Hi everyone, here is a quick video on how to get started as a travel ag ent. Be aware that requirements for becoming a travel agent vary from state to province to country. If you love travel and enjoy the planning process, you might consider becoming a travel agent and starting a travel agency. In order to book travel and gain new clients you have to be knowledgeable and confident about what you are selling. Ensure you meet the local criteria as specified in the travel agent handbook select your country of application below and read carefully the application guide. A travel agents introduction to selling group travel.
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want to work independently or through a host agency. Pdf traditionally, retail travel agencies have acted as intermediaries between primary creatorssuppliers of travel products and the consumer, largely. Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for travel agency customers. Travel agent job description this travel agent job description template is optimized for posting on online job boards or careers pages and is easy to customize for your company. Degree requirements although there are no state or federal education requirements for becoming a travel agent, many agencies require their employees to have a liberal arts or business degree from a fouryear, accredited college or university. Below you will find a few of my favorite travel industry magazines and website. The content of this eguide is for all travel agents, however, where required the focus will address the female travel agent selling travel to their female clients. The aims and objectives of the scheme for recognition of travel agent agency ta are to encourage quality standard and service in this category so as to promote tourism in india. How to become travel agent from home dream vacations. If travelling is your lifes desire, then there are careers that offer you the opportunity to assist other travellers to make the most of their holidays. Becoming a workathome travel agent might be your ideal workathome career path. Pdf the role of online travel agents in the experience economy.
He acts on the behalf of product providersprinciples and in return get a commission. Several travel obstacles discouraged people to travel distance places. Learn how to become a travel agent through global travel international. Travel agent education requirements usually consist of a high school diploma and travel agent training.
Becoming a certified travel agent with dream vacations and learning how to become a travel agent from home is a highvalue franchise opportunity with minimal investment required. Before you start planning groups that may or may not sell, its important to establish yourself as an agent that arranges group travel, select the services you will offer and then focus your marketing on selling you, not the product. Mar 28, 2017 so if you love to travel or if you just love to help other people fulfill their vacation dreams, you may want to start a homebased travel agent business. Mar 23, 2020 lots of people think that its not a good idea to become a work at home travel agent nowadays because everyone just wants to book stuff online or use airbnb and other rental sites.
Travel agent is a person who has a full knowledge about tourists product destinations, modes of travel, climate, accommodation and other areas of the service sector. Apr 15, 2019 travel agents provide customized service for clients and make arrangements for transportation, hotel reservations, and car rentals. Here are some handy travel agent videos on youtube with more tips on how to become a travel agent and how to improve travel agent business for your agency. Become an online travel agent for free without fees. This profession is fun and exciting, and you will get to meet and work with a lot of wonderful people. The prestige agent network has created a travel business opportunity where you earn commission for your personal travel, friends, family and other travel clients.
As a khm travel group agent, you have access to some of the biggest names in the travel industry. Becoming a travel agent usually requires a bachelors degree and six to eight weeks of travel school. Leaving behind the job of a travel agent, a destination did not even. Becoming a travel agent does travel to places such as hong kong, machu picchu, london, rome, and morocco sound good to you. Being and independent travel agent has never been so rewarding. Pdf our society has evolved through the product economy and the service economy to the experience economy. Historically a travel agent was defined as a retail agent of various travel suppliers, such as airlines and the like. The most promising candidates for the position of travel agent combine a passion for travel with a talent for sales and customer service. Being a travel agent is hard work, long hours, and frequently low pay. Your friend wants to book a cruise and you tell them to call us heres our number in case you forgot 18004987245.
Pdf travel agencies are being increasingly repressed from the tourism market by a new. Soft skills related to both types of jobs are beneficial. There are many benefits to using a travel agent, from saving time and money to unlocking special perks and benefits. When you begin your journey to become a travel agent there is a lot to learn. As amazing as it is to jet around the world, you also have to keep in contact with clients 247365no matter.
World travel experience and time spent abroad are both assets which increase the value of a travel agent in the eyes of travel companies and customers alike. Take a look at travelwithcaryl joining global travel is an excellent way to become a travel agent from anywhere in the country. Tour packages first appeared in the travel industry during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The 10 best tools every travel agent should be using. Male, 25 online booking can be real pain if your travel plan is not simple male, 30 travel agents have much more knowledge in travel issues than i do. From task management to expense management, an elite travel agent will have the most streamlined workflows, moving all the data and information for all their clients into systems that make success an attainable goal.
Becoming a travel agent education and career roadmap. Becoming a travel agent may be a natural fit for you because you love travel and want to create immersive experiences for your clients. In light of that, using the web could also lead you to more ideas about how you can establish your own office after becoming a travel agent. Travel and tourism diploma courses are offered by universities.
No formal education or training is required to be a travel agent in british columbia, but if you aspire to be successful, earn special credentials and learn how to make your clients. A guide to becoming a travel professional will take students on a journey exploring new career opportunities, new technologies, and the new realities involved in traveling, travel products, geography and sales. These individuals to work like any other travel agents and help clients book tickets, book trips for groups and individuals and carry out the tour planning. As a travel agent, youll help travelers book flights and choose hotels and tours or vacation packages. Do your research before you decide that becoming a travel professional is the right career move for you, make sure you do your research so that you fully understand the requirements and expectations you will have to fulfill. This 44page booklet that will open up your eyes to the exciting and fastpaced world of a professional travel agent. Become a travel agent becoming a travel agent net travel ease. Online travel agent courses travel agent education khm travel. However, there are a number of travel agent degree programs available. Ministry of tourism guidelines for recognition renewal or extension as an approved travel agent agency ta revised with effect from 18 th july 2011 1. Stepbystep guide to becoming a homebased travel agent. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. Would you like to dine in quaint restaurants along the seine or wander down ancient alleys in istanbul.
Pdf repositioning travel agencies on the internet researchgate. Behavioral skills trainings in travel agencies citeseerx. How to become a home based travel agent kindle edition by hobbs, matthew. Experienced travel coordinators help travelers save money, time, and all kinds of travel related headaches. The travel institute represents the highest standard for education within the retail travel industry. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages.
How to become a travel agent travel agents help people plan vacations and other trips around the country and abroad. One of the driving forces behind many travel agent careers is a passion for. Lets take a look at ten online tools that every travel agent should use. If so, becoming a travel advisor is a great career choice for you. Each level has different fees, incentives, and discounts. Becoming a travel agent requires a lot more than knowing how to book a simple computer travel reservation a capable travel agent creates workable travel itineraries both domestic and international, coordinates detailed overland schedules, evaluates the functionality of travel plans, monitors local conditions at home and abroad, develops valuebased travel budgets, ferrets out. There are numerous internet travel agencies that offer training, certifications and the opportunity to start your own. Working as a travel agent might seem a little outdated in todays world of kayak and airbnb, but in reality, many people still prefer to work with travel agents why.
Classes are offered in fulltime and parttime programs, as well as at night in order. Only a selected few managed to travel due to their own curiosity, motivation and spending ability. Let your agent do the work for youtheyll filter your options and provide only the recommendations that make the most sense for you. If youve ever dreamed that you could work from home and be your own boss, as an agent with youll start building your own independent travel agency that you can run from your own home or office. Airlines have moved away from a commission system, so travel agencies are essentially retail service providers who charge a markup fee for their professional services. For the real skinny on becoming a travel agent and whether or not it fits your life plan, check the facts put out by the u. Despite what you see on instagram, being a travel agent isnt always glamorous. If youre still on the fence, consider some of these reasons before going at it alone. Are there formal bodies that a travel agency must register with. Does travel to places such as hong kong, machu picchu, london, rome, and morocco sound good to you.
On the plus side, in terms of starting a business, becoming a travel agent. Travel agents typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, along with additional training received through vocational or technical schools. Today there are many definitions for a travel agent. Travel agent resume objectives, skills, duties and.
Bureau of labor statistics for a realistic picture of the life and livelihood of becoming a travel agent at home or in a storefront agency. If you know where popular tourist spots are located and how to find bargains, then you have a good chance at being a successful travel agent in british columbia. These trends affecting the travel agent or tmcs macroeconomic environment have led to changes in the behaviour of key travel industry stakeholders, weakening the attractiveness of the travel agent s traditional transactional value. For more than 50 years, our cta, ctc, and ctie designations have identified travel professionals who demonstrate expertise and an ongoing commitment to their career, consumers and the travel industry. Lastly, being a travel agent is not what it used to be.
A high school diploma typically is required for someone to become a travel agent. They can help you book reservations in hotels all over greece, flights, cruises, tours. Pdf challenges for the survival of travel agencies due to new. When your friend calls us, they give us your name and email so we can verify it is you. Many people are attracted to a career as a travel agent because of the perks. Travel agencies need tourism professionals specializing in different operational. Jacquie bambrough 1996 training your staff, the hr management manual, the industrial society london. Dec 19, 2018 becoming a travel agent doesnt necessarily require a formal certification, though the state of california does have some requirements for those who own travel agencies. These are downloaded from the exams module on the rdg travel agents website, after registering for the exams. On the surface, it seems like the ultimate job for a disney fanatic because you. They even say this will yet double a few years from now.
Global travel provides all the materials you will need to learn about the travel business. Travel agency definitions, types, and function or linkages. Is the life of a travel agent as glamorous as you think. These individuals are communicative, detailoriented, and resourceful. I wholeheartedly endorse kostas, aliki, uli and the gang at dolphin hellas travel, one of the oldest and most respected travel agency in athens, greece that has been in business for almost half a century. Our mission is to empower, educate, support and promote independent travel agents.
Khm travel group how to become a travel agent start a. Welcome to a travel agents introduction to selling group travel. Technically, a travel agent is an owner or manager of an agency, but other employees are responsible for advising tourists and selling. Three years ago, i wrote a column on travel scams and becoming a travel agent was in the top five. Becoming a travel agent is a bad idea, travel agents are going to be replaced by websites and i can book my own travel now are all things we have heard for the last few years. Have you ever considered becoming a disney travel planner.
Through our core values, we strive to share our knowledge and passion to help agents excel, reach their goals, and be a part of the rewarding, exciting travel industry. On the plus side, in terms of starting a business, becoming a travel agent comes. However, many employers prefer additional formal training. You see hundreds of good deals on travel every single day, and when a special comes out for somewhere youve been thinking about going, youre bound to book it.
A freelance travel consultant is a travel agent or consultant who works on a freelance basis and often works from home. Travel agents work for their clients, not for a travel supplier. Competitive advantages enjoyed by travel agents established outside the eu 81. The career is ideal for those who wish to work in travel, yet work from the comfort of their own home. Do you actually want to become a successful travel agent. Travel agency is a full service travel agency that specializes in adventure travel and provides recreational and business travelers with professional service and consultation.
These essential skills are reinforced by study exercises, vignettes, and case studies. Apr 16, 2017 the value of a travel agent is immeasurable, says annie scrivanich, a senior vice president for cruise specialists, a seattlebased travel agency. How to start a travel agency business free book pdf download. Contents on this website is published, managed and maintained by ministry of tourism.
Becoming and ultimately being a travel advisor takes dedication, travel expertise and excellent interpersonal skills and astas becoming a travel advisor course will provide you with a wealth of information about the travel agency industry as well as specific information to help you begin your career as a travel advisor. However i am here to share with you why becoming a travel agent and specifically an at home travel agent is a fantastic job with incredible world opening opportunities. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Many could not make it due to the lack of communication network along with facilities and amenities. Stepbystep guide to becoming a homebased travel agent step 1. There are only a few steps you need to take to become a travel agent and work from home doing your job. Usually the people asking are either those who are interested in becoming a travel agent or its coming from those who find out i work in the travel. Become a home based travel agent with the ticket counter s highly accredited program. Being an online travel agent has become a popular stayathome job over the years. Becoming a travel agent will likely mean starting your own business.
You can have a fullservice travel agency in your home, office or through a virtual office and begin receiving commission on all travel you book. Travel agents typically work in offices, but some work remotely because much of their time is spent on the phone and the computer. Working as a travel agent gets you so immersed in travel deals that theres no space left in your head for anything else. Package reservations and tours enabled travel agents to tack on a 10 percent tax and service charge that was considered the travel agents welldeserved commission for. Those with an interest can obtain free training through various websites that will give you all the information you will need to become an online travel agent. Travel agent questions to ask clients khm travel group. Going to a travel agent is like to study with a teacher. For any query regarding this website, please contact web information manager, email. Online searches also confirm this claim because travel related results are some of the keywords that many internet users try to find all the time. I hope this article helped you explaining what skills do you need to be a travel agent and even how to become a successful travel agent in the long run. Khm travel groups mission calls us to empower, educate, support and promote independent travel agents. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading travel agent training. Feb 07, 2020 despite what you see on instagram, being a travel agent isnt always glamorous.
Each of your clients will be unique, so there are some questions that you should ask them to better understand what they are looking for on their vacation. It is definitely true that a lot of travel agents closed up shop after 911 and the great recession. Travel agency will position itself as a specialist in the field of adventure travel and will generate the majority of its income from this segment. Our relationships with these suppliers give you high commissions, exclusive promotions, and special travel agent training opportunities. Today, agents are more popular than ever and playing a key role in the continued growth of the travel and tourism industry. Au travel agent specialist wbkpg auburn university. Being a travel agent is both a sales job and a customer service job. Agents need to serve the needs of their clients while working with vendorsairlines, resorts, hotels, and moreto secure the best deals for their clients. To improve my career and hone my skills further as a travel agent by becoming a part of one of the top and most diverse travel agencies in the country. Becoming a travel agent in california career trend.
This wanderlust gives travel agents a freedom of mobility unavailable in many other jobs. To aid candidates with their selfstudy research there are study guides available for the national rail and toc exams. There are several steps to follow in order to apply for iata accreditation. Generally, a high school diploma is the base requirement prior to travel agent education for becoming one, though a. You will be making money online, by becoming a travel agent. The tap test is a basic competency test that measures the entrylevel knowledge of travel professionals within all aspects of the travel industry.
1502 114 1007 742 1092 160 1159 1485 1409 128 874 1234 1229 1141 1237 755 756 1457 1599 219 1037 1367 463 1103 170 1103 1404 65 576 1235 676 1390 1447 319 1139 1278