Host Travel Agencies Step Up to Train Wave of Newcomers
Photo Credit: Travelport’s Claire Osborne (left) with Meon Valley Travel’s Kelly Doherty making the first New Distribution Capability booking at the agency’s offices in Leicester, UK, in October 2018. Training is key for new travel agents, as well as veterans. Travelport
Skift Take
A surge of newcomers are setting up shop as travel advisors — with some of them unprepared for the realities of the job. Host agencies and consortiums are ramping up efforts to give them the education they need.
While it wasn't that long ago that the travel industry was struggling to find new talent, recent times have seen a flood of newcomers seeking careers as travel advisors. With their memberships swelling as a result, host agencies and consortiums are playing an increasing role in providing professional development for the new entrants — some of whom have unrealistic expectations of what it means to be a travel advisor.
As they primarily serve independent travel advisors setting up their own home-based operations, host agencies are having to fill in the gaps once provided by brick-and-mortar agencies and travel schools. Training, which once focused primarily on products and destinations, now also hones in on business skills. Networking opportunities and mentorships are also part of the mix.
The Travel Institute, which has provided certification and training
