Travel Agents
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Also known as:
Auto Travel Counselor, Certified Corporate Travel Executive, Certified Travel Counselor, Corporate Travel Expert, Travel Agent, Travel Consultant, Travel Counselor, Travel Service Consultant
See all Hospitality and Tourism Careers.
Whether for business or pleasure, most people rely on travel agents to make their travel arrangements. Travel agents use printed and computer-based sources to advise their customers, book trips and issue tickets. For business travelers, the agent needs to coordinate the customer's schedule as well as sell airline tickets, lodging and car rentals. In vacation travel sales, they must often balance client dreams with a real budget.
Agents may have to master many kinds of information, such as international geography; specialty areas like ecotourism, visa regulations, and inoculation rules. Agents must have good interview, telephone, computer and sales skills. Agencies need experienced help but may take applicants who have college or vocational courses, or high school graduates who have traveled widely.
Entry-level salaries are low but rise with a few years' experience. After six months on the job, most agencies allow their employees to take educational "familiarization trips," or even pay for one or more each year. These low-cost working trips enable agents to experience hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing first-hand. For someone who loves travel, the opportunities to see the world as a travel agent are fantastic.
Leadership |
LOW
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Critical decision making |
HIGH
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Level of responsibilities |
HIGH
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Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines |
HIGH
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Dealing and handling conflict |
LOW
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Competition for this position |
HIGH
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Communication with others |
HIGH
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Work closely with team members, clients etc. |
HIGH
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Comfort of the work setting |
HIGH
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Exposure to extreme environmental conditions |
LOW
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Exposure to job hazards |
LOW
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Physical demands |
LOW
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Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
Interacting With Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
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English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
Sales and Marketing | Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. |
Geography | Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
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Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
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Telecommunications | Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. |
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Clerical | Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology. |
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Transportation | Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. |
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Service Orientation | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
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Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
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Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
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Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
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Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
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Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
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