Travel Career Development

One of the largest career industries is the travel industry. Travel includes many forms of business from hotels to airlines, campgrounds to theme parks, restaurants and cruise lines. The field of travel has the possibility to become a rewarding and exciting experience.

Those already involved in the travel industry know how important it is to keep tourists coming. Happy tourists mean a steady flow of income and jobs. This is why company managers look for employees who show interest in travel career development classes and conferences.

Courses available to travel career development begin with an introduction to travel and tourism. The student learns what types of businesses fill travel needs, types of places and events that attract tourists, and how to get started. Students learn about air travel, travel agencies and the airlines they prefer to work with. They also go over land and sea travel, focusing on cruise liners, rail systems, and bus. The class teaches the student pluses and minuses of using each transportation method, of which the employee passes on to the client.

Because a customer's comfort and safety is of great importance, a travel career development class also covers customer service and hotel, motel and resort sales. The field of travel continues to grow at a significant rate bringing more tourists and job opportunities. A good agent will know that each client's needs differ from one another and, as their career progresses, will be able to include packaged deals and vacation planning in their services.

The travel agent course prepares the student to take the travel career development test, which is offered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.

Many courses focus on entry level positions to get the new agent started on their career path. More expansive courses teach students the art of learning the client's needs, desires, and affordability. While it does take a "people person" to work in the industry, there really is more to it than that. Travel career development helps the employee learn methods of control when dealing with irate, sometimes frantic, travel clients.

Students enrolled in a travel career development course are taught to examine and list the appeal of a travel destination to potential clients. They must show great sales, marketing and customer service skills in order to succeed in the real marketplace.

Many colleges, universities and agencies offer travel career development classes to individuals excited about entering the field of travel. Ask for a brochure, or search online to discover schools who offer traditional schooling or courses through the mail or website.