Career Overview
Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.
Also Known As
- Destination Specialist
- Travel Agent
- Travel Consultant
- Travel Counselor
Alternate Job Titles
- Auto Travel Counselor
- Beach Expert
- Booking Agent
- Business Travel Consultant
- Certified Travel Counselor
- Corporate Travel Agent
- Corporate Travel Consultant
- Corporate Travel Counselor
- Corporate Travel Expert
- Destination Specialist
- Entertainment Travel Consultant
- International Travel Consultant
- Leisure Travel Agent
- Tour Agent
- Tour Coordinator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
- Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
- Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
- Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
- Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
- Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
- Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Persuasion
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Speech Recognition
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Written Expression
- Selective Attention
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Social Orientation
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP Concur
- Zoom
Tools & Equipment
- Card readers
- Computer inkjet printers
- Computer laser printers
- Copy machines
- Laser facsimile machines
- Multiline telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Printing calculators
- Public address systems
- Ticket printing machines
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Spend Time Sitting
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $33,280 |
| Median | $48,450 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $74,160 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 59,150
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,460
Travel Guides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: Varies
Counter and Rental Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,540
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $66,260
Customer Service Representatives
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $42,830
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.