Groupit Travel Host Agency
  • Careers
    • Host Agency Services >
      • Commission Plan
    • Enrollment Package
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
    • Contact
  • New Agent On-Boarding
    • Policies and Procedures >
      • Charging Service Fees
      • Client Gifts and Promotions
      • Client Payments
      • Code of Ethics
      • Commission Payments
      • Credit Card Chargebacks
      • EOL Insurance
      • Fraud Protection
      • Giving Client Medical Advice
      • Independent Contractor
      • Licensure Certificates
      • Personal Travel and Agent Rates
      • Seller of Travel Laws
      • Adding Sub-Agents
    • Business Management >
      • Setting Up Your Business >
        • Incorporation
        • Naming Your Business
        • Local Laws
        • Client Terms and Conditions
        • Changing Your Information
        • Password Management
        • Contact Management
      • Marketing >
        • Who Is Your Client?
        • Social Media
        • Niche Marketing
        • Know Your Value
        • Lead Generation
        • EMail Marketing
        • Co-op Marketing
        • Logo Development
        • Forms Development
        • Website Development
      • Training >
        • Groups
        • Online Training
        • FAM Trips
        • Hosted Buyer Programs
        • Travel Industry Publications
        • ASTA
        • CLIA ACCREDITATION
        • IATAN ACCREDITATION
        • NACTA
    • Booking Travel >
      • Terminology
      • Qualifying Your Client
      • Preparing a Proposal
      • Price Matching
      • NEST Consortia
      • Airline Ticketing
      • Hotel Bookings
      • Ground Transportation
      • Cruise Bookings >
        • Polar Online
      • Land Packages
      • Travel Insurance
      • Visas and Passports
      • Final Exam
  • Suppliers
    • Preferred Suppliers - Destination
    • Resorts
    • Suppliers >
      • Suppliers A-D
      • Suppliers E-K
      • Suppliers L - P
      • Suppliers Q - Z

TRAVEL AGENT BLOG

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SELLER OF TRAVEL LICENSES

2/18/2017

2 Comments

 
Navigating the maze of licensure as a travel agent can be overwhelming, complicated, and downright confusing.  If you are with a credible host agency, you generally can qualify to sell travel using their Seller of Travel licenses in the states that require one.  The onus is on you, however, to verify that your host actually holds these licenses.  In essence, you should always ask for written proof from your host agency of their Seller of Travel licensure including a copy of the certificate from the states that require the license. 

There are five states requiring Seller of Travel licenses:  California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington.  Each of these states have one thing in common:  if you live in these states, or, you are advertising to or selling to residents of these states, you must have a Seller of Travel license.  Without a license, you can be subject to significant penalties and fines and even revocation of your ability to sell travel in that state.

Picture

CALIFORNIA

Any agent who is located in California and/or advertises to or sells travel to a resident of the state of California MUST be registered with the state.  Groupit Travel Host Agency registers you under our Host Agency licensure.  However, there may be cases in which an agent does not qualify under our licensure such as those registered to do business as an S-Corporation.  We recommend that you visit the California Seller of Travel License website to learn more.

Additionally, when you advertise or sell to residents of the state of California, remember that California requires you to include the following:  

California Seller of Travel Registration Number:  License # 
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California

FLORIDA

Obtaining a Seller of Travel license in Florida is a grueling process for host agencies as the state also requires the host agency to register as a "foreign corporation", obtain a surety bond, pay significant licensure fees, and undergo a very comprehensive, lengthy application process.  

Any agent located in Florida and/or who advertises to or sells travel to a resident of the state of Florida must be registered with the state. Most travel agents meet the criteria to file a 
Statement of Exemption under their host agency’s Seller of Travel license.  This requires that you, the agent, complete the form and along with a $50.00 fee, register to sell travel in Florida.

Please be aware of the penalties for not being registered: Civil or administrative fines of up to $5,000 for each violation, cease and desist order, and injunctive relief. Each sale or attempted sale may be considered a separate violation. 

When advertising and/or selling to residents of Florida, you must include the following on all materials:

Registered sellers of travel must include the following phrase in their contracts: 
  • "(NAME OF FIRM) is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel Registration #."
Each advertisement of a seller of travel must include the phrase:
  • "Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. #"

HAWAII

Groupit Travel Host Agency, like many host agencies, is not licensed as a Seller of Travel in Hawaii.  This is because Hawaii does not offer an exemption for agents who sell travel using our credentials.  

Please be aware that if you reside in Hawaii or plan to advertise or sell travel to residents of Hawaii, you must obtain your own Seller of Travel license.  You can visit the 
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for more information.

IOWA

Travel agents and travel agencies (and its employees/independent contractors) who reside in Iowa or advertise/sell to Iowa residents, must register with the Secretary of State as a travel agency.  Groupit Travel Host Agency will register you with the state of Iowa under our license if you meet the criteria to be added.

WASHINGTON

Any travel agent who advertises or sells travel services to residents of Washington must be registered with the state of Washington Business Licensing Service. Under Groupit Travel Host Agency's licensure, you are able to engage in advertising or selling travel services to residents of Washington.

STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Groupit Travel Host Agency conducts its business operations with 100% integrity and transparency.  We are here to provide you with all of the guidance and mentoring needed to ensure that as a business owner, you are in compliance with the laws that govern selling travel and travel-related products.  Please contact our CEO, Stacey Ray for more information about joining our team!

DISCLAIMER:  This material is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments.  These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances.  You should contact an attorney for advice on specific legal problems. ​​
2 Comments
Jose Jaime Rojas link
12/7/2017 07:57:10 am

I need info to become a travel agency hostee please.

Reply
Stacey Ray
12/7/2017 08:50:59 am

Good morning! Please feel free to contact me at newagent@groupittravelagents.com and we can set up a phone appointment so that I can answer all of your questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Picture


​Groupit Travel Host Agency
555 Fayetteville St, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27601
Call Us Here  

Email Us Here

Non-Discrimination Policy
We are committed to creating a culture that reflects the diversity of our clients. With that goal in mind, we encourage our team and our partners to understand, accept and celebrate differences among people.  We welcome everyone and prohibit all discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender.

​

© COPYRIGHT 2016-2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Careers
    • Host Agency Services >
      • Commission Plan
    • Enrollment Package
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
    • Contact
  • New Agent On-Boarding
    • Policies and Procedures >
      • Charging Service Fees
      • Client Gifts and Promotions
      • Client Payments
      • Code of Ethics
      • Commission Payments
      • Credit Card Chargebacks
      • EOL Insurance
      • Fraud Protection
      • Giving Client Medical Advice
      • Independent Contractor
      • Licensure Certificates
      • Personal Travel and Agent Rates
      • Seller of Travel Laws
      • Adding Sub-Agents
    • Business Management >
      • Setting Up Your Business >
        • Incorporation
        • Naming Your Business
        • Local Laws
        • Client Terms and Conditions
        • Changing Your Information
        • Password Management
        • Contact Management
      • Marketing >
        • Who Is Your Client?
        • Social Media
        • Niche Marketing
        • Know Your Value
        • Lead Generation
        • EMail Marketing
        • Co-op Marketing
        • Logo Development
        • Forms Development
        • Website Development
      • Training >
        • Groups
        • Online Training
        • FAM Trips
        • Hosted Buyer Programs
        • Travel Industry Publications
        • ASTA
        • CLIA ACCREDITATION
        • IATAN ACCREDITATION
        • NACTA
    • Booking Travel >
      • Terminology
      • Qualifying Your Client
      • Preparing a Proposal
      • Price Matching
      • NEST Consortia
      • Airline Ticketing
      • Hotel Bookings
      • Ground Transportation
      • Cruise Bookings >
        • Polar Online
      • Land Packages
      • Travel Insurance
      • Visas and Passports
      • Final Exam
  • Suppliers
    • Preferred Suppliers - Destination
    • Resorts
    • Suppliers >
      • Suppliers A-D
      • Suppliers E-K
      • Suppliers L - P
      • Suppliers Q - Z