The term “home-based travel agent” has been around for nearly 20 years now. But some people in the industry say it’s time to toss it onto the dustbin of history. But does that really make sense? Or is this a tempest in a teapot?
When the phrase “home-based travel agent” first came into wide usage, in the early 1990s, it was use to refer to people who sold travel but who were not employees of accredited travel agencies.
Instead, they were outside sales reps for accredited travel agencies and they operated as independent contractors not employees, an important distinction. And, yes, almost all of them worked from home offices.
Today, many people using the same tactics are operating out of commercial premises. In fact, since it has become possible for so-called “home-based” agents to get their own IATA numbers (or the functional equivalent), many of these agents are now full-fledged agencies with their own string of sub-agents working as independent contractors. (more…)
