by Rg Rogers

Created on: June 14, 2007

Becoming a travel agent usually starts with working in an agency office. Most offices require a high school diploma and an enthusiasm for travel. Some travel agencies may prefer people with advanced degrees in history, business, communications, or public relations. Travel experience is helpful, although not required. The American Society of Travel Agents offers correspondence courses and special trips aimed at people interested in becoming a travel agent. This type of travel agent certification is not obligatory, but it will supplement your job application.

Some travel agencies specialize in a particular type of travel such as ecotourism, ocean cruises, or travel to a specific region. If you would like to work for a specialized travel agency, be prepared to show extensive knowledge of an area of the travel industry. Knowledge of a foreign language and strong geography skills are also very useful for travel agents, who may find themselves negotiating with people in other nations. Chinese, French, English, and Spanish are all good languages to study for people interested in becoming a travel agent.

It is also important to be able to think quickly and reconcile information from a large number of sources. A big part of the hassle in modern traveling is found in coordinating various methods of transportation, hotel stays, and the other sundries of travel. If you are able to work in a fast paced environment with a lot of sensory input, becoming a travel agent might be a good career choice for you. Be prepared to spend a great deal of time on the phone, scrutinizing documents, and organizing itineraries for your clients. Designing the trip of a lifetime for a client can result in referrals and repeat business, and it is important to make sure that every customer counts with you.

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