Become a Travel Advisor

Commission Split
Ask what percentage of commission you keep. Some host agencies advertise commission splits that increase with sales or preferred suppliers. For example, The Travel Agent Next Door says its split starts at a minimum of 85% and can reach up to 100% on preferred suppliers. 

Startup Cost
Ask if there is a joining fee, setup fee, training fee, franchise fee, or business package fee.

Monthly or Annual Fees
Ask if you pay monthly, yearly, or both. Also ask what the fee includes.

Training Included
Ask if beginner training is included, optional, free, or paid. Trevello says it has options for advisors who are new to the industry with basic or no training and no sales, and says it provides comprehensive advisor training after signing on. 

Supplier Access
Ask which suppliers, cruise lines, resorts, tour operators, insurance providers, and booking platforms you can access.

Booking Tools
Ask if they provide a CRM, invoicing system, booking platform, client forms, email templates, or marketing tools.

Support
Ask who helps you when you have a booking question, supplier issue, cancellation, payment problem, or client emergency.

Clients and Leads
Ask if they provide leads or if you must find your own clients.

Sales Quotas
Ask if there is a minimum sales requirement, annual booking quota, or activity requirement to remain active.

Branding Rules
Ask if you can use your own business name, logo, website, Facebook page, or social media brand.

Contract Terms
Ask about cancellation rules, non-compete clauses, client ownership, commission payout timing, and what happens if you leave.

 Most new Canadian travel advisors begin with a host agency because it may provide supplier access, booking systems, training, marketing tools, commission processing, and industry support. ACTA lists several host agency options in the Canadian marketplace, including Boutique Travel Services, Centre Holidays, Direct Travel, Envoyage, Expedia Cruises, FareConnect.com, First In Service, Frontliners Travel Group, Go Travel, and Nexion Travel Group Canada.  

 Do not choose only because the company sounds familiar. Compare the contract, fees, commission split, training, support, supplier access, and whether it fits beginners. 

Training is one of the most important first steps. Some training may be provided by your host agency, while other training may come from suppliers, tourism boards, cruise lines, resorts, destinations, or industry organizations.

Training to research:
Host agency beginner training
Supplier training portals
Cruise line training
Resort and hotel brand training
Destination specialist programs
Webinars and live supplier events
ACTA courses and professional development

ACTA offers professional development, webinars, industry specialist programs, and Travel Agent Essentials training for people learning how to work as travel advisors in Canada. 

 As you research, you may see terms such as ACTA, CLIA, IATA/IATAN, TIDS, TRUE, host agency confirmation, supplier portals, training certificates, and advisor ID. Not every new advisor needs every credential right away, but you should understand what suppliers may ask for before applying for FAM trips, agent rates, or advisor perks. 

Many new advisors wonder if they need clients before joining. Some host agencies accept beginners with no sales, while others may prefer advisors who already have clients, a niche, or previous travel experience. Trevello, for example, describes one path for advisors who are new to the industry with basic or no training and no sales. 

Before joining, ask:

Do I need clients before I start?
Will you provide leads?
Am I expected to find my own clients?
Is there a sales quota?
How long can I stay active with no sales?
When do commissions get paid?
What happens if a client cancels?

Before choosing a host agency or advisor path, compare:

Host agency name
Startup cost
Monthly or yearly fee
Commission split
Training included
Supplier access
Booking tools
Marketing tools
Client lead support
Sales quota or activity requirement
Contract length
Cancellation policy
Branding rules
Commission payout timing
Support availability

Host agency fees, commission splits, training, supplier access, sales requirements, and advisor rules can change. Always verify current details directly with the host agency, supplier, travel organization, or official provider before joining, applying, or paying any fee.