Becoming a Travel Agent

If you have excellent communication, interpersonal skills and an eye for detail, you can consider entering the field of travel agents. Since majority of us look forward to hassle free way of getting tickets, travel agents are the most sought after people in this field. A good travel agent is always in demand as nobody wants to go through the laborious process of getting tickets by waiting in line. Moreover, the lure of getting cheap deals with numerous discount offers and additional benefits are also some of the main reasons owing to which people contact travel agents. Becoming a travel agent, however, is not a cake walk as an individual aspiring to be a travel agent must be aware of all facets of a career in this field. To succeed as a travel agent, one must have good personality skills and adequate understanding of this industry.

Steps to Become a Travel Agent
Travel agents, in essence are major sources for booking tickets in various cruise and ships. Even airline service providers are unable to sell their tickets, they take help of travel agents to promote cheap air line tickets. Many holiday resorts and big travel groups recruit numerous travel agents so that they can maximize their tourist numbers. Travel agents use Internet, email and telemarketing principles to promote tickets of the travel groups they're working for.

Step 1: High School - The Foundation Stone
Among numerous requirements to be a travel agent, high school education is one of the minimum qualifications. Hence, those interested in this career must firstly complete their high school studies or obtain diploma that is equivalent to the same. Remember, this is the minimum requirement and it won't hurt if you have advanced educational qualifications as some big travel agencies prefer people with good educational qualifications.

Step2: Knowledge Empowers
You're entering in the travel industry and so knowledge must be your asset in this field. Subscribe to travel magazines and read a lot about travel blogs (even maintain one, if you like!!) and travel books. Gain as much knowledge as you can about traveling and people. Watch TV shows (Travel and living, discovery channel etc.) and gain an understanding of this field. You must be good in geography.

Step3: Learning Never Stops
Whether you're trying to work as a travel agent from home or in a good travel agency, remember that your command in this field and the extent you're aware about every facet is vital to succeed. Generally, to become home travel agents, you must ideally take some work experience in travel agencies so that you know what this field is all about. After high school, you can consider taking graduate and post-graduate degrees in travel and tourism. Thanks to the booming travel industry that a lot of elite and accredited institutions have been established to impart education in this field. Kaplan University, Penn Foster Career School and Strayer University are some good options to take online travel and tourism degrees, in case, you're busy in your work. Seek information about numerous travel and tourism schools from your teachers and elders. Research on the Internet to gain more knowledge about programs available.

Step4: Experience is Real Knowledge
Travel, travel and keep traveling! The more you travel, the more you learn about this industry. When your advice to customers comes through personal experiences, it shows great authenticity. A customer getting right information is bound to return to you even next time for some journey or vacation.

Step5: Understand State Laws
Inquire in the State Department of Commerce, if there are any certifications and licenses to become a professional travel agent in the state you reside. There are few states that require registration of travel agents while numerous others don't require any registration for becoming a travel agent. Know about your state laws so that you can complete all legal formalities.

By following the above steps you can get the answer to the question how do I become a travel agent. Becoming a home based travel agent initially is not a very bright idea if you don't have good work experience. Remember, there is significant competition in this field and so you must be competitive enough to make good money from your home. Nowadays, becoming a home based travel agent is hailed to be one of the greatest home based business opportunities, however, analyze all pros and cons and only then prefer becoming a home based travel agent. It is always better to take some work experience and then acquire independent offices as travel agents.

While becoming a travel agent is possible for many of us, it takes smart work to become a great travel agent. To be successful in the travel agent career, ensure that you're well versed in using computers and you have good computer skills. Even online travel agents are nowadays very popular source of booking tickets and so being computer literate is of absolute importance. Even computer courses in vocational schools and web designing courses are great options to gain knowledge.

Further, learn a foreign language like Chinese, French, Spanish, German etc. whichever you feel is more suited to your designation and geographical requirements. Keep learning new languages so that your communication skills are very strong. Lastly, when you have gained good work experience, take advanced certifications in travel and tourism industry. Such certifications require you to have at least five years of work experience.

Travel agent is one of the careers that gives you ample experiences in relating to places, human beings, animals and to understand diverse cultures. With every traveling experience, you carry memories, learn new things and you're able to interact with many people. So if the traveling world really fascinates you, then becoming a traveling agent can be the best option for you. Weigh all pros and cons of this field and do a proper career planning.

If you're wondering about monetary benefits, then let me tell you that travel agent salary ranges between USD20,000 to USD50,0000. Besides this, there are certain additional benefits like life insurance policies and employment benefits in becoming a travel agent. The job satisfaction parameter is best if someone is entering in this field with interest and passion to know the world and people. With hard work, success will be yours!