Travel Agents

By: Nicole Shalit

Travel agents help find the perfect vacation packages and destinations for families, individuals, and businesses. They make it easier to find the best rates, and can make your reservations for anything you will need during your travels.

Travel agents have their specialties that can range from the type of travel (cruises, flights, etc.), what type of trip you are taking (personal or business), or your destination (Africa, Paris, Etc.)

In 2004 there were roughly 103,000 travel agents in the United States. Nearly three out of five were employed by agencies, while fourteen percent were self employed.

You must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and although college isn’t required, because of today’s technology computer classes and/or computer knowledge is a major plus. Some aspiring travel agents even go as far as getting their bachelors degree in travel and tourism, although there are few programs that have these courses. Employers may look for candidates who have taken computer science, foreign language, geography, and world history classes as well.

Travel agents are also required to take continuing education classes to satisfy their clients that are well informed and expect expert advice. The Travel Institute offers self studies and group studies to experienced travel agents, and also offers courses to develop your marketing and sales skills. In 2004 thirteen starts required travel agents be registered as a retail seller of travel services.

To get a feel of the travel field, try starting out as a receptionist or reservations clerk for an agency. If you want to open your own travel agency someday, it is a good idea to know the ins and outs of the entire agency before you branch out.

Because the internet makes it so easy to find good deals on travel, employment at travel agencies is expected to decline through 2014. The average earnings for travel agents in 2004 was $27,640 annually, although it is really up to the travel agent how much he or she makes.

A typical day for a travel agent would be something like this:

• 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