CAREERS IN A
TRAVEL AGENCY
Working in a travel agency! It conjures up images of travel to distant and exotic places with camel rides and climbing up snow-topped peaks or basking in the sun on a tropical beach. Unfortunately, the reality is not quite like that. Travel agents work in offices usually at computers and most of the travel they do is in the mind, although they do get access to cheap fares and sometimes go on a ‘famil,’ which is checking out a destination. However, the work is fun as you get to plan people’s holidays, and you do meet lots of people. What do travel agents do? They may perform the following tasks: Research and develop information on tours and destinations Provide advice and information to customers on travel options, destinations, tours and services offered Provide advice on visas, health issues etc Assist in planning and organising trips and holidays Prepare quotations Construct airfares, either domestic or international Process documentation Sell and book things such as flights, hotels, tours and hire cars for customers Receive payment and issue tickets. You need to be organised and have good customer service and communication skills. As well, you need good computer and IT skills as most work is done online these days. What are the career opportunities? You can specialise in domestic or international travel, or in some companies you can do both. You may work for a small private company, or be part of a large chain. Most airlines also have travel agencies. Some agents specialise in corporate or group bookings. Others conduct all their business via the Web. As things are becoming computerised and many customers now book their own tickets, the role is changing slightly to one of providing advice and customer service. Opportunities include having your agency or working in a large airline. Some related jobs include working in a tour company, a government tourist body, or working in a visitor information centre.
CAREERS IN A TRAVEL AGENCY
What training do you need? To be a qualified travel agent, you need to have either a Certificate III in Tourism (Retail Travel Sales) or a Certificate III in Tourism (International Retail Travel Sales). If you wish to have your own agency, you need to be licensed which includes having the appropriate certificate as well as on-the-job experience. Certificate III in Tourism (Retail Travel Sales) is the qualification required to be a domestic travel agent Certificate III in Tourism (International Retail Travel Sales) is the required certificate to be an international travel agent You can do this through a training course at a TAFE or other Registered Training Organisation, Some training providers offer a New Apprenticeship in Retail Travel in which you undertake formal training whilst working. For more information: myfuture: The Job Guide: Australian JobSearch: New Apprenticeships: Get Access: Wagenet: http://www.myfuture.edu.au http://jobguide.dest.gov.au/ http://jobsearch.gov.au http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au or call the hotline on 1800 639 629 http://www.getaccess.com.au http://www.wagenet.gov.au
See a careers counsellor at your local TAFE or Registered Training Organisation Look at the careers guide on http://www.careers.insportandrecreation.net Look at the Australian Federation of Travel Agents site at http://www.afta.com.au