To become a travel agent, the minimum schooling you will need is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, technology has become so much more advanced in the past several years that most employers will desire an employee with technical training. Many vocational schools offer training in the area of travel agency. These programs often last several months. And most of these programs offer weekend and night classes.
A few community and state colleges offer degrees in travel agency. These programs seldom include many classes designed around travel or tourism. Instead a degree from a four-year college will focus on computer science, geography, world history, foreign languages and communication. It is important to take courses dealing in accounting and business management for obvious reasons, especially for those thinking of becoming self-employed in travel agency. For those unwilling, or unable, to attend classes there are correspondence programs available. The American Society of Travel Agents is one source of correspondence classes. These courses will offer a basic understanding of the travel agent business.
Some sort of degree, or continuing education, in travel agency is really essential in today’s world. With the wealth of information on travel and vacation destinations on the Internet and other sources, customers want the best expertise their money can buy. If they are going to employ a travel agent, the client will want an agent with the most qualifications. The more specialized the agent is, the more job opportunities there will be.
Once the agent becomes an authority on the job, he or she can take courses from the Travel Institute. This will lead to the Certified Travel Counselor title. This designation allows a travel agent to offer detailed information and packages to specific regions. These regions may include North America, Western Europe, The Pacific Rim and Western Europe; destinations many clients will seek. As discussed earlier, this specialist is increasingly important in today’s competitive market.
Personal travel experience, or experience in a related field, is an advantage to a travel agent because specific knowledge of a region or destination is preferred by clients. This specified knowledge could certainly influence a clients travel plans. Travel agents should have certain skills to make them more sought after by clients. Travel agents should be organized, thorough and accurate in assembling a clients travel itinerary. Also, a travel must be able to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. This is especially true in dealing with business clients, who often need their arrangements immediately. Extensive knowledge of the World Wide Web is certainly an advantage in this line of work.
