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How to become a Travel Agent

Travel Agent

Career progression and salary expectations for a Travel Agent

1

Travel Agent

| Up to £25,000
2

Branch Manager

| Up to £30,000
3

Tour Manager

| Up to £35,000

The role of a Travel Agent

Spend most of your time at work searching for holidays? Fancy getting paid for it? You should be a Travel Agent…

Travel Agents book holidays on behalf of their customers, helping them plan every aspect of their trip to ensure that they’re getting the most of their time away. Whether it’s a two-week holiday of a lifetime, or a long weekend away, a good Travel Agent will do their best to meet your needs.

Typical duties for a Travel Agent could include:

  • Consulting with customers to determine their budget, and what type of trip they’re looking for
  • Checking availability for flights, cruises and accommodation
  • Booking holidays, and any additional tickets, transfers or excursions
  • Discussing travel arrangements with customers and advising them on passports, visas, vehicle hire, travel insurance and any vaccinations or inoculations needed
  • Filling out any supplementary forms and keeping customers advised of any changes
Becoming a Travel Agent is about much more than browsing holidays. It takes excellent communication skills, as well as great organisational ability, not to mention a good knowledge of a range of different destinations.

You’ll also need excellent negotiation skills to get the most out of your deals, both when working with members of the public and with the travel companies themselves. Fluency in other languages is not essential, but may be a distinct advantage for a Travel Agent.

Other key skills include:

  • A passion for travel
  • The ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Computer literacy
  • Sales skills
  • Patience
  • An excellent telephone manner
"For me, being a Travel Agent is a dream job. I get to help people book their trips from start to finish, and the enthusiasm and energy they bring with them really rubs off on you. The hours can be long, but seeing the look on someone’s face when you get them a great deal feels amazing. And the discount you get on holidays feels pretty good too. I've even got to travel all across the world in the name of work. Not bad going for someone who just looks at holidays all day…"

Get qualified as a Travel Agent

While a degree in travel and tourism is advantageous, it's not essential. Some employers may prefer candidates with specific qualifications, such as CPD qualifications or certifications from industry organisations like the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) or the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). These certifications demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and adherence to industry standards. Additionally, relevant work experience in customer service, sales, or the travel industry will help improve your chances of being considered for a role as a Travel Agent.

Recommended Travel agent courses

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