How To Become A Travel Agent

There will always be a need for good travel agents, and individuals with good people skills who have a facility for attention to detail may want to consider entering this interesting field. In order to do well, a person needs to approach the challenge with open eyes in terms of knowing what the job entails and how to properly prepare for a successful career. This article will describe what a travel agent does and then outline the actions required to become a good, or even great, travel agent.

What does a travel agent do?

Travel agents help customers navigate through the often laborious process of making the best possible travel arrangements in terms of convenience and cost. In doing so, they need to sort through vast amounts of information with an informed perspective that the average traveler may not possess. They need to be able to offer good advice on destinations and the best ways to get there. They are also expected to know about things to see and do, weather conditions, travel advisories, and currency exchange rates. Once an optimal itinerary is decided upon, the agent's primary function for his/her client becomes the booking of arrangements for hotel reservations, transportation, car or bus rentals and tours. But the agent's job for that client is not necessarily over after the trip is booked. In the event of itinerary changes in the middle of the trip, the travel agent will be called upon to intercede on the traveler’s behalf to make adjustments and/or alternate booking arrangements.

Travel agents are the primary source of bookings for most of the major cruise lines. In addition, many resorts and specialty travel groups use travel agents to promote travel packages to their clients. In these cases, the agent will promote the packages using telemarketing, direct mail, and the Internet. They may also conduct presentations to social groups and arrange company-sponsored trips for businesses. In fact, many travel agents specialize in specific destinations or in selling to particular demographic groups.

To do their job, travel agents use a variety of published sources (many of them computer-based) for information on fares, rates, group discounts, travel promotions, hotel quality, and departure/arrival times. Part of their job often entails visiting hotels, resorts, and restaurants themselves to evaluate comfort, cleanliness, and quality as a basis for future recommendations to customers. In today's world, travel agents are confronted by increased competition from travel and airline websites who rely on customers to do their bookings directly. The major advantages a travel agent can claim are the ability to provide customized service, to arrange complex itineraries involving multiple destinations, and to save customers the hassle of researching and booking several components of a trip.

The typical day of a travel agent will consist of a lot of time spent conferring with customers face-to-face; on the phone speaking with airlines, hotels, etc.; at the computer doing research or booking reservations; and behind a desk completing paperwork. Many agents, especially those who are self-employed, will frequently work long hours although the onset of personal computers and advanced telecommunications systems make it possible for a growing number of them to work from home. Another perk of the profession is special travel benefits such as reduced rates for lodging and transportation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 13% of all travel agents in the U.S. in 2006 were self-employed. About 67% worked for travel agencies, while the remainder were employed by various combinations of tour operators, visitor’s bureaus, reservation offices, and other travel arrangers. Job outlook for the foreseeable future is projected to be relatively stagnant. Although spending on travel and tourism will likely increase, the benefit to travel agents will be offset by increased competition from the influx of travel and airline websites that allow people to research and plan their own trips and book their own reservations. Another industry concern is fluctuation in the economy, which brings about uncertainty in forecasting the future job market. On the whole, the best opportunities will tend to exist for agents who specialize in specific destinations, particular types of travel, or specialized clientele. As of 2006, the median annual earnings of travel agents were $29,210.

What steps should one follow to become a travel agent?

1. Obtain a high school diploma. The minimum qualification for those interested in becoming a travel agent is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most agencies prefer applicants who have advanced educational credentials, but a high school education is needed at the very least.
2. Become knowledgeable about travel. Travel agents need to be well-versed about various destinations. They need to become familiar with things like weather conditions, attractions, local customs and events. One way to start learning is by subscribing to a wide variety of travel magazines and researching current travel trends online.
3. Get additional related education. Continuing education is critical because the abundance of travel information readily available through websites has resulted in a more informed consumer who expects his/her travel agent to be an expert. The best course of action is to obtain training at a postsecondary vocational school, college, or university. A few colleges offer bachelor’s or master’s degrees in travel and tourism. Some of the larger travel agencies require their agents to have a liberal arts or business degree. Travel agent courses are also offered in public adult education programs, online, and in community colleges.
4. Travel as much as possible. Nothing beats personal travel experience as a basis for acquiring knowledge about a city or foreign country. Advice to customers based on personal experiences is always listened to and given great weight.
5. Register with your state if applicable. Check with the state's Department of Commerce for any registration or certification requirements for travel agents. Not all states require travel agents to register, but state requirements should be checked upon before working there. Laws change all the time, but currently the following states require some form of registration and/or certification for travel agents: California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington.

How can a person become a GREAT travel agent?

1. Become as computer-literate as possible. Travel agents conduct an increasingly large amount of their business via computer and computer skills are essential for talking with clients and making travel reservations. Also, many travel agencies use websites to provide their services to clients. Take a computer and/or a web design course. Some vocational schools and junior colleges offer courses in the specialized software used at travel agencies.
2. Learn a foreign language. This skill can prove invaluable for a travel agent, especially those who work in agencies that focus on international travel. Chinese, French, and Spanish are all good foreign languages to study for people interested in the profession.
3. Obtain advanced credentials. After some work experience has been gained, it would be a good idea to work towards receiving one or more advanced certifications. One example is the CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) designation, which is conferred on professionals who have completed a rigorous five-part program of professional study and testing and attained at least five years of travel industry experience.

Becoming a travel agent is a terrific way to interact with a wide variety of people, while at the same time learning a great deal about other places around the world and how to coordinating travel to and from these places. A love of travel and an enthusiasm for advising people about it are important traits for an agent to have. If a person can supplement these traits with excellent communication and computer skills, he/she is well on the way to great success in the field. The material in this article can help put such a person on the road to a very rewarding career as a travel agent.

Resources for Travel Agents

• The National Business Travel Association
• The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
• Professional Association of Travel Hosts (PATH)
• Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN)
• National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA)
• Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)

Schools for Travel Agents (including online schools)

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