What is a Travel Destination Specialist (TDS)?

TDS is first considered an ITC that has purchased the “Independent Travel Business System” (ITBS). A TDS is considered to have experience as a travel agent working for a travel agency or as an Independent Contractor for another “host” travel agency. Any TDS candidate must have the ability to effectively and efficiently process customer quotes, generate invoices and protocol for interacting with vendors and suppliers.

Requirements

Must have minimum of three year travel agent processing experience.

Agree to background check for criminal or civil action history or anything related to:

  • Criminal convictions for any felony or misdemeanor related but not limited to violence, fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, internet offenses or property theft.

Agree to provide industry history documentation

  • Copy of travel agency employment or contractor payment history
  • Copy of industry organization accreditations such as CLIA or IATAN card
  • Copy of any vendor or supplier training certification, awards or recognition

Agree to provide references to validate your experience

Agree to take and pass the TravAtlas travel agency proficiency exam

Agree to phone interview with Executive Director of Training

One million dollar E&O insurance policy (Based on performance this will be paid or reimbursed by TravAtlas)

How to get started?

To get started as a TDS the candidate must first review and agree to TravAtlas terms and conditions, policies and procedures refund policy, and commission payout. Next, the candidate must purchase the “Independent Travel Business System” (ITBS) that includes technology and support to initiate business as an ITM.

TDS candidate must complete the TDS application and pay the $100 nonrefundable background check. Once approved then the monthly fee will increase from $49.95 per month to $69.95 per month (extra $20) to cover other licensing fees, third tier permission access to ITM back office and access to lead program and other advanced systems and technology that becomes available. During the approval and background process TDS candidate will be eligible to earn 80% or 90% of any automated bookings generated from ITM travel website.  To earn 90% of any commission TDS must have booked minimum of 1 million in travel bookings prior calendar year. TDS providing evidence of booking history from prior agency affiliation can start of at 90% based on review and approval.  Commission payout is made based on any automated bookings generated from travel website or any offline travel after commission is paid by supplier to TravAtlas.

ITBS Cost:

$299 (technology set up fee) + $49.95 (1st month service, back office and accounting fees)
$100 background check fee
*After approved charged following month extra $20 per month (Total $69.95)

Technology includes

ITM personalized end consumer GDS travel booking engine website and unique ID number to track all bookings and related commissions. The technology also includes ITM basic permission back office access for managing their business, basic training and commission reports. Once approved as a TDS, TDS will have access to the highest level permission for accessing advanced tools related to quote process, invoicing, preferred vendor list, vendor and supplier registrations, and possible GDS access based on level of experience and lead program.

TDS earn 80% or 90% of related commission the following pay period after commission is paid by supplier to TravAtlas.

If an ITC generates non-automated inquiry, such as a group or customized package, then that quote request will be deemed a ”lead” and until approved as an official TDS the lead will be sent to the lead system. Each lead from any ITM website will be assigned to a Travel Destination Specialist (TDS) who will do all the work on behalf of ITM. If the lead results in a commission then the TDS will earn 50% and the referring ITM or non-qualified TDS will earn 30% of any commission less any processing or other fees

Once TDS is approved then it will be expected that TDS will process all leads generated from their personal ITM website or any other marketing methods. If a TDS is not available to process their personal website generated lead, or on vacation, them their lead can be fulfilled though the lead system by the TDS activating “transfer leads” link found in their back office.

To get started now as a TDS click here.