Occupation Summary

Travel Agents

O*NET 41-3041.00

Description:

Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients' travel problems.

Annual Wages:
$53,311.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 12.20%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
  2. Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
  3. Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
  4. Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
  5. Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
  6. Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.
  7. Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
  8. Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.

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National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Travel Agents employed Annual Growth Rate
Travel arrangement and reservation services 62.1 0.15
Deep sea, coastal, and great lakes water transportation 3.1 0.49


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $25.63
2024 National average hourly wage $25.33
2022 National employment 66,300
2022 Texas employment 3,690
Texas projected employment by 2032 4,140
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 531




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
85.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
79.40%
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
77.60%
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
68.60%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
67.20%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
63.40%
Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
63.40%
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
61.80%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
57.80%
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
57.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
82.40%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
82.40%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
75.00%
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
72.40%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
67.60%
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
62.40%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
62.40%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
62.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
82.40%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
77.60%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
77.60%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
70.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
65.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
62.40%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
62.40%


  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
    -- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    -- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.



Tools

Inkjet printers: Computer inkjet printers;

Laser fax machine: Laser facsimile machines;

Laser printers: Computer laser printers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Photocopiers: Copy machines;

Point of sale payment terminal: Card readers;

Printer calculator: Printing calculators;

Public address systems: Public address systems;

Special purpose telephones: Multiline telephone systems;

Ticket dispensing machines: Ticket printing machines;


Technology

Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks;

Business intelligence and data analysis software: DataSwell; Illusions Online Illusions OnDemand;

Calendar and scheduling software: IMS Travel Agent Reservation Software System; Globekey Agentkey; Rezdy booking software; Rezgo online booking software; Apollo Reservation System;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Colibripms Software Colibri; MGHworld Travel Agents; SAP Concur; Sabre Airline Solutions SabreSonic Customer Sales & Service;

Data base user interface and query software: Orbitz Worldwide Orbitz for Agents; TourCMS; TourWriter; Travel Agent CMS; TravelCarma; Travii reservation system software; Microsoft Access; Galor Travel Booster; Global distribution system GDS software; Rezopia;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Sabre Central Command;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Video conferencing software: Zoom;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Travel Agents include:
  • 39-6012.00 Concierges
  • 41-2021.00 Counter and Rental Clerks
  • 43-4051.00 Customer Service Representatives
  • 43-4171.00 Receptionists and Information Clerks
  • 43-4181.00 Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
  • 41-2031.00 Retail Salespersons
  • 41-3091.00 Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
  • 41-9041.00 Telemarketers
  • 39-7011.00 Tour Guides and Escorts
  • 39-7012.00 Travel Guides


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about training opportunities and optional certificates, visit: American Society of Travel Agents
  • Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
  • The Travel Institute
  • Travel Agents

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.