Expert: Norman L. Rose - 5/13/2009

Question
I am planning on openning a licensed travel agency and i will specialize on guided tours. how can get discounts in disney or other resorts tickets and hotels in order to make my future travel agency more profitable. Is it a good idea to become a independent Agent and use the host agency IATA/IATAN number to get the discounts.? if so which Host agency do u recommend?. thank you for your time

Answer
As a licensed travel agent you simply need to contact Disney and other suppliers to negotiate a discount or net rate that you can mark-up. There are many independent agents who work as an outside agent for an established agency.  If you are obtaining the IATA/IATAN certification you can sell air tickets as well.  I would contact some of the large consortium such as Ensemble or Travelsavers to obtain even larger discounts based on their combined membership volume.  I would avoid YTP (a franchisee system)that is on the verge of bankruptcy.