Why you should take the 2018 Canadian Home Based Agent survey

If you are a home-based agent, you will probably remember reading about the results of an independent survey of home-based agents that was conducted a year ago.

This was actually the first time home-based agents had been surveyed in Canada and it produced some interesting revelations.

Six interesting facts were revealed last year:

• Fifty per cent of HBAs made the decision to go home based in the last 5 years, explaining the astonishing growth in this sector all of a sudden.
• More than 60 per cent were experienced agents working in a bricks and mortar agency before going home-based.
• Almost 50 per cent said they were earning more now than when they worked in a bricks and mortar agency.
• 92 per cent said they believe they have a better work life since becoming an HBA.
• 76 per cent were satisfied with their compensation, with a third of those 100 per cent satisfied.
• 46 per cent of home based agents surveyed said they do not charge clients a booking fee. However, 39 per cent do charge a fee of $30 or more.

2018 home based agent survey now open

The survey is being offered again in January and it is now open for all home-based agents to participate. This is the only known survey in Canada focused 100 per cent on the home based agent.

So why is it important to participate? Because this is your only real chance to give your input as a home based agent on many issues of importance to other HBAs like yourself, and also to the industry. Nobody is speaking for the home based agent in the industry today. And yet, home-based agents make up a third of all travel agents in Canada!

Home-based agents are not employees, they are all independent travel professionals and their voices need to be heard just as much as travel agencies and OTAs.

This survey provides invaluable insight and input from this rapidly growing industry segment and the results are shared with the industry and with all participants.

To voice your opinions on this year’s survey go to www.hbacanadasurvey.ca. Every home-based agent who fills out the survey will be entered in a draw for three $100 gift certificates.