You could do a Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course
Travel agent
Alternative titles for this job include Travel consultant
Travel agents book and plan business and leisure travel for customers.
Average salary (a year)
£14,000 Starter
to£40,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37 to 40 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota
How to become a travel agent
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
Apprenticeship
You could do a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually 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 in travel from the Institute of Travel & Tourism and Careers that Move.
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
- being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Depending on your role, your day-to-day tasks may include:
- understanding and meeting customers' needs
- using your geographical knowledge to help customers find a suitable package holiday or plan independent travel
- making bookings and payments using online computer systems
- advising customers about passports, insurance, visas, vaccinations, tours and vehicle hire
- informing customers of changes like cancelled flights
- arranging refunds and handling complaints
- meeting sales targets
- keeping up to date with developments in the travel industry
Working environment
You could work in a contact centre or at a store.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With training and experience, there may be opportunities to progress into senior roles like:
- branch or call centre manager
- operations director
- regional director
- managing director
You could also move into other roles in the travel sector, like tour operating.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Apprentice Business Travel Consultant
- Wage : £250.00 Weekly
- Location: Maidenhead SL6 1BU
Apprentice Travel Consultant
- Wage : £148.00 Weekly
- Location: Blackpool FY1 1BN
Courses In England
Travel and Tourism Diploma Level 2
- Provider: MANCHESTER COLLEGE (THE)
- Start date: 04 September 2019
- Location:
Travel and Tourism Diploma level 2
- Provider: LEICESTER COLLEGE
- Start date: 03 September 2019
- Location: Leicester