How To Become a Travel Agent in 4 Steps (With Helpful Tips)

Despite the popularity of automated booking systems for vacations, travel agents are in demand for trips that require thoughtful planning and expertise. Travel agents ensure travel plans, such as activities and costs, receive a personalized touch while often providing clients with the best value for their money. Understanding the steps and requirements it takes to earn this role may help you begin your career and increase your chances of job success.

In this article, we explain what this role does and how to become a travel agent in four steps and answer some common questions about this career path.

What do travel agents do?

Travel agents help clients make travel arrangements or explore different travel package options. They may suggest accommodations or destinations, and they can help people arrange a travel itinerary. A travel agent can also book flights, hotels and reservations. Before travel agents can make travel arrangements, it's essential for them to learn about their clients, including a budget, schedule, ideal vacation and preferred travel method. For example, a travel agent who learns a client is afraid of flying may suggest a cruise instead.

Additionally, travel agents may field complex questions regarding national and international travel, such as helping clients understand the health and safety protocols airlines or countries are currently adhering to for travel. This role can often act as a buffer between the consumer and travel suppliers. A travel agent also has various duties that can change daily based on their client or agency work, but some typical responsibilities for this role include:

• Negotiating hotel rates for clients

• Helping clients create trip plans

• Developing alternative travel plans when schedules change or client events arise

• Determining travel costs and helping the client save money

• Advising clients on activities in the area they're visiting

• Informing clients about required travel documents, like passports

• Discussing essential information with clients, such as requirements for crossing borders

Read more: What Does a Travel Agent Do? (Job Description and Duties)

How to become a travel agent

Here are some steps on how to become a travel agent:

1. Get formal training

Most travel agents require at least a high school diploma, but some college education can help you gain essential knowledge in areas such as tourism, best business practices, international affairs, travel insurance, strategy, finances and marketing. You can take courses at community colleges and earn an associate degree in travel or tourism. Additionally, you can enroll at a college or university and obtain a bachelor's degree in business management, which you may find beneficial if you plan to work as an independent contractor.

You could also pursue a travel agent certification to show your expertise to clients and potential travel agency employers. For example, The Travel Institute offers the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test, which you can take to showcase your skills and qualifications. After a few years of experience, you can take additional exams with The Travel Institute or similar organizations to earn more advanced certifications, such as becoming a Certified Travel Associate (CTA). Other certifications can include:

• American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA): ASTA has several certification courses with various topics, including negations, legal issues, project management and geoculture guides.

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): IATA allows travel agents to plan and book clients on airlines for domestic and international travel.

• Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS): TIDS permits travel agents to schedule client vacations with travel suppliers, where the agent can receive a commission.

• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA): CLIA helps clients plan and schedule international cruise vacations.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

Read more: 8 Travel Agent Certifications (And How To Earn One)

2. Develop your interpersonal skills

Part of a travel agent's success depends on the ability to interact with others, whether by phone calls, emails or in-person meetings. Effective communication and interpersonal skills can help you gain and retain loyal clients, especially if you plan to work independently and not for a travel agency.

Related: 14 Ways To Improve Your Interpersonal Skills at Work

3. Research planning and budgeting techniques

As a travel agent, your clients depend on you to help them save the most money possible while they travel, so it's beneficial to research deals on hotels, cruises, flights or events. You can also call or email these establishments to ask if they're offering special prices or packages for specific travel dates.

If you work for an agency, you may receive on-the-job training that shows how to find the best deals for clients and make the best reservations for their value.

Related: How To Become a Travel Agent From Home

4. Grow your travel industry knowledge

Vacation spots and your clients' itinerary priorities can change over time, so it's useful to keep a current and growing knowledge of recent developments in the travel industry. It can also help to continue taking courses specifically designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of the tourism industry.

In addition to the TAP test, The Travel Institute offers courses in geography and itinerary planning to equip you with the knowledge for planning memorable trips for your clients. These courses can be helpful if you plan to specialize in one area of travel.

Related: How To Write a Travel Agent Resume (Template and Example)

Jobs similar to a travel agent

There are similar career options if you're interested in working in the travel industry but not necessarily becoming a travel agent. Here are a few related jobs to explore:

• Travel consultant

• Tour manager

• Tour guide

• Travel writer

• Travel blogger

• Travel influencer

• Cruise consultant

• Flight attendant

• Hotel manager

• Hospitality manager

• Event planner

• Customer service representative