Good question! If you want to become a travel agent, then you need to ask a very important question: “How much can I mak— I mean, what exactly do I do?”
Well, if you want the short answer, your job is to help guests travel and enjoy their trips. This could be a vacation to Disney World, a work trip to Dubai, a cruise on Royal Caribbean, and so much more.
The long answer is that you’re basically a guardian angel for your guests. That means doing everything from planning the trip to booking hotels, securing theme park tickets, making restaurant reservations, and fixing any problems that come up along the way. Your job is to make sure your client has the best trip possible, so you’ll be lending a hand before, during, and even after the trip ends.
You’ll be doing research and helping guests based on their specific needs. One person might want a luxury trip to Disney World, so you’d need to guide them through the Deluxe Resorts and offer a few tailored options. Someone else might be looking for a budget-friendly trip to Universal Orlando, so it’s your job to come up with suggestions for a Value Resort that fits their plan.
Having a travel agent can be a huge advantage for some guests, especially if they’re new to a destination. For example, let’s say Sandra wants to visit Disney World for the first time. A trip to Disney World can actually be pretty stressful. You have to figure out all the Disney Resorts, different types of park tickets, the best rides at each theme park, character dining options, and even add-ons like Lightning Lane passes and special events like Disney After Hours. That’s a lot!
A travel agent is someone who knows what they’re doing and can guide their guest through all of it, booking everything so Sandra only has to worry about enjoying her trip. Hey, don’t forget your Minnie ears, Sandra!
This is a job for those who enjoy constant communication with guests and love lending a hand. Keep in mind, you’ll be working with clients from all kinds of backgrounds and personalities. One day, you might be helping a young adult book a trip on Carnival Cruise Line. The next, you could be assisting a well-traveled older couple planning a weekend getaway on Viking Cruises.
Being a travel agent also means having great communication skills and knowing how to share information in the most effective way possible. Some guests might stay in constant contact, asking all sorts of questions throughout their trip, while others will simply book their dream vacation through you and never say another word.
A travel agent should always stay on top of their game. Let’s say you’re selling Sandals Resorts - you need to research and really understand what Sandals is all about, from the most popular beach resorts to what’s included in each stay and more.
Also, remember that vacations are all about entertainment, and entertainment is always evolving. That means your research needs to stay up to date too. After all, you need to master what you’re trying to sell.
We hope we were able to answer this important question! Being a travel agent is all about researching destinations, booking trips with ease, and staying in touch with your clients. Want to learn even more? You can expand your knowledge and grow as a travel agent by joining us here at VacationLab! We’ll be more than happy to lend a hand, and then it’s time to start building that client base. Until next time!
Hi! My name is Luiz Alberto. I'm a huge fan of amusement parks, and I've been traveling to Orlando almost every year since 2001. EPCOT and Islands of Adventure are my favorite parks. And yes, the Tower of Terror is the best ride at Hollywood Studios and one of the best at Disney.
