Working in a travel agency: everything you need to know

If you are passionate about travel and dream of combining work and passion, working in a travel agency could well be for you. But before you get started, there are a lot of things to know! In this article, I will give you an overview of the missions, the skills required and the advantages of working in this fascinating sector.

What does working in a travel agency involve?

Working in a travel agency is much more than organizing vacations for clients. Here is an overview of the main tasks you could perform as a travel agent:

Advice and sales: Listen to customer expectations and offer them trips or stays adapted to their desires and their budget.
Logistics organization: Book flights, accommodation, activities… In short, everything that makes your stay smooth and pleasant.
Administrative management: Prepare the necessary documents (invoices, confirmations, travel information) and ensure follow-up of files.
Expertise and inspiration: Give advice on the best destinations, the ideal times to go, or the activities not to be missed.
Travel tracking: Be the point of contact in the event of a problem during the stay and ensure that everything goes well for guests.

It’s a lively profession that requires you to wear many hats, but that’s what makes it so charming.

What skills do you need to become a travel agent?

To excel in this profession, it is not enough to know the capitals of the world by heart! Here are the essential skills and qualities:

Sense of relationships: Liking human contact is a big plus in this job. Patience and active listening are also required to best meet customer expectations.
Organizational skills: You have to juggle many files at once and leave nothing to chance.
Good general knowledge: Having a good knowledge of destinations, local cultures, and even administrative formalities (like visas) is essential.
Mastery of IT tools: Whether for reservation systems (GDS like Amadeus or Sabre) or for administrative management.
Ability to work under pressure: Unforeseen events or emergencies (canceled flights, stranded customers) can be stressful. Good stress management is essential.

👉 If you master several languages, it’s a big bonus for your CV, especially in an agency that works with international clients.

Is specific training required to work in a travel agency?

Yes, generally training in tourism is recommended. It allows you to learn not only the basics of the profession, but also the specific tools used in this field. Here are some of them:

BTS Tourism: It is one of the most renowned training courses for this profession. It covers all aspects, from sales to reservation management.
Bachelor or Master in tourism management: If you are aiming for a position more focused on management or management, these diplomas are more suitable.
Short training courses: Some schools or platforms offer express training to learn how to use booking tools or specialize in a destination (for example, online courses lasting a few months).

Not bad, right? However, some travel agents learn directly on the job. If you are motivated and ready to train internally, some agencies can give you a chance!

Why choose to work in a travel agency?

Working in a travel agency can offer many advantages for lovers of escape:

Share your passion for travel: Talking all day about heavenly destinations is pretty cool, right?
Discover new things: Travel agents often have the chance to participate in educational trips, to test hotels or activities that they will have to sell.
Create memorable experiences: The most rewarding thing is knowing that you helped create unforgettable memories for your customers.

Obviously, as in any job, there are also challenges! Organizing for last minute requests or negotiating with suppliers can sometimes be a real headache.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Do you travel a lot while working in an agency?

Not as often as you might think! Of course, some agents take part in study trips to discover destinations, but most of the work is done in the agency’s premises or by teleworking.

What is the difference between working in an online agency and a physical agency?

Online agencies, such as OTA (Online Travel Agencies), allow requests to be managed remotely, often via chat or emails. Working in a physical agency, on the other hand, involves direct contact with customers.

Can you work without having already traveled a lot?

Absolutely, although it’s a plus to have anecdotes or personal advice. With time and curiosity, each travel agent builds their own expertise.

It’s not just a job, it’s a vocation!

Working in a travel agency is much more than just a job. It’s accompanying people on their small and big adventures, ensuring that everything is perfect for them. If you dream of combining passion and profession, go for it! But keep in mind that this job also requires a good dose of patience, flexibility and attention to detail. Trust me, having experienced it myself, it’s worth every minute!