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Travel consultants specialize in business or leisure travel, with subtypes such as corporate, family, education, and adventure travel. They can work for agencies or own their own businesses, and may require certification. Consultants must interview clients and plan transportation and accommodation to meet their needs.
Business and leisure are the two main areas of work for travel consultants. Within these two basic types, there are many areas specializing in subtypes, such as corporate consulting, family consulting, education and adventure travel. Travel agents or consultants may work at an agency or own their own traditional or home based travel business. All travel consultancy jobs involve interviewing clients and planning transportation and accommodation to suit each client’s vacation wishes or work needs.
A business travel consultant or agent can be an expert on convention and employment travel. Many corporate travel consultant jobs involve managing multiple accounts, such as large law firms or technology companies. Corporate travel consultants or agents must understand each corporation’s travel needs and provide excellent customer service. Business travel consultant jobs often require you to stay current with visa and passport requirements, as well as have experience with international and domestic ticketing and reservations.
Travel agents or consultants can work for large or small travel agencies or have their own businesses. Options include buying an existing business, partnering with another travel consultant or starting a new travel business. Today, many travel consultancy jobs include having a home business, as in most cases, bookings and other tasks can be done completely over the Internet. Travel consultants with home businesses must be able to market their services effectively to gain sufficient clientele. In-house travel consultants or agents can achieve more than at a traditional agency, but they must have enough clients and the right industry connections as the job is commission-based.
Travel consultant positions are most successfully filled by consultants who travel alone, as they are generally better able to advise clients in different cultures and climates. Many destinations offer travel opportunities designed just for travel agents or consultants, with the hope that each consultant will recommend their product or service, such as a hotel, cruise or tourist attraction. A leisure travel consultant often creates package deals that save clients money. A package holiday arrangement usually includes airfare and accommodation and may include tickets to attractions or events.
The Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) or Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation may be required for some leisure or business travel consultant jobs. These credentials are offered by the professional travel association, the Institute for Certified Travel Agents (ICTA). The CTA qualification requires 18 months of travel agency experience, while the CTC credential takes five years of travel agency experience.
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