Travel agency manager

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• travel operations
• tourism management
• retail management
• business management

You could join a travel company as a trainee manager once you finish your course.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course, which may help when you start to look for work as a trainee manager. Courses include:

• Level 4 Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management
• Level 4 Diploma in Tourism Management

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship, then take further on-the-job training to become a manager.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could join a company as a travel agent and work your way up to become an assistant manager then manager, as you get more experience. You could also do training on the job.

DirectApplication

You could apply to be a travel agency manager if you've got experience in retail management or sales.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to sell products and services
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• administration skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to read English
• persuading skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to use your initiative
• maths skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Travel agency managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of travel agencies, meeting sales targets and promoting travel products.

You could:

• recruit and train new staff
• set sales targets and monitor staff performance
• work with tour operators to buy travel packages
• organise staff rotas
• control budgets
• manage travel accounts for corporate clients
• advise customers about travel products and destinations
• provide sales reports for head office

Location : You could work in an office.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

43 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends flexibly

Career Path:

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.

You could set up your own travel business.