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Travel agent

Alternative titles for this job include Travel consultant

Travel agents book business and leisure travel for customers.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£27,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

How to become a travel agent

You can get into this job through:

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

College

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), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

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), 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 in travel from the Institute of Travel & Tourism.

What it takes

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • talk to customers to understand their needs
  • help customers find a suitable package holiday or plan independent travel
  • make bookings and payments using online computer systems
  • 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
  • keep 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

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

You could also move into other roles in the travel sector, like tour operating.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Travel Consultant

  • Wage: £146.25 Weekly
  • Location: Oldham

Travel Consultant Apprentice

  • Wage: £129.00 Weekly
  • Location: London
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Travel & Tourism

  • Provider: LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 August 2021
  • Location: Lancaster

Travel and Tourism

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2021
  • Location: Hull
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