Travel Consultant job description. Host Agency Reviews: What is the GDS and Which Travel Agents Need It? GDS is more sophisticated than an airline booking site, as it not only provides flight times and costs of carriers, but also information on the aircraft, the classes of seating and other details. In decades past, the services of a travel agent were necessary to get airline tickets, book a cruise or create an itinerary for a vacation or business trip. A key part of a leisure consultant’s role is keeping ahead of the ever increasing demand from customers for new and different leisure experiences. Because GDS is a complex system, it is not worthwhile to use it for individual or small numbers of bookings. Corporate travel managers advise employees about travel requirements such as passports, visas and any special conditions. The content of the apprenticeship standard for travel consultants has been approved by the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) and ABTA the Travel Association. Online courses are available too; just make sure to do your research before enrolling so you understand what you'll be getting and what it will cost. It's specialized computer software that provides information on airline travel. It's their job to attend to every detail so that travelers will have an enjoyable, problem-free experience. GDS stands for Global Distribution System. to door experience, taking account of factors that may impact on their trip including location and times, business facilities and corporate budgets. Leisure travel consultants work in a fast paced, customer focused sales environment which aims to sell experiences and memories and meet the unique needs of leisure customers by sourcing, and matching them to a variety of travel options within their budget including: tailor made itineraries, package holidays, special interest holidays, weddings abroad, cruises and seasonal activity. PERMA is an acronym for Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments. Travel Consultant duties and responsibilities. Promoting and recommending various travel destinations is the responsibility of a Travel Consultant. A travel consultant has the expertise to create a customized itinerary for a unique, memorable vacation. IATA: GlobalDistribution Systems Fares and Ticketing Course. The internet changed all that. With numerous booking sites and the ability for consumers to contact hospitality providers directly, the need for travel agents has dwindled. Salaries usually range from $76,608 to $107, 022 per year, depending on geographic location, experience and other factors. A travel consultant can also serve as an advocate should problems arise on a trip. A travel consultant can help you make the most of your experience. Travel consultants assess clients' wants and needs, and can provide information about the best travel options. Tourism, the act and process of spending time away from home in pursuit of recreation, relaxation, and pleasure, while making use of the commercial provision of services. Employers involved in creating the standard: BCD Travel, Hillgate Travel, Capita Travel and Events, The Co-operative Travel, Horncastle Executive Travel Ltd, Thomas Cook, TUI, Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Clarity Travel, Eton Travel, The funding band for this standard has been reviewed as part of the apprenticeship funding band review. | Tourism Consulting | Hotel Consulting | Happiness | Sustainability Industry Knowledge and Understanding (Know it), Know a varied range of world-wide geography and popular travel destinations to help inform customers’ travel plans, Source and provide reliable and relevant geographical information that will help inform enquiries, support customers’ travel decisions and close sales, Proactively keep up to date with worldwide geography and current affairs that could impact on customers, Know travel information including: passport and visa requirements, diversity for example local cultures, customs and tradition, differences in time zones, climate, medical safety information, foreign office advice and foreign exchange information, Source and provide accurate and relevant travel information that will ensure customers have a positive travel experience, Proactively keep up to date with travel information according to the customer profile of the business and the ever changing dynamics of the industry, Know the travel industry and the systems that support it, including those for reservations and booking, the importance of booking the correct product / service and key information such as travel terminology, abbreviated industry codes, preferred operators’ current fare and ticketing rules, and travel regulations, Carry out transactions, using a range of reservation and booking systems, according to standard industry practices and the procedures of the business, ensuring that customers are offered travel options that will meet their individual needs within agreed deadlines, Take a keen interest in travel industry developments to keep professional knowledge current and up to date, Know the variety and alternative combination of travel options that are available to customers including modes of transportation, types of accommodation and how to produce an itinerary that will meet customers’ precise needs, Source travel options, work with relevant industry suppliers and produce detailed itineraries that best meet customers’ needs, Demonstrate commercial awareness and consideration for customers’ unique needs when selecting and combining different elements of customers’ travel plans, Know the unique selling points of travel products and services and understand how to match their features to benefit the customer and provide an enhanced competitive proposition, Match customer needs to products and services and identify opportunities to upsell, suggest alternatives, introduce an enhanced competitive offer when appropriate and always aim to maximise profit when closing the sale, Promote confidence in customers by demonstrating a passionand belief in the products and services being sold, Know different customer profiles, including sole travellers and groups, how to recognise and identify their requirementsand individual needs, their preferred method(s) of booking travel, the need for providing a flexible service to support the process, and how to meet the increasing demand for an enhanced travel experience, Engage customers by building rapport and take opportunities to adapt communication styles to match their needs and deliver an enhanced service which encourages repeat business and consistently aims to exceed their expectations, Respond positively and imaginatively to customers’ requirements, demonstrating an enthusiasm to inspire and delight them, Know how to keep customers’ details safely and to lawfully process business transactions, recognising the connection with travel industry regulations, business compliance and relevant legislation, Conduct the business transaction in compliance with travel industry regulations, approved codes of practice and business policy and continuously monitor the process to ensure accurate information and advice is given to customers, Be diligent in upholding protocols and business reputation to ensure customers receive the best quality service and advice and communicate and explain emerging issues and updates, Know how to utilise technology in line with customer and business requirements and the scope of technology used within the business and the industry as a whole, Use technology effectively and efficiently and input data accurately in accordance with business procedures, Use technology responsibly and embrace developments in travel technology, Generic Knowledge and Understanding (Know it), Know the business vision, objectives and brand standards, the market it competes in, external factors that affect customer behaviour and business performance and understand the importance of meeting customers’ needs profitably, Actively support business performance by meeting agreed targets and providing travel solutions for customers varying needs and budgets in a way that is profitable to the business, Engage with the culture and ethos of the business and be a positive advocate and driver for high quality performance and achievement, Know how to operate commercially with the aim of exceeding sales target, how to calculate complex travel costings, understanding the difference between turnover and profit, and how own targets contribute to achieving the overall sales budget, Achieve and exceed commercial targets by applying selling techniques that are appropriate to all customer types, take opportunities to maximise sales for example by selling promotions and preferred supplier programmes and maximise financial performance by upselling, cross-selling and calculating fares and refunds accurately, Proactively seek ways of engaging customers to increase and enhance sales, Know and understand the factors that both motivate and impair individual and team performance and recognise how own and team dynamics impact on the experience of the customer and ultimately business success, Work constructively with team members to deliver travel plans and experiences that meet customer needs and recognise opportunities for self and team development to improve performance, Evaluate own personal performance in a consistently positive and professional manner, take on feedback and welcome personal development opportunities, Understand how to professionally communicate to different audiences using a variety of methods, including available digital resources, Select and use appropriate methods of communication including digital technologies according to the customer and the nature of the travel details being conveyed, ensuring quotes and prices are presented accurately, Be clear and coherent to effectively communicate accurate, and complex information professionally and confidently to a diverse audience, in line with business expectations, Understand the impact that the business activity has on the environment and the organisation’s approach to operate in a more responsible and sustainable manner, Adapt working practices to minimise the negative effect on the environment, Demonstrate an on-going commitment to reducing impact on the environment in all work activities, 12 to 24 months depending on prior attainment.