Going on a trip can be fun for travellers who have comfortable places to stay, good food to eat, and interesting places to see. Travel clerks help make the process easier as they help people plan their trips and deal with potential problems.

Suppose that some people wanted to travel from Canada to England to see the sights there. They would need airline tickets to get there and back, reservations for a hotel or other place to stay, and possibly tickets for plays, visits to museums, and other activities.

People can make these arrangements on their own, but travel clerks have the skills and connections to arrange travel more easily and cheaply than people can manage otherwise. Hotel managers and restaurant owners often give discounts for large numbers of reservations. A travel clerk who reserves fifty rooms each year, for example, can often get a better deal than someone who reserves only one room.

Travel clerks can be especially helpful if people encounter problems on their trips. If a traveller gets sick along the way, for example, travel clerks can help rearrange their schedules or even arrange for a hospital stay or an early ticket home. Making these types of arrangements can be very difficult for the travellers to make themselves, especially in a country where they do not speak the language. Travel clerks know whom to contact for the help that tourists need. Even business travellers are likely to benefit from the skills of a travel clerk.

Requirements for travel clerks vary. However, most people in this field should have at least a Grade 11 education, and finishing high school is a good idea, especially with courses in English, mathematics, and geography. Getting a certificate or diploma in hospitality and tourism from a career college is also a good idea, especially for people who hope to move into related jobs in the future. Job prospects depend on the economy, and big cities are likely to have more jobs than small towns.

Working as a travel clerk is not generally physically difficult, but it can be stressful. People in this field need to be willing to spend many hours on the phone each day and be able to remain calm and polite, regardless of how rude other people might be. Good organizational skills are essential, especially since travel clerks often work with several different holiday schedules at once. A good knowledge of foreign languages is useful, as well, because travel clerks often need to deal with people whose English might be minimal.

Travel clerks can work in a variety of settings. Some clerks might be in small companies where they work with all aspects of the arrangements and possibly even travel out with tour groups to help make sure that they get to their destinations. Other clerks might work only from the office, making plans for travellers. Some people in this field work in provincial or municipal tourism offices, and some people can even set up their own businesses. Specializing in a certain type of travel, such as bus trips to local destinations, is also a good choice.

Salaries for travel clerks start at about $42,000 per year and can rise to about $55,000, although location and the type of travel that the company offers can make a large difference. Dealing with the seasonal aspect of the work can be a challenge. However, for organized people who enjoy working with others, the job of travel clerk can be a good choice.

Bibliography

Career Basecamp. “Travel Clerk.” https://www.career-basecamp.com/careers/travel-clerk.

Indeed. “Travel Agency Clerk.” https://ca.indeed.com/q-travel-agency-clerk-jobs.html.

Indeed. “Travel Clerk.” https://ca.indeed.com/q-travel-clerk-jobs.html?vjk=d38463d4ddcf03ee.

Job Bank. “Travel Clerk Supervisor in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/26940/ca.