Travel agents spend a lot of time on a computer, researching travel itineraries or updating reservations and travel documents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All travel agent reservation systems, including Sabre or Apollo, are computer-based. Travel agents need to be "fluent" in spreadsheet, word processing and e-mail programs. Byran College's associate travel agent program spends 10 1/2 of the 80 credit hours on computer training.
Travel agent programs will provide students with an introductory course to provide a general overview of the travel industry. The Travel Academy, offering online training, offers a course in "Travel Agency Operations" that provides an overview of what it's like to work as a travel agent. Stratford Career Institute devotes devotes one of its four program modules to introducing students to travel industry careers, types of travel and generalities like understanding time zones.
The travel industry is a broad canopy covering a number of sectors -- airlines, cruises, hotels and tours. Within each sector, there are numerous niches for travel agents. For example, within the tour sector there is adventure, family, and gay and lesbian, among others. Stratford Career Institute provides courses like "Ecotourism," "The Cruise Market," "Corporate Group Travel" and "Adventure Travel" to give students a deeper understanding of specific areas of the travel industry.
Sales and marketing is the driver for travel agents. The best travel products are worthless unless they can be sold. Most travel agent programs emphasize sales and marketing as part of the curriculum. Bryan College's program requires the courses "Sales and Marketing" and "Selling Cruises." Stratford Career Institute has courses like "Travel Planning and Booking Trends," "Selling the Cruise" and "The Tour Market" to provide students with specifics on becoming a profitable travel agent.