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Travel school can prepare students for a rewarding career in the
travel and tourism industry, and travel agent school training
programs offer many opportunities for ongoing education.
Obtaining experience and knowledge with travel agent schools
online is another option for many prospective travel agents.
Travel agents help provide guidance and direction for travelers,
and are often involved with selling tickets and packages, making
reservations, and coordinating flights. Students who attend
travel agency school can also learn various computer programs
and databases used in the industry.
Job Description and Responsibilities of Travel Agent School Graduates
Travel agency school provides
students with hands-on training and skills to be successful travel agents. Most
travel agents are responsible for:
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Working with a variety of
customers and clientele
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Searching and booking
vacation packages
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Locating travel and flight
details
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Making arrangements for hotel
accommodations and transportation
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Providing information on
custom regulations and learning about required papers
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Understanding exchange rates
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Using computer-based sources
to find departure and arrival information
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Making recommendations for
hotels, restaurants, and resorts
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Using telemarketing and
direct sales methods
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Using the internet to find
low-cost fares and competitive rates
Travel agents work year round,
and can be especially busy during vacation season and peak holiday periods. Many
travel agents are self-employed and work from home.
Career Options After
Travel
Agency
School
Students of a travel agency
school can pursue a career as a:
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Travel counselor
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Travel advisor
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Corporate travel agent
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Travel planner
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Itinerary manager
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Receptionist at a travel
agency
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Travel Director
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Independent travel agent
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Travel and Tourism Specialist
Travel Agent School
Courses and Training Programs
Travel agent school courses and
training programs are available through many community and technical colleges
throughout the country. Travel school courses focus on geography, hospitality
procedures, and computer-based database management. Travel agent schools online
offer the added benefit of communicating with instructors and industry
professionals throughout the course.
The standard travel agent
school program includes courses such as:
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Tour and Vacation Packages
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Key Tourist Destinations
Around the World
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Using Computerized
Reservations Systems (CRS)
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How to Start a Travel Agency
Business
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Travel Career Certification
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Booking Cruises
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How to Be a Homebased Travel
Agent
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Intro to Tourism Operations
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Tourism Sales & Marketing
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Tour Planning
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Ecotourism
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Geography
Although certification is not
required, 13 states do require some form of retail registration and
certification for selling travel services. These can be obtained by contacting
the Department of Commerce in each State.
Travel Agent Schools
Online
Travel agent schools online
offer the flexibility and convenience of obtaining an education from home.
Distance learning is becoming a valuable opportunity for many students
interested in travel school, and can offer additional benefits for learning
online travel and marketing principles.
Travel School Accreditation
Each travel agency school
program is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education or regional
accrediting body. Travel agent schools online may be accredited by the
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Travel School Graduates Earning Potential and
Employment Prospects
The employment of travel agents is expected to decline through
2014, as more people turn to self-booking options through the internet. Although
many travel agents work from home, fewer jobs are available through a formal
travel agency. Travel agents who specialize in Internet sales and marketing will
have the most benefits for creating a business or developing a career.
In addition to the internet, many other factors are having an
impact on the travel and tourism industry. Spending on tourism and travel is
expected to increase as more people see a rise in disposable income. However,
terrorism threats and a recession in general travel business is expected to be
ongoing. Still, reduced costs in airfares and travel packages available through
travel agent sales programs can help encourage the industry.
In addition, a travel agent school will also compete with
self-learning students who choose travel agent schools online as resource for
obtaining their
education.
As the entertainment, communications, and broadcast industry
continues to grow, the demand for skilled video production professionals is also
increasing. The majority of workers in the field can be found as audio and video
equipment technicians, while many video productions school graduates choose to
pursue a career as a producer or freelance video editor.
Median annual earnings of travel agents were $27,640 and this
amount varies depending on the size and location of the agency, as well as the
sales ability of the travel agent. Salaried travel agents can enjoy the benefits
of low cost travel, and visit many vacation sites at a discount. Related
occupations include:
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