Travel Agent

A travel agent performs various tasks related to planning and booking travel arrangements for individuals or groups. Their primary goal is to assist customers in organising and coordinating their trips, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. Typical responsibilities might include:

• Researching destinations, accommodation, transport options, and sightseeing and dining activities, based on a customer’s preferences and budget
• Booking flights, accommodation, airport transfers, tours, and rental cars
• Offering advice and information on travel destinations, visa requirements, local customs, and travel insurance

In recent years, the role of a travel agent has evolved with the rise of online booking platforms. While many people now prefer to book their travel online, travel agents can still provide valuable expertise, personalised service, and assistance, particularly for complex itineraries or special requests. Many travel agents are employed by high street travel agencies. With experience, it is also possible to work for yourself as an independent travel consultant.

The starting salary for a travel agent is usually between £18,000 and £22,000 per year. With experience this can increase to around £27,000. Some experienced travel agents can earn over £40,000 per year.

There are no set entry requirements for this job, but English, maths, geography, and foreign languages could all be helpful subjects.

There are several ways that you could begin your career as a travel agent. You could apply for work with a travel agency as a trainee travel agent and learn on the job. You could also complete a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a paid job which offers hands-on work experience alongside off-the-job training. To undertake an advanced apprenticeship, you will usually need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths. Another option is to study a relevant course in travel and tourism at college. It is also possible to study a relevant course at university, for example international tourism management, and then apply for work, or to join an employer’s graduate recruitment scheme.

There are no set entry requirements for this job, but good organisational and customer service skills will be helpful. Some employers may also ask for qualifications in English and maths GCSE, or equivalent.

To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a travel agent, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.

Institute of Travel & Tourism

Take Off in Travel

Association of British Travel Agents

National Careers Service - Travel Agent

Want to know what it's like to work as a travel agent? Watch the video in How Did You Get That Job? to find out more.