Travel Consultant/Agent - Transport

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Clerical or Organising

Travel consultants provide information, advice and booking services for people wishing to travel. Travel consultants assist clients in making travel arrangement for both business and holiday purposes. They help provide quotes to find the best value options available and make bookings for transport, FutureGrowthModerate accommodation, sightseeing activities and other travel related activities a client may need.

ANZSCO description: Plans travel, accommodation and associated arrangements for clients and makes travel bookings. May work in a call centre.

Alternative names: Travel Agent

Specialisations: Business Travel Consultant, Corporate Travel Consultant, Domestic Travel Consultant, International Travel Consultant, Reservation Sales Agent, Retail Travel Consultant, Ticketing Consultant

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A travel consultant needs:

to enjoy working with people
good organisational skills with an attention to detail
to have travelled widely
to be able to work in a fast-paced environment
a strong sales focus
strong communication skills.

Duties and Tasks

Travel consultants may perform the following tasks: Travel Agent

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

Working conditions

Working conditions for travel consultants depend on which area you are working in. Travel consultants working in the retail sector work standard retail trading hours, which may include Saturdays and one other evening. Some travel consultants work in call centres, which may require longer shifts, including weekends and evenings.

Travel consultants in large organisations may specialise in particular areas such as business, international or domestic travel. Ongoing learning is important to those working in the industry. Most travel consultants work on a commission basis and work long hours including weekends, often working 10-hour days. Travel consultants may also work in call centres.

Tools and technologies

Travel consultants use computers and telephones to carry out their work.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a travel consultant without formal qualifications and get training on the job. However, entry into this occupation may be improved by obtaining a qualification in travel, tourism or a related area. Experience in sales and/or personal travel may also be beneficial.

The Certificate III in Travel and the Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a traineeship. The travel consultant, international corporate travel consultant or international online travel consultant traineeships usually take 24 months to complete.

Did you know?

Prior to the invention of the Aeroplane, a trip from London to Australia would take anywhere from one to three weeks.

Aeroplanes can do the trip in under 16 hours today.

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