The Travel Professor
Join me on a journey across the broad spectrum of interesting travel topics. We’ll discuss destinations domestic and abroad, some familiar and some off the beaten path. We take a look at suppliers like cruise lines, air carriers and tour operators and find their bargains and special offerings. Got questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Instant travel agent part 2

For years the travel industry has waged an ongoing battle against multilevel marketing scams and card mills. It just won needed consumer media attention from MSNBC.com columnist John Frenaye Jr., who blasted travel frauds in a feature titled, “Want to be an instant travel agent? Beware!” Here’s the link to his article: http://www.traveltrade.com/headline_news.jsp?articleID=9036

Like all businesses there are legitimate ways to enter the travel agency business and I’ll discuss these later. But to the best of my knowledge there is no get rich quick track into travel sales.
What was really amazing to me was that this lady was a professional with an advanced degree After years of study and practical experience in her field did she think someone could buy the same credentials and became an instant specialist and a peer of hers?


I’m sure she would discount the diploma mill degree concept as a fly by night scheme and the only way to achieve a position comparable to hers was through professional training, education and experience.

Maybe I’m old fashioned but if it seems too good to be true then it’s too good to be true. But then if we are willing to pay a one time franchise charge of $500.00 and a low monthly fee of $50.00 or so then we all could be lawyers, doctors, dentists and yes even travel agents!