travel agent multiple example

7 types of travel agents around the world

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Travel agents are an important part of the tourism industry. There are several different types of travel agents. The different types of travel agents vary according to the service they provide and the products that they offer. In this article I will teach you about the different types of travel agents and provide some examples too.

What’s a travel agent?

High street travel agents, business travel agents, call centre travel agents, internet travel agents, independent travel agents, multiple travel agents, miniple travel agents, types of travel agents: to conclude, further reading .

A travel agency is a private retailer that sells travel-related products and services to consumers. This includes package holidays as well as individual holiday elements such as hotel rooms, flight tickets and travel insurance.

Travel agents typically use global distribution systems (GDS). These systems enable to travel agent staff to receive real-time updates on availability and prices and to make bookings.

Travel agencies typically take a percentage of the overall fee that a consumer pays, known as commission. Commission rates vary depending on the product and/or service that is sold. It is for this reason that consumers will sometimes pay more for a holiday booked through a travel agency than they would if they booked it directly with the suppliers.

Did you know that you can set up your own travel agency business and earn from your sofa? Find out how here!

The different types of travel agents

There are four main types of travel agents in the travel and tourism industry: high street, business, callcentre and Internet. I will explain how each of these types of travel agents work below. BUT before you read on, hit play on my new YouTube video below!

High street travel agents have been around for a long time. Up until only a few years ago, high street travel agents were the most popular and themes common types of travel agents.

High street travel agents are typically found in major shopping areas, such as local high streets or in shopping malls.

High street travel agents typically have an area where holiday brochures are displayed and desks for consumers to sit at and talk than travel agent. Travel agent staff are generally very knowledgeable about the products and services thatchy are selling and offer high standards of customer service.

Many people continue to prefer house high street travel agents because they enjoy the face-to-face interaction.However, fewer and fewer people have been using travel agents in recent years. This has led to the closure of many high street travel agents.

High street travel agent examples: TUI, Hays Travel, Cooperative Travel

Business travel agents specialise in planning and booking travel for business purposes. Business tourism is one of the largest types of tourism . As such, this is an important type of travel agent.

Business travel agents do not always have a visible high street presence. Instead, they may be tucked away in office blocks or in quiet locations.This is because they do not tend to have walk-in business.

Business travel agents typically work with companies to organise business travel. Stays tend to be shorter than ordinary holidays. Business travel agents are popular because they help to save organisations timed money, given that they are able to quickly plan itineraries and book travel the best prices.

Business travel agent examples: Crystal Corporate, Click Travel, Kanoo Corporate

A call centre travel agent is a travel agent which is based in a call centre.

Call centre travel agents provide advice and guidance on booking your holiday via the telephone. Many major travel agencies will have call centres as wells high street shops.

Call centres have lower overheads than high street retailers because they do not have to pay premium prices for their offices- they have the flexibility to be based anywhere.

Some companies even choose to base their callcentres in developing countries, where wages and overhead costs are lower. However, this has been known to have a detrimental impact on the service offered due to language barriers and cultural differences.

Call centre travel agent examples: Flight Centre, Virgin Holidays

Internet travel agents are travel agents theatre based the Internet. This includes major travel companies as wells independent travel agents who are working from home.

Internet travel agents are the most popular types of travel agents nowadays. Many people prefer to book online.

Just like high street travel agents, Internet travel agents take a commission from the money paid by the consumer.

The rise of the Internet travel agent has been so significant in recent years that there is now a lot of competition in the marketplace. This helps to drive down prices and to make holidays more affordable to customers.

Internet travel agent examples: Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda

Types of travel agent businesses

The types of travel agents can also be distinguished by their business model. There are three major business models that are used: independent, multiple, miniple. I will explain what each of these are below.

An independent travel agent is an agent is a unique company. There is only one branch and it is not associated with any other travel agency stores or companies.

Independent travel agents are commonly found in small towns and villages. They are usually locally-run businesses. Because of scales of economy, independent travel agents are often not able to compete with the lower prices offered by larger types of travel agents.

Independent travel agents do not necessarily need to have physical travel agency. There are many people who are running their own, successful travel agency businesses from home. These are Internet travel agents who are operating on an independent basis.

Since COVID-19, many organisations have reduced their business travel requirements, opting instead for Zoom calls and webinars facilitated by the shut-in economy . It is predicted that this change will be irreversible and therefore that the need for business travel agents will be permanently reduced.

A multiple travel agent is one which has a chain of branches. They are typically large organisations with a strong high street presence.

Multiple travel agents did have a monopoly of the market for many years. However, they have struggled to compete with the Internet travel agents, who have fewer overheads and are more conveniently located- on a consumer’s computer/smart device!

Miniple travel agents are travel agents that have several branches. These are usually mid-sized companies. They are often regional.

As you can see, the travel agency market has changed a lot in recent years. We have moved away from the traditional multiple on the high street towards an Internet-based approach when researching and booking our holidays. Nonetheless, there does continue to be a desire for travel agents, albeit largely online.

If you’re studying travel and tourism then I highly recommend the following texts to support your learning:

• The 10 Major Types of Events
• The 8 Major Types of Cruise
• 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary
• 20 Popular Types of Hotels Around The World
• 21 Types of Tourists Around The World

Liked this article? Click to share!

• Onsite training

3,000,000+ delegates

15,000+ clients

1,000+ locations

• KnowledgePass
• Log a ticket

01344203999 Available 24/7

Types of Travel Agents: A Comprehensive Guide

This blog explains who a Travel Agent is, what the different Types of Travel Agents are, and how they function in the tourism industry. It also provides some examples of each type of Travel Agent and their advantages and disadvantages for Travellers.

Exclusive 40% OFF

Training Outcomes Within Your Budget!

We ensure quality, budget-alignment, and timely delivery by our expert instructors.

Share this Resource

• Communication and Influencing skill Training
• Effective Communication Skills
• Call Centre Training
• Cross Cultural Communications Training
• Negotiation Skills Training

Thus, understanding these different Types of Travel Agents can empower Travellers to make informed decisions. Moreover, it will ensure a more personalised and stress-free Travel experience that aligns perfectly with their unique needs and preferences. So, let’s delve in to learn more! In this blog, you will learn who a Travel Agent is, the different Types of Travel Agents and their roles and responsibilities in great detail. 

Table of Contents  

1) Who is a Travel Agent? 

2) What are the different Types of Travel Agents? 

     a) Independent Travel Agents  

     b) Online Travel Agents 

     c) Visitor information centres 

     d) High street Travel Agents 

     e) Business Travel Agents 

     f) Call centre Travel Agents 

     g) Multiple Travel Agents 

     h) Miniple Travel Agents 

3) Conclusion 

Who is a Travel Agent?  

A Travel Agent is a person or a firm that arranges Travel products and services for customers. These Agents can work as intermediaries or organisers. An intermediary Travel Agent acts for another party, such as an airline, a hotel, or a tour operator. They then plan a journey or a stay for a customer in return for a price. They also offer many services or a series of services, such as transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, and activities.  

What are the different Types of Travel Agents?  

There are many Types of Travel Agents in the tourism industry, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s explore their different types: 

1) Independent Travel Agents  

Independent Travel Agents are self-employed or work for a small agency that is not affiliated with any larger network or organisation. They have more flexibility and autonomy in choosing their suppliers, products, and services. They can also offer more personalised and customised services to their customers, such as the following: 

1) Tailor-made itineraries 

2) Special deals 

3) Niche products 

Independent Travel Agents can operate online or offline and can specialise in a particular destination, market segment, or type of Travel. But such specialisations require possessing Specialised Travel Agents Skills . 

However, Independent Travel Agents may also face some challenges, such as limited resources, higher costs, lower commissions, and less bargaining power with suppliers. They may also have less visibility and credibility in the market and may struggle to compete with larger and more established Travel Agents. 

2) Online Travel Agents    

Online Travel Agents are Agents who operate exclusively on the internet, using websites, mobile apps, or social media platforms to offer and sell Travel products and services. Online Travel Agents have many advantages, such as the following: 

1) Lower overheads 

2) Wider reach 

3) 24/7 availability 

4) More convenience 

5) Choice for customers 

Online Travel Agents can also use technology to enhance their services, such as online booking systems, chatbots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data. Online Travel Agents can offer a variety of products and services, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, cruises, and packages. Some examples of online Travel Agents are Expedia, Booking.com, Skyscanner, and Airbnb. However, online Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as the following: 

1) High competition 

2) Low customer loyalty 

3) Security and privacy issues 

4) Lack of human interaction 

5) Personal touch 

Master the art of persuasion with our Negotiation Skills Training – Sign up now!  

3) Visitor information centres  

Visitor information centres are Travel Agencies that provide information and advice to tourists at the destination. They are usually located at airports, train stations, bus terminals, city centres, or tourist attractions. 

Visitor information centres can help travellers with maps, brochures, guides, timetables, bookings, reservations, and local tips. These centres can also promote and sell local products and services, such as souvenirs, crafts, tours, events, and activities.  

Some examples of visitor information centres are Visit Britain and Tourism Australia. Visitor information centres have the advantage of being close to the customers and having firsthand knowledge of the destination. However, visitor information centres may also have limited resources, staff, and products and may depend on the seasonality and popularity of the destination. 

4) High street Travel Agents  

High street Travel Agents operate from physical shops or offices on the streets or shopping centres of towns and cities. High street Travel Agents can offer a range of products and services, such as the following: 

1) Flights 

2) Hotels 

3) Car rentals 

4) Tours 

5) Cruises 

6) Holiday packages 

They can also provide face-to-face consultation, customer service, and after-sales support. Some examples of high street Travel Agents are Thomas Cook, TUI, and Flight Centre.  

High street Travel Agents have the advantage of having a strong brand presence, a loyal customer base, and experienced staff. However, high street Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as high rent, overheads, staff costs, low margins and commissions, and competition from online Travel Agents and direct suppliers. 

5) Business Travel Agents  

Business Travel Agents specialise in arranging Travel products and services for corporate clients, such as companies, organisations, or government agencies. Business Travel Agents can offer products and services that meet the specific needs and preferences of business travellers, such as the following: 

1) Flexible fares 

2) Convenient schedules 

3) Premium seats 

4) Airport lounges 

5) Meeting rooms 

6) Corporate discounts 

Business Travel Agents can also provide account management, reporting, invoicing, and Travel policy compliance. Some examples of business Travel Agents are American Express Global Business Travel, BCD Travel, and CWT. 

These Agents have the advantage of having a stable and profitable market segment, long-term contracts, and high-value customers. However, business Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as high expectations, complex regulations, and changing Travel trends and technologies. 

6) Call centre Travel Agents  

Call centre Travel Agents are professionals who operate from a centralised office or facility that handles a large volume of phone calls from customers. Call centre Travel Agents can offer and sell travel products and services over the phone, using a computerised reservation system and a script. Call centre Travel Agents can also provide customer service, support, and assistance. 

Some examples of call centre Travel Agents are Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity. Call centre Travel Agents have the advantage of having lower costs, wider reach, and faster response than high street Travel Agents. However, they also face some challenges, such as high staff turnover, low customer satisfaction, and communication barriers. 

Redefine customer interactions with our Call Center Training – sign up today!  

7) Multiple Travel Agents  

They can also benefit from economies of scale, bulk buying, and brand recognition. Some examples of multiple Travel Agents are TUI, Thomas Cook, and Flight Centre. These Agents have the advantage of having a dominant market position, loyal customer base, and extensive distribution network. However, multiple Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as the following: 

1) High overheads 

2) Staff costs 

3) Competition from Online Travel Agents and direct suppliers 

8) Miniple Travel Agents  

Miniple Travel Agents operate as part of a small or medium-sized chain or group that has a few branches or outlets across different locations. They can offer a variety of products and services, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, cruises, and packages. They can also provide more personalised and customised services, such as the following: 

1) Niche products 

3) Local expertise 

Some examples of miniple Travel Agents are Trailfinders, STA Travel, and Hays Travel. Miniple Travel Agents have the advantage of having a flexible and adaptable business model, a loyal customer base, and competitive prices. However, they also face some challenges, such as limited resources, bargaining power, and brand awareness. 

Conclusion  

We hope you read and understand the different Types of Travel Agents. The world of Travel Agents is diverse, catering to a wide range of traveller preferences and needs. From traditional brick-and-mortar agencies to online platforms and specialised niche Agents, there's a Travel Agent for everyone. Choosing the right one can enhance your Travel experience, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable. 

Transform your passion for Travel into a thriving career with our Travel Agent Training – sign up now!  

Frequently Asked Questions

Upcoming business skills resources batches & dates.

Fri 19th Apr 2024

Fri 28th Jun 2024

Fri 25th Oct 2024

Get A Quote

WHO WILL BE FUNDING THE COURSE?

My employer

By submitting your details you agree to be contacted in order to respond to your enquiry

• Business Analysis
• Lean Six Sigma Certification

Share this course

Our biggest spring sale.

We cannot process your enquiry without contacting you, please tick to confirm your consent to us for contacting you about your enquiry.

By submitting your details you agree to be contacted in order to respond to your enquiry.

We may not have the course you’re looking for. If you enquire or give us a call on 01344203999 and speak to our training experts, we may still be able to help with your training requirements.

Or select from our popular topics

• ITIL® Certification
• Scrum Certification
• Change Management Certification
• Business Analysis Courses
• Microsoft Azure Certification
• Microsoft Excel & Certification Course
• Microsoft Project
• Explore more courses

Press esc to close

Fill out your  contact details  below and our training experts will be in touch.

Fill out your   contact details   below

Thank you for your enquiry!

One of our training experts will be in touch shortly to go over your training requirements.

Back to Course Information

Fill out your contact details below so we can get in touch with you regarding your training requirements.

* WHO WILL BE FUNDING THE COURSE?

Preferred Contact Method

No preference

Back to course information

Fill out your  training details  below

Fill out your training details below so we have a better idea of what your training requirements are.

HOW MANY DELEGATES NEED TRAINING?

HOW DO YOU WANT THE COURSE DELIVERED?

Online Instructor-led

Online Self-paced

WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THIS COURSE?

Next 2 - 4 months

WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR ENQUIRING?

Looking for some information

Looking for a discount

I want to book but have questions

One of our training experts will be in touch shortly to go overy your training requirements.

Your privacy & cookies!

Like many websites we use cookies. We care about your data and experience, so to give you the best possible experience using our site, we store a very limited amount of your data. Continuing to use this site or clicking “Accept & close” means that you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more about our privacy policy and cookie policy cookie policy .

We use cookies that are essential for our site to work. Please visit our cookie policy for more information. To accept all cookies click 'Accept & close'.

9 Different Types of Travel Agents

Posted on June 24, 2022

Categories Travel

There are three main categories of travel agents: business, special interest, and leisure, and they fall into six types. These are:

• Global distribution systems
• Online travel agents
• Guest information centers
• Hotel and concierge agents
• Inbound tour operators
• Independent travel agents

Remember when we had to go to a travel agency and sit for a long time to book a trip or a tour? Those days are long gone. There are travel agents just about anywhere, from online to hotels and even independent agents. 

Some people think they don’t need a travel advisor until their plans begin to go awry. Plus, tour operators need them. Travel agents were and still are relevant today. Let’s look at the different types of travel agents, their role, and their relevance.

Types of Travel Agents

Here are the six different types of travel agents:

Global Distribution Systems

One of the many ways that tourists can get their travel needs met is through a global distribution system. A corporation manages the computerized network system, which makes online reservations possible through the facilitation of transactions. 

Global distribution systems will be used by both online and offline agents to reserve current travel experiences at a certain location. The most popular global distribution helps you boost your digital delivery and acquire more bookings. 

These systems want to cooperate with tour operators who make their activities and excursions available for convenient internet booking. The majority of global distribution systems rely on real-time inventory from service providers.

Online Travel Agents

A web-based system where tourists may organize and make travel arrangements straight from their internet sites is known as an online travel agency (OTA). They depend on the simplicity and comfort of the Internet to construct bundles for their customers.

As a result, a growing number of vacationers are searching for the best ways to plan all-inclusive vacations that cover everything from transportation to lodging and activities.

Travel and tour companies can expand their digital delivery by building ties with online travel agents. A commission can be earned by utilizing an online booking system, which enables online travel agents to book directly with you and receive compensation.

Centers for Tourist Information

A tourist information station is a one-stop store where tourists may buy souvenirs and get free advice on things to do, places to stay, maps, and other useful information about the area. With this, they are a popular location for tourists who are new to the area and want to learn more about the local culture.

Tourist information centers, which are frequently run by local governments, confer legitimacy on the advice and assistance they provide.

If you want your local tourist information center to book your trips and activities for you, let them know. As a result, they’ll be more likely to spread the word about your products.

Independent Travel Agents

For most passengers, independent travel agencies are the preferred retail travel agents.

To incorporate travel experiences that their clientele is interested in, travel agents, whether offline or online, want to tailor the itinerary they provide for them.

You may enhance your online distribution by working with individual travel agencies and utilizing distribution technology entities. To make it easier for agents to promote your service.

The commission percentages for independent travel agents will vary from one agent to the next. Between 15% and 25% is typical for independent agencies that schedule your events.

Organizers of Outbound Tours

Inbound tour operators, are regarded as specialists in a certain location and are aware of the best excursions and activities in the area. 

Working with these advisors to sell your products is advantageous because they advocate these outings to their clientele. They are more likely to recommend safe, exciting trips that are simple to book if they have worked with them before.

Travel Agent Categories

Here are the three travel agent categories:

1. Business Travel Agents

Work or business-related travelers. This group of commuters heads to and from work every day from their homes.

Commuters need to concentrate on efficiency and timeliness when they travel. It’s not uncommon for business travelers to plan their entire journey around a single event or meeting. 

To stay productive when traveling, they chose workstations in the hotel rooms with high-speed web access. To make things easier, guests should be able to walk or use public transportation to and from their place of business.

Openings for Travel Agents

Business tourism is a multi-trillion-dollar industry, and travel agents may capitalize on this opportunity. Every day, up to 1.1 million individuals in the United States travel for work. This group of tourists is looking for a hassle-free journey. As a result, you’ll be called upon.

Travelers on business trips prefer to concentrate on their job rather than on the details of their journey. An excellent opportunity to select a hotel room with luxuries that will let the client forget they are even outside their hometowns is presented by the travel agent. As a result, understanding what a booking system is and how to utilize it effectively is critical.

Breakfast in the am, espresso in the foyer, and a fitness center are among the amenities that business travelers look for while they’re on the road for long periods. If your team manages to arrange appropriate lodging for a business traveler, you’ll have a satisfied and productive customer.

To get to and from work, commuters are more likely to be on the road. Loyalty programs are a terrific way to keep customers coming back to your business over and over again. Travelers will want to utilize your firm more often as their royalties grow, which will keep them invested in your brand.

In the event you play your chips properly as a travel agent and schedule hundreds of trips for a corporation, there are risks involved. But if something goes awry, it may suddenly turn from countless business visits to booking for one firm to none. In the travel agency industry, you need to be aware of the potential dangers.

Whenever it comes to corporate travel, there is no margin for error, since most appointments may not wait for a tardy attendee. Before the start of the project, everything must be planned out and accounted for. If the client is late for a business meeting, the meeting may be canceled, resulting in lost revenue, time, and labor for the business traveler.

If you’re going on a trip, it’s important to think about possible health concerns. A business vacation is not a time to put off illness, accidents, or catastrophes. You may want to recommend that the company purchase Business Travel Accident (BTA) insurance to fully safeguard the firm’s travelers.

The traveler must be satisfied if your travel agency provides a journey that emphasizes punctuality and convenience.

2. Special Tourism Agents

This type of travel caters to the interests and desires of the individual traveler. When it comes to special interest tourism, the goal is to get an exceptional experience that directly relates to the preferences of the traveler.

Special interest travelers have a wide range of features, as they are all based on the preferences of the individual traveler. There are a wide number of possibilities, including gourmet tours, religious travel, cultural trips, and more. 

The underlying denominator among these travelers is a great passion for something and a desire to travel the world to further explore this obsession.

Determine the purpose of the trip – Is it to unwind and relax? Is the purpose of this journey to learn and grow? Is the goal to see as many of the big tourist destinations as possible? Accommodations can be made once the purpose of the trip has been determined.

Create tour offers that will pique your client’s interest when it comes to customizing a trip for them. Packages appeal to special interest visitors since they are cost-effective and focus on what they want to see and do.

An adventure package is a traditional special-interest package. All of the area’s top places to visit would be included in this itinerary. People who are willing to take risks will be drawn to your website if you offer zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. You can guarantee that your consumers will have the vacation of a lifetime if you provide them with the most exciting options.

A rapidly growing segment of the travel industry is wellness tourism. These tours are specifically designed to focus on health, focusing on both physical and emotional well-being. 

Travel companies will make reservations for these customers based on their preferences for health and well-being, including staying in hotels with exercise facilities, eating at restaurants with organic options, and staying in places with plenty of greenery.

A travel agent may be contacted by someone in need of medical treatment. Because the patient doesn’t live in an area where medical aid is needed, medical tourism is a necessity. 

In any case, the patient already has a lot on their plate, and they don’t want the excessive strain of travel or hotel reservations on top of everything else. The treatment isn’t accessible in their homeland, or there may be better doctors abroad.

Due to needing to function as the liaison between the customer and the many tour operators, excursions, and activities, there is some risk for travel agents. Because of this, many people rely on the services of travel host agencies.

The client has placed their trust in you and your organization, and this is where tour operators come into play. The customer will come to you if something turns out badly.

Therefore, keep communication open between the two of you. To serve your customers with the highest service, you should have a list of organizations you can rely on.

To avoid a last-minute withdrawal from either side, you should plan . You should specify the dates by which cancellations are accepted and whether or not there will be a fee for doing so. There must be no misunderstandings when the day of the scheduled events approaches if you provide all the relevant information.

Unexpected medical concerns are another issue for tourists with specialized interests. Terrible events might occur when a trip is centered on being adventurous, tasting new foods, or getting medical treatment done.

Travel insurance is the right strategy to avoid any potential issues. This will protect your traveler in the event of an emergency, but ideally, it will never be needed.

3. Travel Agencies for the Leisure Traveler

Travelers who want to get away from the daily grind. Those that travel for leisure are more concerned about having fun and having a good time.

People who go on vacation tend to be alone or with a small group of relatives and friends. All of these tours are geared toward leisure, exploration, and fun.

There are several aspects of a leisure trip that include eating at fine restaurants, staying in luxury hotels, lounging by the pool or beach, and seeing tourist attractions.

Those who prefer a more authentic travel experience, however, may choose to backpack around a new location, overnight in hostels, steer clear of the most popular tourist attractions, and learn about the history and culture of the place they’re visiting. Online travel agencies can only provide this level of service.

There are numerous options for the travel agent to personalize a client’s journey while they are going for pleasure. An experienced traveler can help you get the most out of your vacation.

With a cruise, you don’t have the burden of choosing your itinerary, so you can relax and unwind. In one transaction, a cruise provides transportation, meals, amusement, and a place to stay. If a family is looking for a getaway from their bustling daily routine, this kind of trip is an excellent option.

In most cases, a customer will know where they want to go, but they will need assistance working out how to fill their days. A seasoned traveler can provide their recommendations for the must-see attractions, the best restaurants, and fun activities for the entire group. To ensure that your customers get the most value for their money, your travel firm can put together a well-thought-out itinerary.

When the word “leisure” is used, the first thing that comes up is sitting by a pool, reading a book, and wearing floppy hats. Travel agents that can propose a variety of resorts to potential customers are more likely to get the best deal. Travelers will love a hotel that is located close to a beautiful beach, has an on-site spa, and has a fitness facility.

There are few risks involved in working with leisure visitors. If something goes wrong, it usually doesn’t have a major impact on the holiday because the timetable is so slack.

There is an increasing trend for clients to submit evaluations on web forums. Internet sites like TripAdvisor make it easy for customers to sing your firm’s praises while also calling it out when it makes a mistake in the public eye.

Image and reputation may be ruined in a matter of minutes thanks to the power of the internet, and dissatisfied consumers are quick to spread the word.

22 Types of Travel Agencies Based on 4 Key Criteria

Travel agency definition

How many types of travel agencies exist.

The best way to understand the intricate design of the tourism industry is to observe the businesses that operate within it . Travel agencies are the cogs that keep travel machinery moving forward. However, not all travel agencies operate in the same way. Plus, these businesses often tend to go through operational and managerial changes driven by technology implementations and shifts in the best practices.

If you are planning to work with or in an agency, you need to know more about travel agencies in general. Staying tuned to the latest developments can be challenging. That’s why we decided to help you answer the ultimate question – “How many types of travel agencies exist?”  

Let’s start with the travel agency definition to lay a foundation for the information that’s to come.

The best way to understand a travel agency is to look at it as a private retailer . It is a business that specializes in selling travel products and services. At the core of travel agencies, we have a global distribution system (GDS). This commonly used agency software system plays a vital role in enabling agencies to check the availability and prices of accommodation and travel arrangements.

Two most commonly used travel agency definitions come from Airlines Reporting Corporation and SARC . The first one goes along the following lines:

“Travel agency is a business with the following functions: makes reservations, quotes fares, rates, arranges travel insurance, arranges travel tickets and accommodation, accepts payments, foreign currency, and documents.”

Here is the definition by SARC:

“Travel agency is a business that specializes in selling tourism products and tourism-related services to tourists and performs arranging transportation and accommodation, air ticket issuing, accepting payments, and providing additional specialized services.”

Travel agencies often work with vendors from whom they source travel products and enable direct, over-the-phone, or online booking for their customers. Their primary source of income comes from the commission rates the vendors give them. Without going into great detail, the commission rates are not uniform and depend on several factors. However, as you will see, some travel agencies act as intermediaries between vendors and other travel agencies. The primary source of income of these agencies is the services they provide to other agencies.

Travel agencies also differ in terms of the distribution channels they use. There are three main distribution channels available to travel agencies: online channels, strategic partnerships, and offline channels . To stay competitive, many agencies use more than one channel, often all three at the same time.

Now let’s see how many unique types of travel agencies are there.

There are dozens of types of travel agencies out there. The best way to understand each type is to have a classification system. That’s exactly what we decided to do. 

Below you can find different types of travel agencies based on the business model, business size, services, geographical coverage, number of outlets, level of specialization, distribution chain, type of vacations they offer, agency functions, and tourism flows.

Let’s start with some of the most basic classifications, including business model and size.

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏿 Travel agency types based on the number of travelers

Travel products don’t only differ in terms of destination and available amenities in the location. Some travel agencies prefer catering to individual travel needs, while others facilitate group travel. There are, of course, those that offer individual and group travel arrangements. There are three travel agency types based on the number of travelers.

FIT travel agencies

FIT stands for “foreign independent travel” or, a more modern term, “flexible, independent travel.” This is the most common type of agency you can find both online and offline . While they offer regular products, they also include tailor-made travel experiences to accommodate travelers’ individual needs and interests . The examples include:

• https://vacations.united.com/
• https://www.redtag.ca/

Group travel agencies

Group travel agencies, as the name suggests, specialize in group travel. They offer a number of group travel packages. The travel products they offer are often tailored for ten or more travelers. The agencies negotiate their travel products according to the size of the group . Some of them enable booking online. However, the majority offer services offline because some hotels tend to cancel the bookings if they detect a group . Here are a couple of examples:

• https://www.contiki.com/en-eu
• https://www.solresor.se/

FIT & Group travel agencies

FIT & Group travel agencies work with a wide range of travelers, including those who are interested in tailor-made experiences and those who prefer group travel. Their travel product portfolio is often quite big and diverse. The noteworthy examples include:

• https://www.appleleisuregroup.com/

🛒 Travel agency types based on the type of market

The famous question from Hollywood movies: “Business or pleasure?” brings us to our next travel agency classification. All travel agencies can be divided into two groups based on whether they sell leisure or business travel packages.

Leisure travel agency

As its name implies, a leisure travel agency specializes in selling holidays and leisure trips. They cater to the needs of customers interested in having fun, rest, and relaxation. Their itineraries can also include various activities ranging from excursions to local sightseeing. Here is an example:

• https://travel.aaa.com/

Business travel agency

Business travel agencies offer custom-tailored trip experiences to businesses. They help streamline sales presentations, conferences, and meetings, whether scheduled in a state or abroad. They cater to passengers traveling for working purposes and facilitate MICE and incentive travels . The two examples include:

• https://www.bcdtravel.com/
• https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/

🚛 Travel agency types based on the type of distribution

All travel agencies can be categorized into two big groups based on the type of distribution. There are those who source and cater their products toward businesses, so-called wholesalers, or B2B travel agencies. The other type of travel agency encompasses travel companies focused on B2C markets.

Wholesalers or B2B travel agencies

Wholesalers of B2B travel agencies distribute their products through other agencies . Their primary source of income is commission rates. They can either source products from other B2B travel agencies or create travel products of their own. There are several types of wholesalers depending on how they choose to do business.

Tour Operators

Tour operators are companies that specialize in creating complete travel products . Their products often include hotel rooms, transportation, and activities at the location, such as excursions. Tour operators exclusively distribute their products through agencies. Here are the examples:

• https://teamamericany.com/index.php/home/start
• https://www.gocollette.com/en

Bedbanks are companies that focus on distributing hotel inventory through different channels . However, over time their scope of services kept growing. Today, Bedbanks also offer transfers and various services in destinations . Here are a couple of examples so you better understand what Bedbanks are:

• https://www.hotelbeds.com/home
• https://www.webbeds.com/

DMC stands for a destination management company. As the name suggests, these are inbound travel companies . They create inbound travel products for specific destinations and distribute them across various B2B channels . The examples include:

• https://www.alliedtpro.com/
• https://galaxyvacations.com/

Wholesalers

Wholesalers operate similarly to tour operators. However, they don’t create travel products themselves . Instead, they source products from multiple Bedbanks, tour operators, and DMCs, and distribute them through B2B channels, mainly travel agencies . The examples of wholesalers include:

• https://www.jumbotours.com/
• https://www.bonotel.com/  

Travel networks

Travel networks are quite specific travel agencies. Their primary focus is on creating big travel agencies and travel advisor networks. Once the network is up and running, these travel agencies will provide all types of travel products to their partners and affiliates under exclusive terms and conditions. The examples include:

• https://www.travelleaders.com/
• https://www.allstar.travel/  

Retail travel agencies are the newest addition to the big family of different agency types. It is a new way of B2B distribution generated by Bedbanks . The goal is to provide products and services directly to travel agencies without the need to be a travel network . Here are some examples:

• https://www.bedsonline.com/home/en-df
• https://www.tboholidays.com/

Travel agencies or B2C travel agencies

Travel agencies or B2C travel agencies offer travel products and services directly to consumers. There are different travel agency types based on how they set up their business in terms of distribution channels, location, and dependency. Let’s see the most common types of B2C travel agencies.

OTA or an online travel agency is not every agency you can use to book travel packages online . These are big companies that sell directly to consumers . They offer a wide range of travel products, including hotels, air tickets, car rentals, tickets for shows, travel insurance, tours, and all kinds of land transportation. We are sure that you are familiar with the following two examples of OTAs:

• www.expedia.com  
• www.booking.com 
• www.edreams.com  
• www.despegar.com  

Physical offline travel agency

Physical offline travel agencies offer their services in person to consumers . Due to the shift to the online business model, the number of physical offline travel agencies continues to decrease . These agencies are mainly focused on providing personalized travel experiences to consumers. They provide advice regarding the best location to visit according to the travelers’ unique needs and expectations. Their offer also includes tailor-made itineraries and excursions. The examples include:

• www.pangea.com

Physical + online travel agency

Physical + online travel agency is a new type of business . These agencies offer most of their services online . However, they still have offices, so they can work with travelers in person, answer questions, or provide advice . The examples include:

• www.cvcviagens.com  
• www.viajesfalabella.com 
• www.almundo.com

Independent travel advisor

Independent travel advisors work as independent travel professionals . They don’t align with any particular company or work for one. Their number continues to increase worldwide, especially in the US market. Independent travel advisors provide personalized service to travelers. The examples include:

• https://www.asta.org/

Implants are travel professionals located within another company that has significant travel requirements . They often have a desk or entire office setup so they can meet the company’s travel demands and provide better services . The most noteworthy implants include:

Direct travel agencies

Due to the harsh competition and volatile markets, some businesses in the travel industry decided to offer their travel products directly to consumers through B2C channels . Such is the case with many hotels and airlines . Here are a couple of examples:

• https://www.deltavacations.com/
• https://www.latamairlines.com/
• https://www.wyndhamdestinations.com/
• https://www.viajaconviaja.com/

🛎️ Travel agency types based on the type of services

Finally, we come to a more specific classification of travel agencies. If you take a look at travel agencies only taking into account the type of services they offer , you can see that there are a number of different companies . With this in mind, we give you travel agency types based on the type of services they offer.

Regular services

Most commonly, travel agencies are focused on selling pre-designed products and services . They can sell those products and services on a regular or more exclusive basis . Here are two examples of travel agencies that provide regular services:

• https://www.grayline.com/
• https://www.gct.com/

Tailor-made

Tailor-made travel agencies develop specific itineraries travelers can’t find anywhere else . They often enable clients to create completely custom products and make their own itineraries. Tailor-made travel agencies are either contracting directly or via DMCs. The two examples include:

• https://www.intrepidtravel.com/
• https://www.evaneos.com/

Niche travel companies

Niche travel companies are focused on very specific demographics . They tend to study the particular needs and expectations of consumers in a demographic segment and create itineraries and experiences that reflect those needs. 

LGBT travel agencies specialize in LGBT travel and tailor-made vacations. They carefully create travel experiences to only include supplies that welcome everyone . These agencies also offer advice and adhere to the highest travel quality standards . Here are two examples:

• https://www.protravelinc.com/luxury-vacations/lgbtq-travel

There are also travel agencies that specialize in offering products tailored for students . They enable students and youth to experience the world. These agencies often offer exclusive travel deals emphasizing cheap hotels, tours, and flights . Here are two examples:

• https://acis.com/
• https://www.yes-trips.com/

Seniors have enough experience to know how to make the best use of the travel time. Travel agencies for seniors offer travel tours specifically tailored to the needs of seniors ensuring they are freed up of all their worries so they can enjoy the destination they choose. Here are some examples:

• https://www.goaheadtours.com/escorted-tours/senior-travel
• https://nationalseniorstravel.com.au/

Backpackers

Travel agencies for backpackers offer tailor-made backpacking travel experiences to people who enjoy this particular way of experiencing destinations. The examples include:

• https://www.backpackingtours.com/
• https://www.backandpack.com/

Travel Adventure

Travel agencies can specialize in travel adventures as well. They carefully source their products to ensure they pack enough adrenaline and that “wow” factor so they can attract consumers who prefer their travel to resemble an adventure. Here are examples:

• https://www.exodustravels.com/
• https://www.oattravel.com/

Ski travel agencies specialize in customizing ski and snowboard vacation travel packages . They are often focused on creating or sourcing packages in one specific location. The examples include:

• https://www.esquiades.com/
• https://www.skican.com/

Luxury travel agencies specialize in offering exclusive destinations, hotels, and activities. Their focus is on a rich clientele that reflects their product portfolio. They often offer tailor-made holidays and have special honeymoon offers. Here are a couple of examples:

• https://www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/
• https://www.virtuoso.com/travel  

When it comes to the travel agency types based on the type of service they sell, there can be many unique variations . 

Travel agencies can operate in many ways and play different roles in the distribution chain of travel products and services. To answer your initial question: 

“How many types of travel agencies exist?” There are more than 25 unique travel agency types depending on the segmentation you choose. 

However, it’s practically impossible for an agency to be of only one type. For instance, it can be an inbound, leisure, niche travel agency. Hopefully, our ultimate guide to travel agency types will help you better understand these companies in terms of how they operate and their role in the travel industry.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Yay you are now subscribed to our newsletter.

Cristóbal Reali, VP of Global Sales at Mize, with over 20 years of experience, has led high-performance teams in major companies in the tourism industry, as well as in the public sector. He has successfully undertaken ventures, including a DMO and technology transformation consulting. In his role at Mize, he stands out not only for his analytical and strategic ability but also for effective leadership. He speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. He holds a degree in Economics from UBA, complementing his professional training at Harvard Business School Online.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

Related Posts

30 Most Important Travel Industry Events for 2024

30 min. Social share: 2024 is packed with must-attend travel industry events. Stop by to discover all relevant events conveniently grouped by continents with listed dates, themes, and locations! Many travel industry experts believe that travel industry events play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the travel industry. Why is this so?  It’s […]

Empowering Equality: Mize Leads the Way in Travel Technology

7 min. Are we all equal? Are we all equally represented in the business world? In some professional sectors, there might still be some under-representation of women, minorities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The tech sphere is no different, but is the travel tech sector a spark of hope? As the business world becomes more diverse, […]

Slow Tourism Case Studies: Examples to Truly Understand Slow Tourism

14 min. The tourism industry is moving at an ever-accelerating pace. That’s because the tourism industry is perhaps one of the verticals that depend on the most factors. One of the main factors that affect it is social movements, given that tourism brands of all sizes always cater to the needs of consumers. One of […]

Schedule a call

9 Niche Travel Agency Examples

Alexander Ragin

May 29, 2023

Benefits of choosing a niche

Niches for travel agencies to specialize in, final thoughts.

The tourism market is huge, but fiercely competitive. The leading names are established tourist agencies that have been operating for decades with thousands of clients, so it can feel daunting to even enter the field. The good thing is that you don’t have to squeeze your shoulders to fit in, and can instead reach a different market by starting a niche travel agency.

Specializing in a certain niche can give you an advantage. It allows you to carve a space for yourself in the industry and puts you in a good position to attract clients. It allows you to avoid competing with the giants, while still appearing as a worthy service provider. Here’s how it works.

Credibility. As with every narrow specialization, travel niche operators have the advantage of expertise: specialists know everything about organizing niche tours while regular travel agents take a much broader and less detailed approach. Chances are, you will know much more about your specialism than your big competitors, and you can pitch yourself as a trusted and experienced provider.

Deep expertise. In other words, this narrow expertise helps establish your reputation. When looking for a very specific type of experience, tourists are likely to search for the best niche travel agency for their needs — the one that has provided that perfect experience regularly, for many years. Deep expertise gives you the upper hand in comparison to big travel companies.

Loyal audience. Needless to say, as a niche travel company, your audience will be smaller, but it will also be much more loyal and invested in your tours. This will allow you to take a personalized approach, which will increase customer loyalty even further. You may wish to target the Gen Z travelers , cater to female audiences, or focus on older travelers — more focus means more attention to details big travel companies might overlook.

Higher returns. Specialization and customer loyalty can also allow you to earn more money: travelers who are looking for a niche experience are often willing to pay more for exactly what they need — and your company may be the only one able to offer them that.

Now, if you find yourself wondering how to choose a niche for a travel agency, check out the next section!

There are so many possible niches that you could explore, but we’re going to look at our favorite travel agency niche ideas — the ones we think are most promising.

Nearly all of us are concerned about the environment, and ecotourism is on the rise. It’s no wonder that ecotourism is one of the most promising travel niche trends. The global market for ecotourism was estimated around 181 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, and, according to Statista, will grow more than 80% in 2027. This niche certainly has good prospects, but it also requires a lot of research and constant attention to detail.

Ecotourism is about sustainability — exploring untouched places, being in nature with minimal impact, and often taking part in conservation activities. When it comes to organizing tours, it is your duty to ensure that those principles are respected — you should strive to minimize the possible negative environmental impacts of any tour.

Provide eco-friendly transportation and accomodation options, and prioritize recycling and renewable energy sources — this is where new travel agency software like mobile apps can help you. Beyond your offerings, you should show that your company cares deeply about the environment through its brand and values.

Subscribe to our travel tech newsletter

You can choose to unsubscribe at any time

Gastro tourism

Trying local food and beverages is one of the most exciting parts of any adventure, but for some niched travelers this is their entire reason for a tour. Countries like France, India and Italy are well known for their cuisines, and many tourists are willing to travel far to try famous foods right where they are made.

There are lots of ways to make gastro tours memorable and unique: they can include cooking classes, food and beverage festivals, traditional dining ceremonies and so on. There are also plenty of sub-niches within the niche: you could focus on dessert discovery trips, beer tours, native cuisine adventures — the list goes on and on.

Your main concerns here are health and safety and dietary requirements. When you organize any food tour, you need to make sure you understand where the food has come from and that it’s safe for all your customers to eat.

Wedding tourism

Wedding tourism is one of our favorite travel niche ideas. Weddings nowadays are serious business, with lots of couples seeking unique venues and experiences for their special day to help them create unforgettable memories with their loved ones. You can make a business out of providing them with memorable trips and beautiful ceremonies, and introducing them to local customs as well.

This niche might require flexibility from you, since couples can have unusual and very personal requests — from wanting a limo or helicopter to pick them up, to holding the ceremony on a remote island! You’ll need to find ways to make it work, often by establishing a network of small, local, niche suppliers and providers.

Remember, couples want their wedding to be absolutely impeccable, so you’re going to have to operate to high standards. Before starting a travel business in this niche, ensure that you can make couples’ dreams come true and focus on providing full, 24/7 customer support.

Music tourism

Organizing tours themed around music is one of our most interesting niche tourism examples, and it’s a great idea for multiple reasons. First of all, the sheer number of music events around the world means you’ll always have a focus for your tours, and there are plenty of music-lovers willing to visit them without wanting to organize the trip themselves.

Plus, music tours are highly marketable. It’s easy to market a trip to a festival or concert when your customers are already fond of the musician or performer.

Finally, this type of niche allows for a huge variety: almost everyone enjoys at least one type of music, and you have multiple opportunities to grow your target audience by expanding on your tour offering.

By the way, here at Zoftify we have experience in developing apps for music lovers. Our recent project, Festivalio , is designed to track upcoming music events and book accommodation, flights and festival passes.

Looking for a digital solution for your travel company?

Any niche, any app, any time. Contact our team and we will share our expertise with you.

Local tourism

One of the most sustainable niche travel examples is local tourism. Some clients are curious about their own country’s history and culture, and helping them discover it is also a smart business opportunity.

There are a lot of advantages to this niche. It is usually much cheaper and easier to organize local tours than international tours. You are also much more in control of your customers’ experiences when, for example, you can personally drive to them in case of any emergency.

And of course, you’re operating within the rules and regulations of a country you’re familiar with, so you won’t have to spend extra time studying different countries’ laws to avoid any unpleasant bureaucratic surprises.

When starting a business in this niche, you need to learn enough about your country’s history in advance, in order to organize meaningful and exciting tours. Even a simple field or street might be interesting to visit if it has historical significance — perhaps it was the site of a huge battle, or a famous person’s birthplace. So do your research and then use this knowledge to attract tourists.

Adventure and sports tourism

Hiking, surfing, diving — there are so many activities associated with certain destinations, and they can absolutely drive their own tourism niche. Selling curated tours for avid mountain climbers, kayakers, or skiers can be a solid business model if you know how to provide the exact type of experience they are looking for.

Just remember that sports and similar activities are associated with risk and possible injuries. If you’re going to start a business in this niche, you need to establish robust safety measures and 24/7 customer support to keep your travelers informed and connected. If an accident happens, customers should know that your company is there to help them.

Female-only tourism

Solo female tourism is becoming more and more popular, so understanding this niche would be a sensible idea. Women nowadays feel much more empowered and independent, so solo traveling is only natural.

In order to work in this field, you need to understand your female customers, so that you can provide the services they really want instead of the services you think they want. Everyone is different: some women may like hiking trips, while others prefer staying in luxurious hotels. It is your duty to ensure their expectations are met and that they feel comfortable at all times.

Another important issue is safety — female tourists need to feel secure and confident, especially if they are traveling alone. You have to ensure that everything about the trip is predetermined, safe and inclusive.

Bicycle tourism

Bike riding is a hobby shared by people of all ages and backgrounds, so providing people with an opportunity to explore completely new landscapes while doing their favorite activity is an attractive prospect that your travel company could tap into.

Cycling is an eco-friendly and active way of traveling which means you can provide a very rich and unique experience for your customers. Reaching a certain landmark with other like-minded people can be a profound feeling which makes your trip much more memorable and special.

When working in this niche you need to focus on creating remarkable routes and providing suitable means of access to them — your clients might prefer to take their own bicycle instead of renting one from you. Another concern is your customers’ health — consider your customers’ fitness levels and access to healthcare in case of emergencies.

Dark tourism

This one might sound unusual, but in reality there are a lot of people willing to visit places associated with catastrophic events or dark and intriguing stories. The popularity of Pompeii and the Catacombs of Paris speaks for itself.

However, choosing to work in the sphere of dark tourism requires additional preparation. You need to always keep in mind that your tour may touch on extremely sensitive issues, which have to be taken seriously. Irresponsible marketing may lead to colossal reputational damage, so pay close attention to how you frame your tours.

It is most fitting for tourism of this kind to focus on history and education, so you’ll need to do some research before taking tourists to any unusual locations: the dark and mysterious allure is the main reason for their travel, after all.

The market for tourism is huge, but it’s also filled with established tour operators, so for a new business it would be a good idea to focus on a specific niche instead of trying to compete with the big players. There are many reasons that people travel: be it for food, culture, music, nature or history. Finding a niche for a travel agency requires thorough market research, but can result in a prosperous and well-respected business.

What is a niche in the travel industry?

Travel niches focus on the unique and specific reasons that people travel. There are so many reasons why people travel and why there are so many niches within the industry: tourists may fly somewhere to learn more about a certain culture, or to try their hobby in a new location, or to get a taste of a world-famous cuisine. Understanding the specific attributes of travel niches is important when you start a business focusing on one of them.

What are the different tourism niches?

Niche travel markets are so varied that it would be difficult to name them all. For example, there is ecotourism, gastro tourism, music tourism, local tourism, and even dark tourism. Learning more about all of them and thinking about the best niche for your business would be a sensible place to start.

Why is niche tourism popular?

The popularity of niche tourism is explained by its nature. Many people want a very specific type of experience, which a large agency often won’t provide because they take a generalized approach. Start by exploring different travel agent niches to see where you can add value.

Founder & CEO

Alex loves travel and tech and founded Zoftify to help travel companies use technology more effectively. Before this, he worked in tech consulting, where he led international mobile development teams.

Read other articles

Related articles

May 19, 2023

5 Real-Life Examples of Digital Transformation for Travel Agencies

What Software Do You Need to Run a Small or Medium-Sized Online Travel Agency?

September 15, 2023

Top 8 International Hotel Booking API Providers

6 types of agents tours and activities can partner with to improve business

By Rezdy — 12 Aug 2018

agent bookings   distribution   tour operator

Updated June 2022 – The days of travel agents being limited to independent storefronts in shopping malls are far behind us. There are numerous different types of travel agents nowadays across a variety of platforms. This makes travel and tour bookings accessible for everyone, no matter where they are in the world. From online travel agents and global distribution systems, to independent agents and visitor centers: tours and travel activities can be booked in numerous convenient ways. This means that tour operators must extend their presence across these different types of travel agency platforms to compensate for all of the many types of bookings.

In order to grow their business and increase online bookings, tour and activity operators need to form relationships with travel agents from across the industry. A travel agency partnership will dramatically boost the visibility of your tour business and help drive bookings. 

Don’t know where to begin or how to present your business to a potential travel agent partner? Here’s everything you need to know about the different types of travel agency platforms to ensure that you know what exactly to look for in an ideal agency partner.

What exactly is a travel agent?

A travel agent is a person working for a private retailer or public service organization that provides travel and tourism-related advice and services. Travel agents work on the behalf of travel suppliers (i.e. hotels, transport companies, travel insurance, tour operators) to supply different types of travel agency packages to their clients. They will arrange the logistics of travel for their clients while simultaneously acting as an ‘agent’ to different travel service suppliers. If you are a tour operator, travel agents are key to unlocking visibility amongst tourists that are traveling to your destination. As they are representing your company, travel agents will require a fee or commission for their services. This fee will differ depending on the travel agent’s policies.

What are the different types of travel agents that tour operators can work with?

Here are the 6 types of travel agents tour operators can work with in building mutually beneficial relationships.

1. Independent travel agents

Most travelers prefer independent travel agents as their go-to type of retail travel agent.

Both offline and online travel agents want to customize the travel itineraries for their clients in order to include tours and activities that interest them.

By partnering with independent travel agents and using distribution technology like Rezdy, you can increase your online distribution. Making it easy for agents to recommend your products. 

Independent travel agent commission percentages will differ from agent to agent. Typically, independent agents can earn a commission between 15 and 25 percent for booking your activities.

2. Online travel agents

You’ve probably already heard the acronym OTA, but exactly what is an OTA in travel ?

Online travel agents (OTAs) are web-based platforms where travelers can plan and book travel products directly from their websites. OTAs rely on the convenience and ease of the Internet in order to create packages for their clients. Today, many travelers want to find the best way to book travel packages that include not only transportation and accommodations but also excursions, tours and activities.

By forming relationships with online travel agents, tour and activity operators can increase their online distribution. Through Rezdy’s online booking system , online travel agents can book with you directly and earn a commission at the same time.

3. Visitor information centers

A visitor information center provides travelers with a centralized location to shop for souvenirs and access free advice on the local area’s attractions, accommodations, maps, and other key information. This makes them a popular destination for travelers who are unfamiliar with the region and want to gain knowledge about local activities.

Local governments often operate visitor information centers, which give their advice and services a level of authority.

Let your local visitor information center know that they can easily book your tours and activities online. This will ensure that they will be more apt to recommend your products.

4. Hotel and concierge services

With the rise of mobile technology, the role of the concierge has changed. However, concierges remain an important source of personalized, local recommendations. Hotel concierge services can play a key role in increasing the visibility of your business as they offer real-time and instant information.

Operators should work with concierges in their region to let them know how convenient it is to book their tours. In addition, they will be pleased to know they will receive a fair commission for quickly booking with you.

5. Inbound tour operators

Inbound tour operators are considered experts in a given destination, and they are aware of the best tours and activities in any region. They recommend these excursions to their clients, so it’s beneficial to work with these agents to promote your products. They will be more apt to recommend reliable, exciting tours that are easy to reserve.

6. Global distribution systems

A global distribution system is a worldwide conduit between travelers and travel providers. The computerized network system is operated by a company that enables online reservations by enabling transactions. Online and offline agents will utilize global distribution systems to automatically reserve available tours and activities in a particular destination.

Working with global distribution systems, such as Amadeus and Sabre, will help you increase your online distribution and help you secure more bookings. These systems prefer to work with tour providers who offer easy online booking for their activities and tours. Global distribution systems mainly work with service providers that offer real-time inventory.

Want to boost your visibility to tour agents?

Building rapport with travel agents involves more than just a single conversation. A successful partnership will rely upon constant communication and a clear outline of everyone’s roles and responsibilities. You and your agent should benefit from your partnership, so measuring and monitoring its success is important.

Travel agencies will have special requirements and processes for the partnerships they form. Therefore, it’s important that your company is in its best shape before contacting the different types of travel agents. You should also be aware of what type of travel agent will best promote our business. Your travel agent partner should have characteristics that make them the right fit  for your specific company. If you doubt that your target customers would utilize a certain type of travel agent platform, then it’s best to focus your attention elsewhere.

Now that you know who you can partner up with, here’s how to get travel agents to sell your tours.  

Start your free trial today

Rezdy streamlines your booking software to accommodate bookings that are finalized through a variety of different types of travel agency platforms. As a booking software customer, you’ll also have instant access to Rezdy Channel Manager . An online distribution platform designed for tour and activity operators – with over 25,000 resellers that includes the different types of travel agents listed above.

Sign up for a free 21-day trial or book a demo with Rezdy today to experience how simple your tour operator booking processes can be with an all-in-one platform.

If you enjoyed this article, then follow the Rezdy  blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and resources designed with businesses like yours in mind.

Want to learn more?

Enjoy 21 days to take a look around and see if we are a good fit for your business.

No obligations, no catches, no limits, nada

THE JOURNAL

Travel Advisor Resources

How Do Travel Agents Get Paid? (& Why Fora Does It Differently)

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/how-do-travel-agents-get-paid

A career as a travel advisor is an exciting opportunity to meld your passion for travel with your professional life.

As you dive into thinking about your new career in the travel industry, one of the first questions you’ll likely consider is “How do travel agents get paid?”

Before diving into the details of how a travel advisor earns money, make sure you’re in-the-know on what a travel agent is ... The high-level overview is that a travel advisor (often used interchangeably with the term “travel agent”) is someone who earns money by planning, selling and booking travel.

Read on to learn how travel agents get paid in the industry at large, plus, get insight on how Fora sets up our advisors up for success. When you’re ready to dive into your new career as a travel advisor, sign up to  become a Fora Advisor .

How do travel agents make money in the first place?

Travel advising is a commission-based industry. Travel agents, including Fora Advisors, are predominantly paid in commissions. A commission is a percentage of the cost of a travel experience (such as a hotel stay). Some agents also charge planning fees for additional services (more on that below).

As a travel advisor, you can earn money from booking leisure travel or corporate travel (or both)! Below, we've outlined an overview on the two primary ways travel agents make money.

1. Travel advisors earn commissions from booking travel

For the travel agent industry at large, commissions are the centerpiece of how travel agents are paid.

Let’s say a client wants to stay at a nice hotel during their trip. They connect with a travel agent, who books the client’s room on their behalf. The hotel will then pay commission based on a percentage of the room cost. The commission varies from property to property (every brand is unique). It’s worth noting that most 4- and 5- star hotels have commissions already baked into the total cost of a stay, and so your clients pay the same as they would if they booked direct (plus, you can often hook them up with extra perks and incentives along the way just by booking with you).

And it's not just hotel bookings. There are plenty of other types of travel that are commissionable for travel agents , with travel companies ranging from rental car brands, cruise lines, vacation packages, tour operators, travel insurance and more.

Again, commissions will vary from partner to partner, but typically pay the agent 10 to 15 percent of the booking cost, and sometimes more (depending on the brand and type of partner). For example, it’s not uncommon to see cruise lines that offer commissions at 20-25 percent. Commissions are typically split between travel advisors and their host agencies (more on that below).

2. Travel agents can also charge planning or service fees

There are other ways travel agents are paid that go beyond commissions. Many travelers want an agent's assistance to get the most out of their experience (or they simply want to outsource the trip planning to someone they can trust). Better yet, many of these clients are happy to pay a premium to take their travel to the next level. 

In cases like this, travel advisors can earn money from planning fees. Travel advisors can opt to charge fees for things like custom itineraries, airfare/airline tickets, add-on’s and more.

Many Fora Advisors count planning fees (charges for creating tailored itineraries) as significant revenue. The exact fee amount varies by advisor, but a common starting point is $250 per week of travel planned. Travel advisors with more experience often charge more. That fee adds up quickly if you have multiple clients planning trips.

How do travel agents get paid?

Fora Advisor Gaya Vinay

Travel agents are typically paid by their host agency

When you become a travel advisor, you’ll likely want to join a host agency. A host agency is a business that provides support and resources to travel advisors, especially those who are independent or work as freelancers. Think of yourself as a small business owner. (Learn more about how to become an independent travel agent ).

By affiliating with a host agency, travel advisors gain access to a range of benefits including enhanced commission rates from travel suppliers (the travel brands that advisors book with).

This partnership allows travel advisors to focus more on client service and growing their business, while leveraging the buying power and industry relationships of the host agency. For new advisors, a host agency can also offer a structured path to enter the industry, providing necessary guidance and resources to establish themselves in the competitive travel market. At Fora, we’re serious about welcoming newcomers into the industry, and offer a comprehensive program to help you go from travel lover to travel pro.

Every host agency has a different way of approaching payments, but at Fora, we pride ourselves on our approach that makes commission payments easy. We offer our travel advisors complete commission tracking and payment services, which means that our finance team does all of the invoicing, tracking and direct deposit payments – so you can focus more on the fun part (travel planning, that is).

“With Fora, I just forward confirmation and details, and we have our own back-end customer relationship manager that shows us the progress of the booking and the commission status,” Fora Advisor Amna Ismail said in an interview with TravelAge West . “There’s a department just for commissions, so they do the following up. It's an awesome perk.”

• Wine Country ,
• Luxury Travel

Travel agents get paid after their client finishes traveling

If you’re used to a career that pays hourly or by salary, getting used to a commission-based role may seem daunting, but the process is relatively straightforward.

In terms of how it works, once your client finishes their travel experience, the travel partner (supplier) pays the host agency a commission. Without getting too into the nitty gritty, the main thing to know is that a host agency has an IATA number which is used in the process of commission claims and payments (it identifies the agency in transactions with travel suppliers). Then, a host agency then pays its advisors. At Fora, we handle all of the commission tracking and payments for our advisors.

On average, how much do travel agents make? Do travel agents make good money?

An important aspect of the answer to the question, “How do travel agents make money?” is how much that pay is (i.e., how much do travel agents make per booking , personalized itinerary, etc.). There’s no easy answer to this, and for many, you get out what you put in.

Ballpark estimates: some of our full-time, expert advisors earn well into the six figures (or beyond). Others make extra income as a flexible, part-time role. You can learn more in our guide on travel advisor salaries .

For a more lucrative career, you might consider focusing on a niche, like working as a Disney travel agent or focusing on high-end travel (learn how to become a luxury travel agent ). Or, you can specialize in something like cruises, which typically offer higher commissions. Learn more how to become a cruise travel agent . Ultimately, picking a niche and focusing on it is an incredible tool to help you build your book of business.

How does Fora help travel agents get paid?

Fora Advisor Brit Healey

From handling payment logistics to a offering best-in-class training, here’s how Fora is different from traditional travel agencies — especially when it comes to how our travel agents get paid.

We handle all of the invoicing & payments

You might be surprised to learn that most traditional travel agencies and agents often have to chase down the commission they're owed. Not at Fora. We invoice our travel partners for you, track commissions and follow up with partners to ensure you get paid.

How do travel agents get paid by Fora? When you make a booking via our all-in-one booking platform , our in-house finance team is automatically alerted. In Portal, our integrated travel advisor platform, you'll be able to see the status of past and upcoming commission payments in an easy-to-view layout. We take care of all the invoicing and payouts, so you don't have to lift a finger. Your commission will be deposited directly into your bank account. (By the way, it's not uncommon for old-school payment methods – ahem: checks – to exist somewhere along the payment pipeline in the rest of the industry. As a modern travel agency, however, Fora pays advisors via direct deposit.)

Fora doesn’t have minimum sales quotas

Book as much or as little as you want, on your own terms. Our flexible approach allows you to build your career as a travel advisor the way you want.

Fora offers a wide suite of preferred partners (many of which have enhanced commissions)

Fora has established partnerships with over 4,500 hotels worldwide, granting our advisors the ability to offer their clients unique upgrades, perks and benefits at these locations. This extensive network includes esteemed hotel groups like Virtuoso, Four Seasons and Rosewood, among others.

In addition, we have our own in-house preferred partnership program, called Fora Reserve. Our collaborations span across luxury and boutique lifestyle segments, ensuring we cater to a diverse range of client preferences.

For all of our preferred partnerships, we have a dedicated team that helps to negotiate travel agent commissions to offer our advisors higher commissions at many properties around the world.

We’re focused on the bottom line of your business

There are two more areas that affect how travel agents get paid, at least in terms of their bottom line: travel agent certification and travel agent training . Traditional travel agencies often require prospective travel agents to pay hefty fees and tuition before they ever get paid a commission. These upfront costs impede how quickly you can build your business.

Fora does things a little differently. We offer in-house training ranging from the basics of becoming a travel agent to more advanced topics like group bookings and working with DMCs .

All of this training is fully remote (learn how to become a travel agent from home for more info).

Last but not least, we support our Fora Advisors with building their book of business. Get our five tips on how to build your clientele as a travel advisor for a little preview of our approach.

Have more questions beyond “how do travel agents get paid?”

We have plenty of resources for you, including our comprehensive guide on how to become a travel agent .

Interested in joining us? Sign up to  become a Fora Advisor  today.

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Best Hotel Booking Sites

Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Solo Travelers

The Best Budget Hotels in Miami Beach of 2024

Best Dreams Resorts

Best Budget Manhattan Hotels

Best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in Orlando

The 9 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico in 2024

Best Las Vegas Hotels for Couples

Best Online Sites for Booking Cheap or Discounted Airline Tickets

Best London Budget Hotels

Best Car Rental Companies of 2024

The Best Oceanfront Virginia Beach Hotels

Best Budget Disney World Hotels

Best Hawaii All-Inclusive Hotels

Best Disneyland Hotels

Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Travel Agent

Here's what you should know before becoming a travel agent.

If you're someone who spends your days scanning flights , loves hotel rewards points, and in general, is a fervent traveler, you've probably wondered how to become a travel agent.

And, while it's true that living in the age of Expedia means travel agents are not as vital as they once were, people use them a lot more than you might think. Just because travelers aren't calling up an agent every time they need to book a quick flight doesn't mean they don't want to consult an expert for a big trip. This holds especially true when it comes to honeymoons or experiential trips that have a lot of moving parts — coordinating tour companies , translators, or multiple resort stays, for example. It's often easier to leave the logistics to someone else: travel agents.

You don't need a specific employment background to become a travel agent, so if you're looking for a fresh career start, that's totally OK. You have to start somewhere on your path to becoming a travel agent, and the sooner you jump in, the sooner you'll build your client base. On the other hand, if you're hoping to parlay your experience in a semi-related industry, be it marketing or hospitality, that can help because you'll have even more context for your new gig. Either way, this can be a rewarding career path (with some fun perks), so here's what you need to know to become a travel agent.

Formal Training Needed to Become a Travel Agent

While some four-year colleges, community colleges, and trade schools offer tourism certifications, it is not a requirement for those trying to become travel agents. Certificates of tourism can be very helpful, but so can previous training in marketing, hospitality, or even event planning. Ultimately, your knowledge of destinations, sales, itinerary planning, and booking software will be crucial for your career as a travel agent.

In terms of the training time you need to put in before becoming a fully-fledged travel agent, it depends. You could start your career right after high school, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree in tourism. Of course, you could also change course from a related job, and morph your experience as, say, a destination wedding planner into a career as a travel agent.

Training Programs Available

You could take classes with a company like The Travel Institute to earn your certification. Not only will they teach you the basics of planning itineraries, but they'll also make sure you're learning about new cultures, world geography, and experiences you can have all over the world. They'll also help you decide what business route you want to take.

How to Become a Travel Agent: The Logistics

Becoming a travel agent will likely mean starting your own business . On the plus side, it requires relatively little overhead. If you're becoming a small business owner by opening a yoga studio, for example, you will need to rent a space, deal with permits, buy supplies, build a website, and pay yoga teachers and someone to work the front desk. However, if you're starting a travel agent business, you can operate from your living room and there aren't nearly as many upfront costs.

You will have to think about what type of business you want to become. Do you want to incorporate or become an LLC? Would you rather be a sole proprietor? Incorporating takes the most effort, and is often the most expensive. Becoming an LLC is a good happy medium because it can help protect you as a business entity without having as many associated costs. Small business owners typically become an LLC to protect their personal assets. If you get sued as an LLC, someone can come after your business holdings, but can't come after your house, car, or personal savings.

If you choose to remain a sole proprietor (which doesn't require any fees or legwork), you are essentially a freelancer or independent contractor. You can be an LLC and an independent contractor, too — they aren't mutually exclusive. If you want to be an independent contractor, it likely means you're working as part of a larger host agency, which is smart to do when you're starting out as a travel agent. Down the road, you can also own a travel agency franchise. Owning a franchise might come with more overhead costs, and that would be a reason to incorporate.

If you're an independent contractor, you should know that your taxes aren't going to be as straightforward as a full-time employee's might be. You may have to start keeping track of your business expenses, as you might be able to write them off. You also might not get things like health benefits from your employer. As you plan your new career, consider sitting down with an established travel agent to ask them some logistical questions: Where do they get their health insurance? How do they keep track of their income and expenses? Do they use an accountant to do their taxes? While meeting with the travel agent, you can discuss the pros and cons of working for a larger agency, too. If you're not sure how to get in touch with other travel agents, consider using social media, like LinkedIn or even Instagram.

What to Think About When You Become a Travel Agent

Once you've secured work as a travel agent, you'll want to think about how you can earn more money and distinguish yourself from other agents. Here are three things to consider as you start your career.

Making Commissions: If you're working for a larger travel agency as an independent contractor, how do commissions work? Make sure you have this conversation early on before accepting the position. When you're starting out, you want to make sure the commission rate you're receiving is similar to the industry standard.

Growing Your Client Base: How do you make more money as a travel agent? Clients, clients, clients. You want happy customers who will return to you every time they want to book a travel experience. You'll want to keep your clients happy by finding them great deals, curating unbelievable experiences for them, and simply being great to work with.

Establishing a Niche: This is by no means a requirement for becoming a travel agent, but as you establish your career, you may want to consider focusing on a specific niche. For example, perhaps you're someone who focuses on honeymoon travel , luxury travel, or adventure travel . Your niche can help you attract clients, and it can be anything in the travel realm, as long as there's a need for it.

4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

Editor's Note

If you're a points-and-miles-wielding expert traveler, you may not immediately think of using a travel agent to book your getaways . However, there are times and situations when using these services can be of great benefit.

A good travel agent can be a game-changer when it comes to helping you book your ideal trip and receive the best services once you arrive at your destination. Travel agents can also be of great assistance when things go wrong, especially during this summer of excessive flight delays and cancellations .

Agents can often secure the best room in a hotel or the top cabin on a cruise ship. Sometimes they can even secure complimentary upgrades, breakfast benefits or food and beverage credits, and free spa treatments during your stay.

When it comes to making the right decisions about when to travel, what sights to see and which guides to hire, agents can act as advisors. An excellent travel agent can be the difference between an OK experience and the trip of a lifetime.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Here are four times when you may want to use a travel agent:

Booking a hotel with extras

Your travel agent can become a trusted friend over time. Before you're ready to turn over all your travel planning to a travel adviser, test the waters by collaborating on a simple trip request. You'll want to see how the agent operates, communicates and arranges extra perks and deals. Avoid a complex or elaborate request on the first go-round.

Start by having a travel agency book your hotel arrangements with a few specific requests for extras baked in, such as airport transfers or spa services .

Start with an agent who is part of a major travel consortium such as Virtuoso, Travel Leaders Network, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network. Each of these networks provides a suite of benefits to travelers who book with them. If you're familiar with the perks of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program or the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection , you'll know what we mean. Extra benefits for booking can include space-available upgrades, free breakfast, additional food and beverage credit, a free spa treatment or a round of golf.

Related: This new travel company will pair you with local experts

You can work with a travel agency that fits your style. This may be someone from a large company based in a major city with dozens of agents, or it may be someone from a more boutique option such as the family-owned and operated Ourisman Travel. (Ourisman Travel is a travel consultancy affiliated with Brownell Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in the U.S., and also a member of the Virtuoso network.)

What's nice about Ourisman and any Virtuoso agency is that you can have your travel agent do all the work. You can also use the Virtuoso booking tool to make quick, easy reservations. Once your reservation is in the system, your agent swings into action to let the hotel know a VIP is on the way and arranges for any extras, whether it's a Virtuoso perk or one from a credit card program.

It's also possible to stack benefits. If you book your trip with The Platinum Card® from American Express , your agent can secure your Amex FHR benefits; you may also be entitled to additional perks from the agency, its travel consortium or the hotel, cruise line or tour company.

When you're short on time

Not everyone has weeks to spend crafting the ultimate itinerary and keeping watch on every flight deal (although TPG can help you here) . Fortunately, you can rely on a savvy travel agent to step in and plan your vacation when your time is crunched . Otherwise, you might not be able to pull off the travel arrangements on your own, or you might end up spending more for your trip than you should.

When facing a planning time crunch, look for an agent who specializes in the type of trip and destination you have in mind. If you're looking for a beach villa on a Caribbean island , find a travel advisor who has experience booking this sort of trip.

One example is Villas of Distinction, which has been around for more than 25 years and has a vast network of properties. Your travel advisor there can offer advice on which properties are best suited to your needs, what's available and how to book the villa. You can also use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book a villa through the agency, an added benefit to finding a good application of points.

Agents specializing in villa rentals usually have strong networks on the ground, so they can assist with chores such as stocking the villa with groceries, booking a chef or securing the best masseuse on the island for poolside treatments.

Related: Everything you need to know about Homes and Villas by Marriott

When your travel plans are specific and complex

The more complex and specific your travel goals are, the more experts in that destination or trip style can help you.

For example, every year, travel guru Wendy Perrin puts together a WOW List that features experts in the travel-booking field. The agents, advisors and destination specialists on Perrin's list aren't booking budget cruises and all-inclusive vacations for people as a side hustle. The agents on the WOW List are the real deal with plenty of expertise in their subject areas.

Say you want to explore Africa and go on a safari, but you don't know where to begin. Consult the WOW List and you'll see she recommends individuals with an encyclopedic knowledge of the continent.

The WOW List features advisors who can create custom safaris in East, Central and South Africa as well as niche destinations like Madagascar. The website provides a synopsis of the agents' expertise as well as links to reviews and insider guides written by Perrin and her team.

This is an excellent resource for learning about the best attractions, cutting-edge travel trends or finding out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and shows how contact with local agents, rather than anonymous trip reviews, can be a great advantage in planning a trip.

Related: Everything you need to know about going on safari in Africa

When you're looking for value

Travel agents often have access to room rates and cruise fares not available to the general public. This is especially true of agents who specialize in specific cruise lines. When a cruise line needs to fill a sailing, it may reach out to its top agents to extend special fares for their clients. You'll only hear about these offers if you have a top agent who sells cruises on the lines you love.

Related: Why now might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise

For example, Keene Luxury Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network, has relationships with all the top luxury cruise lines, especially Regent Seven Seas. As a result, your agent can offer shipboard credits, special fares for solo travelers, deals for families traveling with children and more. The agency also has its own KLT Rewards program. With KLT Rewards, you'll get cash back on every sailing, about 10 days before you set sail. Plus, if you book a trip hosted by the agency's owners, you'll get a bump in the amount of your reward for booking with them.

The best part about working with specialty agents like those at Keene Luxury Travel? You can stack deals. For example, you can book a hosted trip to get the usual 5% KLT booking reward, plus an enhanced reward for booking a group trip. On top of that, you could also receive the onboard credit that's a Signature Travel Network perk.

Bottom line

Whether you're booking a weekend getaway in a U.S. city or planning an around-the-world extravaganza that includes an African safari , Antarctica cruise and a stay in an igloo hotel , consider using a travel agent. An agent can help get you on the right trip, at the right time for the right price.

They can help find the best rooms, book services you didn't even know existed and tie all the pieces together on a complicated itinerary.

A travel agent can be particularly beneficial if you don't have the time to do all the research yourself, or if you're looking for help in getting the best deal. It's also helpful to use an agent if your trip targets destinations or itineraries that can benefit from local experts,

If there's ever a problem during a vacation — which seems to happen more often than not these days — it's great to have a problem-solver who is just one phone call or email away.

Additional reporting by Bill Fink

Summer Is Here: A Travel Agency Data Model

Database designer and developer, financial analyst.

• database model
• example data model
• example ER diagram
• example ERD diagram

Most of us love to travel and explore new places, and using travel agencies is an easy way to plan our holidays. With vacation season in mind, we’ll answer the question “What kind of data model would run a travel agency?”

In my personal opinion, the best way to travel would be without any time or budgetary limits. We could leave the beaten track and explore all the most interesting places in as much detail as we want. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that luxury, so we use what is available: travel agencies. These companies make planning and combining accommodations, transportation, and even activities much easier. In this post, we’ll explore a data model that we could use to run such an agency.

What Should We Know About Travel Agencies?

Before we look at the data model, let’s answer some common questions about the travel business.

What do travel agencies do?

Broadly speaking, the answer is “anything related to travel in any way”. However, two services are the most important and also the first things that come to mind: transportation (how we get to the destination) and accommodation (where we will stay once we get there). These two make up the core business of a travel agency.

Even so, there are many other services that travel agencies offer. When we reach our destination, we may want to do something that’s unique to that place: visit the Tower Bridge, ride on the London Eye, see an opera at the Sydney Opera House, etc. Travel agencies may buy tickets, rent vehicles, book tours, or do other destination-related things for us. Some people simply ask the agency to organize everything for their trip. Others book a tour package. Universally, customers want to get the best possible service and an experience that meets their expectations at the lowest possible price.

How does the business model work?

Travel agencies usually work with partners who provide lodging (hotels, hostels), transportation (airlines, bus lines) and activities. They offer a wide range of services and combine them to present the most attractive offers to potential customers. In addition to their own surcharges and fees, travel agencies may be paid a commission on the partnered services they sell. If they combine many services (i.e. as a package deal), they could also offer a discount to customers.

Basically, travel partnerships are a win-win situation because partner providers save money they would otherwise need to invest in marketing and travel agencies get needed funds. And there is also a win for the customers, who save time as well as some money.

How old is the travel agency concept?

Before people traveled for pleasure, a voyage usually involved some type of pillaging and burning. ☺ Seriously, though, for much of history only the rich could afford to travel to a distant land. Religious pilgrimages became popular in the Middle Ages; many of these pilgrimages are still very popular.

From 1660 to the mid-1800s, the Grand Tour became a must for well-educated members of the European upper classes. This was a long trip around Europe that let people experience other cultures, learn new things, and step outside their comfort zone. During the mid-1800s, the rise of railroads and industrialization made travel more accessible to the middle classes.

The world’s first travel agency, Cox & Co. was established in London by Richard Cox in 1758. Now doing business as Cox & Kings Ltd, it is still active today.

What’s the status of today’s travel agencies?

Technological growth has made many things affordable to middle and lower class customers, including travel. Today you can find multiple travel agencies in nearly every city. Plus, the world is “smaller” than it has been ever before. Travelling from Europe to Cuba or Australia is now a matter of hours rather than weeks or months.

Also, customers are better informed. When they enter a travel agency, they know about hotel and transport services from all over the globe. They just need to pick and book what they want and can afford.

What will we cover in our travel agency data model?

This will be about basic requirements. We’ll focus on the two most common services: accommodation and transportation. We’ll also have a set of predefined offers, and we’ll track contracts and payments. We won’t go into much detail because the model would become too large.

Now let’s move on to the data model.

The Data Model

The data model consists of four main subject areas:

• Countries & cities
• Hotels & transport companies
• Customers & agents
• Offers & contracts

We’ll describe each subject area in the same order they are listed.

Section 1: Countries & Cities

The Countries & Cities subject area contains only two tables. We’ll use them to denote the cities where hotels are located as well as the starting and ending points of a trip.

The country table contains UNIQUE country_name attributes. Each country will also have a UNIQUE country_code . For the United Kingdom, this code might be “GB”, “GBR” or even “826” (think ISO).

The city table will list all cities where our travel agency transacts some type of business. Each city will have a city_name and the ID of the country it belongs to.

Section 2: Hotels & Transport Companies

This subject area will store records for all services and their providers. I’ve focused only on accommodation and transport here. Three of the seven tables in this section are related to hotel services; the remaining four deal with transportation services. The city table in this section is just a copy used to avoid relations overlapping.

The most important aspect of accommodations is the partners we work with. A list of all such partners – i.e. hotels – is stored in the hotel table. Please note that we could easily use this table to store hostels, motels, or even rental homes or apartments. The attributes in this table are:

• hotel_name – The name of a specific hotel. We can expect that it will be the same as the one that is usually used for that hotel, e.g. “Sheraton Zagreb Hotel”. This name will almost always be unique, but this attribute is not UNIQUE.
• city_id – The city where the hotel is located.
• hotel_address – The address of the hotel. Once again, this will almost always be a unique value, but it is not a UNIQUE attribute.
• details – All the hotel’s details, in text format.
• is_partner – If this is a partner hotel or not.
• active – If the hotel is currently operating.

The room_type dictionary lists all possible types of rooms any hotel could have. Besides the primary key, this table contains only the UNIQUE type_name value. Some expected room types are “single”, “double”, “single with balcony,” etc.

The main service hotels offer is the rental of one or more rooms. We’ll store the prices related to each hotel’s various room types in the hotel_service table. This list will be used later when we make offers to customers. For each room type, we’ll store:

• hotel_id – A reference to the related hotel.
• room_type_id – A reference to the room_type dictionary.
• service_price – The actual price the customer should pay for that room.
• active – If the room type is currently on offer.

Now, let’s move on to transportation. The combination of transportation and accommodation are the backbone of each travel agency’s business. As I’ve already mentioned, we’ll use four tables for this key area.

We’ll consider the two dictionaries first. Both of them consist of only two attributes – id , the primary key of the table, and the type_name attribute, which holds only UNIQUE values. The company_type dictionary will contain values like: “airline company”, “railway company”, “bus company” and “car rental company”. The ticket_type dictionary will contain anything that could be used to describe a ticket: “one-way ticket”, “round-trip ticket”, “first class”, etc.

Just as hotels are our accommodation partners, transportation companies are our transport partners. A list of all such companies is stored in the transport_company table. We’ll use the following attributes to describe each one:

• company_name – The company name, which is not necessarily unique. We can expect that the combination of company_name and HQ_address will uniquely denote each company.
• city_id – The city where the company headquarters is located.
• HQ_address – The address of the company headquarters.
• company_type_id – References the company_type dictionary.
• description – A detailed textual description of the company. If it is a partner company, we could also describe our partnership here.
• is_partner – If the company is our partner.
• active – If the company is currently operating.

The last table in this subject area is the transport_service table. We’ll use it to record prices for all available ticket types. For each ticket type, we’ll store:

• transport_company_id – The ID of the transport_company that is offering the ticket.
• ticket_type_id – References the ticket_type dictionary.
• from_city_id and to_city_id – Are both references to the city table and denote the starting and ending points for that ticket.
• service_price – The actual price the customer should pay for that ticket.
• active – If this ticket type is active or not.

An actual schedule is not stored in this table; that would require having schedules for every line from every partner company in our database. I would avoid this because we’d have to be updating the schedules quite a lot (and regularly checking all partner sites for changes). I would leave checking actual schedules as an action to be performed by an operator when an offer is created.

Please notice we don’t store exact room or ticket numbers in the hotel_service and transport_service tables. Instead, we store information about the companies that provide such arrangements. We can assume that we’ll check room and ticket availability directly using the company’s system. Still, we need to know what services they offer to say (for example) to a customer: “You can fly first-class from Hamburg to Havana with Air France on May 25 th , stay at the “Iberostar Parque Central” hotel for 2 weeks and fly back to Hamburg on June 6 th for $3,000 US”.

We simply cannot store all room and ticket availability data. That would require that we have direct access to all the data from all our partners.

Section 3: Customers & Agents

This subject area consists of two tables that relate offers and contracts with customers and agents.

The customer table stores a list of every customer we have ever had contact with. For each customer, we’ll have the following values:

• first_name and last_name – The first and the last name of that customer.
• address , phone , mobile and email – All contact details for that customer.
• details – An unstructured textual description for that customer.
• customer_from – When this customer’s record was inserted into our system.

The second table in this subject area is the The second table in this subject area is the “agent” table. It lists all previous and current employees who have made offers to customers on behalf of our agency. For each employee, we’ll store: table. It lists all previous and current employees who have made offers to customers on behalf of our agency. For each employee, we’ll store:

• agent_code – A UNIQUE code for that agent.
• first_name and last_name – The first and last name of that agent.
• active – If the agent is currently employed by our agency.

Section 4: Offers & Contracts

The last subject area in our model is Offers & contracts . It holds seven tables that contain the details of all offers and contracts we have made for our customers. I will focus only on offers and contracts for individual customers here. Two tables, the hotel_service table and the transport_service table are copies used here to simplify the model.

I’ll describe promo offers first, then move on to other offers and finally to contracts.

Before a customer even enters our agency, we could already have some predefined offers available – our promos, or promotional offers. Creating such offers simplifies our business. We can present these quickly and many customers will select one. All such offers are recorded in the promo_offer table. For each promo, we’ll store:

• promo_offer_code – An internal code that UNIQUELY identifies a promo.
• promo_offer_name – The full name of that promo offer.
• active_from – The date when we started or can start offering this promo to customers.
• active_to – The last day when this promo could or can be offered. Note that this field could contain a NULL value. We may want to offer this promo indefinitely, or we may not have the ending date yet.

Each promo offer contains a list of services, usually including (at a minimum) accommodation and transportation. We’ll use the promo_offer_hotel_services and promo_offer_transport_services tables to store this data. The structure of both tables is almost the same, so I’ll describe them together. For each promo-related service, we’ll store:

• promo_offer_id – References the related promo offer.
• hotel_service_id or transport_service_id – References the related hotel or transportation service.
• price – The price of the service at the moment when the promo offer was created. We should save this price because the service_price could change along the way.
• discount_percent – The price discount percentage we’ll offer to a customer for that service (if the customer accepts this promo offer).
• final_service_price – The service price less the discount amount.
• description –All details, in unstructured format, related to this service and promo offer.

We will also need to create offers “from scratch” – that is, not related to any promo offer. Both “from scratch” and promo offers are covered in the offer table. For each offer, we’ll store:

• offer_code – An internal code that UNIQUELY denotes an offer.
• offer_name – The full name of that offer.
• time_created – The exact time when the offer was created.
• active_from – The date when this offer became active for that customer.
• active_to – The date when this offer is no longer active for that customer. This could be NULL if an offer is available indefinitely. We can expect that we’ll give the customer a timeframe to accept an offer; if it expires before the customer acts, the offer won’t be available anymore.
• time_accepted – When the customer accepted this offer (if any).
• accepted – If the offer was accepted.
• promo_offer_id – References the promo_offer table. If the customer selected one of our promo offers, we’ll store the ID of that offer here. If we have created a custom offer, this value will be NULL.
• agent_id – References the agent who created that offer.
• customer_id – References the customer for whom the offer was created.

As with promo offers, customized offers will also include accommodation and transport services. We’ll use the offer_hotel_services and offer_transport_services tables for this information. Their structure and attributes are almost identical to the promo_offer_hotel_services and promo_offer_transport_services tables, so I won’t explain them again.

The last table in our model is the contract table. The contract is generated after the client accepts an offer. This table will store all details related to contracts signed by our customers. It contains these values:

• contract_code – An internal code that UNIQUELY identifies each contract.
• customer_id – The ID of the relevant customer.
• agent_id – The ID of the agent who signed that contract on behalf of our agency.
• offer_id – The ID of the related offer. This provides us with information about all the services included in the contract.
• time_signed – When this contract was signed.
• total_price – The sum of all prices for all services included in the offer.
• payment_date – The date when the client paid for this contract.
• payment_time – The actual time when the client paid for this contract.
• payment_amount – The amount paid for the contract.
• refunded – If a refund was made for the contract.
• refunded_time – When the refund was issued (if any).
• refunded_amount – The amount of the refund (if any).

The attributes for payments, refunds, times, and amounts can contain NULL values. They will be updated as needed.

What Else Could We Do With This Model?

Today we have discussed a very basic data model that could help manage a travel agency. All the most important parts of a travel business – like the customers, agents, accommodation services, and transport services – are covered. Still, there is much more that could be added.

For example, what about group reservations? This would let us book multiple rooms and tickets for a group of tourists. In that case, we would need modifications in the tables handling promo offers, offers, and contracts.

What would you add to this model? What would you change? Would you remove anything? Tell us in the comments section.

You may also like

An event management data model, a data model to keep track of your most precious possession, an antique store data model.

Our website uses cookies. By using this website, you agree to their use in accordance with the browser settings. You can modify your browser settings on your own. For more information see our Privacy Policy .

3 Travel Agent Resume Examples to Land You a Role in 2023

Travel agents are masters at crafting personalized itineraries that cater to the unique needs and preferences of each traveler. Similarly, your resume is like a customized travel plan, designed to guide potential employers on a journey through your professional experiences and skills. In this guide, we'll explore 3 travel agent resume examples that effectively showcase the journey to career success.

Resume Examples

Resume guidance.

• High Level Resume Tips
• Must-Have Information
• Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important
• Writing an Exceptional Resume Summary
• How to Impress with Your Work Experience
• Top Skills & Keywords
• Go Above & Beyond with a Cover Letter
• Resume FAQs
• Related Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Travel Agent Resumes:

• Booking and arranging travel, accommodation, and activities: Travel agents are responsible for making all necessary arrangements for their clients' trips. This includes booking flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities such as tours or excursions.
• Advising clients on travel arrangements: Travel agents provide advice to clients on the best travel options based on their needs, preferences, and budget. This includes advising on the best time to travel, visa requirements, health and safety, local customs, and attractions.
• Creating and selling tailored travel packages: Travel agents often create custom travel packages for clients that include various components such as flights, accommodation, and activities. They then sell these packages to clients.
• Managing and resolving any travel issues: If any issues arise during a client's trip, such as flight cancellations or hotel booking problems, the travel agent is responsible for resolving these issues.
• Maintaining client records: Travel agents keep detailed records of all client interactions, including their travel preferences, special needs, and any feedback they provide.
• Building and maintaining relationships with travel suppliers: Travel agents work closely with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. They maintain these relationships to ensure they can provide the best service to their clients.
• Keeping up-to-date with travel trends and destinations: Travel agents need to stay informed about the latest travel trends and popular destinations. This allows them to provide the best advice to their clients.

You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.

Travel Agent Resume Example:

• Successfully increased client satisfaction by 25% through personalized travel recommendations and tailored travel packages, resulting in a 10% increase in repeat bookings.
• Resolved 95% of travel issues within 24 hours, ensuring smooth and hassle-free trips for clients and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Developed and maintained strong relationships with key travel suppliers, negotiating exclusive deals and discounts for clients, resulting in a 15% increase in sales revenue.
• Managed a portfolio of high-profile corporate clients, exceeding revenue targets by 20% through effective relationship management and upselling of additional travel services.
• Implemented a new customer relationship management (CRM) system, streamlining client communication and improving efficiency by 30% in the booking and reservation process.
• Conducted regular market research and analysis to identify emerging travel trends and destinations, resulting in the development of new travel packages that generated a 10% increase in sales.
• Successfully organized and executed a group tour for 50 clients, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rate and positive feedback on the itinerary and accommodations.
• Utilized social media platforms and online marketing strategies to increase brand visibility and attract new clients, resulting in a 25% increase in website traffic and a 15% growth in client base.
• Implemented a client feedback system, resulting in a 20% improvement in service quality and the implementation of new initiatives to meet client needs and preferences.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency in using customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively
• Strong negotiation skills
• Knowledge of emerging travel trends and destinations
• Ability to manage and exceed revenue targets
• Proficiency in social media marketing and online marketing strategies
• Ability to conduct market research and analysis
• Experience in organizing and executing group tours
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with key travel suppliers
• Ability to implement feedback systems to improve service quality
• Proficiency in creating personalized travel recommendations and packages
• Ability to manage high-profile corporate clients
• Strong sales skills and ability to upsell additional services
• Ability to increase brand visibility and attract new clients
• Experience in improving efficiency in booking and reservation processes
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail.

Travel Consultant Resume Example:

• Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business and a 25% growth in client referrals.
• Researched and recommended unique travel destinations and experiences, leading to a 15% increase in bookings for off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• Negotiated with suppliers to secure exclusive deals and discounts, resulting in cost savings of 10% for clients and increased customer satisfaction.
• Managed a high-volume workload, successfully booking an average of 50 flights, hotels, and rental cars per day, with a 98% accuracy rate.
• Assisted clients with complex visa and passport requirements, ensuring a 100% success rate in obtaining necessary travel documents.
• Handled customer inquiries and complaints in a professional and timely manner, maintaining a customer satisfaction rating of 95% or higher.
• Created detailed itineraries tailored to clients' preferences and budgets, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and positive feedback.
• Stayed up to date with the latest travel trends and industry news, allowing for proactive recommendations and personalized travel experiences for clients.
• Monitored client budgets and ensured they stayed within their limits, resulting in a 10% increase in cost savings for clients and improved financial performance for the company.
• Ability to build and maintain client relationships
• Knowledge of travel trends and destinations
• Proficiency in travel booking systems
• Ability to handle high-volume workload
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Knowledge of visa and passport requirements
• Ability to handle customer inquiries and complaints professionally
• Ability to create detailed and personalized travel itineraries
• Budget management skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of foreign languages
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Ability to stay up-to-date with industry news and trends
• Time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Sales skills and ability to upsell.

Travel Coordinator Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a comprehensive travel policy, resulting in a 20% reduction in travel expenses and improved compliance with company guidelines.
• Successfully negotiated discounted rates with travel vendors, resulting in an average cost savings of 15% per trip.
• Implemented a travel risk management program, providing travelers with up-to-date advisories and ensuring their safety during trips.
• Managed and coordinated visa and passport processing for a team of 100+ employees, maintaining a 98% success rate in obtaining necessary travel documents.
• Monitored and analyzed travel trends and costs, identifying cost-saving opportunities and recommending alternative travel options that resulted in a 10% reduction in travel expenses.
• Developed and maintained relationships with travel vendors, resulting in improved service quality and preferential treatment for employees.
• Created and managed travel itineraries for a team of executives, ensuring seamless travel arrangements and maximizing their productivity during business trips.
• Monitored and tracked travel expenses, reconciling against budget and identifying areas of overspending, resulting in a 5% reduction in travel costs.
• Responded to inquiries from travelers, providing timely and accurate information and resolving any travel-related issues, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate among employees.
• Comprehensive travel planning and coordination
• Travel policy development and implementation
• Negotiation skills with travel vendors
• Travel risk management
• Visa and passport processing
• Travel trends and cost analysis
• Relationship management with travel vendors
• Travel itinerary creation and management
• Travel expense monitoring and tracking
• Customer service and issue resolution
• Budget management and cost reduction strategies
• Knowledge of latest travel advisories and safety protocols
• Proficiency in travel management software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Time management and multitasking abilities
• Ability to work under pressure and handle emergencies
• Knowledge of international travel regulations and customs
• Proficiency in multiple languages
• Ability to adapt to changing travel conditions and regulations.

High Level Resume Tips for Travel Agents:

Must-have information for a travel agent resume:.

Here are the essential sections that should exist in an Travel Agent resume:

• Contact Information
• Resume Headline
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work Experience & Achievements
• Skills & Competencies

Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other Travel Agent candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:

• Certifications/Training

Let's start with resume headlines.

Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important for Travel Agents:

Travel agent resume headline examples:, strong headlines.

• Experienced Travel Agent with a proven track record of creating personalized itineraries and exceeding client expectations
• Multilingual Travel Agent skilled in navigating complex travel logistics and providing exceptional customer service to international clientele
• Detail-oriented Travel Agent with expertise in booking and managing group travel arrangements for corporate clients

Why these are strong:

• These resume headlines are strong for Travel Agents as they highlight key skills and experiences that are highly relevant to the role. The first headline emphasizes the candidate's experience and ability to create customized travel plans, which is a crucial skill for Travel Agents. The second headline showcases the candidate's language proficiency and ability to cater to international clients, which is valuable in the travel industry. The third headline highlights the candidate's attention to detail and expertise in managing group travel arrangements, which is important for corporate clients. Overall, these headlines effectively communicate the candidates' strengths and qualifications to hiring managers.

Weak Headlines

• Experienced Travel Agent with Knowledge in International Destinations
• Travel Agent Skilled in Customer Service and Trip Planning
• Travel Professional with a Focus on Group Travel Coordination

Why these are weak:

• These resume headlines need improvement for Travel Agents as they lack specificity and fail to highlight the unique value or achievements of the candidates. The first headline mentions experience and knowledge in international destinations, but it doesn't provide any details about the number of years of experience or specific destinations the candidate is familiar with. The second headline mentions skills in customer service and trip planning, but it doesn't showcase any specific accomplishments or examples of exceptional customer service. The third headline mentions a focus on group travel coordination, but it doesn't provide any measurable achievements or certifications that could strengthen the candidate's profile.

Writing an Exceptional Travel Agent Resume Summary:

Resume summaries are crucial for Travel Agents as they provide a concise yet impactful way to showcase their skills, experience, and unique value proposition. A well-crafted summary can immediately capture the attention of hiring managers, setting the tone for the rest of the resume and positioning the candidate as an ideal fit for the role.

For Travel Agents specifically, an effective resume summary is one that highlights their ability to deliver exceptional travel experiences and provide excellent customer service consistently.

Key points that Travel Agents should convey in a resume summary include:

Relevant Experience: Clearly mention the number of years of experience you have in the travel industry, emphasizing any notable achievements or career highlights. If you have experience in specific types of travel, such as luxury travel, adventure travel, or corporate travel, highlight that as well.

Destination and Product Knowledge: Showcase your expertise in various destinations, including popular tourist spots, off-the-beaten-path locations, and emerging travel trends. Highlight your knowledge of different travel products, such as cruises, all-inclusive resorts, or customized itineraries, to demonstrate your ability to curate unique travel experiences.

Customer Service and Communication Skills:

In any travel agent role, exceptional customer service and effective communication are essential. Emphasize your ability to understand and fulfill clients' travel needs, provide personalized recommendations, and handle any challenges that may arise during the travel process. Highlight your proficiency in languages or any specific communication tools relevant to the role.

Booking and Reservation Systems: Demonstrate your proficiency in using industry-specific booking and reservation systems, such as Amadeus, Sabre, or Galileo. Mention any certifications or training you have received in these systems to showcase your technical expertise.

Problem-Solving and Organizational Skills: Highlight your ability to handle complex itineraries, manage multiple bookings simultaneously, and resolve any travel-related issues efficiently. Showcase your organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances to ensure smooth travel experiences for clients.

To create an impactful resume summary, tailor the key points mentioned above to align closely with the specific travel agent role you are applying for. Remember, your resume summary will be one of the first things that potential employers will see about you and your travel agent career, so make sure to make it compelling and relevant.

Travel Agent Resume Summary Examples:

Strong summaries.

Results-driven Travel Agent with 10 years of experience in creating unforgettable travel experiences for clients. Expertise in designing customized itineraries, coordinating logistics, and providing exceptional customer service. Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and receiving positive feedback, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business.

Detail-oriented Travel Agent with a passion for delivering seamless travel experiences. Skilled in researching and booking flights, accommodations, and activities, ensuring client satisfaction. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, consistently resolving travel-related issues and maintaining strong relationships with clients and suppliers.

Customer-focused Travel Agent with 5 years of experience in the industry. Known for exceptional attention to detail and ability to anticipate client needs. Proficient in utilizing travel booking systems and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Recognized for providing personalized recommendations and creating memorable vacations that exceed client expectations.

• These resume summaries are strong for Travel Agents as they highlight the candidates' relevant experience, skills, and achievements in the travel industry. The first summary emphasizes the candidate's ability to generate sales and foster customer loyalty. The second summary showcases the candidate's attention to detail and problem-solving skills, which are crucial in the travel industry. Lastly, the third summary emphasizes the candidate's customer-centric approach and ability to provide personalized recommendations, making them stand out to potential employers.

Weak Summaries

• Travel Agent with experience in booking flights, hotels, and vacation packages, seeking a new opportunity to utilize my knowledge and skills in a travel agency setting.
• Experienced Travel Agent with a strong customer service background and expertise in international travel, looking to contribute my organizational skills and attention to detail to a travel agency that values client satisfaction.
• Travel Agent with a passion for creating memorable travel experiences and a proven track record of building strong relationships with clients, seeking a challenging role in a travel agency where I can leverage my industry knowledge and customer service skills.
• These resume summaries need improvement for Travel Agents as they lack specific details and accomplishments that would make the candidates stand out. The first summary provides a general overview of the candidate's experience without mentioning any specific achievements or areas of expertise. The second summary mentions customer service and international travel but does not provide any examples of how the candidate excelled in these areas or contributed to the success of previous employers. The third summary mentions a passion for creating memorable travel experiences and building relationships, but does not provide any quantifiable results or specific examples of how the candidate achieved these goals. Overall, these summaries need to be more specific and highlight the candidates' unique value and accomplishments in the travel industry.

Resume Objective Examples for Travel Agents:

Strong objectives.

Highly organized and customer-focused Travel Agent with a passion for creating unforgettable travel experiences, seeking an entry-level position to utilize my strong communication skills and extensive knowledge of travel destinations to provide exceptional service and exceed client expectations.

Recent graduate with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, eager to apply my knowledge of travel industry trends, customer service, and itinerary planning to contribute to the success of a reputable travel agency. Committed to delivering personalized travel solutions and ensuring client satisfaction.

Goal-oriented and detail-oriented professional with a proven track record in sales and customer service, seeking a Travel Agent position to leverage my expertise in travel booking systems, negotiation skills, and destination knowledge to create seamless travel experiences and build long-lasting client relationships.

• These resume objectives are strong for up and coming Travel Agents because they highlight the candidates' passion for travel, relevant education or experience, and key skills required for the role. The first objective emphasizes the candidate's organizational skills and customer focus, which are essential for providing exceptional service as a Travel Agent. The second objective showcases the candidate's educational background and commitment to delivering personalized travel solutions. Lastly, the third objective highlights the candidate's sales and customer service experience, along with their expertise in travel booking systems and destination knowledge, making them a promising fit for a Travel Agent position.

Weak Objectives

• Seeking a Travel Agent position where I can utilize my passion for travel and customer service skills to provide exceptional travel experiences to clients.
• Aspiring Travel Agent with a strong interest in international travel and a background in hospitality, seeking an opportunity to develop my career in the travel industry.
• Recent graduate with a degree in tourism and a passion for exploring different cultures, looking for a Travel Agent role to gain hands-on experience in creating personalized travel itineraries.
• These resume objectives need improvement for up and coming Travel Agents because they lack specificity and fail to highlight the unique value or skills the candidates possess. The first objective is generic and doesn't provide any information about the candidate's specific skills or experiences that would make them stand out as a Travel Agent. The second objective mentions an interest in international travel and a background in hospitality, but it doesn't elaborate on any specific achievements or skills that would make the candidate a strong fit for the role. The third objective mentions a degree in tourism and a passion for exploring different cultures, but it doesn't showcase any relevant skills or experiences that would make the candidate a compelling choice for potential employers.

Generate Your Resume Summary with AI

Speed up your resume creation process with the ai resume builder . generate tailored resume summaries in seconds., how to impress with your travel agent work experience:, best practices for your work experience section:.

• Highlight your experience in planning and booking travel arrangements for clients, including flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities.
• Showcase your ability to provide exceptional customer service by describing how you have gone above and beyond to meet clients' needs and exceed their expectations.
• Emphasize your knowledge of different travel destinations, including popular attractions, local customs, and travel regulations, to demonstrate your expertise in helping clients make informed decisions.
• Describe your proficiency in using travel booking systems and software to efficiently manage reservations, track itineraries, and handle any changes or cancellations.
• Highlight your problem-solving skills by sharing examples of how you have successfully resolved travel-related issues or emergencies for clients, such as flight delays, lost luggage, or unexpected changes in travel plans.
• Demonstrate your sales and negotiation skills by mentioning any instances where you have successfully upsold travel packages or secured exclusive deals for clients.
• Mention any language proficiency or cultural awareness that may be relevant to serving diverse clients or handling international travel arrangements.
• Include any certifications or training you have completed in the travel industry, such as becoming a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or obtaining specialized knowledge in specific destinations or travel types.
• Quantify your achievements by mentioning any metrics or statistics that showcase your success in meeting sales targets, client satisfaction ratings, or repeat business.
• Finally, ensure that your language is clear, concise, and free of industry jargon, making it easy for hiring managers to understand your experience and skills.

Example Work Experiences for Travel Agents:

Strong experiences.

Successfully planned and coordinated a luxury vacation for a high-profile client, resulting in a highly satisfied customer and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Developed and maintained strong relationships with travel suppliers and vendors, negotiating favorable rates and exclusive perks for clients, leading to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.

Utilized strong problem-solving skills to handle unexpected travel disruptions and emergencies, ensuring minimal impact on clients' itineraries and providing excellent customer service.

Organized and led a group tour to a popular international destination, managing all logistics and ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for participants, resulting in positive feedback and a high rate of customer satisfaction.

Implemented a customer relationship management (CRM) system to streamline client communication and track preferences and travel history, improving efficiency and personalization of service.

Conducted thorough research on destinations, accommodations, and activities to provide clients with tailored recommendations and itineraries, enhancing their travel experiences and earning their trust and loyalty.

• These work experiences are strong because they demonstrate the Travel Agent's ability to deliver exceptional customer service, build and maintain relationships, and handle challenging situations. The first set of experiences highlights the agent's skills in providing personalized and high-quality travel arrangements, while the second set showcases their organizational and technological proficiency in managing group tours and utilizing CRM systems. Overall, these experiences showcase the candidate's expertise in creating memorable travel experiences and fostering customer satisfaction.

Weak Experiences

Assisted clients in booking domestic and international flights, hotels, and rental cars, providing recommendations based on their preferences and budget.

Handled customer inquiries and resolved issues related to travel bookings, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.

Collaborated with travel suppliers to negotiate competitive rates and secure exclusive deals for clients.

Organized group tours and managed logistics, including transportation, accommodations, and activities, ensuring smooth and enjoyable experiences for participants.

Created detailed itineraries for clients, incorporating their desired destinations, activities, and budget constraints.

Coordinated with local tour guides and vendors to arrange sightseeing tours, excursions, and special events.

• Conducted research on travel destinations, attractions, and local customs to provide accurate and up-to-date information to clients.
• Assisted clients with travel document requirements, such as visas and passports, ensuring compliance with international travel regulations.
• Utilized travel booking systems and software to make reservations, process payments, and generate travel documents.
• These work experiences are weak because they lack specific details, quantifiable achievements, and strong action verbs. They provide generic descriptions of tasks performed without showcasing the impact of the individual's work or the benefits brought to the clients or agency. To improve these bullet points, the candidate should focus on incorporating specific examples, using more powerful action verbs, and providing clear context that demonstrates their ability to deliver exceptional customer service and create memorable travel experiences.

Top Skills & Keywords for Travel Agent Resumes:

Top hard & soft skills for travel agents, hard skills.

• Destination knowledge and expertise
• Reservation and booking systems
• Travel itinerary planning
• Customer service and communication skills
• Sales and negotiation skills
• Travel regulations and documentation
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Multitasking and time management
• Foreign language proficiency
• Travel insurance knowledge
• Familiarity with travel industry trends and technology

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Customer Service Orientation
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving Abilities
• Time Management Skills
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Sales and Persuasion Skills
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Organization and Planning Skills
• Conflict Resolution Skills
• Multitasking Abilities
• Relationship Building Skills

Go Above & Beyond with a Travel Agent Cover Letter

Travel agent cover letter example: (based on resume).

As a Travel Agent, you understand the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for your clients and providing exceptional customer service. Just like planning the perfect trip, pairing your resume with a well-crafted cover letter can elevate your application and set you apart from other candidates. A cover letter is an extension of your resume, allowing you to showcase your passion for travel and your ability to exceed customer expectations. Crafting a compelling cover letter doesn't have to be a daunting task, and the benefits it brings to your job search are well worth the effort.

Here are some compelling reasons for Travel Agents to submit a cover letter:

Personalize your application: A cover letter gives you the opportunity to address the hiring manager by name and express your genuine interest in the company and the travel industry. By tailoring your letter to the specific company and role, you demonstrate your dedication and enthusiasm for the position.

Highlight your travel expertise: Use the cover letter to illustrate your unique value proposition as a Travel Agent. Showcase your knowledge of different destinations, travel trends, and your ability to curate personalized itineraries. This allows you to align your skills and experiences with the specific job requirements, making a strong case for why you are the ideal candidate.

Demonstrate your understanding of client needs: In your cover letter, you can communicate your understanding of the diverse needs and preferences of travelers. Discuss how you plan to address these needs and provide exceptional service to ensure customer satisfaction. This demonstrates your ability to anticipate and exceed client expectations, a valuable skill for any Travel Agent.

Share success stories and achievements: While your resume provides a concise overview of your professional experience, a cover letter allows you to delve deeper into specific success stories and achievements that couldn't be accommodated in your resume. Highlight instances where you went above and beyond to create memorable travel experiences for clients, showcasing your ability to deliver exceptional results.

Showcase your communication skills: Effective communication is a vital skill for Travel Agents, and a cover letter provides an opportunity to demonstrate your writing abilities. Use the letter to showcase your clear and concise writing style, attention to detail, and ability to effectively convey information. This reassures potential employers that you possess the necessary communication skills to interact with clients and colleagues.

Stand out from the competition: Submitting a cover letter sets you apart from other applicants who may have chosen not to include one. It shows your commitment to going the extra mile and your dedication to securing the position. By taking the time to craft a compelling cover letter, you demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail, making a memorable impression on hiring managers.

In summary, Travel Agents should pair their resume with a cover letter to personalize their application, highlight their travel expertise, demonstrate their understanding of client needs, share success stories, showcase their communication skills, and differentiate themselves from other applicants. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly increase their chances of securing an interview and ultimately landing their dream job in the travel industry.

Resume FAQs for Travel Agents:

How long should i make my travel agent resume.

A Travel Agent resume should ideally be one to two pages long. It is important to keep in mind that Travel Agents typically have a diverse range of skills and experiences that need to be highlighted in their resume. However, it is equally crucial to maintain conciseness and ensure that the resume is easy to read and comprehend. In the travel industry, recruiters and employers often receive numerous resumes, so it is essential to make a strong impression quickly. A one to two-page resume allows you to showcase your relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications without overwhelming the reader with excessive information. When crafting your Travel Agent resume, focus on including key details such as your professional experience, education, certifications, and any specialized skills or knowledge related to the travel industry. Highlight your achievements, such as successfully planning and organizing complex itineraries, providing exceptional customer service, or exceeding sales targets. Additionally, consider tailoring your resume

What is the best way to format a Travel Agent resume?

When it comes to formatting a Travel Agent resume, there are a few key elements to consider in order to create an effective and professional document. 1. Start with a clear and concise header: Begin your resume with your name, contact information, and a professional email address. Including a LinkedIn profile or a website showcasing your travel expertise can also be beneficial. 2. Write a compelling summary or objective statement: This section should provide a brief overview of your experience, skills, and what makes you a standout Travel Agent. Tailor this statement to highlight your knowledge of the travel industry, customer service abilities, and any specialized areas of expertise. 3. Highlight relevant experience: List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Focus on highlighting your achievements and responsibilities that are directly related to the travel industry. Emphasize your ability to plan and book travel arrangements, provide exceptional customer service

Which Travel Agent skills are most important to highlight in a resume?

When highlighting skills on a resume for a Travel Agent position, it is crucial to focus on those that are directly relevant to the travel industry and the specific responsibilities of a Travel Agent. Here are some important skills to consider: 1. Destination knowledge: Demonstrating a deep understanding of various destinations, including popular tourist attractions, local customs, and travel regulations, is essential. This skill allows Travel Agents to provide accurate and valuable information to clients, helping them make informed decisions. 2. Customer service: Exceptional customer service skills are vital for Travel Agents as they interact with clients on a daily basis. Being able to listen attentively, understand clients' needs, and provide personalized recommendations and solutions is crucial for building strong relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction. 3. Communication skills: Effective communication is key in the travel industry. Travel Agents must be able to clearly convey information, both verbally and in writing, to clients, suppliers, and colleagues. Strong communication skills enable Travel Agents to negotiate deals, resolve issues, and provide detailed itineraries and travel documents. 4. Sales and persuasion: Travel Agents often need to promote and sell travel packages, accommodations, and other services. Highlighting sales and persuasion skills on a resume is important to demonstrate the ability to influence clients'

How should you write a resume if you have no experience as a Travel Agent?

When writing a resume as an aspiring Travel Agent with no prior experience, it's essential to focus on highlighting your transferable skills, relevant education, and any related experiences that showcase your abilities and passion for the travel industry. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling resume: 1. Start with a strong objective or summary statement: Begin your resume with a concise statement that highlights your enthusiasm for the travel industry and your eagerness to learn and grow as a Travel Agent. Emphasize your customer service skills and your ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 2. Showcase transferable skills: Even if you haven't worked as a Travel Agent before, you likely possess skills that are valuable in this field. Highlight your communication skills, attention to detail, organizational abilities, problem-solving aptitude, and customer service expertise. These skills are essential for success as a Travel Agent. 3. Include relevant education: If you have completed any education or training related to the travel industry, be sure

Compare Your Travel Agent Resume to a Job Description:

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Travel Agent job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Related Resumes for Travel Agents:

More resume guidance:.

• English (CA)
• Deutsch (DE)
• Deutsch (CH)

The 10 best online travel agencies in 2024

The top 10 online travel agencies.

• Booking.com
• Lastminute.com

Best online travel agencies for business travel

1. travelperk.

Main offerings and features:

• Industry-leading travel inventory
• Flexible booking with FlexiPerk
• Safety alerts with TravelCare
• Integrated travel policy & approval flows
• Centralized invoicing
• Easy & real-time expense reports
• Carbon offsetting with GreenPerk
• 24/7 fast customer support in target 15s
• VAT reclaim
• Integration with 3rd party tools , such as expense management or HR software like Expensify and BambooHR

Save time and money on your business travel with TravelPerk

2. sap concur.

• Works with some of the biggest brands
• Easy tracking and reporting of expenses for expense reports
• Many connected apps, such as Uber and Airbnb for cars and hotels
• One solution for a variety of business travel spending

Click below to compare both platforms’ features and benefits

• Ample integrations
• Award-winning mobile app
• Employee-centric travel management

Click below for a more detailed comparison between both platforms:

Best online travel agencies for leisure travel, 1. booking.com.

• Intuitive booking tool and website
• Flight + Hotel booking for easily planning trips with no cross-referencing travel websites
• Simple car rental options and taxi hire
• Available in over 40 different languages and offers over half a million properties across 207 countries
• You can book experiences in your destination city to entertain you on your travels
• Genius rewards program

• Simple interface and booking tool
• Deals when making more than one booking
• 38 different languages and offers a 24-hour, multilingual customer support service
• Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking
• Millions of reviews to help make your decision

3. Lastminute.com

• Filter hotels according to budgets, star ratings, guest ratings, board types, and more
• ATOL protection on flight + hotel bundles
• Flash sales for last-minute deals
• Payment plans to spread out the cost of travel
• Extra entertainment booking for your trips, like theatrical productions and day trips
• Gift cards for gifting travel

• Expedia rewards for hotels, cars, and more
• Experienced support
• Compare cruise lines
• Big savings when booking flights, hotels, and car
• Operates in nearly 70 countries and in over 35 different languages
• Luxury travel options

• Book hotels, flights, cars, and bundles
• 24/7 support
• Lower prices on the app
• Great last-minute deals for spontaneous travel

6. Bookmundi

Best online travel agencies for flights

1. skyscanner.

• Super flexible booking filters
• Cheaper flights and hotels than other OTAs
• Price alerts for travel routes of interest
• Easy-to-use booking tool and UI
• Hundreds of location and currency options
• One-way, return, and multi-city travel options

2. Kiwi.com

• Simple flight booking tool
• Partnerships with Booking.com and Rentalcars.com
• Discover deals anywhere with the option to open up your search
• Easy-to-use app

How do online travel agencies work?

What are the advantages of booking through an online travel agency.

• Access to comparison tools
• Peer reviews to help you with your decisions
• Flexible cancellation policies
• All your travel in one place
• Local flights and deals

Rewards programs

Comparison tools, peer reviews, flexible cancellation.

Flexiperk: Cancel anytime, anywhere. Get a minimum of 80% of your money back.

One account for all of your travel needs, a local approach to global travel, wrapping up.

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
• Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

Speak to a travel expert

Want to explore by yourself?

The 8 best business travel management companies in Europe

10 best business travel management companies in Ireland

8 best business travel management companies in Dubai

• Business Travel Management
• Offset Carbon Footprint
• Flexible travel
• Travelperk Sustainability Policy
• Corporate Travel Resources
• Corporate Travel Glossary
• For Travel Managers
• For Finance Teams
• For Travelers
• Thoughts from TravelPerk
• Careers Hiring
• User Reviews
• Integrations
• Privacy Center
• Help Center
• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Modern Slavery Act | Statement
• Supplier Code of Conduct

17 Travel Agent Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various travel agent interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

or download as PDF

Common Travel Agent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a travel agent, what do you love most about being a travel agent, what do you think sets you apart from other travel agents, what do you think is the best thing about being a travel agent, what do you think are the benefits of being a travel agent, what do you think is the best thing about traveling, what do you think are the worst things about traveling, what do you think are the best things about working with clients, what do you think are the worst things about working with clients, what do you think is the best thing about planning trips, what do you think is the worst thing about planning trips, what do you think is the best thing about researching destinations, what do you think is the worst thing about researching destinations, what do you think is the best thing about booking travel arrangements, what do you think is the worst thing about booking travel arrangements, what do you think is the best thing about helping clients choose their dream vacation, what do you think is the worst thing about helping clients choose their dream vacation.

There are many reasons why someone might want to become a travel agent. Perhaps they love to travel themselves and want to help others plan their dream vacations. Maybe they have a background in customer service and enjoy working with people. Whatever the reason, it is important to be able to articulate why you want to do this job.

The interviewer is likely trying to gauge whether or not you are passionate about travel and whether or not you will be good at helping others plan their trips. This job can be very rewarding, but it can also be very challenging. It is important that the interviewer knows that you are up for the challenge and that you have the right motivation for the job.

Example: “ I have always loved exploring new places and cultures, and as a travel agent, I get to help other people do the same. I love being able to share my passion for travel with others and help them plan amazing trips. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's level of enthusiasm for the job. It is important to know whether the travel agent enjoys the work because it will affect the quality of service that the agent provides.

Example: “ There are many things that I love about being a travel agent, but one of the things that I love the most is the opportunity to help people plan their dream vacations. It is so rewarding to be able to help people plan their perfect getaway and then see them enjoy every minute of it. I also love the fact that no two days are ever the same as a travel agent. I am constantly learning new things and meeting new people, which keeps me excited about my job. ”

The interviewer is trying to assess what the travel agent's unique selling points are. It is important to know what sets you apart from other travel agents because it can help you stand out in a competitive market. It can also help you identify your target market and focus your marketing efforts.

Example: “ I believe that my attention to detail, combined with my strong organizational skills, sets me apart from other travel agents. I am able to keep track of many different details and make sure that everything is taken care of before and during a trip. This allows my clients to relax and enjoy their vacation, knowing that I have everything under control. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a travel agent. First, it helps the interviewer get to know the travel agent and their thoughts on the industry. Second, it allows the interviewer to gauge the travel agent's level of experience and expertise. Finally, it gives the interviewer an opportunity to ask follow-up questions about the travel agent's work.

Example: “ There are many great things about being a travel agent, but one of the best things is that you get to help people plan amazing vacations. You get to hear about all of the different places people want to go and help them figure out how to make their dream trip a reality. You also get to learn a lot about different cultures and destinations, which can be really interesting and exciting. Plus, it’s always nice to help people plan something that will be so enjoyable for them. ”

The interviewer is likely asking this question to gauge the travel agent's level of experience and expertise. It is important to know the benefits of being a travel agent so that you can provide potential clients with accurate information and help them make the best decisions for their needs.

Example: “ There are many benefits of being a travel agent. As a travel agent, you get to help people plan their dream vacations. You get to work with different types of people and learn about their cultures. You also get to see the world yourself and experience new places. Travel agents typically receive discounts on travel, which means you can save money on your own vacations. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's passion for travel. It is important because the interviewer wants to make sure the travel agent is enthusiastic about their job and will be able to provide good customer service.

Example: “ There are many great things about traveling, but one of the best things is that it allows you to see new places and experience new cultures. Traveling can be a great way to learn about other countries and their customs, and it can also be a lot of fun. ”

An interviewer would ask "What do you think are the worst things about traveling?" to a travel agent in order to gauge their knowledge and experience with the subject. It is important to know the potential downsides of travel so that one can be prepared for them and avoid them if possible.

Example: “ There are a few things that can make traveling difficult and frustrating. First, there is the cost. Travel can be expensive, especially if you are trying to visit multiple destinations. Second, there is the issue of time. It can take a lot of time to plan a trip and then actually travel to your destination. This can be especially difficult if you have a limited amount of vacation time. Finally, there is the issue of dealing with different cultures. When you travel, you will inevitably come across people with different customs and beliefs than your own. This can be challenging, but also exciting. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a travel agent. First, they may be trying to gauge the level of customer service that the travel agent provides. Second, they may be trying to assess how well the travel agent understands the needs and wants of their clients. Third, they may be trying to determine if the travel agent is able to build relationships with their clients. Finally, they may be trying to see if the travel agent has a positive attitude when it comes to working with clients.

It is important for interviewers to ask this question because it can help them to identify whether or not the travel agent is a good fit for the company. If the travel agent does not have a positive attitude when it comes to working with clients, then they may not be able to provide the level of customer service that is necessary. Additionally, if the travel agent does not understand the needs and wants of their clients, then they may not be able to build strong relationships with them.

Example: “ There are many great things about working with clients as a travel agent. First and foremost, you get to help people plan amazing vacations and experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives. It's always gratifying to see a client come back from a trip raving about how wonderful it was, and knowing that you played a part in making that happen. In addition, working with clients can be very rewarding on a personal level. You get to build relationships with people from all over the world, and help them plan trips that are often once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It's a great way to learn about new cultures and make new friends. ”

An interviewer might ask "What do you think are the worst things about working with clients?" to a travel agent in order to gauge the applicant's customer service skills. It is important to be able to deal with difficult customers in a professional and efficient manner in the travel industry, as travelers can be stressed and unhappy. By understanding the potential challenges of the job and demonstrating how to handle them, the applicant can show that they would be a good fit for the position.

Example: “ There can be a few things that can be considered as the worst thing about working with clients. It can be frustrating when clients are not clear about what they want or when they change their mind frequently. It can also be challenging to deal with difficult clients who are demanding or unhappy. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's level of enthusiasm and knowledge about planning trips. It is important for the interviewer to know if the travel agent is passionate about their work and if they have the necessary skills to provide a good experience for customers.

Example: “ There are many great things about planning trips, but one of the best things is that it allows you to be creative and to use your imagination. You can plan trips that are based on your interests and your budget, and you can also customize them to suit your needs. This means that you can create the perfect trip for yourself, and for your family or friends. ”

The interviewer is likely trying to gauge the travel agent's experience and knowledge. It is important to know the answer to this question so that the interviewer can determine if the travel agent is qualified to help plan trips.

Example: “ There are a few potential worst things about planning trips, depending on the person. For some, it may be the lack of control over every aspect of the trip. Others may find the research involved in planning to be tedious and time-consuming. And still others may simply not like having to make all the decisions involved in putting together a trip. Whichever way you look at it, though, there is definitely a downside to planning trips! ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a travel agent. First, it can give the interviewer some insight into the travel agent's research methods. Second, it can help the interviewer understand the travel agent's thought process when choosing destinations. Finally, it can help the interviewer assess the travel agent's customer service skills.

It is important for interviewers to ask this question because it can help them understand how the travel agent goes about researching destinations. This question can also help the interviewer assess the travel agent's customer service skills.

Example: “ There are many great things about researching destinations, but one of the best things is that it allows you to learn about new places and cultures. This can help you plan your trip more effectively and make sure that you have a great time. Additionally, research can also help you find the best deals on hotels, flights, and other travel expenses. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's ability to deal with difficult customer inquiries. It is important for the travel agent to be able to handle difficult customer inquiries in a professional and efficient manner.

Example: “ There are a few potential worst things about researching destinations, depending on the person's perspective. For some, the worst thing might be the amount of time it can take to research all of the options and find the perfect place to travel. Others might find the cost of research materials (like guidebooks) to be a deterrent. And still others might find that learning about all of the different places to travel can be overwhelming and make it difficult to choose just one destination. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a travel agent. Firstly, it allows the interviewer to gauge the travel agent's knowledge and understanding of the booking process. Secondly, it allows the interviewer to understand the travel agent's customer service skills. Finally, it allows the interviewer to get a sense of the travel agent's overall attitude towards booking travel arrangements. All of these factors are important when considering whether or not to hire a travel agent.

Example: “ There are a few things that I think make booking travel arrangements great. First, it can be very convenient to have everything booked in advance so that you don't have to worry about it while you're on vacation. Second, it can often save you money to book in advance, especially if you're able to take advantage of early bird specials or other discounts. Third, it can give you peace of mind to know that your travel plans are all set and that you don't have to worry about anything last-minute. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's customer service skills. It is important for a travel agent to be able to handle customer complaints in a professional and efficient manner.

Example: “ There are a few things that can be considered the worst thing about booking travel arrangements. One is that it can be very time consuming to compare prices and find the best deal. Another is that if you make a mistake, it can be very costly to change or cancel your plans. And finally, if you are traveling to a popular destination during peak season, it can be very difficult to find availability. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's level of enthusiasm and knowledge about the industry. It is important for the interviewer to know that the travel agent is passionate about their work and is able to provide clients with the best possible experience. By asking this question, the interviewer can also get a sense of the travel agent's customer service skills.

Example: “ There are many great things about helping clients choose their dream vacation, but one of the best things is that it allows you to be creative and use your imagination. You get to learn about different cultures and lifestyles and then help your clients find the perfect place to match their interests. It's also very rewarding to see your clients happy and excited about their upcoming trip. ”

The interviewer is trying to gauge the travel agent's customer service skills. It is important to know how the travel agent deals with difficult clients, how they handle complaints, and how they go above and beyond to ensure their clients are happy. This question also allows the interviewer to see if the travel agent is able to take constructive criticism and use it to improve their business.

Example: “ There are a few things that can be considered the worst thing about helping clients choose their dream vacation. The first is that it can be very time consuming. You may have to spend hours researching different destinations and options before you can even begin to narrow down the choices for your client. This can be frustrating if you are working with a client who is not very decisive or who has a lot of specific requirements for their trip. Another downside to helping clients choose their dream vacation is that you may not always agree with their choices. For example, you may think that a certain destination is too expensive or too dangerous for them, but they may insist on going there anyway. This can be difficult if you are trying to help them plan a safe and enjoyable trip. Finally, you may sometimes feel like you are not getting paid enough for all the work you put into helping your clients choose their dream vacation. While it can be gratifying to help someone plan an amazing trip, it can also be frustrating if you feel like you are not being fairly compensated for your time and effort. ”

Related Interview Questions

• Corporate Travel Agent
• Travel Nurse
• Travel Assistant
• Travel Counselor
• Travel Manager
• Travel Specialist

• International

Trump hush money trial

Israel-Hamas war

SCOTUS arguments

April 12, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war

By Chris Lau, Sana Noor Haq, Adrienne Vogt , Matt Meyer and Tori B. Powell , CNN

Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved  here .

USAID worker killed in Israel, agency says

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

A staff member with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) died Friday in the Israeli port city of Jaffa, the agency announced.

The male staffer was with USAID’s West Bank and Gaza mission, the agency said in a brief statement.

USAID did not provide details on the circumstances around his death or his identity or citizenship.

“He was a dedicated member of our team for more than two decades, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues,” USAID said.

USAID is working with the US Embassy to work out details about the fatal incident and its follow-up investigation, it said.

US expects Iran to carry out direct strikes against targets inside Israel, sources say

From CNN's MJ Lee and Natasha Bertrand

The United States currently expects Iran will carry out strikes against multiple targets inside Israel and that Iranian proxies could also be involved in carrying out the attacks, according to a senior administration official and a source familiar with the intelligence.  

The targets would likely be both inside Israel and around the region.

The beginning of a state-on-state conflict between Iran and Israel would mark a serious escalation in the region that the US has hoped to avoid.

US sees Iran moving military assets including drones and cruise missiles, sources say

From Natasha Bertrand and Oren Liebermann

The US observed Iran moving military assets around internally, including drones and cruise missiles, signaling that it is possibly preparing to attack Israeli targets from inside its own territory, according to two people familiar with US intelligence. 

It is not clear whether Iran is preparing to strike from its soil as part of an initial attack, or if it is posturing to try to deter Israel or the US from conducting a possible counter strike on its territory. 

One of the people said the US had observed Iran readying as many as 100 cruise missiles.

Some context: The Iranians want their retaliatory strike on Israel — a response to the Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate last week in Damascus — to be "significant," one of the people familiar with the intelligence said. But they also want to avoid getting embroiled in a direct war with Israel and the US, CNN has reported, which is why US intelligence has assessed that Iran may use its proxy forces to launch the first attack.

Israeli settlers storm village in West Bank and kill at least 1 Palestinian. Here's what you should know

From CNN staff

Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting fire to several homes and cars — and leaving at least one Palestinian dead — in one of the largest attacks by settlers this year, according to Palestinian officials. 

The settlers attacked Al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, raided homes and fired gunshots at residents, according to Amin Abu-Alia, the head of the village council. Videos obtained by CNN show parts of the village burning, with smoke billowing over several buildings and settlers lobbing rocks. Houses and cars are seen completely burnt up, with sounds of gunfire and clashes heard in the background.

Here are other headlines you should know:

• More Israeli attacks: An Israeli airstrike early Friday killed at least 29 people and injured dozens more after troops targeted a house belonging to the well-known Al-Tabatibi family in eastern Gaza City, according to a local health official. Israeli forces also surrounded and attacked the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, wounding several journalists and at least one other person. And in the occupied West Bank, troops killed two Hamas members in a raid on the city of Tubas, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.
• Hezbollah-Israel clashes: Around 40 rockets were fired from Lebanon on Friday evening, according to the Israeli military. Some were intercepted and the rest fell in open areas, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. Israeli warplanes also carried out several airstrikes on Friday, targeting "military buildings" used by Hezbollah fighters in parts of southern Lebanon, the IDF said.
• Iranian threats: US President Joe Biden told reporters Friday he expects an attack from Iran will happen “sooner than later," with the White House adding that there is a "very credible" threat of Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel. Additionally, the US Defense Department is moving additional assets to the Middle East region, a defense official told CNN, as the US and Israel brace for the potential attack . Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Central Command Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla on Friday discussed preparations for the  potential attack .
• Warnings amid Iranian threats: France , Germany, Canada and the United States are among countries that are warning their citizens not to travel to the region due to the threat of an Iranian attack against Israel.
• Humanitarian aid: The Israeli military does not understand how humanitarian operations work, a top United Nations official said Friday, maintaining there is a "degree of mistrust" that needs to be resolved between the IDF and nongovernmental organizations on the ground in Gaza.
• Sanctions: The European Council has  adopted sanctions  against three Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad entities , in light of "their responsibilities in the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks" that occurred across Israel on October 7. The US is also sanctioning four leaders of Hamas’ cyber and drone operations based in Gaza and Lebanon, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced on Friday. 

US will attempt to intercept launches at Israel if feasible, US officials say

From CNN's Oren Liebermann and Natasha Bertrand

The US will attempt to intercept any weapons launched at Israel if it’s feasible to do so, two US officials told CNN, in an indication of the level of ongoing cooperation between the two militaries before an anticipated Iranian attack .

US Navy forces in the Red Sea have previously intercepted long-range missiles launched from the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel. US forces in Iraq and Syria could also potentially intercept drones and rockets targeting northern Israel, depending on the location from which they’re launched.

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command, has been in Israel meeting with the country’s security leadership. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, met with Kurilla.

There have been a number of conversations where US officials have urged Israel not to escalate the situation in retaliating against Iran, according to one of the US officials. 

Remember: An Iranian attack is expected in response to Israel’s deadly strike of Tehran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, last week.

The Damascus attack was the latest incident to stoke fears of a wider regional conflict breaking out in the Middle East during Israel's campaign in Gaza.

Diplomatic efforts: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held a slew of calls to foreign counterparts aimed at pressuring Iran not to attack Israel.

The top US diplomat spoke with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday, according to a readout from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Blinken also spoke with the Turkish, Chinese and Saudi foreign ministers in recent days, Miller said.

Israeli settlers kill at least 1 Palestinian while storming West Bank village

From CNN’s Kareem Khadder and Zeena Saifi in Jerusalem and CNN’s Benjamin Brown in London

Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting fire to several homes and cars in one of the largest attacks by settlers this year, according to Palestinian officials. 

At least one Palestinian man was killed when shots were fired by Israeli settlers in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, according to the head of the village council Amin Abu-Alia. He said he identified the killed Palestinian as his 26-year-old relative named Jihad Abu-Alia, who was meant to get married this summer.

At least 25 others were injured in the rampage, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, the scale of which has not been seen since hundreds of settlers stormed through the villages of  Turmusayya  and  Huwara  in two separate incidents last year. 

Between 1,000 and 1,200 settlers surrounded the village, and around 500 stormed it just after midday local time on Friday, blocking all the roads in the area, Abu-Alia told CNN.

He added that Israeli security forces informed Palestinian officials that the settlers were looking for a 14-year-old Israeli boy who had gone missing earlier in the day.

They attacked the village, raided homes and fired gunshots at residents, Abu-Alia said. Videos obtained by CNN show parts of the village burning, with smoke billowing over several buildings and settlers lobbing rocks. Houses and cars are seen completely burnt up, with sounds of gunfire and clashes heard in the background.

According to Abu-Alia, the Israeli military arrived at the scene at around 3 p.m. and didn’t stop the settlers from attacking the village. Israeli soldiers allowed them to raid homes, prevented Palestinian residents from moving around and blocked ambulances from reaching the injured, he added.  

Abu-Alia told CNN settlers stole approximately 70 sheep from the Palestinian village.

In response to a question by CNN, the IDF said “violent riots were instigated in multiple locations in the area” following the search for the boy.

Israel says airstrikes targeted Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Friday, targeting "military buildings" used by Hezbollah fighters in parts of southern Lebanon, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The areas include the Aita al-Shaab and the Taybeh in southern Lebanon, said Avichay Adraee, I DF spokesperson for Arab media,  in a post on X.

"During the day, several shells were fired from Lebanon towards the Upper Galilee region, without causing any casualties. IDF forces attacked the sources of fire," Adraee added. 

The Israeli airstrikes were before the 40 rockets that were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel Friday evening and claimed by Hezbollah.

Biden expects an attack from Iran will happen "sooner than later"

From CNN's Samantha Waldenberg

US President Joe Biden expects an attack from Iran will happen “sooner than later," he told reporters at the White House Friday.

“I don’t want to get into secure information but my expectation is sooner than later,” Biden said when asked how imminent an attack on Israel was.

Asked what his message to Tehran is right now, the president said “Don’t.”

In response to more shouted questions from reporters asking if American troops were at risk, Biden returned to the podium and said that the United States is "devoted” to the defense of Israel. 

“We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” Biden said.

Remember: The United States says it is on high alert for a significant Iranian retaliatory attack following Israel's deadly strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus last week, raising fears of a wider regional war. There remains a “real,” “credible” and “viable” threat of Iran launching strikes, the White House said earlier Friday, following Israel’s attack on  a diplomatic compound in Syria that killed three Iranian generals.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

#protect2024 Secure Our World Shields Up Report A Cyber Issue

Fortinet Releases Security Updates for Multiple Products

Fortinet released security updates to address vulnerabilities in multiple products, including OS and FortiProxy. A cyber threat actor could exploit some of these vulnerabilities to take control of an affected system. 

CISA encourages users and administrators to review the following advisories and apply necessary updates: 

• FR-IR-23-345 FortiClientMac - Lack of configuration file validation
• FG-IR-23-493 FortiOS & FortiProxy - Administrator cookie leakage
• FG-IR-23-087 FortiClient Linux - Remote Code Execution due to dangerous   nodejs configuration

This product is provided subject to this  Notification  and this  Privacy & Use  policy.

Please share your thoughts

We recently updated our anonymous product survey ; we’d welcome your feedback.

Related Advisories

Cisa releases four industrial control systems advisories, joint guidance on deploying ai systems securely, citrix releases security updates for xenserver and citrix hypervisor, cisa adds one known exploited vulnerability to catalog.