If you desire to know how to become a travel agent for free, then this article would be of great help to you. Within this article, you’ll understand who a travel agent is and the responsibilities they have. You will also get a detailed explanation of the steps you can take to become a travel agent for free.
Also, if you want to find out if the travel agent job is a high-paying job that requires little experience, then we’ve answered that for you as well as some questions about the employment outlook of a travel agent.
Let’s start with the important things to know about becoming a travel agent.
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Important Things To Know About Becoming a Travel Agent
Before we show you exactly how you can become a travel agent for free, we would like you to understand some of the important things about being a travel agent.
Who is a travel agent?
A travel agent is an individual or private retailer who provides the general public with travel and tourism services such as accommodation, consultation, and other travel packages for different destinations.
As a travel Agent, your job may include organizing and planning travel for individuals, groups, corporations, etc.
You may also be responsible for the hotels, airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, railways, travel insurance, package tours, and other logistics that clients may need for a successful journey.
In simple terms, your job is to make the travel process and planning easier for your customers. Some travel agents also provide consultation services and travel packages.
What does a travel agent do?
Travel Agents can have several responsibilities and duties. However, the scope and scale of their jobs may depend on who they work for. An agent can either work for a travel agency or be self-employed.
Below is an overview of what travel agents do:
- Planning Travel for Clients
Clients who need someone else to organize their journey usually turn to travel agents to help them with it.
Travel agents help these individuals or firms to plan their journey as well as other aspects of the travel process.
2. Booking Reservations
Agents who are responsible for their clients’ travel processes usually oversee transportation, accommodation, and book reservations for these customers based on their budget and needs.
Typically, travel agents may receive commissions of about 10% to 15% from some transport or lodging companies.
3. Provide Vital Information to Travelers
Various travelers may not have the time to look up things like requirements for passports and visas, currency exchange rates, import duties, and other policies. It is the duty of the travel agent to relate this information to their clients during travel planning.
4. Offering Travel Advice and Resources to the Public
Some travel agents provide valuable information to the public on issues related to travel. They may provide travel timetables, and literature and also compute travel costs for individuals.
5. Develop and Sell Tours
Wholesale travel agents or organizations may develop tours to several destinations and sell them to retail travel agents who then offer these tours to individuals/travelers.
Areas of Specialization for a Travel Agent
Some large travel agencies have agents who specialize in different geographic locations and aspects of travel while Small travel agencies may have agents who cover a wider range of specialties or niches.
Areas travel agents may specialize in include:
- Leisure
- Business
- Adventure travel
- Corporate
- Family
- Destination Specialist
- Groups
- Weddings/Honeymoons
- Luxury
The above list is not exhaustive. There are vast niches in the travel industry for agents to specialize in.
Some individuals who have the experience and capacity can also specialize in more than one niche.
From the list above, the luxury travel agent specialty is believed to be the highest-earning niche followed by Adventure, Weddings, and Groups.
How to become a travel agent for Free
Becoming a Travel Agent for free is absolutely possible.
However, you will need to acquire some form of training/education and also a license to begin a career as a travel agent.
The steps below will show you how to become a travel agent for free.
- Seek information about becoming a Travel Agent online
- Research various free online courses on becoming a travel agent
- Acquire Formal Education
- Obtain your license
- Become a member of a reputable travel organization/community
- Build your reputation and develop a clientele list
- Grow your knowledge of the Travel Industry
- Start making money with your travel agent business.
#1. Seek information about becoming a Travel Agent online
The right information will enable you to avoid common mistakes and start your travel agent career properly.
Online research could give you most of the answers you may need. This will also help you know the right travel niche for you, the right place to practice, employment outlook and opportunities, etc.
#2. Research various free online courses on becoming a travel agent
There are several free pieces of training, courses, and educational resources about becoming a travel agent.
Taking these courses will teach you the fundamentals of the career and help you understand the demands of becoming a travel agent.
#3. Acquire Formal Education
From your research, pick the most credible course and register. The educational requirements for some travel agents may be at least a high school diploma.
You can also go further by enrolling in college bachelor’s Programs that offer education in tourism, international relations, marketing, and other travel-related fields.
Travel agent certifications are also available, and we have discussed a few in this article.
#4. Obtain your license
Travel agents require certain certifications before they can start practicing. Certification tests are also available for you to test your level of knowledge. Institutions like the Travel Agent Institute offer advanced Certifications.
#5. Become a member of a reputable travel organization/community
Joining a credible travel organization can assist you to acquire a license/training and can also help you build credibility.
It creates a platform that you can leverage to build relationships and networks with other individuals in the field.
Agencies like the Western Association of Travel Agencies and the International Air Transport Association could be great places to start.
#6. Build your reputation and develop a clientele list
To build your reputation as a travel agent, you need to develop your marketing skills and your interpersonal skills.
Your ability to interact with people will help you gain and retain clients. The soft skills you possess play a big role in your success as a travel agent.
When you attract these clients with your marketing skills, you can retain them with your interpersonal skills and nurture them into loyal customers.
#7. Grow your knowledge of the Travel Industry
If you know better, then you’ll definitely do better. As a travel agent, you should build your research, planning, and budgeting techniques as this will help you to adequately plan the best travel for your clients at the best cost. Also, it is wise to keep in touch with changing trends in your industry.
#8. Start making money with your travel agent business
When you’ve mastered the fundamentals of becoming a travel agent, you can either start as a self-employed travel agent or you can build a resume and apply to a travel agency.
Top 10 Best Travel Agent Training and Certifications Online for Free in 2023
1. Travel Agent Training for free by ed2go
This is a six months course with open enrollment offered by ed2go. The course is self-paced and you will be allowed to begin at any time you wish.
You will learn what you need to know about the travel industry from hotels and resorts to transportation and airline. You’ll also learn about cruises, tours, guide planning, and more.
2. Becoming a Travel Advisor by Digital Chalk
This course is an entertaining and educational course that teaches individuals to become travel advisors.
It is an introductory course that covers the fundamentals of the travel industry and how you can go about becoming a professional travel consultant.
You will learn a lot about the travel agency industry, from industry experts and specialists.
3. Ethics for Travel Advisors
This course is free for all ASTA members and individuals who enrolled in the Verified Travel Advisor certification program offered by ASTA.
With the use of examples to simplify and explain key principles, this course will expand your understanding of some vital ethical considerations in the travel business and industry.
4. Travel Industry Certification Programs
From this travel agent training offered by the travel institute, individuals who wish to build a professional career can learn and earn a Certification like CTA, CTC, or CTIE.
The Travel Institute is a reputable institution that has existed since 1964. It is a non-profit organization that partners with experts and leaders in the travel industry to create relevant information, training, and education for travel professionals.
5. Certified Travel Associate Program
This is a self-paced Certified Travel Associate program designed to teach individuals the rudiments of becoming a professional travel agent. It covers 15 core study areas focused on vital skills needed to succeed as a travel consultant.
The course features a free webinar and also includes a learning experience that is thought-provoking and utilizes real-life events and scenarios to teach learners.
You’ll gain practical knowledge from this course that will help you to earn more, create great travel experiences for your clients, elevate your brand, increase your visibility and raise your standard as a travel agent.
6. Travel Introductory Program: TRIPKIT
The TRIPKIT curriculum is designed especially for agents across North America. This course aims to offer learners a foundation and fundamental understanding of core areas of the travel profession.
The TRIPKIT℠ experience is designed with a focus on students in Canada and the U.S. The course makes use of real-world/work experiences to offer in-depth and self-paced education to travel agents.
7. The Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE®) Program
Candidates who wish to enroll in the CTIE® program must have at least a 5 years of experience in the travel industry.
You’ll also need to take a CTIE exam which you must pass and also submit a project for qualification. Additionally, you should have a minimum of 10 continuing education units.
The learning process will revolve around the core leadership aspects of becoming a travel agent and executive.
8. Certified Travel Counselor Program
Through this course, you’ll learn about travel management, and converting from one GDS system to another.
You’ll also learn about the business aspects of travel including agency rebranding, project management, business accounting, etc.
This course teaches about building and managing a team as well as how to get the best out of your travel agency team.
9. Travel Agent Training Independent Learner Program
The travel Leaders of Tomorrow Independent Learner program is designed for entry-level travel agents. This course treats the fundamentals of becoming a travel agent and allows students to take the course at their own pace.
The course is designed with 30 lessons and four units which include: Basic, products, business, and destination.
10. BSP Essentials for Travel Agents (e-learning)
This is an 18 hours e-learning course where you will get to understand the essentials of the billing and settlement plan for travel agents. The course is aimed at creating awareness about the systems and processes that make up BSP.
After learning about the core elements of BSP, you’ll take an exam that will qualify you for certification.
FAQ on Becoming a Travel Agent
1. What is the Employment Outlook For A Travel Agent?
According to the Bureau of labor statistics, the employment outlook for travel agents in the United States is predicted to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030.
It is believed that this growth rate is slower than normal and many people believe that the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the industry and slowed its growth.
Regardless of the statistics mentioned above, travel agent job openings record an average of over 7,000 annually.
Also, if you’d love to work in the travel industry but not as a travel agent, there are other employment opportunities/career paths available to you. Take a look at some of them below:
- Travel writer
- Travel Consultant
- Tour guide
- Tour manager
- Hotel manager
- Event planner
- Hospitality manager
- Information Clerks
- Travel Advisor
- Meeting, and Convention Planners
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.
2. How much do travel agents make?
The earnings of a travel agent are dependent on some factors which may include: agency, type of clients, education, level of experience, and location. However, a Travel agent could make an average of $57,968 plus commissions and additional tips.
3. What skills are required for travel agents?
A great communication ability, Time management skills, marketing skills, planning, research, and budgeting skills as well as other soft skills will be beneficial to any travel agent’s career.
To become more professional, you could also acquire training in tourism, international relations, and other travel-related courses.
4. What agencies can certify a travel agent?
American Society of Travel Advisors also known as ASTA offers credentials and educational programs to individuals who seek to develop their careers as travel agents.
The organization offers the Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) program to individuals and also the ASTA Roadmap to Become a Travel Advisor.
b. Cruise Lines International Association
This organization gives individuals four levels of certification:
- Certified (CCC).
- Accredited (ACC).
- Master (MCC).
- Elite Cruise Counselor (ECC).
At each level, you will be expected to acquire a certain type of product knowledge and training.
The Travel Institute offers professional credentials, certifications, and training to travel agents at different levels of experience. They include:
- The Certified Travel Associate (CTA).
- Certified Travel Counselor (CTC).
- Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE).
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Conclusion
A career as a travel agent may turn out to be beneficial to any individual who knows how best to start. One sure way you can avoid the common mistakes other people make along their career path as travel professionals are to seek proper information.
The purpose of this article is to help you with the right information you’ll need to become a travel agent. We hope you got value and found the answers to your questions.