How to become a Travel Consultant

Travel Consultant

Travel consultants provide information, advice and booking services for people wishing to travel. Travel consultants in large organisations may specialise in particular areas such as business, international or domestic travel.

Personal requirements for a Travel Consultant

  • Good communication skills
  • Strong customer focus
  • Good organisational skills
  • Strong computer and written skills
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • High level of personal presentation
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Enjoy working with people
  • Strong sales focus

Education & Training for a Travel Consultant

You can work as a travel consultant without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications, skills or experience in office work, retail or tourism. You may like to consider a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a travel consultant through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.


Additional information

Knowledge of a second language is highly desirable. Most people in the travel industry have also travelled extensively.

Duties & Tasks of a Travel Consultant

Travel consultants:

  • Provide literature and information to clients concerning local, interstate and international tours, travel routes, accommodation, local customs, fares, and travel regulations
  • Discuss client requirements and advise on suitable options
  • Plan, prepare and cost itineraries (travel plans) for clients
  • Make travel, accommodation and related bookings
  • Confirm bookings and notify clients of luggage limits and insurance, medical, passport, visa and currency requirements
  • Issue tickets for travel, accommodation vouchers and all relevant documentation
  • Collect payments and maintain records of transactions
  • Assist with changes to travel arrangements and bookings where required.

Tasks

  • Suggests itineraries based on available travel routes, availability and convenience of transport and cost.
  • Provides information on travel insurance, relevant government regulations such as customs regulations, and use of credit cards and traveller's cheques.
  • Determines clients' requirements for travel, accommodation and special interests.
  • Makes and confirms travel and accommodation reservations and informs clients of bus, plane, ship and train connections.
  • Provides literature and information on local and national tours and places of interest.
  • Notifies clients of travel dates, baggage limits, and medical and visa requirements.
  • Discusses transport availability and cost.
  • Answers inquiries from tourists and offers suggestions about tours, travel routes, accommodation and local customs.
  • Assists with travel clearances.
  • Collects payments and issues clients' itineraries, relevant documentation, tickets for travel and vouchers for accommodation.
  • Provides information on tourist attractions and tour availability, and procedures for dealing with lost and stolen documents.

Working conditions for a Travel Consultant

Ongoing learning is important to those working in the industry. Most travel consultants work on a commission basis. They work long hours including weekends, often working 10-hour days. Travel consultants may also work in call centres.


Employment Opportunities for a Travel Consultant

Travel consultants are employed by travel agencies, government tourist bureaus, tourism wholesalers and airline and shipping companies. Some travel consultants set up their own businesses. Job opportunities depend on the level of tourism activity.


Specializations

Travel Consultant

Travel consultants provide information, advice and booking services for people wishing to travel. Travel consultants in large organisations may specialise in particular areas such as business, international or domestic travel.

  • Average age
    Average age
    36 years
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    Moderate
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    80% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    43 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    $1,318
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Lower skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Average unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    73% Full-Time
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    19,800 workers
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 1.4%
    NSW: 33.6%
    NT: 0.6%
    QLD: 22.2%
    SA: 6.6%
    TAS: 1.8%
    VIC: 24.5%
    WA: 9.3%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 0.9%
    20-24: 11.5%
    25-34: 33.1%
    35-44: 24.4%
    45-54: 17.5%
    55-59: 5.4%
    60-64: 3.8%
    65 and Over: 3.3%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 24.8%
    Bachelor degree: 21.3%
    Certificate III/IV: 19.3%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 3.8%
    Year 10 and below: 4.3%
    Year 11: 2.9%
    Year 12: 23.6%
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