How To Become A Travel Manager: Career Guide, Courses, Jobs, Scope, Salary

What Does a Travel Manager Do

A Travel Manager is the person in charge of travel agencies. They manage the administrative duties, hiring, payroll, set targets, budgeting etc. A travel  Manager is a person expert in customer service and manages various client accounts at a time. They also overlook the end of the month and year reports to judge the progress of their team.

Most travel managers work on their own with their agencies. Others work for a chain of travel agencies or a small independent travel agency. They have in-depth knowledge of the best travel locations, hotels, resorts, tourist locations etc.

Additionally, they can also help create a custom made itinerary based on budgets and customer needs. Overall the Travel Manager makes sure the agency is running smoothly and generating sufficient profit.

Steps to Become a Travel Manager

Given below is a breakdown of all the steps one must take to start working as a Travel Manager.

• Step 1: First of all, aspirants must start by doing some research. Candidates should conduct extensive research about the industry, the job profile, pay scale and career graph. The work is tough and target based.
• Step 2: Candidates should look for diploma, bachelors or masters level courses as per their qualification. The entrance examinations held are national level, state level and also university level. 
• Step 3: Candidates may be required to attend an entrance exam or may be called for a personal interview as well. Candidates can apply to the colleges through online or offline modes.
• Step 4: Being active in the class is important to make a good impression among professors. Take advice, recommendations and help from professors whenever possible. Take part in classes, extracurriculars and more. 
• Step 5: All students at the masters level have to mandatorily complete an internship. Network and talk with seniors during internships. This is a job profile that requires a lot of networking and customer service skills. 
• Step 6: Placements drive to take place at the end of the final year for both bachelors and masters courses. Companies with open positions visit the campus and take interviews.

Types of Travel Managers

Travel Agencies are small independently run or a corporate chain that provides tours and travel services. They work with hotels or individually to bring the best packages and deals for customers. The role of a Travel Manager changes according to seniority. A description of all such roles is given below.

• Tour Operator: A Tour Operator is a person hired to design tour packages and itineraries for clients. They take care of the accommodation, travel, transport, local sightseeing, meals and more. The designed package is given to Travel Agents or a Travel  Manager to sell to clients. In India, a Tour Operator earns INR 3.10 LPA.
• Corporate Travel Manager: A Corporate Travel Manager manages travel and tours for corporations. The travel needs for large companies are vastly different to the travel plans for an individual. They could be hired to travel agencies or corporations. They set the travel policy and keep track of the travel expenses of all employees. The skills that a Corporate Travel Manager should possess are analytics, travel management skills, connections with travel agencies and service providers etc. They will make reservations, book tickets and more. Corporate Travel Managers are offered an average salary of INR 9.83 LPA.
• Regional Travel Manager: A Regional Manager is a person hired to manage a particular region. They design packages, make plans to promote tourism, take care of sales and more. The Regional Manager is the person to talk to about problems regarding a particular region. They generally have a team of Travel Agents, Tour Operators and other managers working under them. Their team is spread out over the entire region in different agencies providing services. In India, the average salary for a Regional Manager is INR 11.28 LPA.
• General Travel Manager: The General Manager of a Travel Agency is the person on top of the managerial line. They manage the entire company and make long term plans for the growth of the agency. They set goals and ensure that the entire company is contributing to the overall goal. The General Manager will also monitor reports and make adjustments to correct or make adjustments to the report. The General Manager reports to the owner of the agency. For a General Manager, the average salary in India, with no specifications of the candidate’s work experience is INR 22.48 LPA.

How to become a travel manager in India

To work as a Travel Manager, there is no need to pursue any specific stream. One must concentrate on boosting the aggregate score to get admission to the best universities. Details of school level preparation are as below.

School Level Preparation

• At the school level, one can pursue any stream for class 12. There is no specific stream that you will be required to take.
• Students must instead aim to boost their extracurriculars. Take part in the student union, debates, school event management, sports etc. These extracurriculars will help during admissions.
• Improve spoken and written communication skills. Strong communication skills will not only help during admissions but also in their career.
• Students must also research what courses they must do to become Travel Manager. They can also learn about what qualities a travel manager should have and develop them at the school level.

How to become a travel manager after 12th

Students can then go for higher education after they’ve finished the 12th. Admissions take place through merit and entrance tests. Some colleges include personal interviews and group discussions in the admissions process. 

UG Preparation

• Admission for bachelors level courses is done on both merit basis and through entrance examinations. Some accepted entrance exams for bachelors admissions are AIMA UGAT, SET, IPU CET, CUCET etc.
• Candidates with good marks and interpersonal skills are most coveted by employers.
• When doing their UG program, candidates should make sure they use the opportunity to network and make connections. 
• Candidates can find placements or internships during their time at college.
• Candidates should learn organisation skills and more to prepare themselves for their careers. 

PG Preparation

• Admissions to masters courses are strictly based on entrance examinations. Some national level entrance tests are CAT, XAT, SNAP, MAT etc. University level entrance tests one can take are BHU PET, JMI Entrance test etc.
• Candidates must gain all the experience and business tactics during their time of studying the master’s program.
• The PG level students can find better placements and get trained and make new connections through the placement cells or professors.
• Students must be aware of the recent industrial developments and train themselves accordingly.

Courses to Become a Travel Manager

BBA Tour and Travel Management

BBA in Tour and Travel Management is an undergraduate course, that has a duration of 3 years. The course deals with a mix of practical and theoretical knowledge of the Tourism and Travel industry. Students also get to learn about their experience in working in the field through internships. 

Admission Process

Admissions for BBA Tour and Travel Management is done on both merit basis and entrance tests. More admission rounds of personal interviews or group discussions take place if the college requires it.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have finished their class 12 from a recognized education board.
• The aggregate minimum score needed is 45% to 50%, depending on the caste.
• Also, there is no specification of the stream to be done at class 12.

Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management

Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management is a three-year-long undergraduate course in Tourism. Students get practical sessions to practice their learned skills before they start working in the field. The curriculum is multi-faceted. They learn not just about Marketing, Project Management, Financial Management to work in the said industry. For merit-based admissions, applicants need to submit only their class 12th aggregate score.

Admission Process

• Candidates must take the entrance tests and shortlist colleges for admission.
• Register and apply for admission.
• Attend a personal interview round and other admissions rounds.
• Take admission and pay the application fee.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must have completed their class 12th.
• The minimum aggregate score to have for successful admission is 50%.
• There is a requirement to pursue any specific stream. Students from all streams can apply.

Entrance Exam

The top entrance examinations institutes that ask for admission to BTM courses are CUCET, CMAT, IPU CET, LPUNEST etc.

MBA in Tourism and Hotel Management

MBA in Tourism and Hotel Management is a 2-year long postgraduate level course. Students learn about managerial practices in the field of Tourism. To be able to practice learned material, internships are a must for students. Graduated students can work in Travel Agencies, the Food industry, Hotels etc.

Admission Process

• To start the admissions to MBA Tourism and Hotel Management is preparing for a national or state level entrance test.
• Take the entrance test on the said date.
• Take stock of the results and start applying to colleges once cut-offs are released.
• Attend group discussions and personal interview rounds with other applicants.
• Take admission upon completing the admission process.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must possess a bachelor’ degree from a Government recognized educational institute.
• The specialisation for a bachelor’s degree must be in Commerce, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Science or any other specialisation.
• The minimum aggregate score to have at the bachelor’s level exams are 50% to 55%.

Entrance Exam 

Some of the accepted entrance examinations are CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, GMAT etc.

Master of Tourism and Travel Management

Master of Tourism and Travel Management is a postgraduate course that is 2-year long. The programme teaches and trains students in how the tourism and travel industry works. Students are trained extensively to be able to work in the field effectively. 

Admission Process

• Take note of entrance examinations and prepare for them. Take help with mock papers.
• Take the entrance test and aim to secure a high rank across the country.
• Apply for colleges after the cut-off list notifications are released.
• Attend the group discussion and/or the personal interview round.
• If the student meets the criteria of the college, take admission in college.

Eligibility Criteria

• The ideal candidate should have completed their undergraduate degree successfully.
• The minimum aggregate score to have is 50%.
• Applicants can be from any stream but preferably from Hotel Management or Tourism Management.
• Depending on the college, students awaiting results can also apply

How to become a travel manager Abroad

For students who wish to earn a degree in Hospitality and Tourism specialisation internationally, they can do so if they meet the minimum eligibility criteria. The top courses in the United Kingdom, USA, Canada and Australia are as below.

UK

• The UK accepts international students into bachelors, masters and also diploma courses in Tourism and Travel specialisation.
• The average course fee is between INR 13,15,212 to INR 19,65,082 annually.
• International students must submit standardized tests like GMAT and GRE. There are minimum test scores that applicants must meet to be admitted.
• Also, students must be fluent in English. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Cambridge English Test are accepted for the same.

Top Colleges

US

• Universities in the US require international students to compulsorily submit either a GMAT and/or GRE test scores.
• Also, English proficiency test scores to be submitted are TOEFL, IELTS, PTE etc.
• In the USA, one can get a full regular degree in Tourism and Travel concentration.
• The average course fees for courses in the USA are INR 22,391 per credit to INR 34,94,672 annually.
• International students have found jobs as Travel Agents, PR Manager, General Manager, Travel Manager etc.

Top Colleges

Canada

• Canada has the top-ranking colleges and universities that provide diplomas, bachelor and masters courses in Tourism and Hospitality Management specialisation.
• International students must meet the GPA requirement to be submitted.
• Among documents to be submitted, TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose etc must be submitted for international students.
• The average course fee for Canadian courses is INR 2,51,378 to INR 22,02,149.

Top Colleges

Australia

• Australian universities have certificates, diplomas, bachelors and also masters level courses in Tourism and Travel for international students.
• To be admitted in any course, international students must submit an English proficiency test score and standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT etc. Also, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose is needed.
• Some programs also have a minimum GPA requirement and work experience requirement too.
• The average course fee for courses in Australia ranges between INR 14,78,888 to INR 29,46,375. The fee is charged per credit business and also annually.
• International students can be employed as Tour Operations Manager, Travel Managers, Reservations Manager etc.

Top Colleges

Benefits of Becoming a Travel Manager

Stated below is what the benefits of a career as a Travel Manager are along with a brief description of the same.

• Perks and other benefits: Travel Managers get first-hand information about the latest offers and discounts. They use this information to sell travel packages to customers. Many hotels, airlines etc choose to contact travel agencies exclusively to sell their latest offering. They can use this information to benefit themselves and their companies. 
• Research trips: Research trips or also known as familiarization trips are taken to familiarize oneself with a certain property or country. These trips are offered by Government agencies to travel agencies. This is done to increase the promotion of tourism to customers through the travel agents. This is one aspect of a travel manager job responsibility that is fun. These trips are especially fun for people who enjoy travelling.
• Flexibility: Much of the work of a Travel Manager is done not confined to one spot. They have to travel to hotels and resorts for research or customer offices to up-sell products. Their job is quite mobile and flexible enough to fit into any lifestyle. This means there is more time to spend with family or look for ways to upscale the business.
• Entrepreneurship: Travel Managers after certain years of experience can go on to work on their own. Their expertise can help them to set up their travel agencies. They can exercise their knowledge to efficiently set up and run their agencies. Additionally, benefits would involve being one’s boss and better monthly pay.
• Networking: During the day to day work of a Travel Manager, they meet with a lot of people. They manage to build up a huge network of work associates and clients they can work with regularly. Having such a big network helps to know the latest travel spot, package, discounts and more. This network would also help with switching jobs if needed.
• No monotony: The work of a Travel Manager is never boring. There are exciting trips to be made, customers to interact with, conferences to network with fellow Travel Managers and more. Also, individuals can work on their own from any corner of the world, selling products and services. Furthermore, with time, one can set up their travel agencies and achieve full autonomy.
• Experience different cultures: Travelling to new places means interacting with new people and experiencing new cultures. With more travel, a human being’s mind is broadened and their curiosity to experience more increases.

Skills Required to Become a Travel Manager

For all job roles, some skills are needed to work efficiently. These skills can be in terms of technical skills and also personality skills. In cases of lack, these skills can be picked up through online dedicated courses. The table below top skills to work as a Travel Manager.

Salary of a Travel Manager in India

The salary of a Travel Manager has several influencing factors. There is the skillset of the candidate, prior work experience and also the organization one is applying to. On average the salary ranges from INR 1.50 to 6 LPA. Details of all salaries for a Travel Manager are as below.

Specialisation Wise

Gender Wise Salary

Experience Wise