what is a travel agent?
As a travel agent, your job is to simplify planning a holiday or trip. Travel agents book flights, accommodation, cruises, resort stays and rental cars on behalf of the client and ensure their holiday is memorable. You provide consultation services and travel packages that save time for customers. As a travel agent, you cater to diverse demographics, including corporations and individuals.
Before planning a holiday or trip, you consult with your clients to determine their interests to identify activities to include in their itinerary. When a client isn't sure about the travel destination, you make suggestions based on their preferences. As a travel agent, you ensure clients receive the best services to suit their travel expectations and financial limitations. You work for airlines, cruise lines or resorts that offer travel packages. Your job is to align the client's needs with your employer's offerings.
As a travel agent, you require exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills to secure travel arrangements with various service providers. For instance, if the client isn't travelling to a resort that offers a complete holiday package, you speak with rental companies and hotels to find the best deals for their budget.
Would working as a travel agent suit your negotiation skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a travel agent role.
travel agent jobsaverage travel agent salary
According to National Careers, a travel agent's salary begins at £18,000 annually in entry-level roles. The low salary is due to a lack of experience and minimal qualifications. The compensation package grows gradually with experience, and senior travel agents take home over £27,000 annually. In addition to the basic salary, travel agents enjoy numerous perks like discounts on holiday packages and bonuses for meeting targets. Some companies pay travel agents on a commission basis depending on the destination, flight or accommodation type clients book.
ways to boost a travel agent's salary
As a travel agent, you can increase your compensation package by specialising in high-paying travel specialisms and improving your experience. New travel agents aren't known and have fewer clients, which limits their commissions. Veteran travel agents receive repeat business and referrals from happy customers. Therefore, they receive higher basic salaries and better commissions.
Corporate travel packages are also likely to pay more than individual travel packages. You earn higher commissions when you book flights and accommodation for multiple clients. Some locations also warrant higher commissions, especially exotic tourist destinations.
types of travel agents
Some of the types of travel agents include:
leisure travel agents: you arrange trip itineraries based on a client's interest and budget or sell a travel package with pre-determined itineraries. A leisure travel agent can focus on specific types of travel like adventure tours or offer travel packages to a specific location.
corporate travel agents: you coordinate business travel plans, making arrangements to ensure corporate visitors have accommodation and transportation. If the business person is attending a conference or event, you also secure tickets for the events or conferences.
working as a travel agent
If a career as a travel agent has caught your attention, it is helpful to know what to expect. Read on to learn more about the duties and expectations of being a travel agent, where you work and what kind of working hours you will have.
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travel agent job description
Some of the tasks of a travel agent include:
- planning holidays: as a travel agent, you ensure the entire travel experience for your customers is planned well and stress-free. Travel agents work directly with consumers to discuss and determine the best travel destinations. They also arrange transportation and choose the accommodations that suit the customers' needs.
- booking reservations: when a client chooses a destination or travel package, you communicate with the airlines, rental companies and other service providers to book reservations. It is essential to ensure the client has reservations for travel, accommodation and rental cars to prevent inconveniences. You can also find reservations for tours and excursions.
- advising clients about the local attractions and weather: as a travel agent, you research your client's destination and share travel advisories or weather forecasts with them. You keep clients informed on current events at the locations and attractions or excursions that may interest them.
- providing information on entry requirements: ensuring your clients have the documentation for visiting a destination is vital. As well as a visa and passport, you ensure they meet border entry requirements such as health and safety protocols.
- making alternative arrangements for clients: if an emergency arises during a trip and your client has to change accommodation, you ensure they get new accommodation. You also adjust their travel schedules if they spend extra days or need to return before the holiday ends.
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work environment
Travel agents tend to work indoors in an office setting. You may have a cubicle in a large office with many other travel agents. Your work is conducted primarily via telephone or computer to research client destinations and plans and make travel arrangements. This means that having a reliable phone line and internet connection is essential. Travel agents can work from home or a remote location since they conduct business without face-to-face meetings.
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who are your colleagues?
Whether you work for a cruise ship, airline or travel agency, your colleagues might include travel consultants, tourist guides and cabin crews. You also work in close proximity to customer service representatives and tour managers, as well as other specialists, including airport information assistants, administrative assistants and hotel managers.
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work schedule
While travel agents work all year, the busiest seasons are in the summer when people are going on holidays and travelling the most. During the busy season, you often make phone calls to finalise your clients' plans and make last-minute changes as the need arises. You also sell holiday packages to new clients. During the slower season, you research future destinations and learn about the newest and most popular accommodations for your customers. Researching for the next travel season during the slower seasons helps you prepare and be profitable when the peak season comes around again. You work a full-time schedule and even overtime during the peak seasons. If you work independently, you have more flexibility in your work hours and workspace.
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job outlook
Due to increasing internet accessibility, the demand for travel agents is expected to drop. Individuals can research destinations for themselves and easily book their flights and accommodations. Fortunately, there are still individuals and businesses who prefer not to research or plan trips for themselves and still use travel agents for their travel planning and booking.
As a travel agent, you can also explore other career options in hospitality. For instance, some agents become tour managers and guides or create content for media and marketing companies on holiday destinations.
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advantages of finding a travel agent job through randstad
Finding your travel agent job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a travel agent is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the routes for becoming a travel agent include:
- college course: a college course isn't necessary for becoming a travel agent but improves your competitiveness. Pursue a Level 3 Diploma in travel and tourism if you have 4 to 5 GCSEs. When you complete the course, try entry-level jobs in hospitality.
- apprenticeship: you can join the role through a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship, which requires 5 GCSEs. The apprenticeship gives you work experience as you complete the coursework.
travel agent skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of travel agents include:
- customer service skills: you interact with clients of different demographics and cultures. Your customer service skills help you maintain professional relationships. You should be friendly, approachable and calm when dealing with complaints.
- detail-oriented skills: your job involves booking reservations for clients, from accommodations to travel arrangements. It is essential to be detail-oriented to avoid making mistakes in the reservations. Getting any details wrong can cause serious inconveniences.
- communication skills: to provide the best travel advice, you should listen to clients. Listening and communication skills help you discover the client's needs and provide relevant travel advice.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a travel agent
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what does a travel agent do?
Travel agents work with individuals and business clients to plan and book holidays and trips. A travel agent researches intended destinations to find out all information regarding travel and available accommodations. You also gather all information necessary for the client to be safe and obtain any required documentation.
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is being a travel agent worth it?
The job of a travel agent is exciting for anyone who likes being organised and making detailed itineraries and schedules. It is a well-paid and exciting job if you enjoy researching, scheduling, and communicating with others. Because the job primarily involves talking with clients and people who work in airlines, resorts and other travel-related venues, an agent should be personable and enjoy working with people.
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what does it cost to use a travel agent?
Travel agents are paid in commissions by partner agencies, which means there is no charge to consumers to use a travel agent for planning their business trips and holidays. It is wise to use a travel agent to help plan all the intricate details of exotic holidays, cruises and business travel.
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do travel agents make good money?
The average salary of travel agents is between £18,000 and £27,000 per year. Because travel agents work on commission, there is an opportunity to make more money by working with more clients and providing excellent customer service.
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what are the disadvantages of being a travel agent?
The disadvantage of being a travel agent is that travel is heaviest during summer when your income will be highest. A travel agent works year-round, so in the off-season, you research future destinations and find prospective clients but are not making as much money. It is a busy job, with a lot of information to keep up with and communicate promptly and effectively.
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how do I apply for a travel agent vacancy?
Applying for a travel agent job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
