Hello everyone in today's post I'm going to share with you some things I love to do a "Travel Agent" & "Travel & Tourism Specialist". Also I'm going to talk a bit about myself and how I became a travel agent and blogger, it might be helpful to those who are thinking about becoming a travel expert. When I say an "expert" I don't mean like an actual expert that knows everything, but someone who's constantly learning about different destinations, travel updates, etc...
Choose a Travel Industry Area
If you are thinking about becoming a travel agent I would recommend you to think in which area of the travel industry you would like to work, sell and do. There's more than 21 areas to work on as a travel & tourism specialist. After you decided what you woul like to do, do some research of the best programs to enroll and become a certificate travel agent. Here are 2 of my favorites:
The Travel Institute
Penn Foster College
I studied to become a ravel & tourism specislist with "Penn Foster" and then passed the "TAP" Exam (Travel Agent Proficiency Exam) with "The Travel Institute" and have keep learning and studying with "The Travel Institute" since then.
Keep Learning & Studying
Being a travel agent is not always easy because you are responsible of someone's dream come true. So, it's really important for you to always keep learning and know about everything or the most important news and updates that are happening in the travel industry, so when you plan your clients trip you know what you should do or even what you should recommend. Some program I love to keep and constantly learning with about destinations, news and more, are the following 2:
Use The Tools Available
Travel agents have many tools available in the internet for free, doesn't have to be fancy but it has to be informative for you, as a travel agent and for your client. Do research on the Internet, compare prices, search for things to do in a certain destination (apart from the travel programs) and adapt to your client. Compare prices in:
Use the tools available in the interent. Start from zero to gain experience, until you can be part of a Host Agency or for your own company, etc...
Get To Know Your Client
You have to remember that you are planning and booking a trip for your client, not for you, so that means that you have to put in their shoes, how you would like to be treated, but also keep in mind that everyone is different. There's different types of travelers, some people prefer all inclusive resorts to stay in, others prefer luxury, others prefer to be adventurous and try new things, and others prefer to explore the culture and learn and explore the local life. That's why it's so important for you to get to know what type of traveler your client is, so you can adapt to their needs and dreams. Something I personally like to do, its to ask them: "What do you expect from your dream trip? What things you would like to do? What's your budget? Is there any preference?". Those questions helps a lot, try to use them and I promise you'll have good results.
Create An Audience
To be able to sell and book trips you need clients/customers to be able to get them to know who you are, that's why you need to create an audience. Use social media for you to approach people and show them what you offer and how you can make their dream come true. In my case, I started first with this blog and it has helped a lot because I can show them more than just traveling, but also travel tips to have in mind, travel guides, places to visit, how to enjoy of nature, food recommendations and more...
Hope this article was helpful. Get in touch with me to help you plan your next adventure.
Stacey M.
(Travel & Tourism Specialist)
