I like to sleep. A lot. Sometimes, I’ll even sleep during the day to make up for lost hours. But, even on my days off, I’ll often find myself in bed, dreaming of a new adventure, or the next big trip I want to take. I wake up wanting to do something new and exciting. I love that about me.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been in the habit of making lists. I’ve seen them in other people’s lives and thought, “What a great idea!” So, naturally, when I got to college, I started making more lists. I made a list of everything I wanted to learn about in school. Then, I made a list of all the things I wanted to do after I graduated. It was then that I realised how much I liked to write. I could make a list of every single thing I wanted to experience in life and still have more to write down. So, naturally, I thought about which job I wanted to do when I finished college. I wanted to do something that made use of my writing skills. Something that allowed me to write about the things I love most in life. And, as it so happened, that job just happened to be a travel agent.
Why Travel Agents?
While I was in college, I had an amazing professor who really inspired me. His name was Mr. Mack and he was a legend among my friends and classmates. He started a new subject called Global Issues in History and was an absolute genius at making us think about the world we lived in and how we could change it. He would tell us about famous historical figures and what they had done to effect change. His teachings made a lasting impression on me and I decided that, when I graduated college, I would become a lawyer or an accountant. But, then I got a call from a friend who worked at a travel agency. They needed someone right away, so I started working there as a legal assistant just as I was graduating.
Travel agents represent clients who want to travel abroad and obtain tickets and/or passports (in some cases). They can help with all sorts of travel arrangements, from plane tickets to getting a visa. And since I had just started working there, I got to learn a lot. It was then that I realised how much I had learned in college and how much I had to offer the world. Not just the world of legal and accounting practices, either. I could contribute so much more. I could bring the outside world inside.
So, when I think back to that time, I feel like I made the right choice. I wanted to do something that made use of my skills and abilities. Something that helped others. Something that encouraged me to be more open-minded and helped me understand the bigger picture. And, as it so happened, I found that job and I have been happily working there ever since.
What Is A Travel Agent’s Daily Life Like?
To give you an idea of what a travel agent’s day is like, here’s a quick breakdown of tasks:
- Completing customer transactions (this includes checking flight information and making bookings, as well as updating passports and visas)
- Taking calls from customers
- Maintaining adequate documentation
- Researching and selecting travel destinations and options
- Handling communications with travel insurance companies
- Keeping customers up-to-date on the latest news about their travels
- Taking care of clients’ requests
- Updating customer information (this could include getting contact details and making travel arrangements as well as ensuring all documentation is up-to-date)
As you can see, a travel agent’s day is pretty hectic. There’s a lot of paperwork and a lot of customer interactions. And, typically, we don’t get a day off, which can be exhausting.
The Importance Of A Well-Rounded Education
A well-rounded education is crucial if you want to become a successful travel agent. Without a solid foundation in other subjects, you’ll struggle to keep up with the demands of the job. There’s a lot of learning curve and even more paperwork. So, to stand a chance at being successful, you’ll need to know a lot of things. Ideally, you’ll need to have a good command of both English and French. Also, you’ll need to be familiar with US and international travel regulations as well as safety issues while travelling. Lastly, you’ll need to have a good understanding of the industry and what makes a luxury travel agency different from a traditional agency. Only then will you be able to provide your customers with the best possible service.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out some of our previous blog posts. They’ll give you an idea of what a travel agent’s day is like and the kind of skills and knowledge you’ll need to become a successful agent.