what is a travel agent?
Travel agents help others plan the trips they love. You start by meeting with your clients. While some now work entirely online, others work in an office setting. This helps you see what your clients need and help them make decisions. You can even help them decide on the top destinations and what they should do when they arrive. Travel agents help their clients book both accommodations and amenities.
As a travel agent, you also have the chance to work with big companies. You cater to diverse demographics, including corporations and individuals. Clients also expect you to help with exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills to secure travel arrangements with various service providers. They know you have access to lower and more affordable rates than they have on their own.
Though you might think travel agents just book hotel rooms, they do much more. Travel agents also book vacation rentals, cruises, rental cars, and attraction or event tickets. You might work with individuals who need help planning a trip or groups who need accommodations for 10 or more people.
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.
view jobs near youaverage travel agent salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a travel agent today is $46,400 a year. If you work part-time, expect to earn around $22.31 per hour. This does not include the commission associated with the position. Travel agents often get a percentage of each booking they make. Some travel companies have a bonus structure, too. The more you book and sell, the bigger bonus you get.
Working with luxury vacation companies also increases your salary. These companies specialize in giving travelers amenities they won't find anywhere else. They may include moonlit tours of a harbor or adventure trips. 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.
The BLS found that agents with commissions earn more than hourly workers did. Those who work full-time or for major organizations also earn more. Some agents work part-time or for themselves.
Wondering what you can earn as a travel agent? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a travel agent is.
types of travel agents
There are six types of travel agencies that hire agents. A niche agent focuses on helping clients book unique experiences, such as ecotourism and cultural tourism. Working as a leisure agent requires booking custom packages. Business agents know what CEOs and other professionals need. They're responsible for arranging trips for individuals and groups. Wholesale agents find deals from companies and pass them on to others, acting as a middleman. Other options include working for an online or offline agency. Offline agencies usually work out of offices. Online travel agents talk with these clients over email and use programs, such as Skype and Facetime.
working as a travel agent
If you love the idea of helping others with their vacation and trip plans, you may find working as a travel agent is rewarding. 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
Consider some of the duties you handle daily as a travel agent.
- find perks for clients: Working as a travel agent requires finding perks for clients and reasons for them to book a trip. It might mean working with a casino to give a group free chips for gaming or getting reduced-priced tickets to an amusement park.
- planning holidays: As a travel agent, you ensure the entire travel experience for your customers is stress-free and goes according to plan. 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.
- making reservations: One of the big duties travel agents handle is reservations. You ensure that clients have what they need when they arrive. From tickets and rental cars to cruises and flights, you book what they need. Clients may also ask for help getting concert or show tickets.
- 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.
- staying informed: The job doesn't stop when travelers take off. As a travel agent, you help them on the go. They might arrive to find that the hotel gave away their room, requiring you to find a new one. You also help clients who miss flights to their destination and need to book a new one on the fly.
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travel agent work environment
The work environment of a travel agent varies. Many work in an office setting. You may have a cubicle in a large office with many other travel agents. You work primarily via telephone or computer to research client destinations and plans and make travel arrangements. Travel agents also work from home, which requires a dedicated phone line and high-speed internet access. You can use a webcam or your phone to connect with clients. As a remote travel agent, you work wherever you want. Take calls while sitting on your front porch or talk to clients while relaxing on the beach.
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who are your colleagues?
Expect the people you work with to mainly be other travel agents. You can share tips that work for you and talk about changes in company policies. It's common to work with assistants to help with the daily operations of the agency. To find the best deals and offers for your clients, expect to work with travel company owners and managers, including hotel managers and cruise directors. Travel agents occasionally work with customer service reps, too.
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work schedule
Travel agents typically work a set 40-hour-per-week schedule. Self-employed agents and those who work from home can set their hours and work more or less. You may work more as a new agent because you need to build your client base. As you gain more clients and your business grows, you'll work less. It's also common for travel agents to work at night and on weekends. This is especially true for agents who handle international travel. Overseas hours are different from those in the United States. The busiest seasons are in the summer when people are going on holidays and traveling the most. During the busy season, you often make phone calls to finalize your clients' plans and make last-minute changes as the need arises. The off-season gives you the chance to work on your client base, form connections with business owners, and prepare for the busy season.
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job outlook for travel agent
The rise of the internet led to a reduced demand for travel agents. Travelers now go online and book the same packages and make the same arrangements you can. Many people still use travel agencies though because agents take the hassles and frustrations out of booking a trip. The BLS estimates that the need for travel agents will grow by 3% through 2032, which comes to 8,600 new positions.
One reason for the popularity of the job is that employees are able to work from home. Agencies do not need to buy a building or spend a lot of money to rent one. You also have the choice of working for yourself and running a private agency. This allows you to set your hours and design a schedule that works for you. 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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benefits of working for randstad as a travel agent
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? 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!
travel agent skills and education
The minimum education necessary to work as a travel agent is a high school diploma. If you did not graduate high school, you can apply for open positions with your GED. Many community colleges offer certificate programs with a focus on tourism. The programs teach you how to make the connections you need in the industry and use them to your advantage. Taking classes in tourism, hospitality, and marketing is also helpful. Most agencies offer on-the-job training that shows you how to use the booking software and other skills.
Some of the main skills you need to have as a travel agent 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 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.
skills and competencies
In addition to the above skills, you need skills and competencies in other areas:
- booking software: Without knowledge of booking software, you'll have a hard time on the job. You need to know how to search for accommodations or arrangements and book them for your clients. Community college programs often go over the basics of tourism software.
- sales experience: Travel agents need sales experience because a big part of the job involves selling products. Any experience you have will help, even if you just worked in a clothing store.
- time management skills: Having time management skills will help you divide your time between all of your clients. Travel agents often have a large roster with dozens of clients. You need to know how to give each one the attention they deserve.
As a self-employed travel agent, you need even more skills. You're responsible for taking care of your taxes and paying what you owe every year as well as saving money for your retirement. Remote agents also need to be familiar with programs and apps that help them keep in touch with their clients.
FAQs about working as a travel agent
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about travel agents.
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do you need to pay to work as a travel agent?
No, you do not need to pay to work as a travel agent. Jobs that request a payment are usually scams. The companies you work with accept payments from your clients.
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how much time will you spend outside?
You won't spend much time outside unless you visit a destination before you recommend it. Most agents work inside.
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do travel agents make good money?
Working as an agent helps you make around $46,000 a year. You'll also get other perks, such as bonuses for booking more travelers and free trips to certain destinations.
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will you get insurance as a travel agent?
Working for an agency gives you the benefit of getting health insurance. If you work for yourself, you need to pay for your own coverage.
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is being a travel agent worth it?
The job of a travel agent is exciting for anyone who likes being organized 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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how do I find a job as a travel agent?
Applying for a travel agent job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our scrum master jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
