A good travel agent is organized, detail-oriented, a good multitasker, and eager to learn, research and discover new information about destinations

What will I be doing all day?

A travel agent helps plan itineraries and make travel arrangements for clients, including transportation, lodging, and activities. They research the vast number of options for travel, accommodations, etc., to find the best deals for their clients. Responsibilities include:

Speaking to the customer to determine preferences, budget, schedule, and other factors, and making travel arrangements accordingly.

Putting together tour packages and day trips.

Researching fares and schedules for all flights and activities and calculating total costs.

Booking reservations for airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc.

Providing clients with the most updated travel regulations and document requirements.

Making alternative arrangements for clients in the event of changes either before or during the trip.

What kind of training do I need?

While there’s no specific educational requirement for the field, many travel agents will take certification courses in professional travel planning, and some colleges offer degrees in travel and tourism. However, most of the training in this field is on the job. Suppliers in the field provide online training to educate agents about their travel products.

What can I expect to make?

Since vacation travel tends to be a commission-based job, salaries vary widely, but on average fall between $30,000 and $75,000. Agents who have many corporate clients can make upwards of $100,000.

Earning potential for owners of travel agencies is significantly higher.

Do I have the personality for it?

A good travel agent is organized, detail-oriented, a good multitasker, and eager to learn, research and discover new information about destinations. As this is a service industry, a travel agent must also have excellent interpersonal skills, be positive, calm, and patient, and be able to work under time pressure and stick to deadlines.

What kind of career options do I have?

As a travel agent, you can work in a variety of specialties. Some examples:

Leisure travel agents plan vacations for the general tourist public.

Corporate travel agents arrange travel packages for businesses, booking flights and accommodations for employees traveling for business or attending conferences.

Travel agency managers oversee the operations and manage the staff of a travel agency.