Majority of home-based agents are highly experienced, says survey

A recent study of home based agents in Canada reveals that 87.3 per cent of agents who responded are over 40, and 28.5 per cent are over 60, and most of this group worked for many years in an agency or call centre, which confirms that many home-based agents are highly experienced and are converting to home based later in their careers.

The second annual independent nationwide survey of Canadian hosted travel agents was conducted over the month of January. The number of respondents tripled this year to more than 500. It is estimated that over 35 per cent of travel agents in Canada are now independent, home-based contractors.

The Travel Agent Next Door funded the survey and is sharing the results with the industry over the next few months.

Much happier with better work/life balance

The survey revealed that 91.9 per cent of agents who switched from a travel agency to home based said they were happier. And 89.8 per cent of home based agents believe they have a better work/life balance, which is a five per cent increase from last year.

Improved quality of life

The agents also reported a better quality of life, with various reasons cited, including more time to travel and more time with family, the ability to work from anywhere, plus the ability to 'be my own boss.'

Over half have always been home-based

The survey reveals that 52 per cent of the home based agents who responded have only ever worked as a home-based agent, which suggests that a) home-based agents have been around for longer than is commonly thought and b) people are now joining the industry as hosted agents from the get-go.

What do they look for in host agency?

The survey shows that the top key services home-based agents look for in a host agency are a customized website, the ability to work with management, the level of support and the ability to network with other agents.

12 per cent unhappy with host agency

Just over 45 per cent of hosted agents said they are 'very to extremely happy with their host agency;' however 12 per cent said they were ‘unhappy to very unhappy.’