Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting 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 Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation 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.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Working Life

Travel consultants are sometimes referred to as Travel agents, or Travel sales executives.

As a Travel Consultant:

-You research, plan and book holidays for individuals, families and groups.

-Some travel consultants work in a high street Travel Agency and meet customers face-to-face

-Some work in a call centre and do their work either over the phone or email.

-You help customers figure out the type of holiday they would like within the budget they have

-You present different options to customer.

-You book the holiday package for them including flights, transfers and accommodation

-You arrange all documentation and booking confirmations.

A travel consultant is both a customer service and a sales role. You may have to reach certain sales targets each month.

-You provide detailed knowledge of the different holiday packages and advise on exciting activities and attractions, as well as essential information about visas, currencies and vaccinations.

-You may also do your best to sell add-ons, such as car rental or insurance.

-You deal with issues relating to holiday cancellations and may arrange refunds or handle complaints. Serious cases are typically referred to a senior manager.

If you work in a Travel agency for business travel, you deal directly with companies to arrange trips for Executives.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

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

Further Information

• Travel Agent- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Travel agent- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Qualification and routes into this career vary, but previous experiences in the travel industry, or in sales and customer service, are often required by employers.  If you can speak additional languages that will likely be an advantage.

Relevant subjects include: hospitality, business and management studies, marketing and public relations.

Experience of working in hospitality, but also personal experience of traveling may be beneficial. 

In public services and agencies, there are often opportunities to progress your career to more senior positions, such as management and director roles.

Depending on your background and expertise, you may also develop your career in a specific field, such as marketing or hospitality management. Build you skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications of the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Tourism Careers.

If you start your Travel Consultant career at entry level, there is plenty of scope to progress to more senior roles, such as a Team Leader, Supervisor or Manager. You could also set up your own travel agency and work independently.

You can consider other careers too, as your experiences from a Travel Consultant role will equip you with transferable skills. For example, you will have developed sales and customer service skills, as well as knowledge of the tourism and travel industry.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: travel, tourism, hospitality.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: travel, tourism, hospitality.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: culture, tourism, marketing, hospitality, heritage, business, management.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €45k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, role, Commssions basis, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ Payscale / Indeed/ Osborne/ Abrivia/ Azon/ Lincoln/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sports and leisure assistants; travel agents; air and rail travel assistants; holiday representatives, tour guides; Leisure and theme park attendants; Travel agency managers; proprietors Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment levels grew between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation, numbers employed remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small in the Labour Force Survey for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels.

Approximately a third of persons employed in this occupation work part-time, higher than the national average. The extent to which employment in these occupations will recover to their prepandemic levels is uncertain as affordability and attractiveness for air travel services in particular remains vulnerable to increased energy costs, and consumer demand and preferences given the green agenda and cost of living pressures.

• Irish Travel Agents Association

  • 01 417 9696
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here