What Travel Agents Do

Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, and make travel arrangements for clients. 

Work Environment

Travel agents typically work in offices, but some work remotely because much of their time is spent on the phone and the computer. Most travel agents work for travel agencies, although about 1 in 10 were self-employed in 2014.

How to Become a Travel Agent

A high school diploma typically is required for someone to become a travel agent. However, many employers prefer additional formal training as well. Good communication and computer skills are essential.

Job Outlook

Employment of travel agents is projected to decline 12 percent from 2014 to 2024. The ability of travelers to use the Internet to research vacations and book their own trips is expected to continue to suppress demand for travel agents. Job prospects should be best for travel agents who specialize in specific destinations or particular types of travelers.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 73,300 jobs in 2012 and 74,100 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 1.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to decrease by 12.1% in 2022 to 64,400 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 71,500, compared with an observed value of 74,100, 3.6% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 11.9% in 2024 to 65,400 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 62,600 jobs for 2024, 4.3% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Travel Agents Employment and Labor Information 2023

Travel Agents Employment Brief:

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.

Travel Agents Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Travel Agents.

Travel Agents Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
• Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
• Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
• Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
• Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
• Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
• Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
• Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.

Typical Daily Tasks of Travel Agents:

• Working with Computers.
• Getting Information: Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs. Retrieve information from electronic sources.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships.
• Processing Information.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Prepare sales or other contracts. Record operational details of travel.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Process sales or other transactions.

Travel Agents Skills and Requirements:

• Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
• InternetNavigating the Internet to find information, including the ability to open and configure standard browsers; use searches, hypertext references, and transfer protocols; and send and retrieve electronic mail (e-mail).
• Mathematics Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
• Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Repairing Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Management of Personnel Resources Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Learning Strategies Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Installation Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Travel Agents Education and Training:

Typical education for include: High school diploma or equivalent.

Travel Agents Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Travel Agents average pay is: $22.31 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services are the highest paid making $28.41, while Traveler Accommodation make the least at $21.77 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Travel Agents: