If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent, there are several pathways available. As with any career, having the right qualifications and skills can boost your chances of getting hired and succeeding in the role.

What routes are there to becoming a travel agent?

Depending on whether you are a school leaver, a college or university graduate, or a professional looking for a career change, entry routes to becoming a travel agent can look very different. There are three main options:

1. College or university
   
   The Institute of Travel & Tourism has a list of universities and colleges with courses that it recognises. Its ITT Future You programme is also a great resource for those looking for their first step into the industry. 
   
   The minimum qualification usually required is a Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism. To access this course, you’ll typically need at least five GCSEs (grades 9–4).
    
2. Apprenticeship
   
   These are government-funded, work-based training programmes for people aged 16-65.
    

• A Travel Consultant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship takes around a year to complete. It combines work experience in a travel business with training via a specialist provider
• You will usually need five GCSEs at grades 9-4 and maths and English are especially useful

• Established apprenticeship programmes are available at both Hays Travel and Barrhead Travel.

   

3. Work
   
   There are flexible options for those who prefer to learn while working:
    

• Trainee roles: Some agencies hire trainee travel agents and provide on-the-job training. While no formal qualifications are required, a good standard of education (especially English and maths) and strong geographical knowledge are beneficial.
• Training academies: Agencies such as Travel Counsellors or Hays Travel run programmes for those entirely new to travel, though they incur a cost.
• Franchise or home-based business: There are plenty of companies offering this and you don’t necessarily need any experience but will need to cover upfront costs.
   

What experience is required to become a travel agent?

Your experience matters as much as your qualifications. Useful backgrounds include:

• Customer service
• Sales
• Hospitality
• Marketing

Some companies are also looking for evidence of where candidates have achieved in other personal parts of their lives, such as in a sporting capacity. I’ve looked for this myself as an employer.

A lot of travel agencies today are looking for candidates with specific destination experience – such as Asia, Indian Ocean, Australasia or the Americas – with evidence that candidates have spent time there.

Barbara Kolosinska, managing director of C&M Travel Recruitment

Are there any skills that are useful for becoming a travel agent?

According to Kolosinska the key skills to have include:

• Good travel experience
• Interpersonal skills
• Customer service skills
• A good telephone manner
• Being warm, friendly, well-presented and driven
   

How long does it take to become a travel agent?

• Again this depends on the route you take.
• Smaller agencies may take on new recruits who learn on the job and could essentially book a holiday on their first day.
• Other agencies have training programmes for new recruits that take a few months.
• If you buy a franchise you will be running your own business from day one with support from the parent company.
• Other homeworking companies offer academies to give you an induction and more time to learn the ropes.

Ultimately it depends on your needs and preferences and the type of job you go for.