Counter agent

Counter agent
travel agent, travel advisor, ticket agent
Behind his counter or on the phone, he listens, informs, advises travel candidates, and finds with them the destination of their dreams. A friendly and dynamic salesperson, the counter agent is also a technician experienced in computer reservation terminals. Always between two advertising brochures, he works a lot in season but mostly travels... by proxy.

Professional life
First ticket agent
With the exception of small agencies where the work is versatile, you start as a ticket agent before becoming a full-fledged counter agent. After a few years, the latter can become a package provider to build tailor-made trips. Or even counter manager to supervise a team, then progress to the position of agency manager.
Diversify your profession
Threatened by automatic ticketing and sales via the Internet, the role of ticket agent expected to decrease, the profession is banking on the development of personalized advice to customers to increase sales.
Significant mobility
The profession attracts young people, but since travel is not part of their activities, they do not stay. Hence a fairly significant mobility in the counter agent position. The salary, which is low compared to the level of recruitment (minimum baccalaureate + 2), further accentuates early departures.
Beginner's salary
1371 euros gross per month.
Working conditions
In various places
The counter agent most often works in a travel distribution agency. He can also work in a specialized agency where he welcomes foreign tourists. At a travel producer, where he processes reservations ordered by his travel agency colleagues... or at a carrier (airline, coach operator, etc.).
Sometimes heavy hours
Rather regular out of season, working hours are often very heavy from March onwards. Depending on the place of exercise, the activity can continue on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, sometimes at staggered times. This is particularly the case for call center agents accessible 7 days a week.
Few trips
In constant contact with travelers, the counter agent has few opportunities to travel the world. In certain agency networks, he benefits from trips organized by his company. These are intended to improve your knowledge of a given destination. However, this practice tends to become rarer.
SKILLS
Serving customers
The counter agent knows perfectly the nature of the trips he offers. He assists his clients with all the formalities to be completed: validity of identity cards and passports, vaccines, visas, customs and police formalities, etc. He masters the essential information on the destinations he advises: mode of food or climate. He is comfortable with air, rail, hotel or car rental reservation software.
Stress resistant
Working directly with customers, the counter agent is impeccably dressed and expresses himself perfectly. He is available, dynamic and smiling. Gifted in interpersonal skills, he controls his emotions and manages his stress when dealing with the most demanding clients. In a competitive context, the quality of reception is essential to attract and retain customers.
Curious and bilingual
The counter agent easily juggles a multitude of data and files. He speaks English fluently and constantly researches the destinations he sells to better advise his customers. Curiosity is part of his job.
Nature of the work
Sell tickets
A round trip from Paris to Montpellier by train... the essential activity of the counter agent concerns the sale of tickets, with the help of specialized software. He receives the customer's request, makes reservations on computer and issues transport tickets. He juggles prices, train and plane schedules, time zones...
Guide customer choice
Armed with his catalogs, he informs his contacts (tourists, businessmen, etc.) about the services he sells and provides them with appropriate documentation. Needs, preferences, taste, budget... all these elements are important to guide customers' choices and offer different options. He makes reservations with tour operators, checks the conformity of travel books and collects payments.
Suggest trips
Finally, the counter agent negotiates, for example, attractive rates with an airline. He contacts a local correspondent to find out more about the accompanied tours that they offer. He books hotels, rents a car... He is often called package seller.
Training to enter the profession
BTS and professional licenses are diplomas very appreciated by emp