A Day in the Life of a Modern Travel Agent
Think travel agents are a dying breed? Think again. Travel is more complicated than ever, and with many Millennials competing to find the most Instagram-worthy destination, travel agents are becoming the go-to professionals for booking memorable getaways.
Travel agents are at the forefront of the industry, and they have access to some of the most exclusive tour packages and events.
If you love all things travel and enjoy helping people, you might consider becoming a travel agent.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a travel agent is $38,700. Those in the top percentile earn more than $66,000 per year. There’s money to be made in the industry, but what exactly do travel agents do? With online booking services becoming increasingly popular, you may be wondering what a travel agent’s job entails.
Here’s a look at a day in the life of a travel agent.
Calls and Emails
A travel agent’s day usually starts with emails and phone calls. Many agents communicate with their clients through email, so they may have dozens of messages to read and answer each morning.
To stay on track and avoid complete chaos, many travel agents designate certain hours of the day to email checking/responding and phone calls.
For example, they may take or return calls between 10 am and 12 pm, or 6 pm and 7 pm. Having designated times for phone calls means that agents don’t have to spend their entire day on the phone.
The same idea applies to emails. It’s easy to get distracted and sidetracked by every email that pops up in your inbox. Having designated hours for checking and responding to messages leaves agents with more time to focus on their core job: trip planning.
Trip Planning
Travel agents create and book trips for clients. They do more than just take client orders; they actually design and create experiences for travelers.
It’s their job to ensure that clients have an unforgettable trip. Along with designing and coordinating travel plans, agents also scour their networks and the Internet to score the best deals on flights, hotels and experiences. They also search for one-of-a-kind experiences to add to the itinerary.
Trip planning is the fun part, but it requires complete focus and dedication. For this reason, many agents prefer to save the planning for the evening hours – when the world quiets down and the phone stops ringing.
Blogging and Social Media
Many modern travel agents say that they spend more time writing than anything else. Marketing plays a big part in an agent’s success. Blogging and social media are two important ways to promote their personal brand and get more clients.
Along with blogging and social media, travel agents also create email newsletters promoting their services and vacation packages they create.
To keep up with industry trends and network with other industry professionals, agents may attend webinars, workshops and conferences.
Oh, and let’s not forget the paperwork.
Travel agents have a fun job. Every day, there is something new and different on the agenda. They get the privilege of planning unforgettable experiences for individuals, couples, friends and families. While it’s hard work, the rewards are worth the effort.