Making your love of travel a job
 

While I appreciate that my current corporate-world job pays me sufficiently to do a fair amount of travel for pleasure (on the limited vacation time they allow me to take, that is) and they're helping me to travel a bit more for business since my new job is with a swiss company...my dream would be to find a way to turn my love for travel, and love for helping others to travel, into a decent-paying job in and of itself!

I could take a pay cut to do it, after all a decent percentage of my pay is currently funding my travel habits as it is....but any unique suggestions as to how to do it?

I guess travel agent is the most obvious, but I'm wondering about jobs a bit more unique...how difficult is it to find work as a travel writer or critic? (Fodors, want to hire me?? :-) ) What other unique ideas are out there?

Or should I just resign myself to the rat-race until I retire and can travel full-time for fun?

And last question....does making a job of your love for travel remove the 'love' part of it? Or does it ruin the fun?

I hope you get some replies to this because I have been considering this myself. I only work part time right now, so I have time for another part time job. I have been considering working for a travel agency, I even went to one a couple of days ago and spoke with someone, they said to bring in a resume. Problem is so far most travel agencies I've been to only hire full time.

My husband and I travel about 3 and a half weeks each year and I plan elaborate trips and just love it. So I thought it might be a good job for me. But like you said happymz, I wonder if it would just become another job and take all the fun away from it.

I visit my travel agent as often as I can.It makes me appreciate everything he does and has done for 15 years for me.I call him when I cant visit just to let him know I care.I also tell him I couold never in a heart beat do what he does.He has always been in a "hectic" to say the least office.Clients in the office phones ringing off the hook.Helpless clients stranded and stressed and unable or unwilling to do anything for themselves.A ten hour day is a short day for him.My greatest fear is that one day he will simply log off his computer,pick up his briefcase,get in his Jeep and drive off into the sunset.On more than one occasion I have gone to his office just to sit and watch.Everyone in the office is crazed.Lunch? Thats something the rest of the world does.Got life? Not a chance.Just some observations.Best of luck in your choice.

I tell people all the time if I could travel and make money doing so then that is what I would do for a living! I hope someone will give you some suggestions!

Travel writing is an option but it is quite difficult to make a living at, especially when you are beginning. Almost no one is hired to do that kind of work without first learning both the art and business of writing for publication. For a few, that may be through jounalism school and then writing for hire on a newspaper or magazine. For most others, it is a long hard journey through the school of freelance writing and rejection. It can certainly be done but it is difficult and you need tenacity to succeed.

I did not start wiriting in travel. I wrote as a freelancer for many years before submitting my first travel piece. I have been quite fortunate in my acceptance rate for travel articles, however, it has never reached the level where it would support me.

When I travel primarily to write, I travel much differently than when I travel for fun. That's not to say that you cannot have fun while working or that you'll never develop a story from fun travel. However, the fact gathering, interviews, and on-site research mecessary to in-depth reporting is often more tedious than one would like when on a "fun" trip.

If you are driven to write, travel can be a satisfying venue, if not the most lucrative. If you don't have that drive, finding another way to be paid for travel will probably be a more successful route for you to take.

Have you explored corporate jobs that require travel? The regular paycheck is a source of comfort not usually available to writers. There are a variety of jobs with travel opportunity. For example, many customer training positions keep people on the road. In addition, auditing, management, sales, sales support and similar positions can be travel intensive. Just don't expect that you'll constantly be travelling to romantic destinations or that, when you do go to a romantic locale, it will be the same as when you went for leisure.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

What about a job in your current field that involves more travel as part of the job - it might work if your personal situation and amount of vacation time of job allowed you to extend trips. My husband is a management consultant (salaried, not self-employed) with at least 6 weeks of "Paid Time Off" - also known as earned time per year. He goes all sorts of places that could be extended into a pleasure trip if he wished.

Not really the job option you requested, I know, but perhaps another way of looking at it.

i have a friend who works in incentive travel--meaning she plans and executes travel programs for clients--such as corporations who offer group trips for their top salespeople. she's been doing it for over 15 years and has traveled the globe with her clients. you can work in house somewhere or with a company that specializes in it. i don't know how you get into the field though, maybe check within your own company or do a search for companies in your area.

I lead service-learning trips through my work with a church.I've seen lots of the US by taking high school, college students and adults to build houses through Habitat for Humanity and other service organizations. We get to know local people who recommend places to see or eat that are off the beaten path. I took a group to Costa Rica in January-it was a dream come true.

I have a friend who started a training program for marathon walkers - and
has added to it by leading walking trips around the world -
you can check her website- "walk with me."
she has several trips going this summer-

If you want to check the walking trip website I mentioned above -
its walk-with-me.com

Here are my tips: 1. stick with your current job. 2. make as much money as possible. 3. bank/invest as much money as possible. 4. Retire very early. 5. Travel as much as you like for FUN!

great responses so far!

I read another series of posts from last year on the 'glamour' (or lack thereof) of being a travel agent, so I figured that wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

The idea of being a consultant who does a fair amount of travel appeals to me most...because I am a bit more conservative particularly when it comes to work I doubt realistically that I could ever jump completely from my career field into something completely different, at least not in the near future...and in fact I do hope to move into consulting in my current career field at some point, if only to be able to re-locate back closer to my family and away from the expensive living that is in NJ!

Re: travel writing, does anyone on this board actually know anyone who works for Fodors, or Frommers, or Rick Steves...or National Geographic Traveler, etc....and what they think of their jobs? Perhaps most of the travel magazine writers are free-lancers, so maybe that falls into the area dwooddon describes.

Keep the ideas coming!

Why not a job as a tour guide, if you can be away from "home" a lot, or if you can't, a job as a tour salesperson. My friend works for a big company that organizes tours to all kinds of places in the world. His job is in sales to local travel agents throughout his state, but at least 2 or 3 times a year his company sends him on one of the tours so that he knows more about selling them.

I have also seen advertisements for all kinds of custom tour planners, more than what a typical travel agent would do, usually specializing in a certain place. Look in the back of any travel magazine for examples.

We discussed something like this a while ago. You might want to look at it.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34540826

((S))((*))

I work for a large corporation that has many different branches, including a travel agency. I work in that division as a writer. I usually take about 3 big trips a year and have been able to do things in this job that I either couldn't have afforded to do, or taken the vacation time to do, otherwise. For example, I've rafted 100 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, and spent several weeks driving the coast of California. I recently returned from Europe, where I visited several major cities including Paris and Amsterdam. Although I once dreamed of having a travel job that put me on the road every month or so, I think this job suits me well. I don't get burned out on work travel, and I have the time and energy to plan and take personal vacations too. My degree is in journalism, and I spent about 10 years as a writer/editor for various magazines before I found my current job.

After being laid off after the tech bubble burst a few years back, I took the down-time to research becoming an importer.

The great thing about importing is that you can choose to import something unique from the part of the world in which you love to travel.

I chose Europe and Ceramics, started up an online merchant site (http://www.ceramicsofeurope.com) and packed my bags.

I planned on starting with the South of France, but when I found the ideal supplier they eventually told me they could not sell to me in California because someone else had an exlusive lock on the state. Wasn't I surprised when that "other" company turned out to be Williams-Sonoma. Well, at least I had good taste.

I then redirected my efforts to Italy - and bam, I'm in business.

Next up I'm heading to Portugal for some fresh discoveries. Heading there next month.

While I sure couldn't live on what I make via my website - it's a fun side-business that's tax-deductible travel.

In the meantime, I'm back in the regular work force to make a living - but I eventually want to run my own physical shop.

I do have to add that while this kind of travel is fun - it's still work. I'm taking my domestic partner on my next trip - and while his head is filled with soaking up the sun in the Algarve - I have to remind him that I won't be able to relax until I've ironed out a deal with an exporter.

SFImporter -
Need a Spanish-speaking employee to bring you the best from the fabulous markets of Mexico City and other locations in Latin America? ;)

When I took the job I have now, they told me I would be traveling. What they didn't tell me - I would be traveling to Oklahoma.

If there was an obvious, practical, financially feasible way to do this... about 50% of the people on this BB would be trying it for themselves!

My name is rb_traveler & I love travel.

Now that's out of the way, years ago I worked in hotels & restaurants. I always loved the work, whether bartending, waiting tables, even bussing, but most of all: desk clerk.

I enjoy helping people, suggesting dining spots, museums, giving travel directions ... and even handling guest problems. I like people.

Nine months ago, I started "moonlighting" at a chain hotel, in addition to my fulltime (& overtime) software job. I love it.

But what's really great are the employee discounts I get when I travel.

I've had to do a fair amount of business travel for customer software installation & support for a couple of different employers, and while it's not the same for everyone, I *HATE* business travel.

Like a bad Dilbert cartoon, I always found business travel the worse: longer work hours than back in the office, companies who schedule all travel during *MY* time, not the employers, and having to "schmooze" ticked off customers who the lying weasel sales people promised features that did not exist, and now the customer is mad at me. All others I've met with similar jobs seem to feel the same. So watch out for what kind of business travel you saddle yourself with.

I like "eileenleft"'s method of finding travel opportunities. I've volunteered as "ride leader" for a number of bicycle rides. It's been fun, but I doubt I'd like doint that too often. This is an interesting thread.

My husband and I never liked working for anyone. He loves vintage guitars and I love travel. We turned his love of guitars into our business, in which we work from the home. I have my own travel business, which is a total loss against our booming guitar business. Since we are internet based only, we can go anywhere, anytime...between our 2 businesses, it is all tax deduction.


My advice to you is this...there really is not a lot of money in the travel industry. What you have to do is do something that gives you freedom to travel. We get to choose where and when....it really is not "work". We are very lucky and have a very unique situation. Just a few years ago, we were both working 6 days a week, long hours and had to beg borrow and steal for 1 week's vacation. We decided we had enough and took our money and invested in our own idea.

You really cannot get any "ideas" from anyone, it's what is in you. Sometimes you can't always look to the obivious...it's about being creative and taking risks. If you are up to it, you can have anything you want.

rb, I'm with you. I HATE to travel for business. There is nothing about it that is fun.

The corporate travel jobs and meeting planning jobs are a complete logistical nightmare. Talk to anyone that does this for a living and they will let you know. I worked with them for years.

I would take the advice you have been given here. Moonlight at a chain hotel and travel for fun.

Breaking into travel writing would take you years. It certainly doesn't hurt to start submitting a few articles and see if anyone bites.

All great responses, but alas (as I suspected), no AHA! moments for me. I am more-or-less resigned to the daily grind...especially since the new job is opening up a bit of good work travel for me. Maybe even a chance to live/work in Switzerland for a few years (fingers are crossed!).

Thanks everyone for the good & creative responses!

I guess now I'm just seeking any advice on the best ways to negotiate for more vacation time.....any tips???

My first Europe trip was on a tour and I don't think I'd EVER want to be a tour director, at least not a good one. I don't think our director got any sleep. She was either with us and after our day I would see her with cup of tea or coffee doing "book work", and as we were traveling from place to place whe was on the phone making sure things were all set for us at our next stop. She was even up at 3:00 in the morning to say good-bye to everyone as we left to catch our flights home. That woman WORKED all the time. Now of course, having said that, I can think of worse jobs. I also once saw a program on "dream jobs" and there was a gal that worked for Hilton as a "secret guest". It was her job to travel incognito to the various Hilton Properties all over the world and register as a guest...no one at the hotels knew she worked for Hilton, and she would grade the service, food, etc. at the various hotels and report back to coporate. So, there ya go.

I agree with several of you that say that work travel isn't much fun. You really do end up working a ton of extra hours, and often don't have time to check out the city you're visiting. I don't mind the occasional trip (once a month) but often I've felt like I was living in an airport.

I also agree with Annabel...it's better to have a job that gives you freedom to travel. My BF's parents had their own little business that they could close whenever they wanted so that they could go travel - and they did, as much as 6-8 weeks a year!

What I've often thought of doing is opening a B&B. I could meet people from all over, and shut the place down when I felt like a few weeks off. Oh, and I make a mean breakfast. :)

I didn't write this, and I don't know who did, or I'd credit them. But it certainly reminds me of many of my experiences:

I AM THE TRAVEL AGENT. . .

I have advanced degrees in accounting, public relations, marketing, business, computer science, civil engineering and Swahili.

I also can read minds and extend your credit line. Of course I still have the package reservation you put on hold six years ago, even though you never came in to purchase it.

It's not a problem to give you seven connecting, nonsmoking, riverside suites with two king beds in each, four rollaways, and, yes, I can install a wet bar.

I know it's my fault the hotel does not have a helicopter landing pad and the stairwell from the third floor smells funny.

I am the travel agent. . .

I am expected to speak all languages and recall the names and frequent flyer numbers of your wife and your children (and your girlfriend).

It is obvious to me that when you booked your flight for Friday, you really meant Saturday.

I also realize you meant to book your reservation at the Hilton; people always confuse it with the Galaxy Delight Motel of Antarctica.

Of course I can get you a cheap rate because you've been a member of AAA for 30 years, and I should have realized when I assigned you seat 23D that there was a screaming child in the next seat and your flight would be held on the runway for 55 minutes.

I am the travel agent. . .

I absolutely understand that the McGillicutty Widget Mfg. Co. is a vast empire that will make or break my agency.

Yes, I am lying when I say that the $100 flight for tomorrow is sold out; after all, you did hear it on the radio and see it in last Sunday's paper. I should have known that everyone else wanted to fly tomorrow, too. But it's not a problem for me to quickly construct several more 747's.

I am quite capable of checking all the flights in July to see which one is the cheapest, answering 12 incoming phone calls, putting together eight documents while finding out why that cruise line won't give you a refund even though you refused the insurance.

I always know which airline serves the best vegetarian meal. I can recite the entire domestic tariff consisting of 4,235,678 fares at any time.

I know exactly what to see and do in every city in 15 minutes without spending any money.

I take personal blame for airline delays, traffic jams, rental car flat tires, bad weather, lost luggage and the national economy.

I am the travel agent. . .

I am expected to smile, empathize, console, sell up, perform, sing, dance, fix the printer, clean the toilet and anticipate the next fare decrease.

I AM THE TRAVEL AGENT. . .

I have a friend who USED to love to travel. He initially was a travel agent, then became a tour guide for several of the top tour companies in the world. He would lead tour groups all over the world (note it helps tremendously if you are fluent in several languages for this job). After about 10 years of this he quit and now he is burned out on travel.
Many of the people who have enough money to travel extensively are elderly and retired. Thus much of your time is spent being almost a nurse, dealing with their medical problems, helping them in their wheelchairs, etc. Even with the younger clients you are expected to be on call for any problem 24 hours a day. Anyway, he didn't expect to be a 24 hour a day nurse/concierge and now he is content to stay at home.

My 2 cents...I worked in a travel agency for about 6 years and then started my own travel company which has been operating for about 3 years. I still LOVE to travel and I can't imagine the fun or love part of traveling ever being ruined by the fact that it is my job too. If you find something you love to do & are passionate about, you will succeed! :)

I got into the travel industry years ago for the same reasons most do...
I was an agt for a large corporation and hated it so I slowly moved into negotiating hotel contracts for this corporation. Then I started negotiating contracts for other large corporations and the a major travel technology company hired me to serve as an industry consultant in hotel program automation, specializing but not limited to preferred hotel program automation.
I have many years of experience and I must admit, I am very, very good at what I do. I speak at industry events and visit major corporations to help them set up/improve processes. It's a great job. I travel all over and make my own schedule.
I would hate to back to the agency environment after living in the travel technology world. You get the travel benefits and don't have to deal with the travelers.