How to Become a Travel Agent

The need for experienced travel agents is increasing as more people travel for business and pleasure. Although this is not a high-paying career, it has the major benefit of deep travel discounts.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Book On Careers
• Travel Guides
• Travel Magazines
• Career Counseling
• Computers
• Online Career Search

1. Realize that larger travel agencies may require an agent to have a liberal arts or business degree.

2. Learn to speak a second language. This skill is invaluable for a travel agent, especially in agencies that focus on international travel.

3. Take a 6-to-12-week travel agent course at a community college to learn the basics of the career.

4. Consider working as a ticketing agent to gain solid experience in the travel industry.

5. Become as computer literate as possible - travel agents conduct much of their business via computer.

6. Check with your state's Department of Commerce for any registration or certification requirements for travel agents.

7. Read a wide variety of travel magazines to keep up with current trends in the industry.

8. Work toward receiving your certification as a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) after you have gained experience. (See "Institute of Certified Travel Agents" at icta.com.)

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that travel agencies servicing corporations generally offer better salaries and benefits than those focusing on leisure travel.
• Realize that you must possess excellent attention to detail to be successful in this field. Mistakes can adversely affect a traveler's entire trip.

Who Can Help:

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[plankipalle]

on 6/17/2009 I tried all these options and I decided it is not worth spending time and efforts in this profession if you do not want to take this up as a primary job. So i built few travel websites and affilliated with major booking engines to make money. I spend time on writing articles and blogs to drive traffic to the websites.. Have a look at-USA TO INDIA FLIGHTS
http://www.usatoindiaflights.com

[darealbiz]

on 6/15/2009 If you want to become a home based travel agent check out GT Trends. GT Trends provides you with a complete turnkey business system, with online training and materials, live agent support, 2 personal websites, and an online back office with tons of marketing and travel tools. GT Trends has been in business for over 8 years and has agents in over 70 countries. GT Trends is awesome! Travel has got to be the funnest business ever and GT Trends makes it so easy. I have been getting consistent checks from GT Trends for over two years. GT Trends is definitely a great opportunity. For more information on the company go to www.gttrends.net.

[qamarjrk]

on 5/27/2009 I tried to access get this error message. pls see bellow.Representative Not FoundPlease enter the web address below of the representative you are trying to locate.http://www.ytb.com/ please help.

[mikewoodstravel]

on 3/25/2009 online

[mikewoodstravel]

on 3/25/2009 Be-an****-travel-agent.com is the Web site to see.