Any Travel Agents? (Career related)

Is anyone here a travel agent? I've always been interested in becoming a travel agent and wanted to learn more about what the job entails.

I happened to be looking on Liberty Travel's career site and I'm tempted to apply but worried because it's such a large company and I have no sales experience.

If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it!

Re: Any Travel Agents? (Career related)

I'm not a travel agent, but I handle the pr for a hotel brand so we work with them on a regular basis. While many people think TAs are a dying breed, I will say that they give us 65 percent of our business. What do you want to know specifically? FM me.

Re: Any Travel Agents? (Career related)

Just wanted to know if there is any training involved, and just generally how to go about getting into the business.

Thanks!

Re: Any Travel Agents? (Career related)

I am not a TA but for some reason I remember someone telling me that LT sends their agents to New Jersey (I think that was the location) for a few weeks (I think 4) of training when they are first hired.

Re: Any Travel Agents? (Career related)

Yes, travel agents need to learn the GDS (Global Distribution System). This is a channel for making reservations, seeing special offers, etc. Virtuoso, a travel consortia, launched recruitment programs to find new talent. I would go to virtuoso.com and poke around. Nothing wrong with LT, but if you can get a job at an agency that is affiliated with Virtuoso, Signature, Ensemble or AMEX, you'll be gold.