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What to prepare before being a travel agent

Hello I am Fronce. I am a 2nd year university at Capilano. I am currently taking tourism program which covers all of the 12 sectors of tourism. I’d like to learn and gain more knowledge to strengthen my program. #college #university #travel

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David’s Answer

Definitely have to say you have to visit the people in the field in order to tell you more about it. You can do some volunteer or shadowing with people who are in the travel and tourism field or go to workshop/ convention events to learn more about this field. If you want to learn and gain more about this field or from the 12 sectors of tourism, I would definitely do a little bit more above and beyond study about it. Like, I said you can go to work shop and convention events to learn more or ask question to people in the profession to you can go to your college library and do soem more research about travel and tourism.
Thank you comment icon Thanks so much David Sukritta(Fronce)
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Amy’s Answer

Dear Fronce,

I am an EVP of a group tour operator and can tell you first hand that this is an exciting and ever-changing career - just look at the recent impact of COVID-19 on the travel/tourism industry. I believe the following steps will be most beneficial to you as you pursue this career path:

- Step 1: Start with a self-assessment. Are you cut out to be a travel agent? (Some of the attributes of successful travel agents include: Outgoing personality; A passion for travel; Highly developed problem-solving skills; Patience and diplomacy; Tech savviness; Flexibility and adaptability)

- Step 2: Know/research as much as you can about the travel industry before you step into it. Research the challenges of being a travel agent, career opportunities in your area, and the income potential before you commence your training.

- Step 3: Most people don’t become travel agents simply by walking through a door. They plan, study, and train to become travel agents.

- Step 4: Taking specific courses in the travel industry will help you be better prepared to enter the industry.

- Step 5: Be aware that requirements for becoming a travel agent vary from state to province to country. Some areas require a certification or license; others do not. You will be responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of your community or country.

- Step 6: Develop or refine your interpersonal skills. ( Include: verbal and non-verbal communication, listening, problem-solving, decision-making, and even assertiveness skills.)

- Step 7: (My personal favorite step)Travel. How can you recommend services and destinations to your clients if you haven’t walked in their shoes and experienced some of their travel challenges and delights? First-hand knowledge is invaluable to the travel agent. (Being bi- or multi-lingual also helps!)

- Step 8: I cannot stress this one enough: Become tech-savvy! Travel agent's technology is highly sophisticated and continually evolving. Keep up with these technologies and trends.

- Step 9: Become a Destination Specialist. Creative travel agents are addressing the challenge of fierce industry competition by becoming destination specialists. Consider focusing on a specific geographic location or type of travel. Separate yourself from the competition by creating a niche business based on your skills at putting together luxury destination packages or specialized tours that can accommodate special needs travelers.

- Step 10: Network...network...network! You may work with a travel agency or as an independent agent. Either way, the only way people will know about you is by networking to build your client base, develop working relationships with suppliers, and connect with industry peers.

- Step 11: Constantly continue your travel industry education. One way of doing this is by joining industry-related organizations. Many of these groups offer training and further education opportunities. Industry organizations are an excellent way to continue networking, too!

This may seem like overwhelming information if you are just starting to consider a career as a travel agent. But keep this in mind as you ponder your future: the travel industry is always changing. You will quickly find that being a travel agent is always exciting and never boring.

Good luck.
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Emily’s Answer

I would say, as with any career interest, go talk to current Travel Agents. Find a travel agency and go visit. Ask if someone has time to answer a few questions for a current student.

Then ask things like, Did you always want this career? Are there things you wish you would have known when you started this career? Are there things you wish you would have done differently during your career path? What advice do you have for someone just getting started in the industry?

And then send a thank you note for them giving you some of their time.

You may even make some contacts that can help you find employment when the time comes!

Best of luck to you!
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