My journey into the travel business

I am a certified Project Manager (a PMP) with a computer software company. I have always been interested in travel and with my planning and management experience, I've found my dream career - helping others plan their vacations! In December and early January of 2008 I made up my mind to dive into the business of travel consulting. I researched what it would take to make this leap and found there is little or no actual schooling necessary (I was ready to go back to school part-time to realize my dream). I had to get a few things in order and do a little planning, then dive right in.

First I wanted to come up with a name for my new business. I thought long and hard on this and in the end all I could come up with was Dragonfly Trips. I actually came up with a whole lot of other options, but when I googled them, they were all taken. Realizing that my name doesn't really spark a lot of interest in my product (like cheapcaribbean.com does), I knew I would have to work hard at branding my business. I found a logo design company and worked with them to design my logo, stationery and business cards - and I was on my way!

I read about host agencies and all kinds of travel organizations: ASTA, NACTA, OSSN, CLIA, etc, etc. I have to admit it was a bit confusing and a lot overwhelming trying to figure out what I should be a part of and what I didn't - or could wait until later. I read up on some host agencies and finally decided on one in March. My host provided tools to book with their preferred suppliers using their IATA number. Now I was able to sell travel and could be considered a real travel professional.

I felt a little funny about it at first as I had no formal training and really didn't have the support network I thought I should have to get started. My host agency was there to assist me if I had questions, but I had jumped in with both feet. One of my major concerns was being viewed by my peers, my clients, and my suppliers as a true travel professional and not someone just off the street who does this for the wrong reasons (you know who you are). I was, and still am, bound and determined to prove myself as a true professional.

I bought books to read, attended seminars and courses online to learn everything I could about the business. It's an ever changing business with so much to learn.

The other thing I did right off the bat was to develop my website. Mine, www.dragonflytrips.com, is through Online Agency, which I am very happy with. There are other providers who specialize in travel related sites as well. I don't expect to make my millions competing with Expedia. My website is another branding method and provides my clients a place to go to look for travel deals and other travel related information. I continue to update this on a regular basis.

In the last year, I have learned a whole lot about this business, but I still have a long way to go. I have joined a new host agency and a couple of trade organizations (CLIA and OSSN) and I now have the support and all of the information and tools at my fingertips to be successful. I will continue my learning process as I develop my business. I have done fairly well as I build it and I think it's really getting ready to take off.