How to Train to Become a Travel Agent

eing a travel agent is a fun and rewarding career. The perks are undeniable with packaged trips for agents only at incredible prices, and sometimes for free. It is also a career that can be done from home or in the office, for both men and women. It is a popular field for the young, as well as for those looking for a second or third career. With the age of technology, this is a field you can even train for from home.

1

Obtain the proper education. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum of what you'll need to become a travel agent. However, a bachelor's degree will be helpful with a possible employer, especially if your major is related to a travel agent's job like travel and tourism, computer science, geography and communication. In addition to or in lieu of a college degree, there are many online correspondence courses, many of which are available from the travel school nearby or the one across country. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the largest professional travel association, has a list of travel schools (see Resources below). You may also take courses at your local community college and community continuing education courses for aspiring travel agents. Courses will include such things as travel theory, geography, cruising and reservation systems.

2

Get your travel agent certification also. Not all states require a certificate, check your state's Department of Commerce website. However, getting certified will increase your chances of getting hired and gaining new clients. A certificate is usually awarded after finishing travel school, which is usually about 100 hours of coursework.

3

Hone in on the necessary skills. You will need to be computer literate. Using the mouse, searching the web and the ability to use email well are a must for travel agents. A major part of the job is using the computerized reservation system and the using and reserving vacations on the Internet itself. You need to be detailed oriented and very organized. Developing these skills along with being able to communicate effectively and maintain professionalism is critical for possible employers.

4

Become travel literate. The more you travel, the more you will know what it is like to be a tourist, be a hotel guest, rent a car and the other nuances associated with traveling. You'll also learn about other cultures and will be able to give more insight to your clients. You can also develop these skills by reading travel magazines, literature and books. You will also need to be familiar with U.S. and world geography.

5

Pursue courses and training in business management. If you are planning on starting your own travel agent business, you may want to get a degree in business or take business courses, like those available at your local community colleges, on starting your own business and how to run a business effectively. The potential for success of your business will be greatly improved with some foreknowledge and training.

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Apply for a travel agency or start your own business. Many new travel agents are starting their own travel businesses from home and some of the online travel schools aid their students in this process. However, if you are looking for a job within an established travel agency, search the mainstream job listing websites. In addition, The ASTA has a job board specifically for the travel field (see Resources below).

How to Buy Power Adaptors for Travel

Power adapters come under many names, among them voltage adapters, ac/dc power adapters, travel adapter plugs, 110v 220v voltage adapters, 220v 110v voltage electrical converters and universal voltage adapters. They enable travelers to use their electric shavers, hair dryers and other small appliances in other countries. Here's what you should know before purchasing a model.

1

Look for power adapters online or in stores like Best Buy. A typical relatively inexpensive kit includes the adapter plug with a converter that converts 220/240 foreign electric voltage to U.S. voltage, 110/120v. A 1600 watt converter allows you to use your travel iron, hair dryer, coffee maker and even an electric blanket while you travel.

2

Check that the kit you buy meets your specific travel needs, especially if you are traveling with an infant. A 50/1600 watts worldwide travel kit is for domestic appliances with a rating of 50 watts - 1600 watts. You should use 50 watts for radios, answering machines, tape recorders and calculators. 1600 watts takes care of devices that produce heat, including irons, hair curlers, heating pads and warmers for food and baby bottles.

3

Buy adapter plugs for foreign outlets. Adapter kits generally come with plugs that are suitable for most regions including the U.K, Europe, the Caribbean, Hong King, the Middle East, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Some high-end power adapters come with built in plugs.

4

Bring along a Step Up/Step Down converter if you are going to be working during your travels. A typical 230 watt Step Up/Step Down converter changes 110 up to to 220V or converts 220 down to 110V. It features an on-off switch and an LED indicator light. You can use it for fax machines.

5

Look for Step Down grounded transformer offering a maximum capacity of 150 watts, converting 220/240V down to 110/120V and an on/off switch. Use it for your laptop computer in Europe and Asia.

How to Book Train Travel From Montreal to Ottawa

Located on the island of Montreal, Montreal is the second largest city in Canada and a main hub for rail travel along the Windsor Corridor.

Choose a Railway Line

1 Know that Montreal has a central train station serving VIA Rail Canada located at 895 Rue De La Gauchetiere Ouest. The station is only one block west of Rue University and directly under the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

2 Understand that there are five trains to book your travel from Montreal to Ottawa during the week and four on the weekends. Make sure and book trains ahead of time to avoid paying higher prices for same-day tickets.

3 Plan on a quick jaunt as travel distance between Montreal and Ottawa is minimal. The one-way trip is under two hours.

4 Plan on relaxing in the Montreal train station and you will have plenty of services at your fingertips. The station has a restaurant, vending machines, a plethora of telephones, ATM access, a convenience store and many more amenities.

5 Have confidence that trains are running on time from Montreal to Ottawa. Despite the large amount of people using the Windsor Corridor for business and pleasure, this VIA Rail Canada line typically runs true to schedule.

Select Traveling Class

1 Travel from Montreal to Ottawa in style and at a price that will not hurt your pocketbook when you choose Comfort class. Watch the beautiful countryside pass by through the large picture windows in each row.

2 Sit in an assigned seat instead of worrying about scrambling to find a seat among the many other passengers.

3 Bring upwards of two carry-on bags and check in three articles for free with the possibility of six total articles checked in.

Purchase Tickets

1 Book your train travel reservations from Montreal to Ottawa for between $35 and $60 with a five-day advance purchase. You can also buy a Canrailpass for 12 days of travel within a 30-day period in Comfort class.

2 Decide to travel frequently for company business and VIA Rail Canada can offer discount rates. Call 514-871-6511 in Montreal to speak with a representative about specific rates.

3 Exchange or refund your purchased tickets by presenting your tickets and receipt coupons to a ticket office. Under most circumstances, your unused tickets can be exchanged for others or refunded.

How to Recharge Batteries on a Travel Trailer

A travel trailer's deep cycle battery--also called a DC battery--powers the camper when the camper is not connected to outside electric sources. Because of the high power demands of the camper's devices, these batteries drain quickly. Many travel trailers have battery power meters indicating low or no power when the batteries need to be recharged. Use the tow vehicle or external charging devices to recharge your travel trailer's batteries.

Tow Vehicle Charging

1 Park the travel trailer and disconnect any electric connections. Flip the main power circuit to "Off."

2 Open the RV battery housing panel if located on the outside of the rig. If the battery is housed inside the trailer, detach the battery cables from the battery and remove. Set the battery next to the hood of the tow vehicle and open the tow vehicle's hood.

3 Connect the black jumper cable to the tow vehicle's black battery terminal. Connect the black cable first---it acts as the ground wire for the battery connection. Connect the red cable to the DC battery and then to the tow vehicle's red battery terminal. Turn the tow vehicle on and let it run for at least an hour while the battery charges.

4 Turn the vehicle off and disconnect the red cable from the battery and vehicle and then disconnect the black cable from the battery and vehicle.

5 Put the DC battery back into the battery housing and reconnect the trailer's cables to the battery. Turn the main circuit back on and read the battery charge meter in the travel trailer to check the charge volume.

External Chargers

1 Disconnect the DC travel trailer battery and remove from the housing. Set it next to the battery charger. If using a solar powered charger, unroll the solar panel and place in the direct sun. If using an electric powered charger plug the charger in but check that the power switch is set "Off."

2 Connect the charger cables to the DC battery. Connect the black cable to the DC battery's black terminal and the red cable to the DC battery's red terminal.

3 Turn the charger's setting to the 12V setting; travel trailer DC batteries are typically 12V. Check the battery for the voltage to make sure you set the charger to the proper voltage.

4 Monitor the charger as it shows battery charge. When the meter reads fully charged turn the charger off and disconnect the cables. Place the travel trailer's DC battery back in the housing and connect the cables as they were before. Turn the main circuit back on and test the connection and battery charge.

How to Book Train Travel From Prague to Krakow

Of all the ways Krakow's 7 million-plus visitors arrive each year, none is more enjoyable than taking the train into this ancient, rustic city. Spying archaeological dig sites dating to before 200,000 B.C. out the train window can be the perfect prep for paying homage to the region's historical sites. The journey from Prague to Krakow usually lasts about 8 hours, depending on the number of stops and time of departure.

Book Train Tickets From Prague to Krakow

1 Book your tickets online at the Rail Europe Web site (see Resources) or call (888) 382-RAIL to speak to a ticketing agent.

2 Leave your cash tucked away, and opt to pay with a card when buying tickets in Prague's stations.

3 Ask after or research reduced senior and youth fares, which apply to travelers outside the regular adult fare age range (27-59).

4 Book first-class and sleeper fares well in advance, as they are limited in availability and are often booked out solid with tour groups traveling Eastern Europe's favorite spots.

Be Ready for Train Travel From Prague to Krakow

1 Beware of booking with third-party vendors. They may fail to reserve your seat, leaving you with unappealing seat choices upon arrival.

2 Check timetables well in advance, and book tickets as soon as you've selected departure dates. This can be a particularly busy route during high and holiday seasons.

3 Watch out for track confusion in Prague's Hlavni station especially. North and southbound trains leave across the platform from one another, confusing even savvy travelers.

4 Surf the Wasteels and IDOS sites for information before your book.

Enjoy a Smooth Train Ride From Prague to Krakow

1 Put your passport and ticket in a handy pocket so you can produce it readily for travel authorities, who will ask for them at each border crossing.

2 Board only after you've purchased a ticket. You may be fined or arrested for riding the rails without reservations.

3 Stow your luggage securely under your seat, and loop the handles round your leg or wrist if you plan to sleep. Always use luggage locks when possible to avoid thievery during travel.

How to Write a Resume for a Travel Agent Job

Even in today's world of easy online booking, travel agent professionals remain in high demand. Beyond simply booking a ticket, a travel agent helps customers organize their travel and answer any questions they may have. Many travel agents in top positions are now either college graduates with a related degree or experienced workers who have a passion for traveling.

Make Your Travel Agent Job Resume Shine

1 Mention how much and how often you've traveled in your resume. First-hand experience with handling booking and organizing a trip can be a great selling point, especially if you have traveled on your own or have visited exotic locations.

2 Use travel references to explain gaps in employment history. If you have been out of work for a certain period of time, you can mention that from 2004 to 2005 you did "independent travel." This will cover your lack of employment and actually work in your benefit.

3 Emphasize computer and Internet skills. Since most of the work of a travel agent is now done over the Internet, it's important that a potential employer see that you feel confident using it. This will save them time and money when it comes to training, and it will give you an additional point to write about.

4 Write about any related education you may have. Many of the people who apply for a job as a travel agent have no educational background in the field. If you have certification as a commercial travel agent or attended workshops or lectures on the topic, make sure you put this information in the spotlight.

5 Include qualifications such as foreign language knowledge. This can be particularly helpful if you are applying for a position with a company that organizes adventure or group travel and deals with foreign partners to coordinate their touring schedule.

How to Build a Travel Web Site

If you love to travel or love the idea of traveling, you can expound on your passion by building a travel website in which you share your knowledge about travel destinations with visitors from all over the world.

1 Decide what your website will be about. You already know it will be about travel, but you need to decide on what kind of travel---European travel, safaris, travels to a particular country, travel within the United States or travel within a particular state.

2 Decide who will do the writing. If you are well-traveled and like to write, chances are you have all the knowledge you need to create your travel website. If, however, your travel experience is limited, you can hire writers to write about their adventures. Although you won't pay for their travel expenses, you should pay them for their work and let them know they should write off part of their travel expenses as business expenses (and should see a tax specialist about this).

3 Purchasing a domain name and hosting plan in which to create your site. If you have no knowledge of HTML or other website-building languages, you can purchase templates that will help you build your site with a few clicks of your mouse. Go Daddy has a program called "Website Tonight" for beginners, and---as the name implies---most users can get a website up and running within a few hours (see Resources).

4 Include photos on your website. Readers of travel articles like to see photographs in order to determine if it's the type of destination they would like to visit.

5 Monetize your site by registering with affiliate networks. These are free to register for, and by placing text links or banner ads on your site, you can earn a commission if a reader clicks on your links and purchases something on the merchant's site. Examples are links for rental cars, flight deals, hotels, luggage and travel pillows---anything related to travel (see Resources).

How to Book Train Travel from Chicago to New York

The train trip from Chicago to New York may be long and tiring, but booking it is easy, especially if you give yourself enough lead time. Amtrak's online Fare Finder is an excellent tool for landing great travel deals and suitable accommodations.

1 Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak's web site in the "Resources" section below. On the web site, you can book your train reservations via Amtrak's Fare Finder. You can also navigate the site if you have a PDA, Blackberry or other handheld device.

2 If you ordered your tickets online or by phone, pick them up at a ticket agent or at one of the Quik-Trak kiosks that can be found at many Amtrak locations (you'll need to enter your reservation number). If you've booked your trip far in advance, you can also request that your tickets be mailed to you.

How to Arrange Travel

Arranging travel can be a daunting task, especially if you have never done it. It involves making preparations to get to your destination of choice, where to stay when you get there, and what to do once you're there. Not sure how to begin? A good starting point is deciding where you'd like to go, and how much you'd like to spend.

1 Decide on a destination. Which state or country would you like to visit? Do you want to travel to a warm climate or a cold climate? Do you like seeing historical sights, walking though museums, lying on a sunny beach, try your luck in a casino, get a thrill at an amusement park, walk or hike beautiful landscapes... The choices are endless, but they can only be made by you.

2 Decide when you want to travel. Do you want to travel during the winter, spring, summer or fall? Destinations, such as Las Vegas and Miami can be more expensive to visit during the winter months. Conversely, a trip to Disney World in early January can be the most economical time to visit the amusement park. If you want to keep your travel costs low, consider your time of travel carefully.

3 Choose your mode of transportation. Will you drive, fly or ride the train to your destination. Consider the total costs of transportation. Does your rental car have fees for going over the mileage? Does the airline assess baggage charges? Is driving to your destination faster than taking the train? How much will you spend on gas? Check fares on-line to get an idea of your travel costs and decide if it falls within your budget.

4 Choose a hotel. What type of hotel do you prefer, budget or four-star? How many rooms will you need? Do you need a non-smoking room? Again, there are countless travel web sites to assist you in making these choices. Orbitz.com, Expedia.com and Hotels.com are three popular choices, but there are many more. Use these sites to check availability and compare rates.

5 Make your reservations. Once you decide on where and when you'd like to go, how you'll get there and where you'll stay, book your arrangements, either on-line or by phone. Be careful when making airline or train reservations. Many of the low-cost options are non-refundable, so if you're after the best price, be sure you'll actually be able to go on the dates and times you choose. Hotel reservations are usually more flexible with their cancellation policies, however many offer "Web-only" rates that may be non-refundable. Make sure you know what you're buying before actually buying it.

How to Avoid Bedbugs While Traveling

Bedbugs are tiny insects that can infest accommodations of any level, from hostels to expensive hotels. They feed on human blood and leave uncomfortable bites that can last for weeks. Bedbugs must be introduced into a new place, and generally ride on luggage or used furniture. When you're traveling, avoid bedbugs by examining your accommodation carefully and taking care with luggage and clothing.

1 Read online reviews. Before you book or pay for a room, check out reviews of your hostel or hotel. Bedbugs can spread easily and are hard to get rid of, so if a review within the last two months mentions them, cancel your reservation. Most travelers will not take the time or effort to post false reviews about bedbugs, so it pays to take them seriously. Sites like TripAdvisor and HostelBookers are good places to start.

2 Know the signs of bedbugs. If you recognize the signs that indicate the presence of bedbugs, you'll be more likely to avoid the bugs. The most common indication, besides the live bedbug, is fecal matter. It appears as brown or black spots; they are difficult to clean. Other signs include blood spots, discarded bedbug skins, a sweet almond smell, and white bedbug eggs.

3 Check the room before agreeing to pay. When you arrive at your hotel or hostel, ask to see the room before you check in. Use a flashlight and plastic gloves, and search the areas on and around the bed, advises the integrated pest management program at Cornell University. Check the headboard first, and look at the sheets, walls and pillows for any signs of bedbugs. Also look around the mattress piping, bedside tables and box spring. If you see any signs of bedbugs, ask to be moved to a different room or switch hotels.

4 Keep belongings away from the bed and walls. Bedbugs travel on clothing and luggage, so if you suspect the presence of bedbugs, keep your possessions far from the hotel or hostel furniture. Do not place bags and clothing on the bed, or use closets and drawers to store clothing. Try to keep your bags on a luggage rack that is not attached to a wall; this reduces the chance that bedbugs will crawl into your clothing and suitcases.

5 Use bug-safe packing methods. Although it is not a foolproof method, you can use airtight plastic bags to protect your clothing and other items from bug infiltration. Many outdoors stores sell large zip-top bags intended for kayaking, which you can use to pack clothes and other items. Also consider using a product like PackTite, which encloses your suitcase and kills bedbugs with heat.

How Does Light Travel From the Sun to Earth?

Electromagnetic Waves

To understand how light travels from the sun to the Earth, you have to understand what light is. Light is an electromagnetic wave--a wave of electric and magnetic energy oscillating very quickly. There are many different electromagnetic waves, and the type is determined by the speed of oscillation. For example, radio waves oscillate more slowly than light, while X-rays oscillate much more quickly. These electromagnetic waves travel in small packets called photons. Because light travels in both waves and photon packets, it behaves both like a wave and a particle.

Traveling Through Space

Most waves require a medium to travel in. For example, if you drop a rock in a pond, it makes waves in the water. No water, no waves. Because light consists of photons, however, it can travel through space like a stream of tiny particles. The photons actually travel more quickly through space and lose less energy on the way, because there are no molecules in the way to slow them down.

The Atmosphere

When light travels through space from the sun, all of the frequencies of light travel in a straight line. When light hits the atmosphere, however, the photons begin to collide with gas molecules. Red, orange and yellow photons have long wavelengths and can travel right through the gas molecules. Green, blue and purple photons, however, have shorter wavelengths, which allows molecules to easily absorb them. The molecules hold onto the photon for only an instant, then shoot them out again in a random direction. This is why the sky looks blue. Many of these scattered photons fly toward the Earth, making the sky appear to glow. This is also why sunsets look red. At sunset, the photons have to travel through a larger layer of atmosphere before they reach your eyes. More of the higher frequency photons are absorbed, leaving layers of red, orange and yellow

How to Become a Travel Agent for Royal Caribbean Cruises

When you are a travel agent, you can maximize your sales by specializing in a certain type of travel or certain companies. If you decide to become a travel agent, you can carve out a niche selling Royal Caribbean voyages. You must align yourself with a legitimate host agency and obtain training in Royal Caribbean's ships and destinations. This will allow you to become a travel agent for Royal Caribbean cruises.

1 Find a host agency that will take you on as a travel agent. You don't need any specific degree or license, although most legitimate agencies will want you to have some knowledge of travel and cruising as well as past sales experience. However, many will let you learn on the job.
Royal Caribbean cruise lines require a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) or International Airline Travel Agent (IATA) number for bookings. Your host agency will provide you with the number.

2 Enroll in Royal Caribbean's online training program for travel agents. You must already be working as a travel agent to sign up for this program. The training covers Royal Caribbean's cruise ships, itineraries, and booking tools for agents. You can achieve various levels, such as a Cruise Apprentice, Cruise Specialist, or Cruise Expert. By the time you have completed it, you will have an excellent working knowledge of what Royal Caribbean can offer to clients.

3 Take a Royal Caribbean cruise. You cannot speak knowledgably to your clients unless you have firsthand experience with the product. You may have already taken Royal Caribbean cruises before you decided to become a travel agent. If that's the case, you can skip this step. If not, you may be able to get a discount on your cruise, if you have completed a Royal Caribbean training program.

4 Emphasize your special expertise in Royal Caribbean cruises when you advertise your services. The Internet allows clients from across the United States and international locations to use a travel agent located in any state. This means you will have a large potential customer base even if you specialize in one particular cruise line.

How to Start an Online Travel Agency

For next to nothing, you can start a home travel agency in most states. A home-based travel agency is financially and personally rewarding. However, it can be a lot of work. If you can manage time and schedules, starting a home travel agency maybe right for you. Read the information below to find out how to get started.

1

Fill out business license applications as required by local, state and federal agencies. (See warning below.)

2

Select your target market and decide which travel category to specialize in. For example, baby boomers tend to travel the most and enjoy taking cruises. Therefore, baby boomers might represent the target market while cruises represent the specialty category.

3

Learn as much as you can about your specialty category. Avoid taking expensive courses. Ask suppliers what type of free training they provide.

4

Set up a website where people can book their own flights, hotel or cruises directly from providers. Spend time online researching the best website hosting deals.

5

Visit the QuickBooker website and sign up for an affiliate account (see Resources below). Set up travel and hotel booking with their system directly on your website for free.

6

Look for travel and cruise suppliers that offer the same service as QuickBooker.

7

Join the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) if you can afford it. They offer members a list of suppliers and training resources.

8

Advertise by handing out fliers and business cards. Submit your website URL to search engines. Buy magnetic signs for your vehicle or place stick-on vinyl letters with your website URL on your rear window.

9

Use your website to allow customers to book their own flights and to get help directly from suppliers. Provide a customer service number for questions or help with booking.

10

Spend most of your time advertising. Take your home-based travel agency seriously and start living the American dream.

How to Choose a Travel Pillow

1 Determine your needs. Will you be traveling by air, train, automobile, boat, backpack or canoe? Are you looking for a very small item that can easily be stored in your luggage, or would you prefer something more substantial that you can sleep on? Do you need something that is waterproof? Do you have any particular physical issues that might determine the type of pillow you need, such as allergies? Is the pillow for an adult or child?

2 For children, pillows come with an array of characters and animals, with built-in speakers and little pockets. For the allergy-prone, there are hypoallergenic pillows. Inflatable pillows help when you're packing light, and for those who want luxury, cashmere-covered pillows should do the trick. A massaging pillow can make those aches and pains disappear. Temperpedic pillows are very popular, as well as the U-shaped microbead varieties.

3 You can choose from two kinds of orthopedic pillows: displacement or supportive. Memory foam travel pillows are referred to as displacement pillows as they can conform to the shape of your head or neck. Other displacement pillows available are filled with water or air.Supportive pillows are most likely made of a combination of foam and fibers and do not mold to contours, but offer a firmer support for those who need it.Some versatile foam travel pillows are on the market now with interchangeable cores, from mild to extra firm.

4 Inflatable pillows are available for both the neck and lumbar region.

5 Read a detailed comparison of the many foam pillows available to determine which s right for you. This site (see below) offers comparisons on size, composition, firmness and other special features