Travel Agent - relatively a new name in the list of professions preferred by today’s younger brigade. But this is one such profession which is spreading its wings more than any other professions in the race. In the last thirty years or so with the opening up of the world’s economy and flourishing of the tourism industry throughout the world and especially in the Asian country the importance of the travel agents has increased many folds. The aviation industry has further helped this profession to spread its wings.
Travel Agent or travel agency in the broader sense is concerned with providing services for people who are away from home on business, personal or holiday. Responsibly of the travel agents is to make the travelling of the person leisure free from any kind of worries involving their ticketing, boarding or lodging etc. Travel agents assess the needs of tourists and businessmen and help them make the best possible travel arrangements from so many travel options available and best known to them. Travel agents also help to promote travel packages to the millions of people who travel every year from one place to another throughout the world.
With the improvement in the standard of living and increasing worldwide interest in travel, and with the Government's encouragement of its activities, travel and tourism is undergoing massive expansion and improvement. This forecast is quite encouraging for those who are thinking to make travel agency as their career.
Young people with desire and capacity for hard work can get both money and satisfaction and rise to top positions very quickly in travel and tourism or even head their own agencies. But to reach such high positions one should have to work hard and should have the requisite basic knowledge concerned with this field. For this, there are the specific short term and long term courses available which one has to undergo.
Travel Agent Eligibility
The minimum qualification for becoming a Travel Agent is a Bachelor’s Degree in Travel and Tourism.
Travel Agent Required Skills
- Students should good customer service skills; good organisation skills; a good telephone manner and strong communication skills.
- They should have the ability to cope with pressure at busy times; sales skills, both face to face and over the telephone and IT skills.
- They have an interest in travel; knowledge of geography and the ability to work well as a member of a team.
How to become a Travel Agent?
To become a Travel Agent one has to undergo one or more of the following Courses
Eligibility
1. Educational Qualification
The eligibility for admission to Travel and Tourism courses at the undergraduate level is higher secondary examination pass irrespective of the stream and the percentage of marks obtained.
Step 1
Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by the various institutions providing undergraduate courses for tour and travel to admit candidates according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam.
These exams are usually held in the month of May-June and consists of Objective type questions based on the relevant subjects the results of these exams are generally out by June/July
However, some colleges also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying class
Step 2
After completing this 3-4 years of course in which one has to go through all the major aspects like Indian history, art and architecture. Apart from the theoretical part, travel agents are also exposed to some practical training. After the course, one can opt. for some job in the travel agency, opt for his own agency or can go for the higher studies in the related field.
2. Master of Tourism Administration (MTA)
Eligibility
1. Educational Qualification
Graduation in any field and Proficiency in at least one foreign language is preferred.
Step 1
Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by The Indian Institution of Tourism and Travel Management and some universities offering MTA degree in Tourism.
These exams are usually held in the month of May-June and consist of Objective type questions based on the subject of relevant subjects the results of these exams are generally out by June/July.
However, some colleges also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying class
Step 2
With a post-graduate degree in hand, one can get managerial and administrative positions in the industry.
Travel Agent Job Description
To discharge his duties with utmost efficiency a travel agent must be up-to-date on current rules and regulations and documentation required, in the field of cargo, ticketing passports and visas etc. A trained professional only can correctly advise their clients, and take care of the paperwork when it is necessary. Besides this paper-related knowledge, he should be knowledgeable about the places their clients visit, in terms of general background, how to get their connections by air, rail and road and the facilities available.
Travel Agent Career Prospects
Enormous employment opportunities are available for Travel Agents in private as well as public sector organisations. Career opportunities in this field would depend on an individual’s area of specialization. Some of the fields in which a travel agent could get employment are:-
Tourism Department:
In the Tourism Department, there are jobs as Reservation & counter staff, Sales and marketing staff, Tour Planners and Tour guides. A degree in travel and tourism is required for operational jobs in government organisations.
- Tour Operators: Tour operators organize tours to the various tourist spots and manage the travel and stay of the tourists. There are many companies operating tours for the domestic as well as the international tourist. Tour operators need people for selling the concept and then to accompany the groups to the destinations.
- Travel Agencies: Travel agents assess the needs of tourists and businessmen and help them make the best possible travel arrangements from the many travel options available. Many resorts, travel groups use travel agents to promote their tour packages to travellers most travel agencies demands persons have a pleasing personality and the ability to deal with customers. A knowledge of destinations and procedures help a great deal.
- Hotels: The hotel Industry is basically a service industry providing food and accommodation to the Visitors. It is one which requires a large amount of manpower, with a wide variety of skills.
- Transport: Besides airlines, Travel facilities include rail services, coach operators, and car hire companies. etc. Whatever that takes Tourists from one place to another - by air, road, railway, sea etc. comes under Travel and tourism. Tourist use almost all these travel facilities. Thus great scope for travel agents in this filed also.
Travel Agent Salary
Travel agent can expect to get anything between Rs.8000 to Rs.10,000 as their starting pay. After gaining some on job experience one can start his own agency and can earn as good as Rs.50,000 per month and more.
