There's no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the travel industry hard, with restricted international movement and social distancing in force. However, the green shoots of recovery have appeared again in the sector, and there's a boom expected in the near future. This means there's an increased potential for aviation travel and tourism employment.
In this blog, we look at an important role in the sector - that of the travel agent - detailing what the job entails and what kind of interesting things you’ll be doing each day. We'll finish up by telling all about our highly engaging, cheap short courses online that can help you join the industry, but let's first look at what a travel agent's responsibilities entail.
Helping Customers Choose Their Ideal Holiday
At its heart, the job of a travel agent is to work with customers, helping them to choose a holiday destination and then arrange everything else around it. Typically working to a budget, you'll use your experience and skill to point out potential points of interest, tourist attractions and local customers.
Online travel & tourism courses show us that as part of your duties, you may also need to.
- Offer advice on passports and/or visas
- Book flights
- Market your business (unless employed)
- Sell appropriate holiday insurance policies
- Liaise with tour operators
- Arrange holiday packages
- Recruit & train staff
Depending on whether you're operating on a freelance basis or working for a travel company, some of the above may or may not apply; however, the objective remains the same - to provide an unforgettable holiday experience for your customers.
Customer Complaints & Issues
As you'll find out when taking a travel and tourism course online with OCA, there will be times when the best-laid plans don't go…well, to plan. In this instance, you’ll need to be able to deal with any complaints and provide a level of customer service that will encourage repeat business.
You’re essentially selling a dream to your clients, so expectations will typically be relatively high. While you can't control every aspect of your customer experiences, you are their point of contact when they get back from their time away. So, it is something you’ll need to master.
Ready To Study For The Role?
Suppose you’d like to benefit professionally from the expected boom in the travel industry by becoming a travel agent. In that case, the great news is that education for the role is easier and more affordable than ever before. We are video-based and modular, meaning they can be arranged around your responsibilities. Each course is 100% online and can be completed at your own pace.
If you’d like to know more about this or any of our other CPD-approved professional courses, simply visit us at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. There you’ll find a selection of flexible payment options that make what we offer even more cost-effective. Alternatively, to speak to us directly about your needs, just give us a call on 1300 611 404, and we’ll be happy to help you in any way we can.
