business name registered. You can now apply to join LTA Central and start selling travel.
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To Join LTA Central, simply complete our membership documents.
WE WILL WAIVE YOUR FIRST YEAR DUES OF $200.
(Our membership documents are located in Section 8 of the course) -
We can typically process your membership application in two to three days and you can START SELLING TRAVEL! We will be there to provide additional training and support as needed.
Course Curriculum - Online & Self-Paced
Eight Sections, 42 Lessons
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Section 1: Travel Industry Overview & Getting Started
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Section 2: Selling Cruises
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Section 3: Selling Worldwide Land Travel
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Section 4: Travel Booking Methods & Platforms
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Section 5: Client Travel Insurance
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Section 6: Transaction & Credit Card Risk Management
About this course
- The purpose of this course is to provide individuals with a learning experience that opens a direct path to a part-time or full-time career selling leisure travel. Upon completion of the course, the vast majority of our new entrants elect to (1) join a host travel agency as an independent contractor, and (2) operate as a home-based business, and (3) start selling travel to their network of family and friends, and (4) work on growing their client base.
Why We Sell Travel
Motivation & Expectation
You may already have your own reasons for enrolling in our course, but here is what we know.
(1) Americans love to travel and the travel industry is strong, resilient and rewarding. (2) Many of our class participants successfully launch part-time or full-time careers selling travel. (3) Selling travel is also a way to supplement job or retirement income. (4) There are conditional opportunities for discounted travel. (The availability, value and types of discounted travel are decided at the discretion of travel suppliers and are subject to qualifications, terms and conditions) (5) There is also the potential for business tax deductions for agent travel and other business expenses. (Keep in mind that we and you will be required to report the income you earn selling travel and you should consult your tax professional to determine if you will qualify to take deductions) (6) We have agent members that make limited bookings and earn limited dollars; we have agents that make a very good living selling travel full-time; and, the majority of our agents fall somewhere between. Whatever your goals might be as an LTA Central member, you will have our support.
International Travel Institute FAQs
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What is the purpose and goal of the ITI New Agent & Owner Class?
The primary purpose of our course is to provide participants with essential training that prepares them to begin selling travel as an independent contractor and travel agency owner with the help and support of our host travel agency, LTA Central.
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What subjects does the course include?
Please see the Course Curriculum section.
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Is the course accessible online?
The course is exclusively online, self-paced and consists of slides, illustrations and narration. You are in the right place to see the details, to enroll when ready and to start the course. You also have support options with our Houston staff by phone and email.
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How long does it take to complete the course?
You can complete the course in a matter of a few days if it fits your time schedule. Some students stretch it out over a period of several weeks.
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What is the cost?
This is our new and updated online course. We are offering an introductory price of $175.
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What if I want to include a partner?
We offer options for additional students. Contact us for details.
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Once I complete the course, what do I do and how long will it take to get set up and start selling travel?
During or on completion of the course, you should start the process of deciding on a business model and registering your new travel business with your state or county government. • The fastest, easiest and least expensive path is to choose an assumed business name (d/b/a), register it with your state or local government and operate your business as a sole proprietor. In some states, the assumed name process can be completed in a day or two. In other states it may take longer. • If you choose to register as a corporation, LLC or other more formal business entity, it may take a bit more time and involve more expense. We can get you up and running in two or three days once we have your business name and membership agreement.
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How do I know what business model and structure is best?
We can give you some practical advice based on our experience, but you may want to discuss the pros and cons of different business models with your legal and tax professionals if you haven't had previous experience as a business owner.
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How do I know that I will be able to sell travel after completing the course?
Our host travel agency, LTA Central, will invite you to apply for membership once you complete the course. Ultimately, your success depends on your ability to make sales by reaching out to potential customers beginning with family, friends and acquaintances.
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What does it cost to join a host agency?
LTA Central has less interest in charging fees and more interest growing member sales and commission numbers. LTA CENTRAL WILL WAIVE YOUR FIRST YEAR MEMBERSHIP DUES. If you choose to renew with LTA Central, your second-year dues will be $100-$200 based on your sales production. Some host agencies charge registration fees and have ongoing monthly fees. Some monthly fees can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars annually. LTA Central does not charge monthly fees.
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Is there a required number of work hours or minimum sales quota?
No. You will be in business for yourself. We will provide you with booking access using our travel industry credentials. We also will provide booking administration support, other tools and other support functions, but you will set your own work hours and work location (which is typically your home).
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What type of equipment and supplies will I need to conduct business?
Because you will be an independent contractor, by rule you will need your own business assets and office supplies. As a minimum you will need a desktop or laptop computer setup, a phone and internet access. You will also need a plan to manage and track client transactions. Many of our agents use spreadsheets or word processing software to track client activity. Others maintain traditional paper files. Others purchase or subscribe to CRM software. LTA Central offers an optional subscription for a well-established travel industry product that includes CRM, invoicing, itinerary and reporting functionality.
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How do I make money?
You will earn commissions on the travel supplier products you sell to family, friends, clients and yourself. Products include ocean cruises, river cruises, tours, hotel bookings, all-inclusive resort packages, travel insurance and other travel products. You will also have the option of charging clients service fees for non-commissionable and low-commission products.
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What are the commission percentages?
For most travel products, the standard gross commission we collect from travel suppliers is 10% of commissionable components. Because of our high volume, we earn up to 15% with some key suppliers. When we receive the gross supplier commissions for your product sales, we pay you 70% of the gross. As you reach higher production levels, we will increase your split of commissions earned.
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How many travel suppliers will I have booking access to?
Technically speaking, there is no limit to the number of suppliers you can book. LTA Central is registered with hundreds of suppliers and we will add reputable suppliers as needed to place agent bookings. In addition, we have more than 50 “Preferred Suppliers” including major cruise lines and tour operators.
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Who are your Preferred Suppliers?
See our list below.
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Are there government licensing requirements for travel agents?
There are no federal licensing requirements for travel agents. However, four states have strict Seller of Travel laws that require registration. The four states are CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON, HAWAII and FLORIDA. Registration in these four states requires lengthy documentation and may require financial guarantees. If you live in one of these states, please review their requirements. A handful of other states have less stringent registration requirements, and some state and local governments require travel agents to apply for general business licenses. You should check with your state and local governments to see what, if any, business registration requirements apply.
LTA & LTA Central Preferred Suppliers
Leisure Travel Alliance & LTA Central have long-established relationships with these world-class travel suppliers.
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OCEAN CRUISE LINES - Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard Line, Virgin Voyages, MSC, Celestyal Cruises, Azamara Cruises.
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TOUR OPERATORS - Funjet & Apple Vacations, Globus Tours, Collette Tours, United Vacations, Mayflower Tours, Rocky Mountaineer, Avanti Destinations, Travel Impressions, Celtic Tours, Blue Sky Tours, Amtrak Vacations, Homeric Tours, Pleasant Holidays, Pleasant Journese, CIE Tours, Cosmos Tours, Railbookers.
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RIVER & COASTAL CRUISE LINES - Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AMA Waterways, Scenic Cruises, Emerald Cruises.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE - Generali Global Assistance, AIG Travel Guard, Faye Travel Insurance.
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OTHER PREFERRED SUPPLIERS - Bedsonline, Auto Europe, GTT Global Air, Fare Buzz, Centrav, C&H International.
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LIST OF FREQUENTLY BOOKED SECONDARY SUPPLIERS Hurtigruten, Costa, Lindblad Expeditions, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Ponant Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream, Uniworld, Windstar & more. TOUR OPERATORS - Tauck Tours, Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations, Contiki Holidays, Southwest Airline Vacations, American Airlines Vacations, Delta Airlines Vacations and many more.
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All Other Travel Suppliers - There are tens of thousands of other suppliers you can book using LTA Central's booking credentials. Included are virtually all hotels, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators, rental car vendors and other established suppliers.