Careers in Travel & Tourism
Travel Agents See the World!

Why Choose a Career in Travel?

Various Career Opportunities — Work in a leisure or corporate agency atmosphere. Work for tour companies, airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. You could become a travel writer or even an independent agent working from home. Industry Size and Growth — The industry is the 3rd largest in the world and is growing daily by adapting to the new needs of the client. Job Satisfaction — Design the perfect honeymoon or help plan a client’s dream vacation. Travel Benefits — Low-cost travel discounts that range from 25% - 75% off standard rates with cruises, tours, car rentals and hotels; educational “fam” trips.

What Does a Travel Agent Do?

A typical day may include any or all of the following: · Talking with clients to determine their travel needs (tour, cruise, hotel, car). · Working with a client to develop an itinerary. · Assisting a client in obtaining a passport for an international trip. · Researching unusual destinations to provide the client with details on location, sights to see, and the local culture. · Visiting popular destinations so that you are familiar with them.

We live in a world in which travel has become increasingly important. The travel industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world. The dynamic growth of modern travel has created many technical problems for the traveling public and with them, the need to consult a highly qualified expert — “the travel agent” — to arrange and coordinate travel. The travel industry is a highly specialized, intricate, and serious business. The travel industry encompasses a variety of specialized endeavors including travel agencies, airlines, hotels, car rentals, cruise lines, tour companies, wholesalers, motor coach companies, railroads, sightseeing companies, and many others.

Travel agencies employ a number of people in a wide variety of jobs ranging from entry-level clerical support to highly trained specialized agents. The travel agent must have the patience of a saint, the sympathy of a counselor, and the knowledge of a world traveler.

What are the qualifications?
The main qualifications are: individual skills, organizational skills, general business skills, and people skills. You already possess a portion of each of these skills. Have you ever held a job that includes working with people? Have you been a sales person? Have you been a waiter or waitress? Do you have basic computer skills? Do you belong to any organizations? Can you type? Do you pay your own bills? Do you juggle school and work? Do you surf the Internet? Are you detail oriented? Do you have a desire to travel and learn about other cultures?

How Do I Choose a Travel School?
Do your homework. You may find a school to attend in your neighborhood. You may find an on-line program that you can do at home. The best choice, and one that will give you the most employment opportunities after graduation, is one whose program is state licensed by the Department of Education and accredited by a national organization. Make sure the staff is made up of travel professionals who have worked in the industry. Internship programs should provide students with an opportunity to gain on-the job experience prior to graduation. The school should have an Advisory Board made up of well-respected travel industry professionals.

The program content should be hands-on, and the topics should include the following: touristic geography, tours and charters, cruises, sales strategies and customer service, interview skills/resume development, and outside sales/independent agent training. The program must give you the ability to experience the material instead of just reading about it. The computer portion of the program must be a hands-on version of one of the major airline reservation systems such as Sabre, Worldspan, or Apollo and include creating PNRs (passenger name records); finding the lowest fares; car and hotel reservations; auxiliary services; electronic booking of tours; and Internet skills for the travel agent.

Travel schools that specialize in training agents for the travel industry generally offer courses from 6 - 25 weeks in length and offer day and evening schedules. These schools offer certificate programs. Licenses are not necessary for travel agents.

Future of the Travel Industry
Today, successful agencies sell to a specific type of consumer. Today’s consumers are very savvy. They read the travel section, go on-line for information, and watch travel programs on TV. Consumers want to actively participate in their vacation reservations.

The travel agent must be very knowledgeable about popular and new destinations including sightseeing options, safety, customs information, and, most importantly, be able to provide superior customer service. A love of travel attracts many people to the travel field. To succeed, travel agents must be able to convey enthusiasm to the customer and have a genuine desire to be of service. Travel agents can work full-time, part-time, or from their home. Opportunity awaits you in the travel industry.

Editorial provided by Faye LaPorte, CTC, Director of Operations, Travel Education Institute, Southfield, Michigan.