Synonyms: Destination Specialist, International Travel Consultant, Tour Agent, Tour Coordinator, Tour Counselor, Travel Consultant, Travel Counselor

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts
• Day in the Life
• Common Characteristics
• How to Become a Travel Agent
• Specialties and Similar Career Paths
• Advice from Shirley

Quick Facts

What travel agents do:

Travel agents are specialists who plan and personalize client trips. They provide advice on destinations, create detailed travel itineraries, and solve any travel-related issues.

Median income:

$47,410 annually or $22.79 per hour. However, some can earn significantly more, with annual incomes reaching $100,000 depending on which client niche they work in.

Lifestyle:

Travel agents work in offices or remotely, with flexible schedules that can be full-time or part-time alongside other jobs. They enjoy perks such as discounted travel opportunities and the chance to connect with people worldwide.

Job outlook:

The future for travel agents is bright, with a projected 3% growth in employment, as fast as the average for all occupations.

Education requirements:

A high school diploma with specialized training or certifications is typically required (see “How to Become a Travel Agent” below).

This is perfect for you if:

• You love traveling and exploring new places in different parts of the world
• You enjoy helping others plan their trips
• You like researching new destinations and stay updated on travel trends
• You are organized and attentive to detail

If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Shirley Morris to learn more about being a travel agent below!

Travel Agent – How To Take This Career From a Side Hustle to Your Full-Time Income?!

Day in the Life

Schedule:

Full-time or part-time. Flexible working hours are common, especially for those balancing other jobs. Their schedules can include early mornings, late evenings, and weekends to accommodate clients and coordinate with international contacts.

Setting:

Work from home or an office with occasional travel to check hotels and other tourist destinations.

Tasks:

Book travel arrangements, research destinations, assist clients with trip planning, stay updated on travel trends and conditions, and handle administrative tasks like managing bookings and communicating with travel providers.

Topics:

Continual learning about travel destinations and regulations, especially visa requirements and health and safety guidelines. Additionally, they continuously improve their customer service skills and understanding of client needs to create the best travel experiences possible.

Skills:

Strong communication and customer service skills to professionally meet their clients’ needs, being attentive to detail, organized, and talented in sales to effectively recommend and sell travel services.

Tools:

Travel agents primarily use a laptop and a phone. They also utilize customer relationship management (CRM) systems to manage client data securely and efficiently. They use different booking tools, such as cruise booking engines, planes, and others provided by travel suppliers.

Common Characteristics

Natural Talents (strengths):

Personable and precise at communication, helping them understand client needs and convey information effectively. They are also organized to provide customized solutions.

Interests:

Business initiatives such as managing, marketing, and selling their services, as well as organizing information and data according to procedures and regulations to provide the best service to their clients.

Personality:

Entrepreneurial, social, and conventional, enjoying interacting with clients, promoting their services persuasively, and following established protocols to ensure compliant travel arrangements.

*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.

Values:

Building relationships, providing service in a cooperative environment, achieving goals that utilize their strengths, and enjoying the independence to make decisions creatively. 

How to Become a Travel Agent

Education requirements:

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement; however, employers may prefer candidates with college degrees or relevant coursework in travel and tourism. Training programs and certifications from industry associations like the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), along with on-the-job training, can be helpful for starting a career as a travel agent.

Preferred majors:

Pursuing majors in tourism, travel services management, or a related field can be helpful.

Specialties and Similar Career Paths

• Concierges
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• Sales Representatives of Services (Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel)
• Travel Guides

Advice from Shirley

Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:

Gain extensive travel experience and specialize in specific destinations or types of travelers. Enhance your sales skills to attract more prospects, as agencies value candidates who can cater to specialized client needs and demonstrate strong sales abilities.

Fastest way to get your foot in the door:

Start by exploring introductory courses and certifications offered by organizations like the American Society for Travel Advisors (ASTA). Develop communication, customer service, and sales skills to boost chances of securing a position in the field.

Recommended resources:

Shirley highly recommends getting a certification from the American Society for Travel Advisors (ASTA) for introductory courses and continuing to learn as many travel destinations and tourist attractions as possible.

What Shirley would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:

“Figure out what drives your passion, but it’s also maybe sometimes you have to put food on the table first. So balance those things out. Understand that it’s not always a quick drive to get to where you wanna be.”

Watch the full interview with Shirley:

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Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 4 July 2024.

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