Travel Agent (AdV)

Travel Agent (AdV): Requirements

Sheet E) No scheme: Cataloged professional figure, awaiting definition of a specific scheme

Description

PTU20: Travel Agent (AdV)

The definition of "Travel Agent" covers a wide range of professions that concern the planning, organization and sale of tourist activities. These professional figures have the task of:

Plan and organize tour packages and activities for different industry players, including end customers.
Propose, advise and promote personalized tourism solutions.
Operate in the tourism market with a creative and strategic approach.

Examples of professions in this category include roles such as tourism consultant, tourism itinerary designer and tourism office technician. These professions require in-depth knowledge of the tourism sector, planning and organization skills, as well as tourism marketing skills.

Where he works

Traditional travel agencies
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
Tour Operator
Tourist Promotion Bodies
Luxury Travel Agencies
Own in the capacity of Consultant or Industry Expert

Similar professional figures:

Travel Designer (Travel Consultant)
Travel agent
Travel agency counter clerk
Technical Director of Travel and Tourism Agency

Specific tasks and activities

Duties of a Travel Agent

Travel Consulting and Planning:
- Provide personalized recommendations based on customer needs and preferences.
- Plan detailed travel itineraries.
Booking of Travel Services:
- Book flights, hotels, ground transportation, cruises and tours.
- Handle special requests such as seating, special meals, or airport assistance.
Assistance with Travel Documentation:
- Inform customers about passports, visas and other travel requirements.
- Help with travel insurance and health documentation.
Customer Support Before, During and After the Trip:
- Provide assistance with any problems or program changes.
- Collect post-trip feedback to improve future services.
Management of Relationships with Suppliers:
- Negotiating rates and conditions with hotels, airlines, and other suppliers.
- Maintain professional relationships with partners in the tourism sector.
Marketing and Promotion:
- Creation and distribution of promotional material.
- Participation in trade fairs and travel events to promote services.

Required Skills

Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication, empathy, and listening skills to understand the customer's needs.
Organization and Attention to Details: Manage multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining high standards of accuracy.
Industry Knowledge: Stay up to date on travel trends, destinations, regulations, and health requirements.
Negotiation Skills: Get the best rates and conditions for your customers.
Problem Solving: Ability to quickly resolve any issues or incidents that may arise during the customer journey.
Technological Capabilities: Using reservation systems, guest management software, and social media platforms.
Marketing and Sales: Skills to effectively promote and sell travel services.

Further notes:

Differences between Travel Agents and Travel Agency Counter Staff.

Istat (Istat Code 3.4.1.4.0) provides the following definition of Travel agent: The professions classified in this unit plan and organize tourist activities for agencies, tourist offices, institutions, organizations and end customers; they propose, advise, promote and exchange tourist packages on the market.

Compared to "Travel Agents", "Travel Agency Counter Staff" focus more on direct interaction with the customer, offering advice and assistance in the booking and organization phase of the trip.

Listing some examples of professions including:

travel agent
tourism consultant
tourist guide
tourist expert
producer, seller of holidays
designer of tourist itineraries
tourism programmer
travel agency planning manager
travel agency technician
tourist office technician

A similar professional unit figure classified differently by Istat is:

Travel agency counter clerks (Istat Code 4.2.1.6.0): The professions included in this unit advise customers on travel itineraries and the attractions of places to visit, giving them maps and illustrative brochures; they check the availability of places at the accommodation facilities and make reservations by issuing the appropriate vouchers; carry out the necessary procedures to obtain tickets, boarding passes and other travel documents.

Istat also provides the following list of professions classified within the given classification:

front office clerk in travel agency
booking office clerk in travel agency
organized travel sales clerk
travel agency operator

Difference between Technical Director of Travel Agency and Travel Agents (AdV)

The Technical Director of a Travel Agency is often referred to generically with the term AdV, an acronym for 'Travel Agent'. However, this term encompasses several professional figures who operate within various contexts in the tourism sector, including:

Traditional travel agencies
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
Tour Operator
Tourist Promotion Bodies
Luxury Travel Agencies

The Technical Director of a Travel Agency, unlike the professional figures commonly identified as Travel Agents, is mainly focused on the management and development of the business. This role requires significant managerial skills, as it frequently involves responsibility for making strategic decisions that influence the direction and success of the agency. While travel agents focus on assisting customers in planning and booking their trips, the Technical Director must ensure that the agency operates efficiently and is competitive in the market. This includes managing human resources, optimizing operational processes, developing innovative marketing strategies and maintaining profitable relationships with suppliers and business partners. The ability for strategic vision, combined with solid skills in leadership and financial management, is therefore fundamental for the Travel Agency Director

Standards of Reference

European Qualification Framework (EQF)
Recommendation 2009 / C 155/02 (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training - ECVET)
Law 4/2013 relating to non-regulated professions

However, it is worth underlining that where the figure of the AdV also includes the Technical Director of the Travel Agency, he must comply with the current legislation which provides for a specific qualification, in this regard see the data sheet of Technical Director of Travel Agency

Profile Evaluation Criteria

To certify the possession of skills, it is proposed to take into consideration methodologies that take into account the following aspects in a non-mutually exclusive manner, i.e. possibly in combination with each other:

Qualifications awarded in the academic field (Formal Learning)
Specific Training (Non-Formal Learning)
Work or Professional Experience (Informal Learning)

Work or professional experience can be demonstrated through various tools including:

Curriculum Vitae
Professional portfolio
Objective placement on the market (awards, regional, national or international recognition)
Publications (scientific or editorial)

Requirements for access to the professional figure (*)

Since the professional figure is not organized in an order or college, the requirements may vary based on the relevant Professional Association or other criteria established by the individual interested parties. Below are the requirements adopted by AIPTOC - Italian Association of Tourism Professionals and Cultural Operators.

Having attended specific training courses for the professional figure in question organized/recognised by Universities, Regions or professional associations established pursuant to law 4/2013 and recognized by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMI ex MISE) and at least six months, even if not continuous, of proven work or professional experience in the relevant sector

Having attended a specific training course whose contents are explained by UNI standards, where existing, as long as they are consistent with the skill in question and at least 6 months of work or professional experience in the reference sector

Three-year degree and at least two years, even if not continuous, of proven work or professional experience in the reference sector

Second grade secondary school diploma and at least five years, even if not continuous, with proven work or professional experience in the relevant sector

Be included in the Registers of Professional Associations established pursuant to law 4/2013 and recognized by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMI ex MISE) as long as they refer to the competence in question
Be included in Registers of Certified Professionals based on specific UNI standards, where existing, as long as they are consistent with the expertise in question

(*) the professional figures recognized by AIPTOC do not include the figure of Director of Travel and Tourism Agency nor any other figures who, although classified as AdV, are governed by regional regulations. Pursuant to paragraph 6 of article 2 of law 4/2013, professionals, even if registered with AIPTOC, are not allowed to carry out professional activities reserved by law for specific categories of subjects, except in the case in which they demonstrate possession of the requirements established by law and registration in the relevant professional register. Therefore the professionals, registered with AIPTOC, including Travel Agents (AdV) who also perform the role of Directors of Travel and Tourism Agencies or any other roles regulated by law, they can also carry out reserved activities, but these activities are carried out outside of law 4/2013, and therefore do not fall within the tourism professions regulated by AIPTOC.