Wednesday 25 September 2013

How to Become an Authorized Travel Agent

Authorized Travel Agents work specifically as travel coordinators for corporate clients or with specific authorized travel agencies. An authorized travel agency is a vendor that is approved by the government to arrange travel for state and federal government employees who need to travel for business. As an authorized travel agent, you will sometimes be able to negotiate working from home. Be advised, however, that there are some companies and agencies that will prefer you to be active in-house with their staff. A plus side to this career is that you also have the benefit of major discounts with your personal travel.

Instructions

    1

    Enroll in classes or a certification program offered locally or online for further education. While you don't need a bachelor's degree to become a travel agent, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) recommends that you have a high school diploma or GED. HCareers.com suggests that you get your bachelor's degree if you want to be an authorized travel agent since most government approved travel agencies require a bachelor's degree. Your chances at being hired will also increase if you obtain a bachelor's degree in hospitality management or business.

    2

    Apply to work with a travel agency to gain experience. Being active on a daily basis in this field of work means that you will learn how to handle a variety of situations and be better able to navigate the travel industry.

    3

    Join the National Business Travel Association (NBTA). They offer certification for: Certified Corporate Travel Executive, Global Leadership Professional and Corporate Travel Expert. The NBTA provides an online job posting service for its members.

    4

    Apply to any state or federal agency that has been approved as an authorized travel agency once you have finished your degree or become certified. The NBTA suggests that you contact the staff at the local state or federal office building and ask to speak to the person in charge of authorizing government travel bookings. Talk to them about employment opportunities. You can also check online with NBTA or ASTA for openings displayed on their job boards.

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