I wan to start air ticketing biz.
Pls house, how lucrative is ds biz? Someone is encouraging me to pay her n learn it. Pls i need advice urgently. Tnx
Mod, pls move to front page, i need immediate response. Tnx

My sister, do not rent a shop just for selling tickets. Its dead on arrival. People are now buying tickets directly online themselves, airlines are doing away with their ticketing and reservation staff and implementing a a user do-it-yourself interface and sites like wakanow. Com, cheaptickets etc, there is no "wow" factor anymore in the travel agent business.

My advice: get your GDS, source for clients starting from close family and friends(that can trust you with their money) and issue tickets from home.

2. If you must get/use a shop, remember you have to register with the travel agency association, get an IATA certified staff. Once that is settled,you are good to go. You can add courier service (TNT, DHL) by the side. It brings in daily sure income with no risks that would be used for petty expensis.

Cruising , tour packaging and car hire are other areas to be explored.

Long story short : its not a quick money business, takes a lot of patience and dedication. Not a venture for someone without an alternative source of income.

PS: airlines are reducing the commission they give to agents, some don't even give anymore.

All the best.

Wait first, did you say pay and learn? Why?
Na wao for Nigerians.

How much is the person asking for? Why not look for a travel agency and apply for an IT, its free.
Where's your location?

Pls ify cn a graduate apply fr d IT also, nd pls wt r names of d agencies

Tnx alot @Ify,
i stay in Abuja. I was nt intending to rent an office for it.
Really dont know how to go about d I.T. Stuff, though i have accepted paying her 10k for it.
Yes, i know abt d customer-friendly sites d airlines now operate, still people need Air travel agents sometimes. But i dont know abt d commissions and how much one can possibly make out of it as a business.
Tnx. More contributions welcomed

caringchi: I wan to start air ticketing biz.
Pls house, how lucrative is ds biz? Someone is encouraging me to pay her n learn it. Pls i need advice urgently. Tnx
Mod, pls move to front page, i need immediate response. Tnx

Ify is right in all she has said. But what I want to ask is do u think u can be passionate about it? Do u have a target market? Can u market aggressively? Although airlines pay very little in commission, I feel that there is room to make a large profit on tickets depending on the itinerary and class of ticket. Think outside the box, I am sure u will find that niche in the market. I live in the UK but I find that the best customers to make a tidy sum from are based in Nigeria. if u show them that u can meet their needs then u have got a customer for life. Hope this helps. Shalom.

Also consider the I.t stuff becos it will help u avoid making common and expensive mistakes made by newbies.

ogeelove: Also consider the I.t stuff becos it will help u avoid making common and expensive mistakes made by newbies.

tnx dear, u really helped.
Pls which i.t. stuff are u talking about? I ve not started yet, may not really understand d terms now.
@ify, pls what's GDS?

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caringchi:

tnx dear, u really helped.
Pls which i.t. stuff are u talking about? I ve not started yet, may not really understand d terms now.
@ify, pls what's GDS?

GDS is global distribution system. This is a computer program that airlines use in the sales of ticket. AMADEUS and SABRE are the 2 most popular. For you to be able to issue airline tickets, you must know how to use either of the two,especially amadeus.

What i meant by IT is this: simply walk into any travel agency close to you and tell the manager you what to do GDS training with them.it should be free,plus they would be giving you an allowance sef so the person asking you to pay 10K is trying to chop you.

Amadeus and sabre companies offer training too in their offices but its not free.i think its $100 for a weeks training and certificate but really,the best way to learn is to go to a travel agency and train.

ifyalways: GDS is global distribution system. This is a computer program that airlines use in the sales of ticket. AMADEUS and SABRE are the 2 most popular. For you to be able to issue airline tickets, you must know how to use either of the two,especially amadeus.

What i meant by IT is this: simply walk into any travel agency close to you and tell the manager you what to do GDS training with them.it should be free,plus they would be giving you an allowance sef so the person asking you to pay 10K is trying to chop you.

Amadeus and sabre companies offer training too in their offices but its not free.i think its $100 for a weeks training and certificate but really,the best way to learn is to go to a travel agency and train.

tnx alot. Ur contributions are js too wonderful.
Are u based in Abuja?

Hello ify,i am thinking of investing into Online travel Agency (OTA) biz (Like Wakanow). What exactly do I need? I am currently enrolled for IATA foundation course in an accredited training outfit. What do u advise?

Good one @ Op thou it shudnt be ur only source of income if not you will frustrated...Most Nigerians are still very uncomfortable with the idea of using their ATM cards to purchase online so we do it for them at a fee....for instance online purchase of Aero ticket could be 18k or less.you can purchase online and charge them for the service...I do it myself combined with work

Tnx everyone. All ur advice is appreciated. I hope to start soon

ifyalways: GDS is global distribution system. This is a computer program that airlines use in the sales of ticket. AMADEUS and SABRE are the 2 most popular. For you to be able to issue airline tickets, you must know how to use either of the two,especially amadeus.

What i meant by IT is this: simply walk into any travel agency close to you and tell the manager you what to do GDS training with them.it should be free,plus they would be giving you an allowance sef so the person asking you to pay 10K is trying to chop you.

Amadeus and sabre companies offer training too in their offices but its not free.i think its $100 for a weeks training and certificate but really,the best way to learn is to go to a travel agency and train.

You have been really helpful.. To add to it, sabre and amadeus training are free if you apply through a travel agency. So your best option is to go for IT, the agency will send you to be trained by amadeus or sabre.. It's free and the meal is great. It's a week training and you get a certificate after the training. I worked and still a staff of ibat travels and believe me despite the increasing popularity of online booking many people still prefer using agents. They feel secure and insured when you handle their bookings. You just have to start somewhere and your customer base will keep expanding for instance at ibat, their a many of our customers that won't allow anyone handle their booking except ibat. In conclusion go for IT by walking into the office of any travel agent and request that you want to learn ticketing with them. They may not pay you as someone suggested because you will be competing with others that actually went to aviation school.

abbyode: Hello ify,i am thinking of investing into Online travel Agency (OTA) biz (Like Wakanow). What exactly do I need? I am currently enrolled for IATA foundation course in an accredited training outfit. What do u advise?

Had i known u earlier,i would have advised you pay for your IATA exams directly yourself and study at home.Its an easy programme,cheap questions and you are permitted to go into the exams hall with all your textbooks except the world map.
Online travel agency?Its lucrative but tediiiiiious, one mistake can cost you alot.You have to get trusted and experienced hands on deck and also be doubly sure you have a constant and stable internet connection.

@Ade,lol @ good meal.They still do that?You should try Amadeus Ghana,ooooooh,the meals makes me want to go for the training forever.

ifyalways:
My sister, do not rent a shop just for selling tickets. Its dead on arrival. People are now buying tickets directly online themselves, airlines are doing away with their ticketing and reservation staff and implementing a a user do-it-yourself interface and sites like wakanow. Com, cheaptickets etc, there is no "wow" factor anymore in the travel agent business.

My advice: get your GDS, source for clients starting from close family and friends(that can trust you with their money) and issue tickets from home.

2. If you must get/use a shop, remember you have to register with the travel agency association, get an IATA certified staff. Once that is settled,you are good to go. You can add courier service (TNT, DHL) by the side. It brings in daily sure income with no risks that would be used for petty expensis.

Cruising , tour packaging and car hire are other areas to be explored.

Long story short : its not a quick money business, takes a lot of patience and dedication. Not a venture for someone without an alternative source of income.

PS: airlines are reducing the commission they give to agents, some don't even give anymore.

All the best.

thank you for these informations. But what if a person attends an aviation school,does that makes he /she an IATA staff? Secondly, what is the difference between going to aviation school and learning under and agent ?

ade101:


You have been really helpful.. To add to it, sabre and amadeus training are free if you apply through a travel agency. So your best option is to go for IT, the agency will send you to be trained by amadeus or sabre.. It's free and the meal is great. It's a week training and you get a certificate after the training. I worked and still a staff of ibat travels and believe me despite the increasing popularity of online booking many people still prefer using agents. They feel secure and insured when you handle their bookings. You just have to start somewhere and your customer base will keep expanding for instance at ibat, their a many of our customers that won't allow anyone handle their booking except ibat. In conclusion go for IT by walking into the office of any travel agent and request that you want to learn ticketing with them. They may not pay you as someone suggested because you will be competing with others that actually went to aviation school.

pls can you tell me the difference and advantage of going to aviation school and learning under an agent.

Thanks

ifyalways:
Had i known u earlier,i would have advised you pay for your IATA exams directly yourself and study at home.Its an easy programme,cheap questions and you are permitted to go into the exams hall with all your textbooks except the world map.
Online travel agency?Its lucrative but tediiiiiious, one mistake can cost you alot.You have to get trusted and experienced hands on deck and also be doubly sure you have a constant and stable internet connection.

@Ade,lol @ good meal.They still do that?You should try Amadeus Ghana,ooooooh,the meals makes me want to go for the training forever.

Galileo food is the best. I am now a certified Galileo GDS certificate holder. I am making plans to start Amadeus in Abuja soon.

Hello and Good day to you. Please i want to inquire if you were able to successfully set up your Air Ticketing business. I want to start something like that too.

caringchi:
Tnx everyone. All ur advice is appreciated. I hope to start soon

Hello

Please did you start the Ticketing business??

How is it going now??

Popelekzy:
Hello

Please did you start the Ticketing business??

How is it going now??

Yes I did. And it's moving on very well.
No single regrets. Thanks