In the recent National Travel Agent Survey, 43% of Non- Home based agents said they are interested in becoming home-based and yet they have not yet done so. Why not?

The survey probed the reasons and the results reveal greater understanding into the common misconceptions about being a home based agent.

If you’ve been paying attention to the reported results of the survey so far, hosted agents themselves dispel these misconceptions.

Let’s look at the main reasons travel agents gave for not switching to home based:

Misconception #1: Fear of the start- up costs

Over 10% said the financial cost of becoming home based was a factor. One agent said: "The regulations and cost associated with TICO make it impossible for a small business or a single professional to take this option"

This is completely false! Host agencies are registered with TICO and other regulatory bodies and this covers all of the agents affiliated with the host agency. However, agents must still write the TICO exam if they have not done so.

Misconception #2: Not enough clients

Agents said they felt they would not have enough clients to be successful. One agent said: “I think I would need a high volume of clients to make a profit"

In fact, home based agents find that they can make the same income with less than half the clientele they have in their current environment.

By working as a home based, hosted agent, some agents report making 2 to 3 times the amount of commission, so the myth that you need high client volumes to maintain an income are dispelled . The home based agents in the same survey reported they work the same and have the same client base as before, but make between 30 to 50% more because of the hosted agency commission structures that exist.

Misconception #3: Fear of working alone

One of the fears agents have about going home based is that they will miss being in an office atmosphere ---21 % said they preferred to have colleagues around them.

One agent explained: "I like the flexibility of going home based....But I also like having the office connections and the structure and schedule of being in an office"

This is a common fear but host agencies have made great strides to ensure their agents have easy communication tools like intranets, as well as regular webinars, trainings and other opportunities to connect and support each other.

Misconception #4: Lack of info about host agencies

Surprisingly, 7.7 % said they don't have enough knowledge about host agencies to make the decision. Yet host agencies are very active in promoting their services at industry events and in the trade media.

One agent said: “I’m scared it might not be better than what I have currently” and another said “I simply don´t know a company that allows me to work as a home based agent, but I´m open to review new options."

Agents can easily find out about host agencies on those host agency websites, at industry trade shows and in the trade media. A lot of agents also found out about host agencies through friends in the industry or from their supplier reps.

Misconception #5: Fear of losing my brand

Another reason that was cited came from agents who had their own brand."I own my own Travel Agency and I have a few agents that work under my name, “said one agent.

Good news! When you go home based, you can keep your name --and your other agents-- and lose all the high fees and back office work!

This is a big myth that small agencies need to give up their name to become a hosted agency. Not true! Your agency can go home based and keep your brand.

*This is part of a series of articles by travel industry veteran Jill Wykes about the home based agent and host agency trend that is changing how travel is sold in Canada. The articles are sponsored by The Travel Agent Next Door.