Trade Schools
Working as a travel agent requires little experience or education and comes with many rewards.
However, the job isn’t right for everyone and also has its downsides.
Travel agents work in a highly competitive field, where it’s difficult to secure clients.
In addition, startup commissions make the pay unreliable.
If you’re in the field or want to switch careers, luckily, a travel agent skill set can be transferred to other jobs.
Travel agents build skills that are desirable in other careers, such as strong customer service skills, great attention to detail, persuasion, and administration skills.
If anyone is looking to find similar career paths to a travel agent, then don’t worry as there are many choices.
Below, we’ve curated a list of the best alternative careers for travel agents.
List of Alternative Careers
1. Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative (CSR) works as the primary communication between a customer and a company.
They interact with customers and handle any communication which can entail complaints, taking orders, or answering questions about a product or service.
Customer service representatives work via phone, email, and text chat to assist customers with anything they need.
CSRs have many skills that are similar to those of a travel agent.
For example, they must have strong communication skills, be professional, and be persuasive with clients.
In addition, many CSRs will secure clients, help book or process orders, and even problem-solve.
All of these skills are necessary and working as a travel agent can help build these skills and transfer them to a CSR job.
Most CSR jobs only require a high school diploma and being over the age of 18.
This makes it great as there is a low entry barrier for being hired.
Those interested in becoming a travel agent or those already one will enjoy working as a CSR because the jobs are very similar.
Plus, there are often more CSR jobs available, and it’s less competitive and has secured pay due to not being based on commissions.
2. Event Planner
An event planner is a professional who coordinates and organizes events for individuals or corporations.
The type of events ranges from wedding planning, conferences, and even parties, depending on the specialization.
That said, they mainly meet with clients and help them bring their vision to life by helping organize and book everything related to the event.
Similar to a travel agent, event planners will help understand what the consumer wants and help coordinate the details of the event.
Event planners have strong organization and planning, customer service, and strong networking skills.
In addition, they will pay a lot of attention to detail and be able to transition quickly to meet customer expectations.
While no formal training is required, many tend to take courses or gain certificates specifying their training.
This is a good way to get themselves into the door.
In addition, some may volunteer or work directly under someone or in a company working alongside other event coordinators.
Many will enjoy working as event coordinators as they have high earning potential, allow you to choose your clients, and give you the same satisfaction as helping consumers achieve their dreams.
3. Tour Guide
A tour guide works in the tourism industry and will often help guide tourists around an area.
While not completely similar to travel agents, being a tour guide requires many of the same skills without any education or training.
Tour guides must have industry knowledge and also be aware of destinations.
In addition, they will help tourists make their trip unforgettable, which is very similar to a travel agent’s.
While many travel agents work indoors, tour guides often work in offices and outdoors.
This can be a nice change of pace, as it’s more personal and allows you to connect with tourists.
Tour guides also tend to have seasonal jobs and can choose where and when they work.
Unlike travel agents, tour guides also don’t rely on commission and have a high pay potential.
4. Travel Writer
A travel writer is exactly what it sounds like.
You get to write about different destinations, trips, and more.
Being a travel writer can be done on your own or working for a business.
Writers tend to write on topics that they have in-depth knowledge of, and as a travel agent, you’ll have more knowledge of travel hacks and destinations than the average person.
It’s a great alternative to working as a travel agent, especially if you don’t want as much customer interaction.
Travel writers don’t need any formal training, but do need destination knowledge or strong research skills.
They will also need to have excellent written skills and be persuasive.
Many travel agents enjoy working for destination publications, as they get to use their industry knowledge to help clients without worrying about commissions.
5. Reservation Agent
Another similar job to being a travel agent is a reservation agent.
A reservation agent is responsible for aiding customers in booking flights, rentals, and other accommodations while traveling.
They often check availability, answer any customer questions, and discuss travel options.
Travel companies often employ reservation agents at venues.
Travel agents and reservation agents have a very similar role.
They both need to have strong customer service skills, communicate effectively, and problem-solve if a reservation can’t be accommodated.
That said, they also need to be highly detailed, meet customer’s deadlines, and be able to work with tech.
The main difference is that reservation agents don’t book flights but instead work mainly with accommodations for an already planned trip.
To work as a reservation agent, you will need to have a high school diploma or a GED.
There is a low barrier to entry and many people just get trained on the job.
However, you must possess excellent communication skills, be attentive to dates and deadlines, and be able to effectively communicate with the agency and customers.
Many enjoy working as a reservation agent instead because it has a narrower scope of practice.
They focus on specialized bookings, have less customer interaction, and have more steady work.
In addition, their responsibilities are easily defined, and there is reduced pressure to match up all accommodations.
6. Tourism Marketer
A tourism marketer can be a good alternative if you already have travel agent experience.
A tourism marketer works at crafting marketing strategies to help promote specific destinations or attractions.
They are often employed by hotels, airlines, rental companies, and more.
Mainly, anywhere that a tourist may need to interact with.
The main skill that transfers well into a tourism marketer is a travel agent’s knowledge of the industry.
They will have a profound understanding of specific destinations, travel needs, and more.
Furthermore, they have excellent customer service skills, can effectively persuade, and have strong market research skills.
While no education is necessary to become a tourism marketer, you will at least have to have industry knowledge.
For example, employers want to see that you have a strong knowledge of specific destinations and the ability to effectively market.
Many candidates hold a bachelor’s or master’s in marketing or communications.
However, many also get trained on the job or by interning.
Anyone looking to become a travel agent or transition out of the field may enjoy working as a tourism marketer because it has more of an impact on the industry.
You’ll get the chance to promote specific destinations and focus on inspiring multiple people to travel at once rather than focusing on individual clients.
They also have more pay and room for growth in a company versus a travel agent.
Tips for Transitioning Careers
- Transferring careers can be a difficult choice, especially when you don’t know what options are available. Mainly, look for other jobs that utilize similar skill sets. Travel agents have extensive skills that can easily be transferred to other jobs. Strong customer service skills, organization, and industry knowledge are all useful skills that can make it easy to transfer into other areas of the industry.
- That said, networking is also a big part of the industry, and having a strong resume demonstrating skills can help you land a job or internship. Make sure to highlight your strengths in specific industry knowledge when interviewing for other roles. You’d be surprised how many employers tend to admire specific knowledge.
- As for education, you may need to go back to school to get a degree or certificate. While many industrial jobs don’t require education, some might. Be sure to identify which careers need a degree and create a road map of how long it will take to complete it. After that, you can begin the transition to finding another job in a different field.
- Lastly, focus on upselling your skills and getting better pay. With industry knowledge, you should be able to advocate for yourself to employers so that you can take on a bigger role. Don’t settle for an entry-level position and utilize any skills that you’ve learned on the job. If not, then communicate with employers that you’re able to take an internship position to learn the ropes.
Conclusion
Making a career change is always a big step, especially for a travel agent.
There is a lot more complexity with other industry jobs, some of which might seem like they wouldn’t be a good fit.
However, there are tons of jobs where travel agents would excel due to their industry knowledge.
If you’re looking to transfer out or are on the verge of becoming a travel agent and wondering if it may be right for you, make sure to check out your other options.
