Career as Travel Agent

Planning a vacation or trip can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Therefore, most travelers seek the assistance of travel agents. The role of a travel agent is to help travelers sort through the vast sea of information and make the best possible travel itineraries for them. Travel agents offer advice on travel destinations and make necessary arrangements for transportation, car rentals, hotel accommodations, and tours for travelers. They also carry out bookings for leading cruise lines. Besides, they take up responsibilities of promoting travel packages of resorts and marketing specialty travel groups to their clients. They also provide the requisite information to their clients on the tips to be kept in mind, exchange rates, and best deals at various restaurants and tourist attractions.

Course Details
Although no specific qualification is required to become a travel agent, a Degree/Diploma/Certificate course in travel & tourism can offer leverage to an aspirant. A travel agent needs to be well versed in everything right from climatic conditions peculiar to a particular nation/city/region to the clothing to be worn to the currency exchange rates. He/She should possess general business skills, sales skills, empathy, and the knowledge of a seasoned traveler. A background in geography, communication, world history, computers, and foreign languages would be an added advantage. Experienced agents can enhance their marketing and sales skills by opting for courses like Certified Travel Associate (CTA) and Certified Travel Counselor (CTC).

Career Prospects
Travel agents can work with travel agencies, tour groups, national and international airlines, hotels, transport and cargo companies, and government tourism departments. Besides, many cruise liners and resorts also hire travel agents to promote travel packages and lure customers to pay them a visit. Once you climb the ropes and have developed a line of reputable clientele, you can open up your own travel and tour agency.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Although no specific courses are structured for travel agents, but a degree in the related field can be an added advantage. Institutes offering various courses in travel and tourism are: Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) at New Delhi, Kolkata and Gwalior; Kuoni Academy, Delhi; Kurukshetra University, Haryana; Delhi University, Delhi; MS University, Baroda; Institute of Tourism and Future Management, Chandigarh; Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi; Tezpur University, Assam; Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh; Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu; Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla; Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi; University of Madras, Chennai; Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati; and University of Poona, Nasik.

Remuneration
Generally, well-established travel agents earn handsome salary packages. A fresher working in a travel agency can get a monthly salary of Rs. 8,000 - 12,000. Remuneration increases with an increase in experience. Travel agents running their own travel agencies generate high revenues, depending upon the size of their business.