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Travel Agent/Adviser

Māngai Whakarite Haerenga/Kaitohutohu Whakarite Haerenga

Travel agents/advisers provide information about tourism attractions, sell travel, accommodation, tours and attractions, do ticketing, and process payments.

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Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but English, maths, geography and languages to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful.

For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for travel agents/advisers includes:

  • work in travel or tourism
  • sales or retail work
  • overseas travel.

What you will do

Travel agents/advisers may do some or all of the following:

  • give advice on travel or holiday plans, accommodation, transport, and places of interest
  • book accommodation, transport, tours and cruises
  • advise clients about visas, passports and insurance
  • prepare itineraries, issue tickets and collect payments
  • organise and book conferences.

Skills and knowledge

Travel agents/advisers need to have knowledge of:

  • New Zealand's and other countries transport systems, accommodation and tourist attractions
  • computer reservation systems
  • airline routes, alliances, and safety and security regulations
  • passport and visa requirements, travel insurance and foreign currencies
  • current affairs, including areas where travel may be dangerous.
Pay

Travel agents/advisers usually earn

$49K-$55K

per year

Senior travel agents/advisers with experience and extra responsibilities usually earn

$55K-$100K

per year

Job opportunities
Poor
Chances of getting a job as a travel agent/adviser are poor due to lack of demand.
Length of training
<1
year of training usually required.

Industry

Tourism

Travel agents/advisers provide information about tourism attractions, sell travel, accommodation, tours and attractions, do ticketing, and process payments.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a travel agent/adviser as skills are learned on the job.

Travel wholesalers generally require a travel qualification, such as a degree or New Zealand Certificate in Travel, and relevant experience at a retail or wholesale travel company.

Chances of getting a job

COVID-19 pandemic decreases demand for travel agents/advisers

Job opportunities for travel agents/advisers are poor because the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced demand for workers.

Demand may improve as restrictions to control the spread of the pandemic ease.

According to the Census, 4,833 travel agents/advisers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Employers range from small firms to large chains

Most travel agents/advisers work for travel agencies. These may be small family firms employing three or four people, or part of nationwide chains.

Travel brokers, who are usually experienced travel agents, usually own their own business and work from home.

Travel advisers also work for the 64 visitor information centres (i-SITEs) around New Zealand.

Find out more about training

ServiceIQ
0800 863 693 - intel@ServiceIQ.org.nz - www.serviceiq.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Travel agents/advisers may progress to set up their own business as a travel broker, or move into management.

Travel agents/advisers may specialise in travel wholesaling (selling airline tickets, accommodation and tours to retail travel agents).

Working conditions

Travel agents/advisers:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may have to work long hours and weekends, or be on call
  • work in travel agencies and offices, from their home, or in tourist information centres
  • may take familiarisation trips within New Zealand or overseas.

Useful personal qualities

Travel agents/advisers need to be:

  • skilled in sales and customer service
  • good at listening, and understanding of their clients' needs
  • able to relate to people from a wide range of cultures
  • enthusiastic, friendly, patient and helpful
  • professional, responsible and resourceful
  • excellent at time management and planning
  • very accurate.

Industry

Tourism

Travel agents/advisers provide information about tourism attractions, sell travel, accommodation, tours and attractions, do ticketing, and process payments.

Similar jobs in this industry

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