as a Travel and Tourism Specialist..."
Tourisml is one of the largest businesses in New Zealand in terms of revenue generated, and qualified Travel and Tourism Agents are needed in cities and small towns everywhere.
Travel and Tourism agents receive greatly reduced rates on airfare and hotels, or even travel for free. And many travel professionals enjoy "working holidays" as they accompany tours or check out accommodations.
Qualified Travel and Tourism Specialists are always in demand. A Travel and Tourism Specialist enjoys challenging, varied assignments, and flexible working hours. Travel and Tourism Specialist is becoming a wonderful and rewarding career choice.
Career Areas: Work for an airline, cruise line, resort hotel, established travel agency, or handle the travel needs of a large corporation.
Waiariki Travel Certificate Level 3 & 4: Turn your dream of becoming a Travel and Tourism Specialist into an exciting career with Waiariki Institute of Technology where after 30 years in the travel industy I can thrill you with stories both good and bad about this wonderful industry.
Still interested?
Are you looking for high flyer future? Join our travel programmes to enable yourself to assist bubbling people in need of support for travel and tourism related employment. You may be at a tourism desk in a five star hotel, or working at travel agents or reception or customer service desk of famous airlines or may be in your own business.
Travel consultants are best known for selling holiday packages on behalf of tour operators. Much of their time is spent advising clients in person, finding out what type of holiday the client wants, showing them brochures, answering any questions and maybe suggesting particular resorts or hotels. When the client has chosen, the travel agent checks to confirm availability and books the holiday using a computer system linked to the tour operator. They collect a deposit from the client and complete a booking form. When the tour operator sends the holiday tickets to the travel agency, the agent passes them on to the client.
Travel agents also deal with independent travellers, and may help plan their journey using timetables before booking their air, rail or ferry tickets and accommodation. Some agents specialise in business travel, dealing with complicated itineraries. They also offer advice on passport, visa and vaccination requirements and services such as holiday insurance, car hire, holiday excursions, foreign currency and travellers' cheques.
Travel agents also deal with independent travellers, and may help plan their journey using timetables before booking their air, rail or ferry tickets and accommodation. Some agents specialise in business travel, dealing with complicated itineraries. They also offer advice on passport, visa and vaccination requirements and services such as holiday insurance, car hire, holiday excursions, foreign currency and travellers' cheques.
Our courses provide a high standard of training and have national recognition. It is suitable for anyone wishing to upgrade his/her professional competence or to commence a successful career in the travel industry. In addition to preparing for travel agency and airline operations, the course provides participants with a thorough grounding in a range of areas of business management and modern day office technology related to the travel and tourism industry and includes IATA fares and ticketing and Amadeus Computer Reservations, Travelog back office, Hotel Marriott Excellence programme, Captain Cook, EasyJet and Trafalgar Tours agent’s accreditation.
The most common requirement for a travel agent position is a National Certificate in Travel level 3 (for domestic travel) and Level 4 (International travel). Many people are attracted to the travel agent occupation because of travel benefits, such as reduced rates for accommodation and transportation. Travel agents with formal training, who specialize in specific destinations or in certain types of travel or travellers, will have the best opportunities for obtaining a job.
How much does a travel agent make per hour?
A May 2009 Bureau of Labour Statistics report shows the median hourly wages for travel agents was $15.60.
Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services $15.47
Travel Management Companies $20.78
Employment Services $16.54
Insurance Carriers $16.06
Scheduled Air Transportation $16.61
What are the chances of getting a job?
Demand for travel agents fell during the 2008-2009 recession, but is now starting to improve because of:ñ high staff turnover in some travel firms
ñ an increase in people travelling overseas from New Zealand. The number of trips per year is expected to grow from just under 2 million in 2010 to 2.35 million by 2016.
What types of employers can I work for?
ñ Most travel agents and brokers work for travel agencies. These may be small family firms employing three or four people, or part of nationwide chains.
Travel wholesalers and travel consolidators work for:ñ large travel companies
ñ small firms that specialise in travel to particular destinations, or travel for a special purpose – for example, sports tours.
Every year, at the Waiariki Institute, we offer you a series of amazing travel and tourism programmes. The educational component that is part of every program is what sets these courses apart from any other study you will ever take.
Part of our course is a field trip where you will be guided throughout the programme by an expert resource person—someone who has a passion for travel and tourism.
Course is run over three days per week, it is still full time study but is structured to allow you time to continue working or give you time to study at home.
Everyone is welcome to come and have a chat with me for the Waiariki Institute travel and tourism Programmes, where every course is the trip of a lifetime!
