Job Description of Travel Agents: Travel agents assess individual's and business people's needs to help them make the best possible travel arrangements. An agent may specialize by type of travel, such as leisure or business, or destination, such as Europe or Africa. Travel agents also promote travel packages on behalf of cruise lines, resorts and specialty travel groups.
Employment Facts for Travel Agents: Travel agents held about 103,000 jobs in 2004. About three out of five travel agents worked for travel agencies, while approximately 14% were self-employed.
Educational Requirements for Travel Agents: In order to become a travel agent one must have, at least, a high school diploma or the equivalent. Increasingly, because of the use of computers and technology, employers prefer job candidates who have received vocational training. Some aspiring travel agents choose to get a bachelor's degree in travel and tourism, although programs that offer this courework are few. Some employers look for job candidates who have taken college courses in computer science, foreign languages, geography and world history.
Other Requirements for Travel Agents: Travel agents must take continuing education classes in order to satisfy clients who, due to the Internet, are well-informed and expect expert advice. The Travel Institute offers experienced agents advanced self-study or group-study courses that lead to the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation. The Institute also offers marketing and sales skills development programs and destination specialist programs. Personal travel experience or experience as a reservation agent may also be helpful. Thirteen states, as of 2004, required travel agents to be registered or certified as retail sellers of travel services.
Advancement of Travel Agents: Before becoming travel agents, many in this field begin by working as receptionists or reservation clerks in travel agencies. Many travel agents start their own businesses. Those that do generally have experience working at an established agency.
Job Outlook for Travel Agents: Due to the fact that travelers are increasingly using the Internet to plan their trips, employment of travel agents is expected to decline through 2014.
How Much Do Travel Agents Earn?: Median annual earnings of travel agents were $27,640 (U.S., 2004*).
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A Day in a Travel Agent's Life:
On a typical day a travel agent will:
- give advice on destinations;
- make arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals, tours, and recreation;
- advise on weather conditions, restaurants, tourist attractions, and recreation;
- provide information on customs regulations, required papers (passports, visas, and certificates of vaccination), and currency exchange rates to international travelers;
- consult published and computer-based sources for information on departure and arrival times, fares, and hotel ratings and accommodations;
- visit hotels, resorts, and restaurants to evaluate comfort, cleanliness, and quality of food and service;
*This is the most recent year for which this information is available.
Information courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos124.htm (visited March 13, 2007).
