Travel Advisor Newbies Benefit From Expanding Array of Training Options
Photo Caption: The opening of the new Thomson store at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent, England in 2013. New entrants to the travel agent field have an abundance of training options. Matt Writtle
Skift Take
With an influx of newcomers seeking careers as travel advisors, host agencies and consortiums are responding with new professional development options. Much of it emphasizes business skills, giving a reality check to those who view a travel career as an easy endeavor with lots of perks.
With the job of travel advisor suddenly a hot career choice, the industry is stepping up efforts to train an unprecedented wave of entrants to the field.
In particular, a bigger role is being played by host agencies, which are seeing their membership base expand with an influx of people opening their own home-based travel agencies and needing support. As a result, host agencies are beefing up their offerings for professional development, including introducing new programs, according to long-time travel agency management consultant Robert Joselyn.
"There are many more newcomers to the industry these days, and so more training is needed for them," he said. "The host agencies and consortiums have really picked up on this and are focusing on giving a new generation of travel advisors what they need. The big host agencies like Avoya Travel and Protravel have the size and scale to do a lot."
At Host Agency Reviews, a resource center for travel advisors seeking to start an agency or
