A tourism specialist, that is a travel agent, is a professional who works with clients to customize a travel experience. This includes working with their preferences and managing it all so that it fits into a predetermined budget. In addition to describing options and packages, an agent gives advice about different local customs when clients will be traveling to a foreign country. Of course, while there are people who prefer to organize and schedule their own trips, the assistance of a good travel agent can be very beneficial - especially for inexperienced travelers. Travel agents know how to make the best use of reservation software that can make booking a flight or hotel an efficient process. In addition, they can offer advice about the best hotels, about packages that can make trips more affordable, and more.
Schools and colleges that offer tourism programs teach student how to calculate travel costs including fees, taxes, discounts, and other factors. In addition, students learn how to prepare or request transportation carrier tickets and book transportation and hotel reservations using a computer reservation system. This includes the ability to compare accommodations, tickets, itineraries, and travel packages to determine which will better suit clients and which offer the best value.
Completing a diploma program as a tourism specialist will prepare individuals for entry-level careers in a variety of venues such as travel agencies, tour companies, airlines, cruise lines, corporate travel departments, or convention bureaus. New specialists can also prepare and sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) certification exam. This certification was developed by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and The Travel Institute.
Schools offer a variety of certifications including but not limited to the following.
Undergraduate certificate programs provide basic career training for those who want to be travel agents. They typically last for one year or less and include classes on topics such as travel geography, hospitality marketing and tourism planning. Two-year associate degree programs cover many of the same topics as certificate programs, but they add coursework in general education. For those who desire even more, a four-year bachelor’s degree program is available from some schools. It is normally designed to prepare individuals for management positions at travel agencies. Bachelor’s programs often include topics such as tourism transportation systems, special events planning and international tourism. Students also take more general business courses.
Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields vary from state to state. Aspiring students should contact their state professional licensing board to determine their requirements before enrolling in any program.
More than eight million people are working in travel-related jobs in the U.S. The average salary for travel agents is about $48,000 per year, depending on one’s experience and location. The industry is expected to have an average annual job growth rate as high as 20%.
Tourism schools - like other postsecondary career schools - can benefit greatly by making use of inclusive and powerful school management software. STARS® qualifies as such a management system. STARS* is the most secure, comprehensive, and cost-effective system available. In addition, the ability of the STARS system to generate hundreds of types of reports is unmatched in the industry.
Click here to learn more about how STARS can help Travel & Hospitality Schools.
*STARS is an acronym for Student Tracking and Accounting Records System. This type of software is also referred to as a student management system, career college management system, student information management system, campus management software, school information management system, college management system, student record management system, campus management system, student information system software, online student management software, vocational school management system, etc.
