The job of a travel agent is pre-dominantly concerned with the planning of tours, talking with customers to understand their requirements, collecting charges from the customers, computing the cost of travel and accommodation, financial considerations, selling tour packages and promoting your business. There are also other services that travel agents provide like, providing transportation facilities, and lodging and boarding facilities of customers. These days, internet has a taking place of many things and travel agencies are no exception. Becoming an online travel agent is also an enticing option; people have resorted to planning their own tours with the information available on the internet. As an online travel agent, you can compile all this information in one website.
You must have updated information about famous tourist destinations of the cities. You must also know about hotels and lodges in a particular city depending on one's budget. As an online travel agent you should also provide online ticket booking facilities for various modes of transportation. To enhance your website you can also include pictures of famous destinations at a particular place.
Being a travel agent isn't all about the glory, many people think that travel careers is all about the glamour and being able to explore beautiful places then, but that is not the case. Most travel agencies require agents to have a minimum of high school diploma or an equivalent certification as the education qualification for the jobs. Only this much education will earn you a job of booking tickets or becoming a tour guide. If you have done a specialized course in travel and tourism, this job will be more rewarding in terms of money. GCSE's grade A-C in math, English and geography will certainly be helpful. To fortify your CV doing one of the following courses will be handy:
- BTEC first diploma in travel and tourism
- BTEC national diploma in travel and tourism
- BTEC HND/ HNC in travel and tourism management
The skills required are huge. Firstly, it is never easy to be away from your loved ones for days or even months if you are on a tour. A travel agent requires having good accounting skills, good knowledge of geography and good knowledge of customers' services. An efficient travel agent displays skills like active listening, problem solving ability, time management, good oratory skills, street smart thinking and sales and marketing.
Employment outlook is reasonably good and salary is very subjective but roughly $30,000-$45,000 annually.
To conclude, working in travel agencies is fun, rewarding and satisfying. Although the salary may not be as great as other jobs, the job has many perks with it like big airline discount fees, or free stays at hotels and resorts. If you are someone who loves to visit different places or look into variegated culture, travel and tourism career might just be a paid vacation for you.
