Becoming a Certified Travel Agent
- 1). Get your high school diploma. Most travel agencies require, at the minimum, a high school diploma to get your foot in the door. If you didn't finish high school, earn an equivalency diploma by passing General Educational Development (GED) tests.
- 2). Earn an associate's or bachelor's degree. Though this is not a requirement, it will make you more competitive when applying for jobs, and you will have access to career centers and résumé help. It is becoming more popular for agencies to require college degrees. Many universities and community colleges have programs specifically related to travel, tourism and hospitality. Business degrees may also serve a travel agent well.
- 3). Apply for jobs working with a travel agency. Before you can become a CTC, you must have at least five years of full-time experience in the field.
- 4). Travel. If you're going to advise people, you will be more knowledgeable if you've done plenty of traveling yourself. Learn the ins and outs of how airports, trains and other mass transit options work. If there are particular destinations are that are especially popular, visit them so you can provide accurate, insider advice.
- 5). Complete the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program. The program requires up to 12 courses. Some of the courses include Customer Service, Interpersonal Communication, Professionalism at Work, Understanding Customer Needs and Touring the World. You can complete the courses on your own and take quizzes online, or you can attend a Professional Institute to take the courses.
- 6). Take your CTC exam after you finish the CTA program. The exam includes a test and a 2,000- to 3,000-word report. If you pass the exam, you become a CTC.
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