Education Online - Online Degrees, Career Training, Continuing Education News & Articles by IEducationblogs.com

Become a Travel Agent

Although the Internet has provided a quick and efficient way for travelers to obtain discounted fares and packages, many people still prefer to utilize the knowledge of professionals to help them find the best vacation deals. Travel agents do more than securing discounts and booking flights, they also arrange for tours, destination entertainment, ground transportation, and hotels. Additionally, agents are usually the primary source for their clients on:

• Required papers for travel (passports, visas, vaccination certificates)
• Custom regulations
• Currency exchange rates
• Local ordinances/customs
• Attractions/exhibitions
• Travel advisories
• Weather conditions

Travel agents often become specialists in particular cultures or interests of particular destinations, which can be particularly helpful to those traveling to an exotic location. To become a specialized travel agent, you must learn about the customs of your destination specialization; learning the language to a certain degree can be extremely helpful in securing a position with an agency.

The expectations for travel agents are rising; therefore, a degree in the field has become increasingly more important. To become a successful agent, you will first need to know how to create an itinerary for your clients. To do this, an agent should be proficient with computers, possess superb organizational skills, and be able to pay close attention to detail. He or she should also have strong written and verbal communication skills and an aptitude for sales.

When you are earning a travel and tourism degree, you will be trained in sales techniques, reservation systems, accounting and bookkeeping, cruise line information, travel destinations, and more. Some programs also offer courses in foreign languages, which, as stated above, can be quite helpful when you are seeking a travel agent position after you’ve earned your degree.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the best travel agent opportunities will be for those who have specialized in luxury travel and exotic destinations, due to the ability of travelers to utilize the Internet to book their flights and make hotel reservations. The median annual salary for travel agents was approximately $30,000 in 2007; the top 10% of these earned a median salary of $47,650. Agents also enjoy the benefit of reduced travel costs, so for those who love to travel, this might prove to be the perfect career.