Training to be a travel agent will open up a world of national and international travel, whether by air, land, or sea. A competent travel agent must be able to account for a client's itinerary, which includes all the travel accommodations, rentals, room and board, and meals. This often includes satisfying individual client preferences, special requests, and medical needs. Travel agents lead a hectic lifestyle, continually tracking the costs of transportation, accommodations, and rentals, while addressing all the needs of dozens of clients. It demands a tremendous amount of customer service. It is a fast-paced lifestyle that does come with an array of perks, among them discounted travel expenses and hotel stays. Travel and tourism are in high demand. As more and more people retire, the demand for travel packages has increased. Luxury and adventure vacations have become especially popular as popular culture focuses more and more attention on such programs as "Survivor" and "Lost." Qualified travel agents enjoy careers with travel agencies, cruise lines, car rental companies, airlines, rail companies, resorts, hotels, travel clubs, and even corporate travel departments. Travel agents must be able to sort through massive amounts of information quickly. The prices for rooms, cars, airline tickets, and meals are constantly changing, from minute to minute - a great deal at noon could be radically expensive by one o'clock. A travel agent must make quick assessments and act immediately to guarantee his or her client the best possible price. Moreover, qualified agents must keep abreast of all the breaking weather conditions. A rainy weekend could result in dozens of irate clients. Additionally, travel agents have to be familiar with a myriad of local ordinances, customs, and regulations. The current passport and visa requirements for a slew of countries, including medical requirements for entry (such as vaccinations), and even the current rate of exchange are all necessary for travel agents to master. Should a customer suddenly decide to change his or her itinerary, it is the duty of a professional travel agent to restructure the itinerary as desired, no matter how radical the requests may be. A typical European escape could suddenly turn into a week-long Mediterranean cruise, or a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia could suddenly encompass a cross-continent train ride to the Far East. A travel agent worth his or her fees is expected to deliver. The majority of a travel agent's time is spent on the phone or in front of computers, negotiating, booking, and interviewing. They work in a time-sensitive environment, with peak seasons such as summer and the holiday season requiring extended days, including sixteen hour days in some instances. The stresses and rewards of being a travel agent are often misunderstood.
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