TRAVEL AGENT

Travel Agents supply information,arrange travel itineraries and obtainnecessary reservations.

TasksAdvise customers on itineraries andmethod of travel;Prepare itineraries;Make and confirm reservations fortransportation and accomodations;Issue ticket, vouchers and otherdocuments;Inform clients of essential travelinformation such as travel times,transportation connections, andmedical and visa requirements;Provide clients with assistance inpreparing required travel documentsand forms;Prepare bills and receive payments.

Basic Educational RequirementAny educational background is

acceptable but preference is given tograduates of a course in Tourism. Short-term courses in tourism managementwould also be an advantage for non-tourism graduates.

Skills and CompetenciesAbility to convey informationeffectively;Ability to remember information suchas words, numbers, pictures, andprocedures;Speech clarity;Working knowledge of otherlanguages such as Japanese, French,Chinese, Spanish, etc;Knowledge of basic mathematics;Computer literate;

Knowledgeable in system CSC(Amadeus, Galileo and Worldspan)and other applicable computersoftware programs;Knowledge of principles andprocesses for providing customer andpersonal services (i.e. customer needsassessment, meeting qualitystandards for services; andevaluation of customer satisfaction);Knowledge of clerical and officeprocedures and systems such asmanaging files and records,designing and accomplishing forms;Adept at coordination work.

Physical Attributes and CharacteristicsActive initiative to solve customerproblem;Service-minded;Strong interpersonal skills;Socially perceptive;Near vision - ability to see details atclose range.

Salary/CompensationThe monthly basic salary of a

Reservation and Travel Agent starts atP12,960 at the entry level. It may go ashigh as P15,660 while the median monthlybasic pay is estimated at P13,500.

Prospects for Career AdvancementTravel Agents may advance to

supervisory or managerial positions afterthey have acquired the competenciesrequired for such position. He/She mustbe able to demonstrate the ability tomanage organizational operations andto lead large organizations.

Travel Agents could also put up theirown business as Tour Operators.

Employment OpportunitiesThe growth in tourism-related services

will provide ample employmentopportunities to the travel and toursegment of the tourism industry, thus, thedemand for Travel Agent is expected tobe sustained in the succeeding years.

There are likewise job opportunitiesforthose seeking overseas employment.

Cost of Education *A degree in BS Tourism cost around

P25,000 to P35,000 per semester.

* Based on tuition fee rates for school year 2007-2008