Travel agency manager

Travel agency managers are responsible for the smooth running of their agency. They use various marketing strategies to attract custom and make a profit. They also co-ordinate the work of staff and organise training programmes.

Work activities

Travel agency managers are responsible for the smooth running of their shop. They make sure that the agency makes a profit by selling holiday packages on behalf of tour operators, who pay them a commission for each sale. In a large travel agency, there are likely to be different sections dealing with holiday travel, currency exchange and business travel. The manager co-ordinates the work of staff in each section. Managers are usually involved in the recruitment and selection of new employees. They also run training programmes to make sure that all staff have a wide range of knowledge and experience. Although clerical staff deal with most public enquiries, managers may give advice to new clients, especially if they want to organise more complex trips, such as group holidays. Managers also deal with any problems that arise, such as unhappy customers. Managers must reach sales targets set by their head office, and compile accounts and sales figures.

Personal qualities and skills

As a travel agency manager, you need:

• Excellent communication and people skills, for liaising with both staff and customers.
• Organisational skills for co-ordinating various aspects of the work and for making sure that the office is productive.
• A confident approach.
• Leadership and motivation skills.
• The ability to work towards meeting sales and profitability targets.

It is useful if you can speak a foreign language.

Pay and opportunities

Travel agency managers earn in the range of £20,000 per year. Senior management positions can attract a salary in advance of £40,000. Commission and/or profit-related bonuses may add to a travel agency manager’s salary.

Travel agency managers usually work 43-45 hours per week, and are often required to work on Saturdays. Longer hours may be required at busy times.

Opportunities for travel agency managers occur in towns and cities throughout the UK. Employers are high street travel agencies. Some are small independent firms, while others are part of a large chain.

What’s happening in this work area?

High Street travel agencies must be very competitive on price as there is very stiff competition from online retailers.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on job boards, on employers’ websites, on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services. Travel agency managers are often drawn from agency staff members, who have completed in-company training schemes.

Entry routes and training

In most cases, travel agency managers are recruited from staff who have completed in-company training schemes and/or gained the relevant travel and tourism services work-based qualifications. A level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of travel consultant is a good place to start.

A few travel agencies run management trainee schemes. Those with a degree, foundation degree or higher national diploma (HND) in a travel- and tourism-related subject, business studies or marketing are likely to be at an advantage.

Progression is possible to posts such as area manager or management positions at a travel company’s head office.

Qualifications

It is usual to work up to management positions after experience as a clerk and/or gaining relevant work-based qualifications. However, there are some opportunities for those with A-levels, an HND or degree, to enter as a management trainee. To undertake an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although if you don’t hold these you may be able to study towards them alongside your apprenticeship.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many managers have previously worked as travel agency clerks/consultants. Employers prefer entrants with relevant skills and abilities gained, for example, in retail sales and customer care work.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g., Access to Business) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

A range of colleges and universities offer courses and degrees in travel and tourism including at postgraduate level. Always check a specialist source for up-to-date information about courses and entry requirements. You can check directly with an institution to ensure that the course content suits your interests and requirements.

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