Are you looking for a job that involves helping customers plan and make reservations for their vacations? If so, then you may want to consider becoming a booking agent. A booking agent is responsible for helping customers book locations, tours, resorts, trips, restaurants, or events. Booking agents are primarily focused on customer service, but they are also responsible for booking the reservation and selling additional products or services to customers. While there are no formal education requirements, some employers prefer to hire booking agents with a high school diploma or GED certificate and previous experience in customer service or reservations.
You can find work as a booking agent in travel agencies, hotels and resorts. To be successful as a booking agent, you need excellent sales, customer service and organization skills. Professional certification as a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) will be an advantage. Booking agents are often the first point of contact when customers book transportation and accommodation.
They must be able to handle any issues or inquiries that arise during the reservation process. In addition to this, they must be able to maintain customer details accurately for future reference. Booking agents may also be expected to “increase sales for people who call for more expensive travel options, such as hotel rooms or more expensive airplane seats”. This can be complicated, as many people, even those who originally booked travel plans online, can contact an agent when their original travel plans don't work or are interrupted.
In addition to booking travel, a booking agent may need to perform several types of customer service tasks. They should be able to provide a variety of planning and booking services, including answering customer questions, making travel suggestions, and booking rooms and tickets. Being a booking agent can be stressful at times, especially when flights are overbooked or people are thinking about flying while waiting on another flight. Sometimes, the airline cancels flights directly due to weather conditions that increase the booking agent's stress.
I have planned a lot of trips on my own and I have also made some trips managed by a booking agent. I think one thing I really like about planning my own trips are the unique and secluded places, which I think many booking agents haven't even heard of. I recently spoke to a booking agent who managed to stay within my budget even though there was a big event in town. Overall, being a booking agent is an exciting job that involves helping customers plan and make reservations for their vacations. It requires excellent sales, customer service and organization skills as well as professional certification as a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC).
