Budget travel continues to boom during tough economic times, and thus this industry can never really go through a downfall. The specialist travel packages are not for the rich and the famous, but more people are willing to explore newer locations. Domestic and international destinations are covered in such tours and packages. Specialist travel and tourism planning can include anything from cruises, sports activities, treks, jungle safaris, historical expeditions, etc.
As a travel specialist you aim should be to help your customers enjoy a nice vacation within their specified budgets that feels like a dream come true. The job comes with a lot of hard work, and prolonged working hours. You have to constantly upgrade your travel knowledge to find newer destinations and exotic locations. There are diverse kinds of travel deals available for specialized travel, and your job would be to formulate a unique travel package that meets the likes of your clients. Since you are going to create some innovative tours for your clients, you have to ensure that everything ranging from train travel to accommodation is managed well.
Regular communication with hotels and transporters help create a good rapport. You have to provide clients with itineraries for their tours, handling the booking, reservations, visas, etc. for them. Apart from these responsibilities you also have to suggest locations that would appeal to the client, and customize a package that suffices their travel needs.
As a travel specialist you need to extend your vision beyond the search for travel destinations. You should evaluate the client's requirements, and suggest tours accordingly. Some of the certifications required to become a travel specialist include a degree in travel and tourism. This course lasts for four years, and provides comprehensive knowledge about the working of this industry. You can then opt for specialized diploma courses in tourism.
Strong communication skills are vital to manage associates, affiliated hotels, and even clients. You need to have specialized administrative and organizational skills with a special attention towards detail. You should keep a tab of clients, so that you can plan future ventures for them. Having excellent computer skills would help you explore newer destinations and also maintain a log of your work.
Travel specialists can work independently or with agencies. Salaries for entry level professional ranges from $2000 to $4000 a month, and those with experience can earn about $5,000 to $8,000 per month, or even more. This profession provides you with opportunities to travel a lot, and also meet some famous people. The industry is expected to grow in the coming decade, with special emphasis on exotic places.
