Education · 1 of 4

The path

There is no qualification to get. You can be selling trips within a few months of deciding to.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Geography, a second language and anything that involves talking to strangers politely.

2. 2

   Learn the tools

   Weeks to months

   Booking systems, supplier portals and how a cruise or tour is actually priced. Agencies and host agencies teach this, and there are short online courses.

3. 3

   Join an agency or a host agency

   Immediately

   An agency employs you. A host agency lets you work for yourself under its accreditation and commission agreements, for a fee.

4. 4

   Pick a specialty

   1 to 3 years

   Cruises, luxury, adventure travel, one country, destination weddings, accessible travel. Generalists compete with booking websites and lose.

5. 5

   Certify and build a client list

   2 to 5 years

   Take a professional certification and turn repeat clients and referrals into a business.