Travel agent
Book trips, sell holiday packages and give advice to help make travel easier for people.
About the job
What it's like
You would book trips, sell holiday packages and give advice to help make travel easier for people.
You could be based in a high street travel agent or a call centre.
You would:
help customers to find a package holiday or plan independent travel
check the holiday availability by phone or computer
make bookings using a computer
collect deposits and fill in booking forms
contact customers when their tickets arrive, and collect final payments
tell customers about any changes such as cancelled flights, and arrange an alternative
advise customers about passports, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations and tours
arrange refunds and handle complaints
You might also manage travel for business people. You'd deal with documents, tickets, car hire and accommodation.
Hours
You'd usually work 35 to 40 hours a week over five days, normally between Monday and Saturday. Part-time hours may be available.
Environment
You'd be based in an office. You'd be expected to have a smart appearance and would usually be provided with a uniform.
Travel
In some companies your employer might arrange short visits to resorts overseas to improve your knowledge of the holidays that you're selling.
Explore more information about this job
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Tourism
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- sales prospecting
- brand awareness
- travel planning
- travel advisory
- product knowledge
- selling techniques
- tourism
- numerical analysis
- customer engagement
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- negotiating
- time management
- taking initiative
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- respecting
- empathising
- verbal communication
- cooperating
- building relationships
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Administration and Information Technology
English and Communication
Skills for Work: Travel and Tourism
There are no formal entry requirements for this career, although a good general education is useful.
Some entrants:
have studied a travel and tourism course, for example a National Certificate (SCQF Level 6), a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or a Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8), or
have relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Travel Services (SVQ Level 2/3), or
do a Modern Apprenticeship
You can enter some travel and tourism National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF Levels 2-6) with no formal qualifications but most courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF Level 4/5).
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF Level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or a relevant NC or HNC.
Qualifications and experience that show an understanding of the industry, customer care, organisation and administration skills, such as Skills for Work Travel and Tourism (SCQF Level 4/5).
Relevant industry qualifications such as Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Travel Services (SVQ Level 2/3) or being willing to work towards qualifications once in a job.
For some jobs, employers may ask for experience in using specialist booking software. Computer skills are important.
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