How to Become a Travel Agent as a Second Career
- Jennifer Ormesher
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
After 30 years in education, I didn’t leave because I stopped loving people. I left because I wanted to choose how I showed up for them.
There’s a difference.
I wanted control over my schedule. I wanted to decide what mattered on a Tuesday afternoon. I wanted the freedom to prioritize my family, my energy, and my work without asking permission.
So I did something that felt bold at the time.
I became a travel advisor.
Not because I wanted travel perks.
Not because it sounded trendy.
And certainly not because I thought it would be easy.
I did it because I saw the opportunity to build something that belonged to me.
That decision eventually became Canopy of Stars Travel , a boutique travel agency rooted in professionalism, autonomy, and care.
And now, I mentor others who are asking the same question I once did:
Could I do something like this?
Table of Contents
What Becoming a Travel Advisor Is Actually Like
If you’re researching how to become a travel agent, you’ll see a lot of marketing about flexible schedules and “working from anywhere.”
That’s true, but it’s incomplete.
Being an independent travel advisor is deeply relational work.
It’s sitting on Zoom with a couple planning their honeymoon and asking the right questions so their trip feels like them. It’s calming a nervous parent before their first international family trip. It’s rerouting flights at midnight because weather had other plans.
Yes, you book hotels and flights.
But what you really do is listen, anticipate, protect, and design.
It’s consulting.
It’s problem-solving.
It’s thinking.
And if you love research, details, and creating something thoughtful for someone else, this career can feel incredibly meaningful.
The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here
The advisors who join Canopy of Stars Travel don’t all come from the travel industry. Many are exploring a second career as a travel agent.
They’ve been teachers, nurses, corporate professionals, stay-at-home parents, and marketing directors. Some are nearing retirement and realizing they’re not done building yet.
What they share isn’t a résumé.
It’s ownership.
They don’t need someone checking on them every hour. They don’t wait to be told what to do next. They see a problem and solve it. They care about doing things well.
They also understand that flexibility comes with responsibility.
When a client’s vacation is on the line, you show up. That’s just part of the deal.
If someone is looking into becoming a travel advisor because they want something easy or fast, this won’t feel right.
But if they want autonomy paired with standards, that’s where alignment begins.
Freedom, With Standards
Yes, this is a 1099 independent contractor role.
Yes, you can set your schedule.Yes, you can work remotely. But flexibility does not mean casual.
When someone tells a supplier they’re an advisor with Canopy of Stars Travel, that carries weight. Our industry partners know we’re prepared. Our clients know we follow through. That kind of reputation doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because we care about the details. Because we communicate clearly. Because we treat this as a profession.
Freedom without standards becomes chaos.
Freedom with standards becomes sustainability.
That’s the difference.
Why I Built a Boutique Travel Agency
I never wanted a massive, anonymous agency. I wanted a respected boutique travel agency with serious credibility.
Warm.
Supportive.
Collaborative.
But structured.
I wanted advisors who take pride in their work. I wanted supplier relationships built on trust. I wanted clients to feel protected.
And I wanted mentorship to matter.
Watching a new advisor close their first booking or confidently handle their first client crisis is still one of my favorite parts of this work. Every single advisor here started from zero.
That growth is real. And it’s earned.
The Moment That Changed Me
There was a trip I planned for a family a few years ago. On the surface, it was just a vacation. Flights, hotel, details. Everything lined up the way it should.
But while they were away, something happened that had nothing to do with itineraries.
A stepmother officially adopted her 15-year-old stepson. They handed him the paperwork on that trip.
When she told me the story over Zoom after they returned, I cried with her. Because that’s when it hit me... again.
This work isn’t about booking travel. It’s about being trusted with moments people will remember forever.
And that same feeling shows up when I watch one of our advisors close their first booking. Or handle their first client crisis with calm confidence. Or send me a message saying, “I can’t believe I built this.”
This second act gave me freedom. But it also gave me purpose.
What This Actually Looks Like
You might be reading this and thinking, “Okay… this sounds like something I’d love.”
The next step is understanding what this career really looks like day-to-day... how income works, what the timeline looks like, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.
Want to Talk It Through?
Sometimes it’s easier to ask your questions out loud.
I host casual virtual happy hours where we talk through what this career actually looks like—the work, the flexibility, and what it takes to make it work. It’s relaxed, honest, and you can ask anything.
Already Know This Is for You?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’m ready. This is what I’ve been looking for,” you don’t have to wait.
You can go ahead and start the application process here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to become a travel advisor?
No. Experience in the industry isn’t required. What matters most is ownership, professionalism, and a willingness to learn.
Is becoming a travel agent full-time right away?
Most advisors begin part-time and grow intentionally. This is a business that builds over time.
Is this a remote position?
Yes. Advisors work remotely as independent contractors, but client care and responsiveness are essential.
What makes a boutique travel agency different?
A boutique travel agency grows intentionally. It prioritizes reputation, mentorship, and standards over volume recruiting.
How long does it take to build a successful travel advisor business?
This is a multi-year build. Advisors who approach it strategically and patiently create sustainable success.
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