Are You Travel Agent Material?

For those searching for travel agent jobs, it can be useful to have not only a general overview of the field, but also a list of specific skills needed to secure a position in this competitive industry. While there are many routes to becoming a professional travel agent, such as an internship or via a college course, the skills required in the day-to-day operation of the job remain the same and are applicable across a wide range of positions. The industry is a large one: in 2008, travel agents held 105,300 jobs, with 76% of agents working for travel arrangements and reservation services, and 60% working for travel agencies. Approximately 17% were self-employed.

Courses of Study

In order to become an agent, one standard entry-level qualification, such as a high-school diploma or college certification (or equivalent) is required. Because of the high level of computer skills required for the job, employers prefer job candidates who have had vocational training or gained familiarity with booking systems such as 'Sabre' and 'Galileo'. Some people who aspire to work in the industry in travel agent jobs study for a bachelor's degree in travel and tourism, although these courses aren't widespread.

Other Backgrounds

Many people move into travel agent jobs after starting out as a reservation clerk or receptionist in a travel agency. With experience and in-house training, they can expand their knowledge and take on further responsibilities.

An educational background in geography, foreign languages, or even world history can also be useful when applying for travel positions as they suggest an existing interest in the field.

Continuing Education

For those who secure agents, further study is often required even after they've found their perfect position. Many prospective clients are well-informed and expect an agent's expert advice to be just that. An agent must have a wealth of information on hand and be able to make recommendations based on it, so keeping abreast of industry changes is paramount. Qualifications such as the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) and Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) are a valuable asset, along with other marketing and sales skills qualifications, and specialist destination programs.

Skills

There are many skills necessary to fulfil the specialised requirements of travel agent jobs. One key skill to be aware of, and begin developing, is the ability to cope under pressure - many agents will need to be on hand to make changes to itineraries or travel plans in the event of a disruption or an emergency. A good telephone manner and strong communications skills are also vital for dealing with clients and various companies and agencies. Strong sales and research skills are also vital, to enable you to locate and pass on the best deals to clients. With so much research and administration conducted online, familiarity with electronic booking systems and strong IT skills are also a must.

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Learning Galileo for Travel Agent Jobs

If you're hoping to find your dream job as a travel agent, it's always worth trying to find out more about the specifics of the job. What sort of skills will you need? What sort of systems do travel agents need to be familiar with? One acronym you might be hearing more of in travel agent jobs is CRS, or computer reservations system. This is a computerised system used to store and retrieve information, and conduct transactions related to air travel. Though they were originally designed and utilised exclusively by airlines, many CRS's have now been adapted for use by travel agencies - making knowledge of one a very attractive point on a CV or resume. One of the most popular systems in Europe is known as Galileo.

Galileo

Galileo is a CRS that is widely used in Europe, and boasts 26.4% of worldwide CRS bookings. As a result, knowledge of Galileo can be very useful to applicants for travel agent jobs. Galileo was originally created by United Airlines in 1971, although it was known then as the Apollo Reservation System. While the Apollo Reservation System is still employed by United Airlines, use of the Galileo system has become much more widespread, and airline companies such as Air Lingus, Alitalia, Swissair, and Olympic Airlines use Galileo as their preferred CRS. Travel agent jobs may require knowledge of how the system works, and there are plenty of places which provide training in Galileo's operation.

Colleges

Colleges provide courses for students looking to begin careers in the travel industry. A good course will cover many aspects of not only the Galileo CRS, but also other related aspects of the travel industry. With modular courses becoming standard at most colleges, it's easy to find a course that can deliver the exact knowledge you need to prepare for travel agent jobs. Many courses also offer the options of full-time or part-time study, so that they can easily fit into a busy schedule. One question to bear in mind when selecting a course is whether it is industry-recognised and if, upon completion, you will receive an externally-validated certificate of your new qualification.

Online

There are also many websites that offer online training in Galileo and other similar CRS systems. Although learning online may not seem like the most obvious choice, Galileo's nature as an electronic system means an online course can be an effective way of familiarising yourself with it, and learning about its workings in a little more detail. Even those already in travel agent jobs should familiarise themselves online with any new CRS's to brush up on their skills. For those who want to learn Galileo, an online course can be a good option for getting to grips with the basics of the system before more in-depth training.

On The Job

For those already employed in travel agent jobs, one option (although not always available) is simply to learn Galileo as you go, receiving training and instruction from more experienced colleagues. Practical, hands-on use of a CRS can result in a surprising level of familiarity very quickly, especially when supported with a good training program by your company.

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