Travel Consultants are responsible for coordinating and booking travel arrangements for individuals, groups, and businesses. Persons having the knowledge of travelling related activities can become a Corporate Travel Consultant or Agent.
Many Universities offer travelling colleges in India such as IHM Kolkata, IGNOU, Mumbai University, Banaras Hindu University and Garware Institute of Career Education and Development which offers the travelling course under a fee structure of 6 Lakhs.
They can apply for work in any travelling agency such as YATRA and MAKEMYTRIP. However, the rate of travelling consultants is declining every year but it would increase due to their amount of sales. Excellent planning and passion for travelling would help to become a Travel Agent easily.
- How to become a Corporate Travelling Consultant Quick Facts
- What does a Corporate Travelling Consultant Do?
- Steps to Follow
- Types of a Corporate Travelling Consultant
4.1 In-House Travel Management Agents
4.2 External Corporate Travel Management Agents
5.2 Graduation Level Preparation
6.1 Diploma in Travel and Tourism
6.2 BTTM (Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management)
6.3 Foundation in Travel and Tourism Diploma Course
7.1 UK
7.2 USA
7.3 Canada
7.4 Australia
- Benefits of Career as Corporate Travelling Consultant
- Skills Required for Corporate Travelling Consultant
- Salary of a Corporate Travelling Consultant in India
10.2 Specialization Wise Salary
10.3 Experience Wise
Quick Facts for a Corporate Travelling Consultant
| Industry | Corporate Travelling Agency |
| Eligibility | They need a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent coursework in Travelling |
| Average Starting Salary | Average Starting salary is $4000 per year. |
| Job Opportunity | Travel agencies, tourism companies, IT companies, schools and colleges, hotels and restaurants. |
What does a corporate Travelling Agent Do?
- Corporate travel agents have to arrange business trips and events for companies and others. They have to take care of the entire planning and arranging for travel. Booking for accommodation and flights to airport transfers and car rentals are included in the working of a corporate travelling consultant.
- As the company size increases, working as a travelling consultant also increases. They should also have the knowledge of communication, managing time and increasing cost savings. As more employees travel, taking more business trips with more complex itineraries, costs and confusion mount along with the workload.
- Travel can also become a burden instead of a business asset, especially if corporate travel management is up to an already-busy administrative assistant. These Agents would serve the company as an expert to perform various tasks.
- They have to handle and develop travelling policy along with monitoring compliance. They also facilitate online bookings on various websites.
- They have a responsibility of forecasting travel, expense needs and budget. They are available anytime so that they can ensure proper facilities to their customers.
- They also negotiate favourable rates with preferred airlines, hotels and managing contracts.
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Any size company that wants to make travel and expense spending more efficient and effective can benefit from hiring a business travel agency or internal corporate travel specialists. It takes a lot of time for a travelling agent to book a trip.
Steps to Follow
There are 5 steps to follow to become a successful Corporate Travel Consultant. These steps are written below in detail.
Decision Making
Candidates should start making decisions about taking Travelling as a career from UG Course. But, before this, they should have subjects like Geography, English, Computer and History in their 12th class. They have to take proper education in Commerce or Arts stream to take it as their career. They have to decide prior to the starting of their career. They have to decide which course to choose. They have to think properly about their college so that they can study well for their career.
Subject Choices
Major subjects such as English, Communication, Geography, History, Computer, Education and Foreign Language can be chosen by the candidate. They can pursue GDS Training Programs in which they can get many skills for Travelling and Tourism. In this type of training, they can learn more about travelling and would also get travelling experience for their further career.
Entrance Exam Preparation
Entrance Exams are different for different levels of study for Travel and Tourism. There are various Entrance Exams such as DET for Diploma Courses, CAT/MAT/XAT for MBA Courses and IELTS for BTTM Courses. There are many other courses in the Travelling field for which many other Entrance Exams are to be qualified. Many Universities take those students who qualify the Entrance Test of that particular University or Institute. They should have proper reading material and knowledge so that they can crack their Entrance Exams.
Selecting Correct Colleges
The Selection of college is a must. Candidates should see whether they are going into a good University/Institute or not. Making good relationships with the teachers would be beneficial for them which could help them in future. Many Universities such as ITM, MCC and GD Goenka University offer courses in Travel and Tourism. After checking their placements and scholarships, candidates can see whether the university is good for them or not.
After Qualifying Exam
The candidates can apply for the course in the field of Travelling after qualifying the exam. Course would be a Diploma, Bachelor’s/ or Master’s Degree. Duration for these courses is different. They have to do a continuous education so that they can make a successful career.
Types of a Corporate Travelling Consultant
Corporate Travelling Consultants are of various types. Some of them are discussed below.
On the basis of profession
There are mainly two types of Corporate Travelling Consultant in the country for which some details are given below:
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In-House Travel Management Agents
These Agents are hired for booking trips and making changes to travelling places and routes. Biggest Advantage of hiring these types of agents is that they would suggest you a better trip at the cheapest rate. A Home-based travel management agent would make a solid earnings of $105000 per year. These Agents are not experts in their field and would not give fruitful results which is a big Disadvantage of these agents. These Agents would not give 24*7 services to their customers as compared to other types of travel consultants.
-
External Corporate Travel Management Agents
These agents are different from in-house travel agents as they are paid instead of employed. They have an experience of travelling by which they can find best bookings by maximizing savings. These Agents work in groups and at a higher level of working. These Agents are experts in the field of travelling which would make more income than in-house travel management agents. These Agents provides 24*7 services to their customers for good fulfillment.
How to become a Corporate Travelling Consultant in India?
To become a Corporate Travelling Consultant, there is a harder route in which candidates have to take commerce or arts stream and they should have the knowledge of all subjects. Some Details about each level of education of a Travelling Consultant are given below:
School Level Preparation
Students should have the knowledge of all the subjects in their commerce or arts stream. They should start learning the concepts of Geography, History and Education. They have to learn English Language also. Candidates can also gain experience in their field by roaming to different places. They should have good communication and interaction skills at their school level. English Speaking is a must by which they can improve their communication skills. These skills would help them at the time of their interviews for their placements. Many more things they can study at their school level. They can do part-time jobs to gain knowledge. They can take extra-coaching for better skills and knowledge.
How to become a Corporate Travelling Consultant after 12th?
UG Preparation
Candidates have to complete coursework in travelling including Foreign Languages, Computer Applications, Economy, Tourism Products and Group Dynamics. Core courses like Statistics, mathematics and computer applications should be done by the candidate. These subjects help to solve complex algorithms. Along with the knowledge of these subjects, they have to maintain their skills for better communication with their clients. After this level of study, they can start their career in travelling. This is a main stage to become a good corporate travelling consultant so that good companies can hire the candidates. They can do part-time work so that they would know how to handle their customers.
PG Preparation
For PG Preparation, the subjects are the same as a UG Preparation because this is also a Degree. But some skills should also be verified by the candidates on a high level which are Communication and Observation skills.They have to upgrade their knowledge by taking the help of new technology. They can take computer knowledge as the jobs in this field require a large use of computers. Subjects would remain the same but the level of education and knowledge would be upgraded. At this time, they would have started their career as the travelling agent jobs would be given on the basis of a UG Degree. PG Degree is only for a high-level knowledge and extra skills.
Courses to become Corporate Travelling Consultant
The top courses to pursue a career as a Corporate Travelling Consultant have been mentioned below along with their Admission process, Entrance exams and Eligibility criteria.
Diploma in Travel and Tourism
Diploma in Travel and Tourism course duration is 1- 2 years. The course comprises chiefly fundamentals, history, business statistics, aviation management, and business regulatory framework of tourism along with study and analysis of the trends in the tourism industry. The course provides in-depth knowledge in tourism operations, airfare, industry terms, international destinations, reservations, ticketing, and life skills.
Admission Process
To seek admission in a Diploma Course, a candidate shall have passed the qualifying examination of Standard XII - 10+2 pattern from any stream (Commerce, Arts, Science, Vocation and Home Science) and ITI or Diploma equivalent from any recognized board.
- To get admission, a candidate shall fill-up the online form from the website i.e. within the given time period.
- A candidate has to upload the self-attested copies of requisite certificates and testimonies as specified in the application form.
- A candidate shall require making a payment towards registration fees to be paid online through the Portal and make payment under “Admission Form Fee”.
- There are institutes where there is direct admission which is based on the candidate's performance at the last qualifying exam.
- After the final allotment of seats to the candidate takes the candidates are asked to deposit the fee for the course and register for the respective academic year.
Entrance Exam
The college offering a Diploma program in travel and tourism has its own selection criteria for selecting the candidates. Some Institutes/Colleges conduct a common entrance test for admission to the course therefore students would have to make an application for such exams.
- The admission process for the students is based on the performance in the relevant entrance examination like DET (Diploma Entrance Test) and also often followed by the round of the personal interview, in which the general aptitude for the course is being tested.
- Students have to qualify for these exams (for which they should be eligible to appear) in order to get admission to the course.
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After the conduct of the test, a merit list is prepared and candidates are invited to the admission process by the college.
Eligibility Criteria for the Exam
Candidates have to complete 12th class with a minimum of 50-60% of marks. Equivalent Examination to 12th class education would also be accepted by the college.
How to Apply for the Exam?
- They have to apply on the official website of the college in which the candidates want to take admission.
- They have to register and fill the application form by uploading all the documents.
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Application fee for the Entrance should also be submitted by the candidate taking admission.
How to prepare for the Exam
- Candidates would be given the syllabus and reading material by the college to crack the Entrance Exam.
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Go through the NCERT Books and last 5 year question papers. Candidates can also refer to their study guide.
Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management
Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management [BTTM] is a 4 year undergraduate course for students who are seeking to get an undergraduate degree in Tourism and Travel Management. BTTM has got several specialized subjects like foreign languages, Religious tourism, Environmental studies, Hospitality management in tourism, Tourism planning, Ecotourism, etc. which the students have to study during this course
Admission Process
Candidates would get admission on the basis of merit along with the entrance exam. They can find some colleges in India where they can take admission to this Course.
Entrance Exam
Entrance Exams such as IELTS, ITM, MCC or GATA are to be qualified by the candidate to take admission to BTTM Course. IELTS Entrance Exam is also conducted outside India by which Candidates can also give this Entrance Exam Abroad.
Important Dates for the Entrance Exams are
| Particulars | Application Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| ITM NEST | January – April, 2023 (Tentitive) | May, 2023 (Tentitive) |
| IELTS | To be announced | To be announced |
Eligibility Criteria for the Exam
Candidates have to complete 12th class with the minimum percentage required. Different Colleges accept different Percentages for their 12th Class. Some Colleges also give admission without any Entrance Exam.
How to Apply for the Exam
For the IELTS Entrance Exam, Candidates have to register themselves by finding the nearest place to give the Entrance Test as it is spread over 140 countries with 1600 Test Locations. For other Exams, Candidates have to apply on the Official Website of the respective colleges whether online or offline, depending on the application process of the college.
How to prepare for the Exam
IELTS is an International Based test, so candidates have to gain innovative knowledge to crack this Entrance Test. Verified Books are to be purchased to read by the candidates. For other Entrance Exams, Syllabus and book material is to be provided by the respective colleges. Last Year Question Papers would also help the Candidates to crack the Entrance Exam.
Foundation in Travel and Tourism Diploma Course
Admission Process
Students would get admission on the basis of merit in the qualifying education. Admission process may vary from college to college. Duration of the course is very short and the fee structure is also not so big.
Entrance Exam
There is no need to give the Entrance Exam for this Diploma Course as this Course is somewhere equivalent to 12th class.
Eligibility Criteria for the Exam
Candidates have to complete 10+2 education or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
How to Apply for the Exam
As there is no Entrance Exam required for this Course, Candidates can take direct admission to any college that offers this course.It would take $755 as fee which includes broader-sweeping topics such as physical geography, customer service principles, understanding travel documentation and other topics.
How to become a Corporate Travelling Consultant Abroad
Australia, Canada, US and UK are the best countries in which candidates can make their career in Travelling. Studying abroad is much better but there are more specializations in India than abroad.
UK
Admission Process
- Educational Requirements: Both UG and PG Education Courses are available at the Colleges in the United Kingdom. You will learn from passionate and expert professors, choosing from stimulating classes in international business, liberal arts, and media.
- Other Requirements: Internships Placements are available in Politics, Arts, Finance and much more.
Top Colleges
| Colleges | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Anglia Ruskin University | 9,56,500 |
| University of Wolverhampton | 12,66,500 |
| University of West London | 13,18,300 |
| Heriot Watt University | 16,95,700 |
| University of Gloucestershire | 15,20,000 |
| University of Strathclyde | 16,55,000 |
| Teesside University | 13,44,000 |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | 12,50,000 |
| University College Birmingham | 11,89,000 |
| Northumbria University | 16,55,000 |
USA
Admission Process
- Educational Requirements: UG Courses are available more than PG Courses in the USA.
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Other Requirements: Internships Placements are also available in various universities. Scholarships and placements are also available at various colleges in the USA.
Top Colleges
| Colleges | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | 5,84,400 (resident), 13,86,600 (non-resident) |
| Ashworth College | 50,000 |
| University of Central Florida | 4,67,000 / 5,07,000 (UG/ PG, resident), 16,48,400/ 18,90,000 (UG/ PG, non-resident) |
| Penn Foster Career School | 50,000 |
| George Mason University | 8,03,000 (resident), 23,20,000 (non-resident) |
| Brookhaven College | 1,30,000 |
| City College of San Francisco | 1,17,000 (resident), 5,50,000 (non-resident) |
| University of Massachusetts (Amherst) | 10,40,000 (resident), 22,40,000 (non-resident) |
| Miami Dade College | 2,08,000 (resident), 7,00,000 (non-resident) |
| Houston Community College | 1,20,000 (resident), 2,46,500 (non-resident) |
Canada
Admission Process
- Educational Requirements: Many colleges are designed to meet urban needs of education in Canada. Age Requirement is more than 21 years. Requires IELTS with a minimum of 6.5 score.
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Other Requirements: Internships Placements are also available in various universities. Experience in Travelling is also necessary. Scholarships are offered up to $10000 as graduates.
Top Colleges
| Colleges | Fees ( INR ) |
|---|---|
| Conestoga College | 7,53,000 |
| Cape Breton University | 10,70,000 |
| Capilano University | 11,30,000 |
| Red River College | 9,70,000 |
| Centennial College | 10,00,000 |
| Fanshawe College | 10,40,000 |
| Mohawk College | 10,02,000 |
| Georgian College | 10,50,000 |
| MacEwan University | 12,10,500 |
| George Brown College | 8,63,000 |
| Sault College | 9,63,500 |
Australia
Admission Process
- Educational Requirements: As a major employer in the world today, education in hospitality and tourism can open doors to exciting career paths in every segment of the industry. Some Universities do not require an Entrance Test also.
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Other Requirements: Internships Placements are also available in various areas. Scholarships are also offered in Australia.
Top Colleges
| Colleges | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Griffith University | 15,52,500 |
| Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School | 7,32,100 |
| Edith Cowan University | 17,30,000 |
| La Trobe University | 17,50,000 |
| International College of Management Sydney | 15,11,000 |
| Kaplan Business School | 9,70,000 |
| TAFE NSW | 8,05,000 |
| Le Cordon Bleu | 15,12,000 |
| University of Tasmania | 16,06,000 |
| Victoria University | 15,47,000 |
Benefits of Corporate Travelling Consultant
The benefits of a Corporate Travelling Consultant is to learn about various management tools focusing on the tourism industry. Some of the key benefits include:
Salary
The average starting salary of a travelling consultant for different jobs may vary from company to company. Salary is very high for a travelling consultant in various cities such as New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Indore and Bengaluru. Experienced persons would get a salary package of more than INR 10 LPA. In-house travel agents and External Corporate Travel Agents would get a higher salary package along with security of their jobs also.
Job Security
There is minimum job security in the field of travelling. People who are not paying attention towards their work may lose their jobs.The salary and job security totally depends upon the performance of the travel agent. Job security may get affected when their numbers go down. Candidates can check various websites for their jobs so that they can get good placement for good salary and job security.
Positive Impact of the Career
Positive Impacts of a Travelling Consultant are as follows:
- There is a lot of scope in this career.
- A Travel Agent can also start his/her own travelling business.
- Candidates are not required to do a Master’s Degree as Minimum Eligibility. They can start this career with a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Salary is very high for this career of a Travelling Consultant.
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Travelling Agents would get a chance to stay in hotels and travel and other countries.
Unique Experience
Corporate Agents should have an associate’s degree in travelling. However, high-level agents may also pursue foreign language training for better dealing. Mostly, the travelling agents would choose to find jobs in the technology and hospitality industries. Previous Experience in Customer Service Representative and many other roles would be a unique experience for them to be a successful corporate travel consultant.
Skills Required for Corporate Travelling Consultant
Skills required for Corporate Travelling Consultant are as follows:
| Skills | Details |
|---|---|
| Communication Skills | Corporate Travel Agents work with high-level business clients so they need strong communication skills to interact with them easily and to extend their ability to perform well. |
| Relationship Building Skills | Corporate Travel Agents should manage good relationships with their travel agencies and customers so that they can move towards the path of success. |
| Program Management Skills | Corporate Travel Agents should continuously improve their travelling programs. |
| Planning Skills | Travel Consultants should have the knowledge of handling all the operations of travelling which is a major responsibility for them. |
| Customer Service Skills | They should provide excellent services to their customers by using all their accessories provided to them. |
| Computer Skills | These Skills are very important in every field of work. However, travel agents make use of computers to conduct research and manage vendor relationships. |
| Negotiation Skills | Corporate Travel Agents should make the bookings for their customers at valid rates. |
| Research Skills | They are expected to do the best research to make the best deal for making travel arrangements for their customers. |
| Financial Management Skills | Travel Agents should have the knowledge of debits, credits, refunds and reimbursements to avoid frauds and incorrect financial entries. |
Salary of Corporate Travelling Consultant in India
The Salary of a Corporate Travelling Consultant increases with the increase in work experience. Salary is different in different types of companies. However, the starting salary of a good travel agent in a normal company starts from INR 1,50,000 per year.
Average Annual Salary
| Name of Organization | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Government | INR 2,60,000 |
| Private | INR 3,00,000 |
Specialization Wise Salary
| Specializations | Salary ( per annum ) |
|---|---|
| Recreation Manager | INR 2,95,800 |
| Transport Administrator | INR 12,33,300 |
| Tourism Manager | INR 33,00,000 |
| Travelling Consultant | INR 3,09,000 |
| Events Manager | INR 3,70,000 |
Experience-wise Salary
| Experience | Salary (per annum) |
|---|---|
| Fresher | INR 2,00,000 to INR 3,00,000 |
| Experience | INR 4,50,000 to INR 12,00,000 |
After the Corporate Travelling Consultant
After completing BTTM, the students have options to either go for higher studies or apply for a suitable job position. The option for pursuing higher studies will benefit the student in the long run as it would add more value and add knowledge to their career.
Higher Education
After getting a job in a travel agency, candidates can continue their educational career in travelling. They can do an advanced course in Global Distribution System Fares and Ticketing which provides basic GDS functionality skills and advanced level itinerary pricing and skills. During the current pandemic of COVID-19, the placements of jobs are getting low. Due to this, higher education must be there for a candidate. Most Companies always hire those people who have a good knowledge and experience. Candidates should build their experience for knowledge and skills, so that in future, they would get good jobs in higher companies.
Start Job
While the path to entering into a good industry is not that easy, there are some ways to start a job.Starting Jobs may not be in a travelling agency. Many jobs are available in airline reservation centres or getting a position at a corporate agency. There are many entry-level jobs that are willing to provide on-the-job training which gives the experience to become a successful corporate travelling consultant. Due to this, Candidates would gain experience. After getting some skills and knowledge, getting a good job in higher companies would be easier. Nowadays, online jobs are also available where the candidates can apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques: Which agencies provide GDS Training programs to become a travel consultant?
Ans: There are many host agencies that offer GDS Training programs which includes Nexion, Montrose Travel, Travel Planners International, Travel Quest, Uniglobe, Your Travel Centre, Travel Leaders Franchise Group and many more.
Ques: Do travel agents resolve customer complaints?
Ans: Yes, Great corporate travel agents work well under pressure and quickly respond to customer issues. Organizations rely on these agents to resolve customer complaints and process refunds and credits when needed.
Ques: What type of education is done by travel consultants at maximum level?
Ans: Maximum number of travel agents hold a certificate in the travel and tourism field. 35.3% candidates hold a certificate in travelling. However, 29.6% candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism specialization.
Ques: Which are the top recruiting agencies for a travel agent?
Ans: Many travel agencies recruit candidates to become a successful travel agent which includes Thomas Cook, SOTC, Kesari Tours, Club Mahindra Holidays, Expedia, Yatra, Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, Travelguru, Travelite and many more.
Ques: How many jobs are offered as a travelling agent on the basis of gender?
Ans: 73.8% jobs are offered to the female category as a travelling agent whereas 23.3% jobs are offered to male category. However, 2.9% jobs are also offered to unknown categories.
Ques: Are there any consequences to becoming a travelling consultant?
Ans: Yes, the jobs of a travel agent can be stressful at many times. Job security depends on performance only. Due to last moment cancellation for a tour by a customer, they may suffer losses. They may face uncertainty at times of security and other reasons.
Ques: How many jobs for a corporate travelling consultant are expected to create in future?
Ans: By the year 2025, the jobs for a corporate travelling consultant may create up-to 45 million. However, the jobs are declining every year but this is an estimate and may change due to any reason.
Ques: Is there any online method of study for travel agents?
Ans: There may be some online training programs by which students can get the knowledge of all the aspects of a corporate travelling consultant.
Ques: Are there any internships available abroad for a travel agent?
Ans: Yes, Some Americans get paid for travelling as a flight attendant, cruise ship worker, tour guides, etc. Also, global trade has created many careers that you wouldn’t normally expect to involve travel.
Ques: Can travel agents start their own business?
Ans: Yes, corporate travelling consultants can start their own travelling agency by hiring more people. They should have their assets and all other requirements to start their own business.
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