Travel agents handbook

OnDemand: Individual Chapters. Search this Book: Reset. The peer review process is the driving force behind all IGI Global books and journals. All IGI Global reviewers maintain the highest ethical standards and each manuscript undergoes a rigorous double-blind peer review process, which is backed by our full membership to the Committee on Publication Ethics COPE.

IGI Global book and journal editors and authors are provided written guidelines and checklists that must be followed to maintain the high value that IGI Global places on the work it publishes. These apply to all books, journals, chapters, and articles submitted and accepted for publication.

As with the original terms of IATA Resolution d, passenger details can only be used by airlines for operational notifications; not for sales or marketing communications. However, the aviation body launched it only as a recommendation to agents; not the mandate it has become. Airlines work very hard to avoid flight disruptions and cancellations, but sometimes they are unavoidable.

Having the ability to alert the passenger of the disruption and offer travel alternatives will go a long way toward easing passenger frustrations when these incidents occur. There are many exciting initiatives happening in the industry at the moment where direct contact with the customer will be essential.

Hopefully, by helping airlines audit contactability they can negotiate a reasonable solution with travel companies. In , IATA announced the introduction of Resolution d to tackle the growing problem of airlines being unable to inform passengers of delays, schedule changes and cancellations due to inconsistent or incomplete contact details. The regulation increases the quantity and accuracy of the information available to airlines when cases of disruption occur and they need to contact passengers, often at short notice.

Airlines will be able to capture more contact details, allowing them to communicate with passengers whose schedule has been disrupted. However, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have sales experience or relevant certification or education. Good communication and customer service skills are essential. Employment of travel agents is projected to grow 5 percent from to , slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 7, openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of travel agents with similar occupations. Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, and make travel arrangements for clients.

Travel agents sort through vast amounts of information to find and arrange the best trip options for travelers. In addition, resorts and specialty groups use travel agents to promote vacation packages to their clients. Travel agents may visit destinations to get firsthand experience so that they can make recommendations to clients. They visit hotels, resorts, and restaurants to evaluate the comfort, cleanliness, and quality of establishments.

Self-employed travel agents may have additional responsibilities related to running their business, such as recordkeeping, managing staff, and marketing. However, travel agents most of their time talking with clients, promoting tours, and contacting airlines and hotels to make travel accommodations. Leisure travel agents sell vacation packages to the public. Leisure travel agents often focus on a specific geographic area or type of travel, such as adventure tours.

Some cater to a specific group, such as students or single people. Corporate travel agents , also called travel coordinators, primarily make travel arrangements for businesses.

Travel agents held about 60, jobs in The largest employers of travel agents were as follows:. Agents may face stress during travel emergencies or unanticipated schedule changes. Most travel agents work full time, although part-time work is common. A high school diploma typically is required to become a travel agent. Communication and customer service skills are essential.

Travel agents typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, but employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a college degree or who have taken courses related to the travel industry.

Community colleges, vocational schools, and industry associations may offer technical training, certificates, or continuing education in professional travel planning. In addition, some 4-year colleges offer degrees in travel and tourism. Courses usually focus on reservations systems, marketing, and regulations regarding international travel. Employers in the travel industry typically provide on-the-job training that lasts at least 1 month.

This training covers topics such as how to operate computer systems that are used in the industry. For example, a travel agent could be trained to work with a reservation system used by several airlines. High school graduates with limited experience may demonstrate competence by taking the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP test.

The test has no eligibility requirements, but study and preparation may be required. The test is administered by The Travel Institute.

The Travel Institute also provides training and professional credentials for travel agents at three different experience levels. To maintain the credential, each program requires continuing education annually. Each level requires a certain amount of training and product knowledge. Some states require travel agents to have a business license, to register with the state, or to meet other conditions. Requirements vary by state. Contact individual state licensing agencies for more information.

Some agencies prefer to hire travel agents who have extensive traveling experience. These agencies especially prefer travel agents who focus on particular destinations or types of travelers, such as groups with a special interest or corporate travelers.

Agencies also may prefer to hire travel agents who have sales experience. Communication skills.