Travel consultant - also called travel agent - is the person who helps travellers make the best available travel arrangements for their wants, needs and budgets. Travel consultant also helps find the best possible transportation by air, car, bus and rail, and helps clients book hotels, cruises, resorts and tours. In addition to booking travel arrangements for clients, travel consultant is expected to use his or her extensive destination knowledge thus assisting clients in choosing a vacation destination or prepare clients for a business trip. This knowledge covers climate and weather at the destination, local customs and laws, customs regulations, passports, visas, vaccinations, currency exchange rates and travel advisories. Travel consultant is also expected to assist clients with alternate travel when itineraries change because of weather, maintenance or overbooking issues. Even though a high school diploma is a minimum requirement for becoming a travel consultant, most travel agencies prefer consultants with a university degree or who are certified by a vocational or travel school. In addition to learning about destinations in course of travel consultant certificate programs, at least one booking system of many available is taught.
