Focos de atención
Auto Travel Counselor, Beach Expert, Corporate Travel Consultant, Destination Specialist, International Travel Consultant, Tour Coordinator, Tour Counselor, Travel Agent, Travel Consultant, Travel Counselor
Arranging vacations and other trips can be complicated—especially when you’re trying to find the best deals for entertainment venues, hotels, airfare, and car rentals. Thanks to the internet, there’s no shortage of travel-related websites you can turn to for help. But for more convenient and personalized assistance, a professional Travel Agent could be your best bet!
Travel Agents are trained experts in creating and organizing travel plans for leisure as well as business purposes. They take the hassle out of trying to do everything on your own. Unlike a do-it-yourself website, they can offer advice based on experience, help you plan the most efficient itineraries, find the best travel packages, and even book your accommodations, flights, cruise line tickets, and other scheduled activities.
In addition, Travel Agents have inside access to certain information and deals that simply aren’t shared with the travel websites. Thus, they can potentially get you better and cheaper flights, rooms, or tickets than you could find on your own!
- Crafting fun, personalized travel experiences.
- Opportunities to explore and learn about exciting destinations
- Building relationships with clients and within the industry
Horario de trabajo
Travel Agents may work either full or part-time. They might have longer hours during peak travel seasons.
Tareas típicas
- Meet with clients to discuss their travel needs, schedules, and budgets
- Ask questions to determine if clients qualify for special rates (such as AAA members, AARP members, students, military personnel, government employees, etc.)
- Offer advice and suggestions based on personal knowledge and experience
- Share information related to particular travel destinations, including attractions, local customs, travel documents required, and health and safety tips
- Look for discounts and packaged deals. Promote special packages offered by resorts
- Coordinate with airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and tourist attractions
- Calculate total costs. Arrange customized travel package options. Review options with clients
- Book flights, lodging, and car rentals, as requested
- Purchase tickets for events, venues, or activities (such as day trips or excursions)
- Share itineraries, tickets, and destination information with clients
Make alternative arrangements if necessary due to unexpected changes - Visit destinations and take notes about the experience, to pass on tips to clients
Responsabilidades adicionales
- Conduct thorough research into popular destinations
- Help to create flyers and brochures, ensuring information is up-to-date
- Put together promotional packages
- Stay updated on travel advisories and restrictions
If running your own business, you’ll also have to:
- Manage and train staff members, as applicable
- Prepare tax documents; pay business-related taxes on time
- Maintain diligent business records
- Manage supplier relations and partnerships
- Execute effective marketing strategies
- Manage budgets, invoicing, and profitability
- Ensure legal adherence to travel regulations
- Address customer service complaints and service issues
- Grow your professional network
- Utilize modern, relevant systems to stay competitive
- Plan for your business’s growth and market adaptation
Habilidades blandas
- Capacidad para trabajar de forma independiente
- Atención al detalle
- Cooperativa
- Servicio de atención al cliente
- Confiabilidad
- Empatía
- Metódico
- Conexión a la red
- Paciencia
- Creación de relaciones
- Gran capacidad de comunicación, incluida la escucha activa
- Gestión del tiempo
Habilidades técnicas
- Business intelligence and data analysis software (DataSwell, Illusions Online Illusions OnDemand)
- Calendar/scheduling programs (Apollo Reservation System, Rezdy)
- Gestión de las relaciones con los clientes
- Database user interface and query (Galor Travel Booster)
- General office programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software
- Knowledge of destinations and travel industry trends
- Proficiency in travel booking systems (like the Global Distribution System)
- Branding, sales, and marketing skills
- Marketing en redes sociales
- Videoconferencing
- Travel agencies
- Corporate travel departments
- Online travel companies
Travel Agents must navigate a complex landscape of airline flights, hotel arrangements, and ticket buying for tourist attractions. It’s a constant juggling act, trying to find the best options at the best prices while meeting the schedule, personal tastes, and budgetary goals of clients.
Agents are expected to know how to find money-saving deals, obtain hard-to-get tickets, and be able to make changes at the last minute (even if they’re no longer at the office).
They must also stay current on local, national, and international travel trends and regulations, which can be a full-time job all by itself! Meanwhile, with the rise in popularity of travel websites, more consumers are opting to do everything on their own, not appreciating the value that Travel Agents can bring to the table with their years of experience and inside knowledge of the industry. Thus, agents have to find ways to reach potential customers and convince them of the benefits of their services!
The blend of business and leisure is reshaping travel norms, as more people work remotely. Many destinations and accommodations are adapting by offering amenities that cater to both work and play. In addition, travelers are more frequently prioritizing eco-friendly, socially responsible choices, driving demand for sustainable tourism options.
Meanwhile, advancements in AI and other technologies are enabling more personalized travel experiences, including tailored recommendations which might cut into the role of Travel Agents. Ideally, agents should learn how to harness the power of AI tools themselves, to enhance their business services.
Travel Agents may have grown up loving to travel themselves. They could’ve been curious about history, geography, foreign destinations, and different cultures. They’re often outgoing and friendly—traits that developed on their own or from family and school situations. They are also usually meticulous and good at sales, which could also be natural traits.
- There’s no requirement to have a degree, but most Travel Agents complete at least some industry-related courses at a community college or vocational school
- Per O*Net, 37% hold an associate and 14% have a bachelor’s (often in tourism or travel). The rest work with just their high school diploma (or equivalent) plus a few classes under their belt, or perhaps a certificate in professional travel planning.
- Los cursos más comunes son:
- Intro to Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Geography for Travel Professionals
- Travel Agency Operations
- Hospitality and Customer Service Management
- Tourism Marketing
- Travel Law and Ethics
- Business Communication
- Event Planning and Management
- Computer Reservations Systems (CRS)
- International Travel and Culture
- In addition to any formal training, employers usually offer a few weeks of on-the-job training
- Students can study for and take The Travel Institute’s Travel
Introductory Program (TRIPKIT) to gain a foundation in the industry’s most critical areas. TRIPKIT is a self-paced course, available online or in print. Students may be able to finish the course in a few weeks, depending on how much time they’re able to invest in their studies - The TRIPKIT course includes the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) exam, which validates entry-level proficiency in travel industry concepts and operations. It’s considered a key credential for newcomers. Students may also take the TAP exam separately, for a fee
- The Travel Institute also offers training and credentials in the following:
- Certified Travel Associate (CTA)
- Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)
- Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE)
- Location-specific Destination Specialist certifications
- To enroll in the CTA training course, applicants need either a year of relevant work experience or a passing score on the TAP exam
- The CTA course is available fully online and includes modules on topics such as:
- Marketing Communications
- Customer-Focused Selling
- Accepting and Processing Payments
- Planning Itineraries
- Selling All-Inclusive Resorts
- Touring the World
- Travel Insurance
- Other credentials include:
- American Bus Association - Certified Travel Industry Specialist
- Global Business Travel Association Academy - Global Travel Professional
- National Tour Association - Certified Tour Professional or Certificate in Corporate Travel Execution
- The American Society of Travel Advisors’ Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) program and the ASTA Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor
- The Cruise Lines International Association features four certification levels: Certified, Accredited, Master, and Elite Cruise Counselor
- Tourism Ambassador Institute - Certified Tourism Ambassador
- Wanderlust Campus’ Careers on Vacation Mastermind program
- Note, that some states require Travel Agents to be hosted by an agency and registered in their state. Those who want to open their own agency must usually obtain a business or occupational license, so check with your state licensing agency or local Chamber of Commerce for details!
- In addition, Travel Agents must obtain specific credentials or organizational memberships to work with some suppliers. Examples include:
- ARC (ARC Agency Accreditation)
- CLIA (Cruise Line International Association)
- IATA (International Air Transport Association)
- TRUE (Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration)
- Travel Agents who serve clients in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington must be registered as a “seller of travel,” regardless of which state they work from
- A college degree isn’t required for this field. Students who do take college courses should ensure programs have a good reputation. Review their Better Business Bureau profile and Google Business feedback
- Considere el coste de la matrícula, los descuentos y las oportunidades de becas locales (además de la ayuda federal)
- Look for courses that can help you develop practical skills
- Piensa en tu horario y en tu flexibilidad a la hora de decidir si te inscribes en un programa presencial, online o híbrido
- Note, that some training programs may have connections with local employers!
- Good high school courses to focus on include geography, history, language classes, and business communications
- Consider taking a speech class or joining a debate club. Develop your listening and verbal communication skills!
- Post-secondary course topics should include tourism sales and marketing, computer reservations systems, and hospitality, among others
- Search the web for local or online training programs. Many community colleges and vocational schools feature relevant programs, but you can also find reputable online options to study from home at your own pace
- It’s easy to gain sales and customer service skills via any number of customer-facing part-time jobs
- Ask local Travel Agents about volunteering, shadowing them, or internships
- Participate in study abroad or cultural exchange programs, if you can
- Go to travel and hospitality industry events to learn and make connections
- Start a draft resume early to keep track of the education and experience you acquire
- Think about getting a part-time job related to sales or customer service, to gain some experience. Working for a popular tourist attraction could be a good way to learn
- Knock out some courses or earn a certificate or associate, then start applying for jobs!
- To show employers your dedication to the industry, consider doing one of the following:
- Travel Institute’s Travel Introductory Program,
- the Travel Agent Proficiency exam,
- American Society of Travel Advisors’ Verified Travel Advisor program,
- the ASTA Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor, or
- Wanderlust Campus’ Careers on Vacation Mastermind program
- Busca en los portales de empleo tradicionales como Indeed y Glassdoor, pero también en sitios como Craigslist para encontrar oportunidades locales más pequeñas
- Talk to your program advisor. Some schools have connections with agencies looking to hire new talent
- Reach out to everyone you know who might have a lead on a job, including teachers and classmates
- Contact local travel agencies to see if they’re hiring!
- Once you find a host agency to work for, register with your state and obtain an occupational license, if needed
- If planning to launch your own business, obtain a business license in your state, as needed
- Check out Travel Agent resume templates and sample Travel Agent interview questions (such as “What steps do you follow to book a cruise for your clients?”)
- List details about your professional work experiences, as well as formal education and any positive reviews or feedback
- Be enthusiastic and confident during interviews and, of course, dress for interview success!
- Customer service is crucial to success in this profession. That includes knowing what your clients value the most. Some clients are looking more for savings; others just want highly personalized and/or luxury travel experiences (such as the $44,000-per-night villa on Fiji’s Laucala Island)
- Earn your clients’ trust and establish a solid professional reputation as early as you can, to get repeat business
- Become proficient in all the applicable software programs and systems
- Keep growing your network of colleagues at airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and travel destinations
- Study creative marketing tactics, including social media advertising
- Consider specializing in a niche, such as a particular geographic area, destination weddings, high-end resorts, etc.
- Relocate to a state with a high employment level for Travel Agents, such as Florida, California, Texas, New York, and Georgia. Make sure you register with the state, as necessary
- Strengthen your credentials by pursuing optional certifications such as:
- ARC (ARC Agency Accreditation)
- CLIA (Cruise Line International Association)
- IATA (International Air Transport Association)
- TRUE (Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration)
- Learn to market yourself! Establish your professional reputation and make a name for yourself through personal branding!
- Mentor other Travel Agents and get involved with professional organizations (see our list of website resources below), workshops, and other events
- Establezca una buena relación con todas las personas con las que trabaja y trátelas con respeto
Páginas web
- Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)
- American Bus Association
- American Society of Travel Advisors
- Computerized Corporate Rate Association (CCRA)
- Cruise Lines International Association
- Gifted Travel Network
- Global Business Travel Association Academy
- Asociación de Transporte Aéreo Internacional
- National Tour Association
- Nexion Travel Group
- Pickles Travel Network
- The Travel Institute
- Tourism Ambassador Institute
- Travel Industry Solutions
- Trips & Ships
- Wanderlust Campus
- Western Association of Travel Agencies
Libros
- How to Sell Cruises Step-by-Step: A Beginner's Guide to Becoming a “Cruise-Selling” Travel Agent, by Lori Berberian Pelentay
- The Travel Advisor’s Handbook: From Start-up to Mastering Your Craft, by Michael Akana, Christopher Grum, et al.
- Wanderlust: Unleashing the Power of Marketing as a Travel Agent, by Latisha McDougal
Travel Agents have an important and rewarding role in the travel industry, but they sometimes get overlooked as consumers turn to the web to try and do it all themselves. The career field is still projected to grow by about 3% over the coming decade, though technology could continue to affect such estimates. If you’re curious about some related occupations, consider the list below!
- Concierge
- Counter and Rental Clerk
- Representante del Servicio de Atención al Cliente
- Receptionists and Information Clerk
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent
- Retail Salesperson
- Sales Representative
- Telemarketer
- Tour Guide/Travel Guide
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Cursos y herramientas en línea