How do I get into the travel business?
We are often asked, “How can I get into the travel business?”
My first response to the question is actually another question. Why do you want to get into the travel business? The worn out response we usually hear is generally something having to do with a love for travel. “I just love to travel!” (Grrroan, shoot me now.) Loving to travel is important to this job, but that’s is the easy part. If just a love for travel were necessary, then almost anyone could be a great agent. (And let me assure you that that is NOT the case.) To make a career as a travel agent, to actually support yourself doing this and not just make it an expensive hobby, you have to be able to get into people’s heads. You have to figure out what they want that they’re not telling you. You have to navigate tricky family politics. You have to keep thousands of bits of information about various hotels, destinations and airlines straight in your head and be able to recall them when needed. You have to be able to look at options not through your own preferences, but through the eyes of the person who is trusting you with their vacation.
That said, I actually dread the question of how to get into the travel business because there isn’t a really clear answer anymore.
Back in the day, there were travel schools where you would go and pay money, sit in a classroom for a certain amount of time, then graduate with a certificate that many recognized as meaning you were qualified to begin your career in travel. Marty and Philip in our office actually both went to such schools.
The problem now is that, for one thing, there aren’t very many (any?) of those schools around any more. The other thing is that it is questionable how much those schools ever prepared you for a career as a travel agent, and that is more true today than ever. You see, the main thing those schools taught was how to operate a GDS (Global Distribution System). These days, operating a GDS is becoming less and less important if it isn’t already completely irrelevant. Technology has evolved to the point where memorizing commands to enter into a blank screen to pull up airline availability isn’t necessary.
I did find a few online training options where you can pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $1500.00 and do online courses and receive a certificate. You could do that, then try to get on with an agency. I’m not sure how effective it would be. It wouldn’t help you get hired with us.
This brings me to the reason I dread this question. We choose people because of their personalities. None of the people we’ve hired in the last 15 years had a background in travel. We hired them because we feel they have the personality traits to be successful helping people with vacations. They are engaging, they are at least not afraid of technology, they are coachable, they are friendly. (Most notably, none of them had prior experience in the travel industry.)
I’m not sure what other agencies look for. I think that alot of them hire people who have worked in other travel agencies before. Of course, that opens the whole “chicken and the egg” dilemma. Perhaps in the future I’ll tell people to call around to several agencies to get a better rounded idea.
That’s a hard thing to explain to someone who is wanting a straight path to a new career.
Traveling in Style – Elvis Style “Welcome to my World”
Welcome to my world,
Won’t you come on in
Miracles, I guess
Still happen now and then
Step into my heart
Leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world
If you’re not vacationing at home…don’t expect it to be like home…don’t complain because it isn’t the USA. The bed will feel different, the food will taste different, the plumbing may be different, the weather may be different. People will be dressed different and will say different things to you in greeting. They may be more outgoing or more reserved than you’re used to.
When vacationing with my kids, one of the constant frustrations is getting them (especially my son) to eat. He expects all of the chicken nuggets, for instance, to taste (?) like McDonalds Chicken McNuggets. Well guess what…they don’t. It isn’t that they taste bad (in fact, they are actually more flavorful), he is just used to what he is used to.
Likewise, I hear from many travelers who are disappointed when the bed, or the customs, or whatever else isn’t like it is in the United States. Isn’t that why we travel in the first place? To experience somewhere that isn’t home? If you want to experience home, then stay home. If you want to experience the world, be ready for some things not to be the same.
Don’t look down on things just because they’re different than you’re used to. Be open to the idea that perhaps different may be just fine. Better, even. Do you find yourself shaking your head at the odd selections available at the breakfast buffet? Why not give them a try? You might find something you love. People all over the world don’t necessarily eat corn flakes for breakfast…take a walk on the wild side.
Who knows? You just may find you like it there.
The Dogs of Legacy Travel
Pets are an important part of the lives of many people. According to the CDC, there are many health benefits to having a pet in your life. Pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and your feelings of loneliness.
In honor of Take Your Pet to Work Day we present…..the Dogs of Legacy Travel:
This is Mike Tyson Beckford McKee. Tyson for short. He belongs to Briana, our office assistant. Reportedly a big baby with a sensitive digestive tract, he is afraid of heights and won’t jump off a bed without help.
Next up, we have Lucy and Taz, who own Marty Boehlke. Lucy is really more like a cat than a dog in that she will only play when she feels like it. Taz is reputed to be a high energy dog (Marty calls her “Taz the Spaz”).
This is Lucy – pictured above.
Next up is Roxanne Rominger (Roxy), who runs Terrah’s house.
Our next dog owns the heart of Nicki. He is the newest of the Legacy Travel dogs. His name is Charlie. Charlie is a bundle of energy and is almost housebroken.
And, finally, Kingston Lacy Banks. Lacy is a Golden Retriever who was originally a Christmas gift to the Banks children, and now lives every day as a gift to the whole family. She is kind and gentle and well behaved unless there are socks involved.
Strange Airport Sightings
Have you seen one of these? I was in the ladies room at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. It’s a hand dryer! Its made by the same company that makes those wonderful expensive vacuum cleaners. You stick your hands into it then pull them slowly out. Your hands dry in just a few seconds, which is must less annoying than standing there for 2 minutes or more and coming out with your hands really not quite dry.
What’s the most unique thing you’ve seen in an airport recently?
Prebooking Activities?
Nicki and her friend the dolphin!
It’s a familiar sight in the lobby of most resorts. Eager vacationers perched around desks looking at wrinkled pictures of various attractions in the destination trying to decide which excursions they’ll take. What’s wrong with this picture? I’ll tell you what’s wrong…the minutes of their vacation are ticking away and they are inside a hotel lobby!
I think it’s smarter to do all of the considering and planning in advance so that all of your time in the destination can be spent actually doing enjoyable things rather than contemplating buying decisions.
In many destinations there are so many choices that it would be wise to do your considering ahead of time rather than when the pressure is on to make a decision. When considering the 18 different ways to go see the Mayan ruins, wouldn’t you like to be able to think about it for a while before choosing? When you’re huddled over the desk in the hotel lobby, you need to make a decision right away because your vacation time is slipping away before your eyes.
Not only that, but I think that the anticipation of a trip is one of the most enjoyable parts of that trip. When you consider the choices of excursions, the anticipation of the trip is greater. Imagining flying through the jungle on a zipline, or horseback riding through the jungle, or gazing at brightly colored fish while snorkeling adds to your excitement about your vacation. Having your excursion in place adds to your excitement.
Not to mention, some of the most popular activities such as golf, diving, and swimming with dolphins book up early. So, if you don’t prebook, you could miss out. What a disappointment!
There is also the matter of dealing with reputable people. If you’ve been in a resort destination before, you’ve seen how many choices there are of places to buy tours. Which one should you work with? You’re handing your money over and hoping that they actually deliver the tour. Not only that, but most times you’re trusting them to pick you up at the hotel and transport you safely to the location of the activity. How do you know who to trust? Booking your activity in advance through your trusted travel agent assures that you will be dealing with reputable people and you can relax in knowing you’ll get what you paid for. Also, you’ll have recourse if something doesn’t go according to plan.
Finally, on most activities you’ll be able to get a full refund if you get to the destination and decide not to take it. So, that removes the “I’ll get there and see what I feel like doing” objection.
Truly, there is every reason in the world to address the issue of excursions prior to your departure. It’s the smart thing to do. Also, when you see those people huddled around the desks looking at wrinkled pictures you can stick your nose in the air and walk boldly past them assured that you are one smart traveler.
