Travel agent
Book trips, sell holiday packages and give advice to help make travel easier for people.
About the job
What it's like
Do you love planning trips as much as taking them? If so, working as a travel agent may be your dream career destination!
In this role, you'll book trips, sell holiday packages and give people advice about travelling.
You could also manage travel for business people. In these instances, you'll deal with documents, tickets, car hire and accommodation.
Travel agents may be based in a high-street travel agent or call centre. Some travel agents are self-employed and work with clients online or through social media.
With experience, you could move into a senior role or even become a branch manager.
Your tasks might include:
helping customers to find a package holiday or plan independent travel
checking the holiday availability by phone or computer
making bookings, collecting deposits and completing booking forms
contacting customers when their tickets arrive and collecting final payments
telling customers about any changes that happen, such as cancelled flights – you'll also help arrange an alternative
advising customers about passports, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations and tours
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Career Scope – explore careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism
The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) – find out more about opportunities within travel
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Travel agent'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
-
Air cabin crew -
Airline customer service agent -
Airport information assistant -
Resort representative -
Tour manager -
Tourist guide -
Tourist information centre assistant
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 and hospitality
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.
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 a few ways you can become a travel agent.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job. Useful subjects include:
Travel and Tourism
Tourism Management
Hospitality Management
Business
Digital Marketing
Use the My World of Work course search to find HNCs and HNDs.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Customer Service, Retail and Travel.
Work
You can become a travel agent by applying for a paid trainee role, where you learn on the job without needing previous experience. Use the My World of Work job search to look for trainee roles.
Most employers expect trainees to have a decent standard of general education. Good geographical knowledge will also be helpful.
It's useful if you can speak a second language.
Customer service experience can help you break into the industry. You can gain these skills through volunteering – search for relevant opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Some employers may ask for applicants to have experience in using specialist booking software. So, strong digital skills are important.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Travel agent'
