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More info
- Manage the operation of a retail travel agency that sells holidays to the public
- You'll need good knowledge of the travel industry, people management skills and sales management skills to hit targets
- You could progress into regional management, move into business travel management or set up your own business
You'll be responsible for making sure a travel agency is run well and meets its sales targets.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Recruiting and training new staff
- Setting sales targets and monitoring staff performance
- Working with tour operators to buy travel packages
- Organising staff rotas
- Controlling budgets
- Managing travel accounts for corporate clients
- Providing sales reports for head office
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll usually work between 40 and 48 hours a week, Monday to Saturday and you'll usually be based in an office at a branch.
You'll need
You'll need excellent sales and customer service skills, the ability to lead and motivate a team, and good IT skills.
It may be helpful to have a HND or degree in travel or business management, although it's not always essential. Subjects like languages, marketing and geography are also useful.
You could do a college course like a Level 4 Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management before applying for a job as an assistant manager in a travel agency. Alternatively, you could start by doing a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship, then take further on the job training to become a manager.
Previous experience in travel and tourism is usually required, and many managers will work their way up from a travel agent role.
You may be able to join a graduate training scheme when you finish college or university, or gain promotion after working as a deputy manager.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you could become a regional manager, with responsibility for several travel agency branches. You could also work as a business travel manager with a multinational company.
Alternatively, you could set up your own travel business and run your own agency.