Travel Agents

Career summary

#No alt WOIS titles

Travel agents talk to customers to find out more about their travel plans. They learn:

• Where customers want to go
• When customers want to travel
• What is the customer's budget

Travel agents use customer plans to look up flight, cruise, hotel, and car rental information. For example, they look up arrival and departure times for different flights.

Agents discuss options with customers and make reservations. They calculate the cost for airline tickets and receive payments from customers. They print out tickets and itineraries. They may organize trips for one or two people, or for large groups.

Agents often base recommendations on their own travel experiences. They may visit hotels, resorts, and restaurants to judge the comfort, cleanliness, and quality of food and service.

Travel agents promote their own services. They present slides or movies to social and special interest groups to find new customers. They give out brochures about travel destinations to customers.

Agents may advise international travelers about:

• Customs regulations
• Passports and visas
• Money exchange rates

Travel agents in small offices may type travel schedules, estimate costs, and perform other clerical duties. In larger firms office assistants perform these tasks.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Customer Service Representatives
• Meeting and Convention Planners
• Recreation Guides
• Reservation and Ticket Agents
• Secretaries
• Tour Guides
• Transportation Agents

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to travel agents.

• Collect payment for transportation from customers.
• Ask customers about their travel plans in order to research travel options.
• Calculate rates for transportation and rooms.
• Reserve transportation and lodging for customers.
• Sell and plan group tours.
• Give customers brochures with information about things to do and see in various places.
• Print or request airline tickets, using computer.
• Visit hotels, resorts, and restaurants. Give customers information about the places they have been.

Common work activities

Travel agents perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Perform for or work with the public
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Process information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Document and record information
• Perform administrative tasks
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Think creatively

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, travel agents:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They spend most of the day talking to customers.
• May sometimes deal with angry or unpleasant customers.
• Communicate with customers daily by telephone, e-mail, or in person.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Work indoors most of the time.
• Work somewhat close to other people, such as when sharing office space.

Work performance

• Must be highly exact in their work. Errors could cost customers money.
• Repeat the same tasks, such as answering phones and using computers.
• Must repeat the same activities.
• Often make decisions that affect customers. They consult supervisors for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
• Are highly competitive with other travel agents.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work full time or part time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May work more than 40 hours a week if self-employed.
• May work evenings and weekends, when people have time to plan vacations.

Physical demands

Travel agents frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for travel agents to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for travel agents to be able to:

• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

Skills and abilities

Travel agents need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Travel Services Management

Other programs of study to consider

• Buying and Merchandising
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Hospitality Management
• Marketing

Training

To work as a travel agent, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Travel agents must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Many have a bachelor's degree. Several majors are good preparation for this occupation. These include computers, geography, languages, and history.

While not required, many employers prefer applicants who completed a travel agent course or program. Many vocational schools offer programs to train travel agents. These programs last from six to 12 weeks. Completing a travel agent program should help you get a job as a trainee. However, you should check the school's reputation with area employers before enrolling. Another option is the American Society of Travel Agents' correspondence course. This course provides a basic understanding of the travel industry.

Work experience

A job as a reservation clerk or receptionist in a travel agency is good background for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Once hired, new agents learn how to use their employers' computer systems. You may receive training for up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Foreign Language
• Geography
• World Cultures
• World History

Many travel agents are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require travel agents to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They prefer applicants who have at least one year of experience or have completed travel agent training.

Employers look for applicants who have sales experience, telephone skills, and typing skills. Travel experience is helpful as well. Personal knowledge about a city or foreign country often helps to influence clients' travel plans. Experience as an airline ticket agent is also helpful. Some travel agents begin as receptionists or reservation clerks in travel agencies and are promoted.

Certification is available and is helpful for working in this field. Three certificate levels are offered by the Travel Institute. The first level certificate is the Certified Travel Associate (CTA), the second level is the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), and the third is the Certified Travel Industry Executive. Certification costs vary depending on the type of certificate earned. For more information, contact The Travel Institute .

Tips

Become certified to increase your chances to be hired. Travel agents also need to keep up to date on changes in industry standards, such as airline baggage allowances and charges, that impact the cost of travel for their clients. Awareness and knowledge of how technological advances are effecting the travel industry is important.

#Decided to delete citation of actual costs and made name of certifying agency a direct link in the text above, 4/14/15 cj. Checked cert info, etc. 2/22/17 cj. Comment on tech based on 2017 travel industry trends article on HospitalityNet website 2/22/17 cj. link is okay 4/5/18 lh & 3/11/19 cj.

Costs to workers

Some workers may be required to wear uniforms. Others may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Travel agents who own their travel business must be registered with the State of Washington. They must pay a registration fee.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Sellers of Travel Licensing Program 
PO Box 9026
Olympia, WA 98507-9026
360.664.6634

#2/18/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Travel Agents 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Raises in pay occur as the employee is given extra responsibilities and as his or her sales increase.

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Not all travel agents are paid by the hour. Some receive a portion of the price of what they sell, which is called a commission. Some travel agents earn only a commission, and others receive a commission plus a low hourly wage.

Pay varies with the employer's location and size, as well as the agent's experience and sales ability. Agencies that work with big businesses tend to pay higher salaries and provide more benefits than those that focus on leisure sales.

As agencies increasingly pay commissions, they may reduce benefits. Sick leave and vacation pay may not be provided to agents who receive commissions. Travel agents generally receive reduced prices on their own travel. Salaried travel agents who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Self-employed travel agents must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

In Washington, the outlook depends on the level of vacation and business related travel, whether travel costs increase or decrease, and increased leisure time. The travel industry is sensitive to the ups and downs of the economy.

Many agencies and agents focus on tours, groups, and special travel packages for clients rather than individual tickets. Travel agents who are flexible, can offer a wide range of services, and have specialized knowledge are expected to fare best. Knowledge of the following areas may be particularly helpful: cruises, adventure travel (including immersive and interactive experiences), combined business and leisure travel, exotic locations, senior citizen services, family packages, group tours and tour packages, "green" (environmentally friendly) travel, vacations and trips to which people can drive themselves, and facilities that meet the needs of disabled people. Certification by the travel industry is also a plus for travel agents.

#Added "drive market" and "green" as areas of specialization from ASTA website, 5/6/11, cj. Still seems to have value. 2/13/14 lh. No changes again 4/14/15 cj. Made some modifications to above based on article "Trends to Expect in the Travel Industry in 2017"on HospitalityNet website http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4080188.html, 2/22/17 cj.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 11% of travel agents are self-employed.

The majority of travel agents work for travel agencies.

Major employers:

• Travel agencies
• Tour operators

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. People can now make their own travel plans by using the Internet. However, some consumers still prefer to use a professional travel agent to ensure reliability, to save time, and, in some cases, to save money.

The travel industry is sensitive to economic downturns because fewer people go on vacation during these periods. Therefore, the number of job opportunities for travel agents varies with the state of the economy.

Many job opportunities will arise as new agencies open and existing agencies expand. Most openings will occur as experienced agents leave this occupation.

Other resources

American Society of Travel Agents 
675 North Washington Street, Suite 490
Alexandria, VA 22314

Association of Retail Travel Agents 
4320 North Miller Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Hospitality Careers Online 

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council 

The Travel Institute 
945 Concord Street
Framingham, MA 01701
800.542.4282
781.237.0280

Tourism Cares 
20 Vernon Street
Norwood, MA 02062
781.821.5990

Travel and Tourism Research Association 
5300 Lakewood Road
Whitehall, MI 49461
248.708.8872

US Travel Association 
1100 New York Avenue NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005
202.408.8422

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• Travel Agents (41-3041.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Travel Agent (252.152-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Travel Consultant

Holland occupational cluster

• Enterprising/Conventional/Social

COPSystem

• Business Skilled