The role of a travel agent is to manage the travel requirements made by a holiday or business traveller. Some of the main duties for a person in this position include organising flights, transport and accommodation for a trip, finding cheap itineraries, and securing customer satisfaction for future services.
There are several types of travel agents. Some specialise in destinations, while others in the type of travel required, such as family-holiday or business travel. The most significant skills for candidates include outstanding people skills, an ability to operate telephones and IT software, collaborative teamwork skills, and sound knowledge of domestic and international travel trends
Normally, travel agents require a degree in some sort of relevant field, such as hospitality or tourism, and experience in sales and marketing would be a bonus. It is also necessary for applicants to have knowledge of hospitality software systems. Most travel agencies throughout the United Kingdom provide a base salary of about £18,000 to £23,000 per year.

• Communication and presentation
• Negotiation and networking
• Customer relations and service
• Being detailed oriented and observant
• Being efficient and dependable
• Multitasking and cultural relations
• Speaking on the telephone
• Geography, travel and tourism
• Teamwork and independent thinking
• Information technology and discretion

Many Travel Agents start out as Apprentices. They work and learn at the same time, while they earn. Some continue their education in colleges and universities studying courses like:
•    Travel and Tourism
•    Tourism Management
•    Business Travel
There are also courses offered by several institutions that grant Travel Agent certification courses. These include the Association of British Travel Agents' Certificate (ABTAC); City & Guilds, BTEC National Certificate, Scottish Group Awards (SGAs), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Guild of Travel Management Companies.