Travel Agents
Travel agents plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers, and determine destinations, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. They may also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages and assist in resolving clients' travel problems.
A travel agent’s job is to arrange travel for clients (individuals, corporate or groups) by engaging the necessary service providers (hotels, airlines, railways, insurance and other facilities). How to become a travel agent? They can be an independent travel agency or one can be a part of a travel agency. They ideally calculate the costs of goods or services and gather customer or product information to determine customer needs. Moreover, they sell products or services and record operational details of travel.
An online travel agent helps in quick and easy comparison of not just fares but schedules on many different airlines at a glance. Additionally, they assist with flexible date searches, multi-airline itineraries, packages and opaque fares.
To create a successful travel agent career opportunities one does not require a degree. One can master the skills and gather knowledge about the travel industry to become a travel agent. As travel agents' jobs are involved in planning trips for their clients in their day to day life, they should be updated about the hospitality sector too. It is important to be informed about the schedules of airlines, fare prices and charges on hotel bookings. They should be efficient in customising travel arrangements as per the clients' requirements and budget.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- NSQF Level 6 Tour Manager
- Diploma Travel and Tourism
Tasks
- Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
- Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
- Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
- Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
- Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
- Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
- Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
- Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
Progression Routes
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