Are you a Travel Agent or work for a Travel Agency?

[Kurry]

Hello.

I am extremely interested in being a Travel Agent/Counselor but I have no clue as to where to start. I know that I must be certified but I'm not sure which organization that would be. I know there's the CLIA(Cruise Line Industry Association), IATA(International Airline .....), and some others but WHERE DO I START? I plan vacations for family members and friends now so I know I can do it, I just want to do it professionally and on a broader lever(which I cannot do with being licensed).

If anyone could help me, I would be so grateful.

Thank you in advance.

 

[antkim]

I am a certified TA in Ma.(not working as one now) I went to a school called Travel Education Center.There had been adds in my paper for this program.
I went to askjeeves.com just now and put in the question "How do I get my travel agents certificate?" and it came up with quite a few links.A couple of them were on line programs you can do at your own pace.It was around 1200.00 which is what I paid 5 years ago.I was trained a on Sabre which is one of the computer systems mentioned.Might be worth looking into.
Hope I helped,
Kim

 

[Kurry]

Thanks for your reply and for the link.

Can you tell me about your experience with The Travel Education Center? Furthermore, did you have any problems finding customers or a travel agency to work for after you completed your education?

Thanks!

 

[antkim]

TEC was your basic info. course.Things have changed so much over the years because everything is computerized.They still taught us the "paper" work though along with training us on the computer reservation system(Sabre).Pretty basic but interesting.You also learn your geography.
I did not have a hard time finding employment but remember that was 5 years ago and things have changed dramatically since then because so many people make their own arrangements over the internet.That's not to say their are no agencies out there but they are not as "needed" now adays.Both of the agencies I worked for no longer exists.Not trying to get you down just telling you how it is.I would love to get back into the tavel industry but right now it is not financially the right thing for me.There are lots of opportunities to work on your own but also to work for bigger "package" planning companies.By that I mean the companies that book caribbean vacations on charters etc. or of course WDW experts!
Feel free to ask me anything else!
Kim

 

[leahannpen]

I am a travel agent... have been for 13 years now. All at the same place, too... imagine that!

I did not have to spend thousands of dollars. I went to a technical school in the area and took the basic courses. I then was hired part time and learned what I needed to know to do the job first hand. What you need to know in this business is not hardly learned in a book... but by doing it, and experiancing it.

Call around and see if anyone will take you on as an intern for a while so you can see what this crazy business is all about. You should see it first hand to know if you will like it. You will be surprised to find what is all involved in being a travel agent. It is a stressful job... believe me. And the rules change EVERY day!

Unfortuantely, most people you work with now (re: airlines, some car companies, some tour companies) are rather anti-agent. I don't want to discourage you, but you should know everything before heading down this road. You will not become rich either. You either love this business or hate it. Alot of people come into it and after a few months, get out. That happens ALOT! I can't tell you how many employees we've gone through here. And, I don't believe it's the work environment... or I'd have left long ago. The people I work for are one of the only reasons I stay in this business.

Honestly, I'm thinking about getting out of this business. After being here since I was 18, that's a HUGE step for me, and I'm scared! I don't know anything else!

I'm sorry to babble, so why don't you PM me and I can answer any specific questions you have in more detail.