Travel Services
Program Summary
Constantly changing airfares and schedules, thousands of available vacation packages, and a vast amount of travel information on the Internet can make travel planning frustrating and time-consuming. To sort out the many travel options, tourists and business people often turn to travel agents, who assess their needs and help them make the best possible travel arrangements. Also, many major cruise lines, resorts, and specialty travel groups use travel agents to promote travel packages to millions of people every year.
In general, travel agents give advice on destinations and make arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals, tours, and recreation. They also may advise on weather conditions, restaurants, tourist attractions, and recreation. For international travel, agents also provide information on customs regulations, required papers (passports, visas, and certificates of vaccination), and currency exchange rates.
Employment Trends
Travel benefits, such as reduced rates for transportation and lodging, attract many people to this occupation.
Training at a postsecondary vocational school, college, or university is increasingly important.
Industry consolidation and increasing use of the Internet to book travel will result in a decline in the employment of travel agents.
Keen competition for jobs is expected.
Program Objectives
- Successful completion of each course earns a Certificate of Completion
- Coursework leading to award of a Continuing Education Certificate
Students who complete the above course of studies are eligible to participate in the Institute of Certified Travel Agents' testing service. Those who pass will receive a special certificate from the institute. In addition to receiving this certificate of achievement, one year of the five-year work experience requirement for the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) program will be waived. Students may be able to earn their CTC designation with just four years of industry experience.
Program Curriculum
|
Crs #
|
Course Name
|
Hrs
|
|
BUS343
|
Getting into the Travel Business
|
3
|
|
BUS394
|
Destination Awareness: The Discovery Series
|
3
|
|
BUS446
|
Travel Industry Basics for Starting Your Own Small Business
|
6
|
|
BUS447
|
Geography: It's Your Business to Know Destinations
|
9
|
|
BUS335
|
Computers and the Travel Industry
|
9
|
|
BUS361
|
Sales and Marketing Techniques for Travel
|
6
|
|
BUS362
|
Package Your Tours and Cruises for Profit Potential
|
6
|
|
BUS381
|
Grow Your Cruise Business
|
6
|
|
|
Program total
|
48
|