It's tough to plan the perfect vacation. If you've ever done it -- arranged transportation, lodging, maybe a scuba lesson or two -- you may have a gift for Travel Careers . Have you considered turning your attention to detail and penchant for jet-setting into a profession?Travel Careers Itinerary
When you become a travel agent, you'll organize and schedule business, educational, or recreational travel and activities. With travel agent training, you'll acquire the knowledge necessary to offer advice on destinations and make arrangements for transportation, lodging, car rentals, tours, and other activities. You'll also be able to provide information on customs regulations, passports, visas, and currency exchange rates. To do all this, those with travel careers use computer reservation systems (CRS) to store and retrieve information and conduct transactions. Four main systems operate in the U.S.: Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan, and Amadeus. With travel agent training, you'll learn how to use a CRS to build a complete Passenger Name Record (PNR); change, delete, and create optional PNR fields; make airline reservations (checking availability, flight service information, and classes of service); make car reservations; and make hotel reservations. The Journey Toward Travel Careers
There are no federal licensing requirements for travel agents, but in 2004, 13 states required some form of registration or certification for those who wish to become a travel agent. Many with travel agent training choose to take the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test, which measures entry-level knowledge. Earning the TAP credential, offered by The Travel Institute, can increase your marketability. Another way to set yourself apart from others with travel careers is by taking The Travel Institute's courses to earn its Certified Travel Associate, Certified Travel Counselor, or Certified Travel Industry Executive credential. You can also take tests to earn the Destination Specialist and/or Lifestyle Specialist designations. Destination: Career Cloud Nine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents held about 103,000 jobs in 2004. Want one of these far-out travel careers? The key to success in this industry is to specialize. Within travel careers, you can become a destination specialist for places like Hong Kong, Alaska, or Spain; a lifestyle specialist for travel such as honeymoons, luxury, or adventure excursions; or even a business travel specialist. Median annual earnings of travel agents were $27,640 in May 2004, with the top 10 percent earning more than $44,090. But salary isn't the only perk of travel careers. When you become a travel agent, you may receive reduced rates for transportation and accommodations on your personal trips. You may also have the opportunity to take free or discounted "familiarization" trips to learn about various vacation sites. Become a travel agent, and embark on travel careers that will take you places.
About the author:
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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