High School

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for becoming a travel agent. Be certain to take computer science courses, as well as typing or keyboarding courses. Since much of the travel agent's job involves computerized reservation systems, it is important to have effective keyboarding skills and to be comfortable working with computers.

Clear communication skills are central to this job, so classes in English or speech are useful. Proficiency in a foreign language is also helpful for work with international travelers. Travel agents who own their own businesses need to market their services to potential customers, so it’s a good idea to take advertising and marketing classes. Geography, social studies, and business mathematics are classes that may also help prepare you for various aspects of the travel agent's work.

You can also begin learning about being a travel agent while still in high school by getting a summer or part-time job in travel and tourism. If finding a part-time or summer job in a travel agency proves impossible, you might consider looking for a job as a reservation agent for an airline, rental car agency, or hotel.

Postsecondary Training

Travel courses are available from certain colleges, private vocational schools, and adult education programs in public high schools. Some colleges and universities grant bachelor's and master's degrees in travel and tourism. College training is not required for work as a travel agent, but it can be very helpful and is expected to become increasingly important. It is predicted that in the future most agents will be college graduates. Travel schools provide basic reservation training and other training related to travel agents' functions, which is helpful but not required.

A liberal arts or business administration background is recommended for a career in this field. Useful liberal arts courses include foreign languages, geography, English, communications, history, anthropology, political science, art and music appreciation, and literature. Pertinent business courses include transportation, business law, hotel management, marketing, office management, and accounting. As in many other fields, computer skills are increasingly important.

Certification

The Global Business Travel Association offers a certificate program at locations around the world.

Other Education or Training

The American Society of Travel Agents offers a variety of continuing education classes and webinars, including those that help agents to become specialists in particular countries (such as Jordan and Turkey) or areas (such as North American rail travel). The Travel Institute offers travel agents a number of educational programs such as sales skills development courses and destination specialist courses, which provide a detailed knowledge of various geographic regions of the world. The Global Business Travel Association, The Travel Institute, and the Society of Government Travel Professionals also offer continuing education classes. 

Certification or Licensing

To be able to sell passage on various types of transportation, travel agents must be approved by the conferences of carriers involved. These are the Airlines Reporting Corporation, the International Air Transport Association, and the Cruise Lines International Association. To sell tickets for these individual conferences, travel agents must be clearly established in the travel business and have a good personal and business background. Not all travel agents are authorized to sell passage by all of the above conferences. Those who wish to sell the widest range of services should seek affiliation with all three.

Travel agents may choose to become certified by The Travel Institute. The institute offers the designations of certified travel associate, certified travel counselor, and certified travel industry executive to applicants who complete education and experience requirements. Certification is not required but can help travel agents advance in their careers.

The Society of Government Travel Professionals offers the certified government travel professional designation. The Global Business Travel Association provides the global travel professional certification.

Some states require travel agents to be licensed or registered, so it is important to check the requirements for the state in which you plan to work.

Aspiring travel agents should try to obtain experience in customer service or actual work at a travel agency via internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities. Some agencies prefer to hire applicants with experience visiting a particular country or region.  

The primary requisite for success in the travel field is a sincere interest in travel. A travel agent's knowledge of and travel experiences with major tourist centers, various hotels, and local customs and points of interest makes them a more effective and convincing source of assistance. Yet the work of travel agents is not one long vacation. They operate in a highly competitive industry.

Travel agents must be able to make quick and accurate use of transportation schedules and tariffs. They must be able to handle addition and subtraction quickly. Almost all agents make use of computers and the Internet to get the very latest information on rates and schedules and to make reservations.

You will work with a wide range of personalities as a travel agent, so skills in psychology and diplomacy are important. You must also be able to generate enthusiasm among your customers and be resourceful in solving any problems that might arise. Knowledge of foreign languages is useful because many customers come from other countries, and you will be in frequent contact with foreign hotels and travel agencies.