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Travel agent

Alternative titles for this job include Travel consultant

Travel agents find and book flights, accommodation and holiday packages for business and leisure customers.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£34,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You could do course in travel and tourism to give you some of the knowledge and skills needed for this job.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Travel Consultant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This takes around one year to complete, and combines work experience in a travel business with learning through a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You can start as a trainee travel agent and receive on-the-job training from your employer.

There are no set entry requirements, but a good general standard of education is expected. Some employers may ask for English and maths GCSEs or equivalent. Good geographical knowledge will also be helpful.

More Information

Career tips

It may help if you have customer service experience and can speak a second language.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in travel from the Institute of Travel & Tourism.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • administration skills
  • active listening skills
  • persuading skills
  • a desire to help people
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a travel agent you would:

  • talk to customers to understand what they need
  • help customers find a package holiday or plan independent travel
  • make bookings and payments online
  • advise customers about passports, insurance, visas, vaccinations, tours and vehicle hire
  • inform customers of changes like cancelled flights
  • arrange refunds and handle complaints
  • meet sales targets and report to head office

Working environment

You could work at a store or in a contact centre.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With training and experience, there may be opportunities to progress into senior travel roles like:

  • assistant manager or manager
  • branch or call centre manager
  • operations director
  • regional director

You could also move into other careers in the travel sector, like tour operating or become self employed.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Travel Consultant Operations Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £14,526.20 to £23,492.04 a year Annually
  • Location: BIRCHWOOD, WARRINGTON

Sales/Customer Service Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £14,526.20 to £23,492.04 a year Annually
  • Location: BIRCHWOOD, WARRINGTON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Tourism and Travel Certificate

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Paignton

Travel and Tourism

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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