travel agent jobs

Right up there with real estate agents and used car sales people, travel agents are subject to much suspicion when it comes to sales tactics and prices. But are you really being sized up and ripped off every time you walk into an agency or book a holiday?

The answer is yes, you will be sized up and yes, given half the chance many agents will overcharge, some by as much as they can get away with.

With the great resources available on the net most travellers will not walk into an agency until they feel they have a good handle on their destination and current prices. Yet no matter how savvy you are it’s still worth knowing how agents work before you decide to use one.

There are two aspects to the way agents work in Australia that affect the service you are given. The first is the way agents are paid. Second is the pushing of particular agency ‘preferred’ products like tours (with high commission levels) onto the customer without disclosing this conflict of interest.

No real newsflash here: agents are paid on commission. But people might not realise that base pay rates are so low, agents need every dollar they can squeeze out of you. The pay structure generally works like this:

* The agent is paid a base amount, which is a paltry sum at best. The base amount is fairly consistent amongst the major agencies, and will go up slightly the longer the agent stays in the job.

* Extra income is based on commission paid against the revenue agents bring in. Different levels of revenue are made from every product they sell, from very little (say a hotel transfer) to up to 50% revenue for travel insurance. ‘Preferred products’ such as tours or flights will have higher levels of revenue.

* Of this total revenue, agents are paid a monthly percentage, usually on a sliding scale (the more the agents bring in the higher the percentage they get). This pay scale will depend on the agency and some are more generous than others. Without this commission the base amount is barely enough to live on (we are talking burger flipping rates).

* There is massive pressure on agents to hit monthly revenue targets (aside from actually making a living), and thus the job has a very high turnover rate (1-2 years is a fair stint as a travel agent or even store manager).

* But what about the perks? Agents fly all the time right? In short there is no particular savings on flights at present. Some agencies are better than others but the perks of the job are almost non-existent compared to how it used to be. Agents are not always travelling and when they do it’s not as cheap as people think. For that you need a job, or your dad or mum needs a job, with Qantas.

* Some companies overseas pay differently so the focus is on customer service rather than sales. We are not so lucky.

The fact that the job is commission based seems to be missed by many customers who think agents are free to give advice all day as that’s what they get paid for. The reality is that they make very little unless they actually sell you something; it’s a sales job pure and simple.

This pressure on agents can lead to some very dubious practice.

So what could be loosely defined as a situation where somebody is being ripped off? There’s a big difference between paying extra for the agents time and them overcharging you by hundreds, or even thousands, on your holiday.

Standard booking fees at most agencies are $50.00 – $100.00, depending on the product being sold (less for domestic travel). These fees can be waived at some agencies rather than losing a sale if you are price matching or bargaining hard with the agent.

These fees are not a huge price to pay for what might be hours of the agents time (and remember the agent only gets a small percentage of that fee – most goes to the agency), but if you are paying any more than the standard fees, you are paying too much.

The most likely chance you have of being ripped off is if you have failed to shop around, and get caught up in the agent’s enthusiastic sales tactics (always beware the most upbeat and enthusiastic agent).

Agents will size up how much you know about your destination, the current price of flights and accommodation before quoting you a price. If you tell the agent “it’s my first time away” your chances of paying way too much increase dramatically.

Travelling to an out of the way destination might fall into this category as well, or when navigating the maze of round the world tickets. While it’s easy enough to book RTW trips on the net many people still stick with an agent, and leave themselves vulnerable to overcharging in the process.

Also, and unfortunately so, times of grief or any urgent need to get yourself on a flight are also seen by many agents as a time to cash in on vulnerable customers.

In terms of flights, agents will usually have minimum or net rates that they are free to add whatever extra they can get away with. This is where you can be overcharged if you haven’t shopped around. There is only a minimum, not a standard or maximum price for flights.

Consider as well that some agents are better than others at finding cheap flights. A high quote might just be a lack of knowledge of the destination/airlines. Many agents will have spent less than a year in the job and it can take time to learn how to get the better deals for customers, especially on out of the way routes. Another reason to check online first.

Yet another area in which to be careful is with refunds. It is not uncommon for some angents to overcharge you to cancel flights or tours. This can be done simply by the agent changing the terms of the agreement between you and the agency when you first pay a deposit or in full (as you have no direct contact with the airline). So what might have been a $350.00 cancellation fee on flights can be easily be turned into a non refundable ticket without the knowledge of the airline or tour company. Importantly this is not a standard practice (some agancies have measures in place to stop this) but it does happen. Be really careful and check elsewhere before you commit to a non refundable airfare!

The second and perhaps most dodgy aspect of travel agency practice is the pushing of preferred products onto customers.

This is not technically a rip off, but if you’re after unbiased product advice steer clear of most travel agents. The major agencies will have certain tour companies and even airlines from which they will get higher commissions (which can be double that of other tour companies they might sell).

So you’re booking a tour in South America and want some advice on a tour company? Chances are you will be pushed into using the agencies preferred supplier as they make more money out of you that way. As yet there is no legal requirement for agencies to declare this conflict of interest. Just look around the shelves of the major agencies and it will be clear from the uniform brochures who their preferred suppliers are.

This is not to say these companies are not a decent choice, just be aware any advice is not without considerable bias. You need to make sure the tour company suits your needs and don’t rely solely on an agent’s advice on this (contact the company direct if you have any queries).

This conflict of interest can be applied to many products they sell. The major agencies will have preferred hotels and car hire companies. For almost every product travel agent dirty tricks, travel agent rip offs, travel advice, travel tips there will be a preference they give you that makes them more money. Agents will themselves often have little goals in mind when selling you a holiday.

There are always incentives from different travel companies for agents to sell their product. The incentive might be ‘sell five tours get one free’ or something similar. This is another reason agents can give you highly biased advice.

Smaller more independent agencies are more likely to give you unbiased advice as they may not have the same deals with tour operators as the major players.

If you are unsure about the charges attached to any products, simply ask what exactly you are being charged for as agents should disclose any booking fees involved (sometimes these fees can be hidden). If you are suspicious don’t fall for any pressure tactics, just walk away and check another agency or online before you book (there’s always another agency close enough).

So the bottom line really is just to make yourself as aware as possible of current pricing before you see an agent. You can still get great deals through a good agent (booking online is not always cheaper) and there is no need to be ripped off if you are savvy about your planning. Advice from a good agent on your destination can be invaluable, just take product advice with a grain of salt.

I left the job in part due to the pressure to overcharge and BS on which company customers should travel with. Most people get into the job because they love to travel, but may end up finding, like I did, that the job is not worth the stress.

All it takes is a little bit of research. This could be your first step to avoid sending your application or resume off into an unorganized stack of others that most likely, will never get looked at. Below are some of the everyday mistakes people make when trying to find travel agency jobs.

1. Forgetting to do the proper research:

You can’t just walk into an interview at a travel agency and have no idea what the company’s focus is. Do they specialize in cruises? Do they devote themselves to making travel arrangements for a specific demographic? These are things people tend to disregard. Big mistake!

2. By proper, I mean thorough!:

If you don’t look as far into an agency as possible, this could lead to much regret in the long run. Detailed research is a must when hunting for travel agency jobs. What if the travel agency you start working for turns out to have a terrible reputation? For example, the company offers travel packages that claim to be the best deal when really, they are not.

3. Door to door searching:

When people are desperately trying looking, they visit as many agencies as possible, hence the name “door to door.” They fill out as many applications as they can, attaching resumes to each. This strategy is a weak one for travel agency jobs because you won’t always get to speak with the employer. Your application goes to someone else, who forgets to give it to the hiring manager.

4. Lacking experience:

Aspiring travel agents make the error of relying completely on their education. Don’t get me wrong, proper education in this field is more than useful, but hands-on experience is also quite valuable. Get out there and travel yourself. A travel agent cannot gain the trust of a client without visiting different locations of the world or trying out several methods of travel. Experience is key!

5. Seeking an employer (What about working for yourself??):

Working for someone else’s travel agency can be great, but you should never overlook the possibility of starting your own!

Consider these common mistakes to help you avoid making them yourself.

When we think of travel agent work, the first thing we think of is exploring the world. Most people love to travel and experience new things. The biggest perk of being an online travel agent is to be able to travel at a discounted price. I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend a week at a tropical island or go on a cruise for a fraction of the price? This alone is one of the biggest reasons why people are interested in becoming an online travel agent.

Jobs are scarce in this economy. The chances of you finding a travel agent job is pretty slim. Even if you were able to get one, would you be able to work from home right away? Probably not. The online home jobs that I have found, you need years of experience first, before you can even apply. This limits the chances of so many people getting the job that they believe would enjoy and prosper.

People are so busy. If they could only eliminate the commute to their jobs, that would save them so much time and money. Imagine being able to spend that time with your family instead of being stuck on a highway. Just having that extra hour per day can be helpful. Gas prices are at a all time high. People spend more money on gas then their car payment. That to me is crazy! Working from home just has just too many benefits to name. This is why more and more people have the desire to work from home.

When changing careers, you always run into the potential of a pay cut. If you are currently working right now, you may have to take a pay cut if you were able to get a job in travel. Some people can’t afford to do this. If you could find a company that would allow you to determine your income, would more you be willing to make a career change and be happy doing so? I know I would!

Many people get involved in opportunities and the don’t focus on the most important thing, training. No matter what profession you are in or opportunity you get involved in, without proper training and education, you would not be successful. So, when you are looking for travel opportunities, you must ensure that you will receive top training and support. Without this, you may feel like you are left in the dark.

If you plan to become a travel agent or want to learn how to start a travel agency from home, you’d be glad to know that there are plenty of agencies that offer certifications, trainings, and the chance to own your very own travel agency.

A travel agent’s job functions may vary from assisting with booking/selling reservations to referring people to travel booking sites, where an agent receives commission.

Here are some tips to help you become a successful travel agent.

Research Travel Institutions and Education

The minimum educational requirement for individuals who want to become a travel agent is a high school diploma. Computerization and technology have increased training needs and most employers prefer applicants with a higher level of education such as a post-secondary vocational award.

There are vocational schools that offer full time travel agent programs as well as weekend and evening programs. These programs are also offered in community colleges and universities.

There are colleges that also offer a bachelor’s or master’s degree in tourism and travel. Although there are only a few courses that directly relate to travel and tourism, college degrees with background in world history, foreign language, communication and geography are often preferred by employers.

The American Society of Travel Agents features a correspondence course that teaches the basics of travel industry. While most travel agencies offer on the job training programs for their employees, there are also many reputable websites that give free detailed information and offer travel agent study course on how to start a travel agency business from home.

Be a Certified Travel Agent

Certifications will enhance your reputation as an agent and will show clients that you have met the professional standards set by an institution in the industry. The travel industry features several certifying organizations that are widely recognized today.

Experienced travel agents can take advantage of study courses from the Travel Institute that leads to a Certified Travel Counselor professional designation. The Travel Institute also features sales/marketing enhancement programs and destination specialist programs that provide a detailed knowledge of regions like:

•Western Europe

•The Caribbean

•North America

•The Pacific Rim

Cruise Lines International Association or CLIA offers various certification programs that are recognized and respected in the travel industry.

Get a Travel Agent Job

Find a job with an agency or partner with an agency to help you run your own travel counseling business. Try to work with an established agency.

There are also travel agencies that allow you to work from home. Find a host agency that will help you in establishing your own travel agency. A host agency will show you how to start a travel agency from home, provide services, back office support, travel suppliers, marketing support and access to reservation portals.

Become a Registered Travel Seller in Your State

There are states that require registration. This type of regulatory requirement helps protect consumers and ensures that agencies are legal. Don’t forget to check with government offices for local regulations.

Become a Part of Organizations

Joining organizations is a great way to stay up-to-date on trends and news in the travel industry. These societies also offer continuing education and updates to their members. If you expect to be booking online airline tickets, become a member of the International Air Transport Association or IATA.

Travel is a big dream for many people and with good reason. While many of us live in places which are enjoyable and beautiful in their own way it is often exciting to get out and experience new places and cultures. One of the top reasons people want more freedom of time and finances is so they can realize some of their dreams of international travel.

Pairing that love of travel with an unemployment situation seems out of places however for anyone interested in traveling and in landing a new job it makes sense in the context of looking for work as a travel agent.

While a job as a travel agent doesn’t necessarily mean you will get to immediately realize your lifelong travel goals, getting a job in the travel industry would be allowing you to find work that is possibly more fulfilling than working at McDonald’s (one of the top drivers of any recent modest employment gains). If you have been able to do some travel in the past working as a travel agent could give you the chance to fill new travelers in on what to expect and calm an fears they have about visiting new places.

To get started in your job hunt for travel agent positions you may want to research typical travel agent salary levels and who the best agencies are to work for. There is a lot of interest in home based travel agent work which would be quite a nice employment gig to land however if you are more willing than others to be flexible it may give you an advantage in your job search. If everyone else wants to work from home maybe you can be the candidate willing to go against the current grain of expectation.

If you have previous travel experience you can check into how that might help you in your new place of employment and pitch that as a benefit on your resume or in interviews. Also depending on what your formal education has been there may be qualifications that you already have which will tend to help you in the travel and tourism industry. A degree in mechanical engineering might not help much but language experience or something similar might be a big advantage. You may also want to check into whether you would be a better fit in the leisure travel industry or in corporate travel. Naturally leisure travel would deal more with vacationers while business travel would tend towards reservations of hotels, conference rooms and flights for other employees of your company or a client organization.

A chiropractor is defined as a health care device with a professional touch for the diagnosis and intensive treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Their emphasis is on neuromuscular disorders, especially spine.

Most of the chiropractors are used as a pain reliever for the patients. That is why it has been given the title of being an alternative medicine to the subjected treatment.

Chiropractors firmly and honestly believe in the kind of relationship that developed between our nervous system and spine, this does not come as a surprise as we have already mentioned that the major area of focus for the chiropractor is the spine.

Here is the listing of few of the benefits received from Chiropractic health care

1. A great boost for stress reliever

It is a well known fact that too much of stress will always result in a bad outcome. Neither is it good for health nor is it good for our well being. When our nervous system moves out a bit from the track and our skeletal system seems to have shaken off from their proper position, there are very high possibilities that your entire body will feel out of balance as well. This is what will lead to stress in your entire functioning of the body. Here is when the functioning of a Chiropractor comes into use. It helps in balancing that stress and your body is immediately made to come back to its normal balance. Once you are made to adjust to this functioning you will feel much more equipped to manage this stress if it happens to arise again.

2. Posture perfection by Chiropractor usage

By using this chiropractor over a considerable period of time, these chiropractor adjustments can help in the alignments of the spine and brings a noticeable change in your posture. This is distinctly helpful when it comes to aligning the curve on your neck. As soon as you get into your working in an office phase, you have to spend hours after hours in front of a computer. Due to this from a very young age, people are seen to be having neck issues. If you continue a regular and dutifully maintained use of the chiropractor, you can improve your body posture in no time.

3. Moods are taken care of automatically

When with time your body gets adjusted with the working procedure of the chiropractor, your entire body gets balanced. The entire chemistry of the body is brought back on track. A lot of people who have not had the best of luck in chemical balance gain a lot from the chiropractic care. Depression which is a very serious mental condition also sees an immense improvement in the moods of the sufferer. So you see how a chiropractor is creating wonders in your mood related cases as well which are in a way related to the functioning of your entire body.

Thus we provide you with a gist of all that you can mainly expect from the usage of a chiropractor. It is efficient and it is useful and it is interlinked with many a thing’s improvement.

Calamine lotion has been around for a long time and was always used in the medical environment. Obviously, it isn’t as strong as most antiseptic chemicals but it is a lotion that prevents itching.

Calamine lotion can be used for various treatments which include damaged and itchy skin. When skin gets damaged it will get itchy because the cells are breaking and tearing apart. It may sound painful but the itch is what really gets to you. And who can resist scratching an itch?

Coming into contact with poisonous plants is common when camping or spending the day in a garden. These are plants that use poison as a self defence mechanism to save themselves from being cut or eaten. It’s also important to know your allergies as some people may have allergic reactions to certain plants. The calamine lotion can help to soothe the burning feeling and prevents any breakouts at the same time. This will help heal the rash and infection quicker in a painless way.

Baby skin is very sensitive to most surfaces including their nappies. The calamine lotion can help to heal the nappy rash or anything of the sort without burning your child’s skin. Keeping the rash as soothed as possible will make your child more comfortable.

Insect bites are common in any area of the world. These bites could also be slightly poisonous (in certain cases) which causes itching and inflation on the skin. Applying calamine lotion to the bite will soothe the wound and assist with the process of ridding the body of the harmless poison. Please remember that certain insects can also be dangerously poisonous and you should be aware of which insects and spiders can harm you greatly. Most insects that have many bright colours are often associated with high toxic levels.

Calamine lotion also assists with stretch marks and broken skin that occurs during pregnancy. There is nothing worse than having discomfort during pregnancy especially if it could be treated or prevented. Adding calamine lotion to your broken and itchy skin relieves the surface of the discomfort.

You can also apply it to other skin problems such as acne, dryness, eczema, psoriasis and as a normal moisturiser to improve complexion and quality of skin.

Calamine lotion can be found in most stores or in bulk quantities at cash and carry wholesale stores. If skin problems continue after the use of any treatments, there is a chance that your body is unable to cure itself of the infection. In such cases you would need to consult a dermatologist to find out the cause of the problem.

There is nothing quite like being able to hit the road and experience a level of freedom in your own vehicle. While your car can offer you a chance to escape from the monotonous routine of your daily life, it is also important to keep basic maintenance in the forefront of your mind. When something goes wrong with your ride, it can lead to some serious financial problems and general frustration. In fact, you might discover that some aspects of maintenance are less obvious than others. This is especially true of areas like windshield glare.

When you are driving on a particularly sunny day, you might not be able to see the road in front of you. The sun can be harsh and unforgiving, and this can have a huge impact on your ability to see clearly while you’re driving. Instead of chalking this up to the way that it is, you might want to take action and discover the right solutions with Crystal Fusion Technologies. Explore the different ways to improve your driving experience and learn how to stay safe while you’re behind the wheel.

A Frustrating Glare

Sunlight on the windshield can be a serious threat. A sunny day is perfect for going to the beach, having a lazy picnic in the park, or simply soaking up some rays. Unfortunately, the sun is also incredibly bright at certain times during the year. When light bounces off or gets filtered through the glass on your windshield, it creates an obstruction that cannot be easily remedied. While you might try and put on some shades, you’ll discover that this solution only gets you so far. A real remedy is in order for a lasting fix.

Companies like Crystal Fusion Technologies have put a lot of time and energy into crafting solutions that aim to improve this situation. Cutting the glare on your windshield is not an easy task and you need to make sure that you are taking the right steps to see improved results. With the assistance of the best products on the market, you can use cutting edge technology to divert the rays of the sun in a way that does not upset your driving in the slightest. Research your options to discover the perfect fit.

Driving On

Staying safe while on the road is important for many reasons. People tend to go through routine maintenance for their vehicles to ensure that no unforeseen issues arise while behind the wheel. This usually takes care of areas like oil changes, tire rotations, and other important areas. Still, maintenance neglects issues that are inherent by design. Windshield glare cannot be fixed with regular maintenance. You need to go above and beyond to protect yourself when you’re on the road so be sure to look over your options.

There are many ways to protect yourself when you’re out driving in your car. When you are paying attention to all angles of your experience, it can be a lot easier for you to spot a problem in advance. Learn about how products by Crystal Fusion Technologies might be able to improve your experience by using windshield protective coating regards to windshield glare. Explore your options and you can find the best solution for your troubles.

The ancient practice of meditation is gaining popularity again in modern times. As this practice goes main stream, more and more people are enjoying its benefits. Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhyana’ meditation means attention and contemplation. It is a practice to help focusing the attention away from everything to achieve a relaxed state of peace and balance. This practice is designed to promote relaxation, develop love, patience and compassion and build internal energy to overcome stressful situations.

One of the reasons for growing popularity of meditation is the scientific research proving its amazing range of benefits and healing properties. It helps a person increase his focus, eliminate negative thoughts and anxiety. Here are some of the popular health benefits of meditation:

- Reduces Stress – Stress is the most common problem of people in present times. Meditation induces a state of relaxation which is helpful in reducing stress and anxiety levels. It restores the emotional balance which will help in enhancing self-esteem, increase awareness and optimism.

- Deals with Chronic Pain – Meditation helps in reducing pain of patients suffering from chronic pain.

- Improves Sleep – It helps in improving sleep quality and cures the symptoms of amnesia.

- Improves Immunity – When the body is relaxed and stress free, the immune system is able to prepare itself to fight against various diseases.

- Provides relief from Blood Pressure and Heart Ailments – Simple daily practice of meditation can help in lowering blood pressure which will reduce the risk of hypertension. Over the time, the heart rate can also be lowered, improving the cardiovascular system. Research has proved that it has helped in managing heart diseases in many patients.

- Improves Concentration – It helps in increasing the strength and focus of your attention. It can help you think better and generate more new ideas.

- Generates Compassion – It can help to increase positive feelings and actions towards others. By practicing meditation, people learn to extend kindness and develop forgiveness.

- Helps in Fighting Addictions – The discipline developed through meditation helps in increasing self control, awareness and breaking dependencies. Research has shown that it helps people in redirecting attention, increase willpower and control impulses. It helps in developing discipline to avoid triggers for unwanted things and fight and recover from addiction.

The importance of meditation can be felt never like before in present times. With routines getting busier and more and more stressful, meditation is a good driving force that can help people cope up with the intricacies of modern lifestyle.

Removing unwanted hair is time-consuming and repetitive no matter what your preferred hair removal technique is, and whether you shave, pluck, wax, thread or use depilatory creams, the hair will always grow back. You’ll find the skin on your face is sensitive, and constantly using harsh hair removal treatments can cause a great deal of skin irritation.

All women have hair on the face, usually it’s fair and fine and is difficult to see, but those with darker hair are not so lucky. You will find that most of your female friends have the same issues when it comes to unwanted facial hair. The hair on the upper lip, chin, cheeks and sideburns can all be very embarrassing and cause you a great deal of insecurity. It seems that every time you think you’ve disposed of unwanted hair, you’ll find more of it sprouting up somewhere else, and even after you get rid of the hairs, they just grow back.

You can cover up your excess hair in areas that aren’t constantly exposed, but the hair on your face is always on display, and it can seem as though everyone is always looking at the hairs on your upper lip, chin or sideburns. A good way to get rid of unwanted hair is with laser hair removal.

Benefits of laser hair removal:

It permanently reduces hair safely
It’s a fast treatment time
The results will boost your self-confidence
Prevents razor bumps and irritation
Laser treatment causes only minimal discomfort
Laser energy gets absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle, and this laser energy is then converted to heat, causing thermal damage to the follicle without harming the surrounding skin. This results in hair growth being stopped in the damaged follicle.
Generally for white skin you’ll need around 6 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, and this usually results in 80% of hair removal. Darker or black skin may need around 8 treatments, resulting again in 80% of hair removed.

Most clients experience minimal discomfort; some may experience a minor stinging or pinching sensation on the skin as we deliver the laser pulses, but we can offer topical anaesthetic cream to make treatments more comfortable.

Although we can perform laser hair removal treatment on white or black skin, lasers only work on hair which has pigment, because it absorbs the laser light and allows the heat to build up and diffuse throughout the follicle to destroy it. Therefore it’s not possible to treat white, grey, and blond hair by laser.

If you need help choosing a cosmetic procedure, we provide an extensive range of cosmetic procedures for the face and body: Botox, Vaser Lipo, Lip Augmentation, Dermal Fillers and many more treatments, to help create a younger, slimmer, more youthful looking you!

The Selston Cosmetic Clinic is located in Selston, Nottingham, where we offer a bespoke service with a personalised touch and deliver high client satisfaction. We have been involved in the cosmetic industry for over 10 years