A travel agent’s job has never been more important than in this age of technology. Due to continually changing airline schedules and costs, a myriad of available vacation packages and travel dialog on the Internet; the need for someone to sort out the confusion is great. A variety of people consult travel agents. Vacationers, business people and tourists all will seek the help of a travel agent. Many businesses will consult travel agents to arrange meetings and getaways for their employees and clients. In addition, many tourist industries will use a travel agent to advertise their services.
The job of a travel agent is to counsel their clients on many facets of their vacation destination. The agent will find the best arrangement for their clients on transportation to and from their destination, living accommodations, best ways to get around the destination, and tours and activities. In addition, they may find out climate of the area, topography, popularity of the destination and ease of accessibility. The travel agent should be able to offer his or her client with the best possible value for what each client is interested in.
The travel agent is also responsible for helping the client arrange all the necessary paperwork for international travel. The agent should be able to provide information on customs regulations, required paperwork and currency exchange rates. The paperwork for international travel includes visas, passports and records of vaccinations.
Travel agents will confer with an array of both published and Internet sources for information on airline and hotel accommodations. The agent must be able to get the best possible arrival and departure times of airlines that meet the needs of the client. They must also provide the best possible hotel or living arrangement accommodations. The agent may actually go to many of the hotels, resorts and eateries to assess the comfort, sanitation and quality of food and advantage of that particular destination. These evaluations help the travel agent make recommendations to their clients.
A travel agent is responsible for promoting his or her own services and uses. The agent will use a variety of methods to do this; telemarketing, direct mail and the Internet. They will make appearances to groups, coordinate advertisement displays and confer with businesses to arrange trips. In response to competition from the Internet, many travel agents now specialize in travel to a particular region, or to particular groups of people (retirees, newly married couples or ethnic groups). These niches in the market can be the most profitable to work with.
Travel agents will work mostly from behind a desk. During peak travel times, the job can be particularly stressful. There is a great deal of pressure to get the best packages for the clients. Many agents, predominantly the self-employed, will work extensive hours to achieve their goals. The agent must also have a sophisticated computer system and telecommunication system. It is widespread practice for travel agents to work from their homes these days.
