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Career Details

Career Details

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41-3041.00 - Travel Agents


Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
74,100
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
65,400
Estimate
Change in Employment
-8,700
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-11.7%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
  • Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
  • Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
  • Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
  • Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
  • Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
  • Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
  • Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 85%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 79%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 78%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Geography
  • 69%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 67%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Clerical
  • 63%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Telecommunications
  • 63%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Transportation
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Administration and Management
  • 58%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Communications and Media
  • 57%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 54%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Education and Training
  • 53%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer data input devices
  • Card readers
 Computer printers
  • Computer inkjet printers
  • Computer laser printers
 Duplicating machines
  • Copy machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
 Personal communication devices
  • Multiline telephone systems
 Computers
  • Personal computers
 Calculating machines and accessories
  • Printing calculators
 Audio presentation and composing equipment and hardware and controllers
  • Public address systems
 Service and ticket vending machines
  • Ticket printing machines
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Apollo Reservation System
  • Globekey Agentkey
  • IMS Travel Agent Reservation Software System
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Rezdy
  • Rezgo
 Data management and query software
  • Colibripms Software Colibri
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • DataSwell
  • Galor Travel Booster
  • Global distribution system GDS software
  • Illusions Online Illusions OnDemand
  • MGHworld Travel Agents
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Orbitz Worldwide Orbitz for Agents
  • Rezopia
  • Sabre Airline Solutions SabreSonic Customer Sales & Service
  • TourCMS
  • TourWriter
  • Travel Agent CMS
  • TravelCarma
  • Travii
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Sabre Central CommandHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Bridgewater College
 Programs
Randolph-Macon College
 Programs