09-26-2025 Seller of Travel
A Seller of Travel is defined as any resident or nonresident person, firm, corporation, or business entity that offers for sale, directly or indirectly, at wholesale or retail, prearranged travel or tourist-related services for individuals or groups, through vacation or tour packages, or through vacation certificates in exchange for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration. The term includes any business entity offering membership in a travel club or travel service for an advance fee or payment, even if no travel contracts or certificates or vacation or tour packages are sold by the business entity.
In short, any Travel Advisor is a Seller of Travel and must adhere to any Sellers of Travel laws within their state, if they have them. These laws vary from state to state and are created to regulate the Seller of Travel – YOU!
If you work with a host agency, please make sure that they are carrying the proper Seller of Travel licenses, bonds, and/or waivers for you to legally transact business with them. As an independent agency, independent advisor, franchise owner, etc., you should always do your own due diligence into Seller of Travel laws. Seller of Travel laws typically affect advisors based on their state residency, as well as where their clients are located.
Violation of these state laws could result in severe penalties for each violation. To purchase a Seller of Travel license, the state typically requires an application and a bond. However, if the Travel Advisor is working under a host, franchise, or independent agency, they may be exempt from needing to purchase their own license.
It is the responsibility of the Travel Advisor to research their individual state Sellers of Travel laws to ensure compliance is met.
Let’s face it, we all have to pay taxes. In the past, you might’ve used an online tax company like TurboTax to file your annual taxes, and maybe you still do! However, here’s something to consider…
Success as a travel agent requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and mindset. Here are 25 keys to success as a new travel agent:Know the industry: Stay up-to-date on the latest trends, destinations, and products in the travel industry.Build relationships: Develop strong relationships with suppliers, clients, and other travel agents.Be organized: Keep track of important dates, itineraries, and client information in a system that works for you.Be a problem solver: Be able to think on your feet and handle unexpected issues that may arise during the travel planning process.Build a network: Join industry organizations, attend events, and participate in travel agent communities to build your network.Utilize technology: Familiarize yourself with the latest travel agent software and tools to streamline your work and offer the best service to your clients.Be knowledgeable about destinations: Have a deep understanding of popular travel destinations and what they have to offer.Offer value-added services: Find ways to offer added value to your clients, such as travel insurance, airport transfers, or tours/excursions.Build a personal brand: Establish yourself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy travel agent by building a strong personal brand.Communicate effectively: Be able to clearly and effectively communicate with clients, suppliers, and other travel agents.Be adaptable: Be open to change and be able to adapt to new developments and trends in the industry.Be a good listener: Listen to your clients' needs and preferences, and use that information to create the best possible travel experiences for them.Be proactive: Anticipate your clients' needs by being an expert, and take action to meet them before they even ask.Follow up: Make sure to follow up with clients after their trips to ensure their satisfaction and gather feedback for future vacations.Be passionate: Have a genuine love for travel and be enthusiastic about helping others experience the joys of travel.Be knowledgeable about visas and passport requirements: Stay informed about visa and passport requirements for various destinations to ensure that your clients are prepared for their trips.Offer a wide range of products: Offer a diverse range of travel products, such as tours, cruises, and airfare, to meet your clients' varied travel needs.Stay up-to-date on current events: Keep informed about current events, such as natural disasters, health alerts, and travel warnings, that may impact your clients' travel plans.Be available: Be available to your clients when they need you, whether it's during regular business hours or after hours.Be a good negotiator: Be able to negotiate the best possible deals for your clients with suppliers and airlines.Be confident: Have confidence in your abilities and knowledge as a travel agent, and be able to convey that confidence to your clients.Keep learning: Continuously seek out new information and opportunities to learn and grow in your career as a travel agent.Be flexible: Be willing to go the extra mile for your clients and be flexible in your approach to finding solutions to their travel needs.Build trust: Build trust with your clients by being transparent and honest in all of your dealings with them.Embrace change: Embrace change and be open to new ideas and ways of doing things in order to stay ahead in the constantly evolving travel industry.
When choosing Preferred Suppliers, we always stress the importance of having Supplier Emergency Contacts in case something happens during your client’s trip.It’s going to happen at least once. Your
As a travel advisor, you're probably very busy. You have to keep up with the news in order to stay current on all of the changing travel protocols, you have to stay in touch with supplier partners abo