While most companies look for some form of qualification when recruiting travel agents, the consensus among local industry players seems to be that experience outweighs qualification. Travel agencies also tend to offer their own in-house training, with prior qualifications deemed advantageous.
Kim Botti , Director of supply chain, logistics, and travel recruitment agency Lee Botti Associates, told Travel News that most travel agencies looked for some sort of travel qualification when recruiting but, more specifically, for experience, especially in working on GDS systems such as Amadeus, Galileo, or Sabre.
Flight Centre Travel Group offers a comprehensive three-week training programme during induction, where new starters learn about the organisation, systems, and sales. This is followed by a year-long development pathway, featuring quarterly training sessions designed to enhance skills and adaptability.
We provide comprehensive in-house training, ensuring that new team members are equipped with the necessary skills for success. This approach allows us to welcome individuals without prior qualifications, reflecting our commitment to developing talent and fostering a supportive workplace environment, Samantha Davidson , Learning Development Business Leader at Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa, told Travel News .
Flight Centre Independent, on the other hand, requires ITCs to have a minimum of three years bona fide travel agency experience in booking leisure and/or corporate travel, as well as GDS certification, experience, proficiency, and knowledge. Among its requirements are an understanding of fares and ticketing (preferably Amadeus).
