Marlin Travel's Dorothy McDonald: "We look after our clients from when they walk in until they get home and even after that." (TIM KROCHAK / Staff)

THE WORLD IS getting smaller and more people want to see as much of it as they can.

Planning a basic airline flight or rail trip can be a fairly simple process on the Internet, but putting together a more elaborate vacation or business venture may be better handled with the assistance of a professional travel agent.

Dorothy McDonald, a senior consultant with Maritime Travel in Sunnyside Mall, Bedford, says travel agents provide more than just booking destinations.

Customer service, she says, is so important.

"We look after our clients from when they walk in until they get home and even after that," she says.

"When people get back we call and follow up to make sure there were no issues," she says.

And while clients are away, there is a 24-hour emergency line available staffed by travel agents who handle any emergencies or other difficulties clients may encounter while on their trip.

Ms. McDonald has been in the travel business for 15 years and completed a 10-month course at Scotia Career Academy (now Success College of Applied Arts and Technology) in Lower Sackville.

The training doesn't stop once agents are on the job. They're always busy updating products and destinations, finding out the latest computer programs to search products quickly for clients, and they must travel at least once a year to get first-hand knowledge of the places their clients may want to visit.

And although there is a lot to learn during formal training sessions, Ms. McDonald says personal skills are essential. You have to like dealing with people, have a good memory for faces and names, have patience, be able to listen and certainly have a sense of humour.

Ms. McDonald likes the job because she likes dealing with people and travelling. She also enjoys learning and reading about the geography, history and aspects of various places, "and I get paid to do it," she says.

Want to learn more about being a travel agent. Read on.

NATURE OF THE WORK
Travel counsellors advise clients on travel options and tour packages, make bookings and reservations, prepare tickets and receive payment. They work for travel agencies, transportation and tourism firms, and hotel chains.

SKILLS
For this type of work, you should be poised, organized, tactful and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Knowledge of the travel business will be required. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages or an additional language may be required for some positions.

Travel counsellors are usually young, with an average age of 35, and female, with 82 per cent being women. Seventy-four per cent have a post-secondary certificate or diploma and another 14 per cent have university degrees. A high percentage (12 per cent) work part time, but relatively few (two per cent) are self-employed.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Travel counsellors are generally required to obtain a diploma or vocational training in travel or tourism, and certification with the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors. A Certified Travel Counsellor designation is granted after three years of work experience in the industry and the completion of mandatory courses and examinations. A number of community college programs are recognized by the institute.

WORK PROSPECTS
Demand for this occupation is linked to the strength of the tourism industry. Nationally, the tourism industry has been positively affected by economic growth and strong consumer confidence; although a rise in the value of the Canadian dollar has motivated outgoing travel and resulted in a slight decline of incoming visitors from the United States. The trend toward shorter trips has bolstered the domestic market.

The growth of online reservation systems for airline and accommodation booking may lessen demand for travel counsellors over the forecast period. Retirements are not expected to contribute significantly to job openings.

LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION