The Hidden World of the Travel Agent
Careers in Travel
Becoming a travel agent is a great career choice for you.
Travel Agents are salespeople who advise potential travellers on the various options available to them. This includes developing, booking and ticketing various travel itineraries including air, sea, rail, car and other transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and tours. The Travel Agency environment is sometimes frantic and can be demanding but may offer opportunities for familiarisation trips to holiday destinations.
Corporate Travel Advisors are responsible for processing and managing the travel requirements of business clients. This may include airline tickets, rental cars, accommodation, etc and it may be for a trip of one day's duration or several weeks if involving international travel. The Corporate Travel environment can often be demanding and work is often last minute. Opportunities for familiarisation trips to common business destinations are sometimes available.
Wholesale Travel Agents negotiate fares and packages with airlines, cruise companies, tour operators and hotels to sell to retail and corporate travel agents. These Agents generally work within a company where they are responsible for a specific region (eg Australia, Asia, USA, etc) and negotiate contracts on an annual basis. They must ensure the quotes they receive are as competitive as possible due to the competitive nature of the travel industry.
The Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO) can provide you with more information on career options.
Travel Industry Qualifications
[Information provided by ATTTO and correct as at December 2007]
Development of travel unit standards and national qualifications commenced in 1994 and the National Certificates in Travel Levels 3 and 4 were registered on the NZQA Framework in October 1995. Delivery of these qualifications commenced in January 1996. These qualifications underwent a substantial review during 1999 and 2000 and were replaced with new versions of the National Certificates in Travel Levels 3 and 4 and a pre-requisite National Certificate in Tourism and Travel (Core Skills) Level 3. The Core Skills certificate focuses on customer service, selling and computer skills, as well as ensuring adequate literacy and numeracy skills.
People who successfully meet the requirements for these programmes are awarded the appropriate National Certificate(s) by NZQA. In addition to the National Certificate qualifications an industry certificate can be jointly awarded by ATTTO and TAANZ, entitled the TAANZ/ATTTO Industry Certificate in Travel Consultancy.
This will require applicants to have:
• The National Certificates in Travel Levels 3 and 4, including the IATA ticketing units, and
• 1 year work experience in the travel industry and
• A high level of competency in the following:
- organisational skills
- written language skills
- suitable temperament
- problem solving skills
- accounting procedures
- effective work style
- interpersonal relationships
- leadership skills
A Diploma in Travel Management at Level 5 has been developed in conjunction with the New Zealand Institute of Management (NZIM). A process of Recognition of Prior Learning/Current Competency (RPL/RCC) is in place, which allows crediting of National Qualification Framework unit standards to anyone providing evidence of current competency that meets the performance criteria of the unit standards. A workplace assessment process has been developed to enable assessments to be undertaken during the course of normal day-to-day work and on the job. ATTTO’s Industry Training team will arrange for the training of assessors and advice on setting up such a system. Employees register as trainees with ATTTO and receive National Certificates or Diplomas on completion of the required assessments.
Tourism Industry Qualifications
The following Tourism qualifications are currently registered:
National Certificate in Tourism and Travel (Introductory Skills) Level 2
National Certificate in Tourism and Travel (Core Skills) Level 3
National Certificate in Tourism (Guiding) Level 3 with strands in Excursion
Guiding and Attraction Guiding
National Certificate in Horse Trek Guiding Level 3 with optional strand in
Multi-day Horse Trek Guiding
National Certificate in Tourism (Tour Leadership) Level 4.
National Certificate in Adventure Tourism Level 4
National Certificate in Tourism (Visitor Information) Level 4
National Certificate in Conventions and Incentives Level 4
National Certificates in Casino Cashiering Levels 3 and 4
National Certificates in Casino Gaming Levels 3 and 4
National Certificates in Casino Security Levels 3 and 4
National Certificates in Casino Surveillance Levels 4 and 5
National Diploma in Tourism (Management) Level 5
NZIM/ATTTO Diploma in Tourism Management Level 5
National Diploma in Conventions and Incentives Level 5 with strands in
Conventions Organisation, Convention Bureaux, Incentives and Venues,
Venue Sales and Operations
National Diploma in Casino Gaming Level 5 with strands in Casino Gaming
Management and Casino Inspection and Monitoring
As with Travel a process of Recognition of Prior Learning/Current Competency (RPL/RCC) is in place, which allows crediting of National Qualification Framework unit standards to anyone providing evidence of current competency that meets the performance criteria of the unit standards. As with travel a workplace assessment process has been developed for the tourism industry.
Other Qualifications
The National Certificate in Aviation (Flight Attendants) Level 4 has been registered in 2005.
National Qualifications for the Travel Industry currently registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
These national certificates were developed through extensive consultation with the industry by ATTTO.
National Certificate in Tourism and Travel (Introductory Skills) Level 2
Mostly delivered in secondary schools.
Content
• Communication
• Work roles
• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Geography
• Industry careers
• Keyboard skills
This certificate is aimed at preparing people for further training in the industry and provides them with core skills essential for all work roles.
National Certificate In Tourism and Travel (Core Skills) Level 3
Delivered through tertiary providers or on the job.
Content
• Selling skills
• Customer Relations & interpersonal skills
• Use of technology (email, internet, spreadsheets and word-processing)
• Industry knowledge (structures, organisations, terminology, careers)
This certificate is aimed at providing core industry skills and is generally offered in combination with specialist travel and tourism qualifications.
National Certificates in Travel Level 3 and Level 4
Delivered through training on the job or through a tertiary provider.
Content
• Core office skills plus
• Domestic travel consultancy
• International travel consultancy
• Wholesale inbound/outbound
These certificates are aimed at developing work specific skills and knowledge.
NZIM/ATTTO Diploma in Travel Management Level 5
This diploma is aimed at people at supervisory and management level in the travel industry. It contains technical business skills and the choice to select specific skills for the travel industry.
