Hospitality & Tourism
Travel Agent/Consultant
Travel agents help people plan and book trips or holidays, including flights, accommodation, car hire and airport transfers.
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Entry-level education
Junior secondary school certificate or equivalent
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Job outlook
What does a Travel Agent/Consultant do?
Travel agents help people plan and book trips or holidays, including flights, accommodation, car hire and airport transfers. Travel agents are often called travel consultants.
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Work activities
As a travel agent, you would:
- use your travel knowledge to suggest holidays or trips to suit your customers
- work within your clients' budgets to find suitable holidays
- check availability and book flights or tours using a computer or phone booking system
- process payments
- update customers on flight changes or cancellations
- advise on passports, visas, travel insurance or medical requirements necessary for clients' destinations.
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Key skills and interests
To become a travel agent or consultant, you would need:
- a high level of customer service
- an in-depth knowledge of types and styles of travel
- good geography knowledge
- good communications skills
- sales skills
- computer skills
- planning and organisation skills
- the ability to multi-task.
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Working hours and conditions
Working Hours
As a travel agent you would work a standard number of hours per week. You may be required to work weekends and/or evenings.
Conditions
Travel agents usually work in an office, which is often open plan, and sit at a desk in front of a computer. You would spend a lot of time on the phone or sitting with customers. You may be required to take trips nationally or internationally as part of your role.
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How to become an Travel Agent/Consultant?
Entry Level Education
No formal qualifications are required to work as a travel agent. You would get some training on the job. A VET qualification in travel, tourism or travel and tourism may improve your chances of a role in this occupation.
You can also become a travel consultant through a traineeship in travel or tourism. Generally employers require a junior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
Speaking a second language is highly desirable. Most people in the travel industry have also travelled extensively.
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Job outlook
Employment of travel agents is projected to decline over the next five to ten years.
The ready availability of flight and travel information, which can be self-booked via the internet, has decreased the demand for travel agents. However, as more people travel, especially internationally, some of these travellers, especially the baby boomer generation, may still seek assistance from travel agents. Job prospects should be best for travel agents who specialise in specific destinations or particular types of travellers, such as groups with a special interest or corporate travelers.
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