This guide will discuss the steps to creating a job winning travel agent resume, as well as examples of a resume when one has no experience, examples of describing professional travel experience, and tips given by a cruise industry professional.
Also, check out our ready-to-fill resume templates to create a perfect travel agent resume in 10 minutes.
Here are some resumes from similar professionals that you can use for inspiration:
Why Your Travel Agent Resume Matters
The travel business is competitive. Employers are seeking agents capable of selling and operating more complex bookings as well as providing memorable experiences. A powerful resume is one that conveys:
- Experience of global distribution systems (GDS) and reservation tools.
- Sales success (conversion rates, upselling success).
- Measures of customer satisfaction.
- Certifications including CLIA or IATA.
Travel Agent Resume with No Experience
Breaking into travel without direct experience is possible. The key is highlighting transferable skills.
Tips for beginners:
- Showcase customer service work (retail, hospitality, call centers).
- Highlight communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
- Add certifications in progress, such as CLIA or IATA.
- Tailor your resume to each job posting.
Pro Tip from Colby Franklin, Master Cruise Counselor at Vacations To Go:
“One small change that boosted my interview calls was adding a bold, results-driven headline like ‘Luxury Cruise Specialist | 42% Close Rate | GDS & Upsell Pro.’ It instantly cuts through generic resumes.”
Sample Entry-Level Summary:Write a Professional Summary That Captures Attention
The sales pitch is your resume summary. Make it concise, focused and goal-oriented.
Correct Example:The formula of the top summary by Colby Franklin:
[Niche/Focus] + [Tools or Platforms] + [2-3 Key Metrics] + [ 1 Proof Point ].
Example Using His Formula:Professional Travel Experience Description Examples
Job requirements are not sought after by the recruiters as they require quantifiable outcomes. Examples of description you can use are as follows:
- “Closing rate of 32% cruise package- higher than team average by 10%.
- “Recurring smart follow-ups and VIP offers to customers personally rebooked 60% of them each year.”
- Trained on Sabre; booked 500+ itineraries with a 1% error rate.
These are declarations of value, which are not only task-based.
Leave a Lasting Impression with a Strong Experience Section
Senior-Level Example
Entry-Level Example
Let Your Education Shine in Your Travel Agent Resume
You will be required to complete a high school diploma as your formal education for travel agent jobs. However, a degree in travel and tourism would be an advantage.
When writing your education section, use a consistent format to state your high school education, bachelor’s, or any other formal education qualification.
The Top Skills for Your Travel Agent Resume
Travel Agent Recruitment Ad Examples (and How to Use Them)
Adverts posted during recruitment are treasure troves of keywords. Mirror them in your resume.
Sample Job Ad Keywords:
- “GDS expertise (Amadeus/Sabre)”
- “High close rates”
- “Customer satisfaction focus.”
How to Use Them:
- Skills Section: Incorporate: Experienced with Amadeus GDS.”
- Experience Section: “Booked European tours using Amadeus and saved 20 percent of the errors.”
Common Resume Red Flags to Avoid
Hiring managers scan for red flags that signal a weak candidate.
According to Franklin:- “Vague descriptors like ‘people person’ or ‘team player’ are red flags. Replace them with action-based examples like ‘Retained 85% of clients through personalized check-ins.’”
- “Lack of numbers or KPIs is another. Without metrics, it’s impossible to measure value.”
- “Unclear niche or specialization confuses recruiters. State clearly if you focus on luxury cruises, corporate travel, or group tours.”
Additional Sections for a Travel Agent Resume
From the beginning, we didn't want to create just another resume. We wanted to make one that is better than 95% of other travel agent resumes – one that you will get 10 times more interviews – one that you can confidently negotiate better pay.
To do that, writing a couple of additional sections that grab the hiring manager's attention is important.
These sections make your resume stand out to the recruiter on the first read.
Here are some examples of additional sections for travel agents:
- Computer skills & certifications
- Languages
- Interests
1. Computing skills & Certifications
A travel agent gets to work with many computer systems and software. Having a basic understanding of computer programs and how to learn new software would be a valuable skill. If you have completed any course or program about basic computer skills, you may list it here.
In addition, there are highly targeted skill certifications for travel agents. Some of these are industry-specific, while others are mandatory requirements to work as a travel agent in certain jurisdictions. Check what skill certifications are recognized by your employer.
Here are some valuable skill certifications for travel agents:
- Travel and Tourism Professional (TTP)
- Travel Agent Executive (TAE)
- Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)
- Certified Destination Specialist (CDS)
2. Languages
We have seen hiring managers referring to some candidates as “that candidate who speaks French”. No hiring manager mentions a candidate with a degree in travel & tourism because everyone has one.
Your language skills are precious for working as a travel agent, as you’ll be working with people who speak different languages.
For certain travel agent positions, proficiency in some languages would be mandatory.
When listing your languages section, state the level of proficiency in each language so the hiring manager gets a clear idea of your skills.
Here is an example:
CORRECTLanguages
English Native
French Fluent
Spanish Intermediate
INCORRECTLanguages
English
French
Spanish
3. Interests
If you’re writing your interests on the resume, make sure those skills set you apart and are relevant to the job.
Do not put any information that doesn’t add value to your profile.
Final Thoughts
Your travel agent resume must be like a highlight reel, skills, tools, metrics and client impact. Get inspired by the words of Colby Franklin: quantify yourself, customize your summary, keywords in job adverts.
In such a manner, you will not merely appear like another applicant, you will appear like the agent who completes transactions, fosters loyalty and provides experiences that will be remembered.
