Travel Agent |
Who Are Travel Agents?Is This Program in My Area?What Do Travel Agents Do? Travel agents help tourists and business travelers plan and arrange vacations, cruises and business trips. Travel agents use a variety of internet and published sources to research travel destinations, vacation packages, cruise schedules, airline schedules and fares, hotel vacancies and rates, and rental car or other transportation information. Travel agents then use this information to help their client arrange their trip, book their travel, make any necessary reservations and organize their itineraries. When a client will be travelling internationally the travel agent will provide information on customs regulations and help collect required travel papers such as visas, passports, etc. If a client’s itinerary changes the travel agent will help arrange new accommodations or travel plans. Travel agents that work for tour companies often get to travel to various vacation destinations to become more familiar with the hotel and resorts they will be booking guests into. Travel Agent Training People pursing a career as a travel agent generally complete a travel agent course or travel and tourism classes offered by vocational schools, trade schools, community colleges, online schools, traditional colleges and universities or a specialized travel agent school. Travel and tourism classes at a travel agent school teach sales techniques, information about cruise lines, travel destinations and how to use reservation systems. A travel agent school usually also includes a travel agent course in geography, world history, business and accounting. Travel agent students can earn diplomas, 2 year degrees or 4 year degrees depending on the travel agent school and the travel and tourism course being followed. Travel Agent Certification There are different types of travel agent certification to match the type of travel an agent specializes in. A travel agent specializing in business and corporate travel must be certified by the National Business Travel Association. This organization offers three types of certification for corporate travel agents: Corporate Travel Expert, Certified Corporate Travel Executive, and Global Leadership Professional. Travel agents who operate their own agency must be certified by the airlines, cruise lines and rail lines. Training for all types of travel agent certification are available through an accredited travel agent school. Travel Agent Job Prospects Travel agents who complete travel and tourism classes at an accredited travel agent school have the best chances of finding employment. Most travel agents work for travel agencies booking trips and cruises for tourists or making travel arrangements for business travelers. Some travel agents work for tour operators, reservation offices and visitor’s bureaus. A few travel agents will work directly for businesses or governments in their travel offices. After accumulating a few years of experience, many travel agents will decide to open their own agency to work for themselves. Travel Agent Job Security and Salary The demand for travel agents is steady. Due to internet access to airline, hotel and rental car information, many travelers are able to make some of their own travel plans. Because of this, travel agents that specialize in a travel destination, vacation type, type of traveler or mode of travel will have the best chances for success in the industry. These travel specialists are still preferred by consumers because they tend to have the best deals on travel packages and information on travel excursions that may have been missed otherwise. With training, specialization and experience travel agents are able to earn wages ranging from $23,000 to $46,000 per year. |