STANDARD

 

 

HRT 102 - TRAVEL AGENCY OPERATIONS

 

 

Course Description

 

Introduces students to the role of the travel agent in the hospitality industry.  Emphasis is placed on career options, industry trends, travel documents, and tour planning.  Topics include:  terminology, agency operations, travel reference guides, airline industry, other transportation modes, hotels and resorts, travel and tourism careers, and miscellaneous services.

 

Competency Areas                                                                             Hours

         

Terminology

 

 

Class/Week

5

Agency Operations

 

 

D. Lab/Week

0

Travel Reference Guides

 

 

P. Lab/Week

 

Airline Industry

 

 

Credit Hours

5

Other Transportation Modes

 

 

 

 

Hotels and Resorts

 

 

 

 

Travel and Tourism Careers

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Services

 

 

 

 

 

                        

Prerequisite: Provisional admission

 

 

 

 

COURSE GUIDE

 

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

 

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab

TERMINOLOGY

5

0

 

Terminology

Define the terms associated with the operation of a travel agency.

 

 

 

AGENCY OPERATIONS

10

0

 

Services

Describe the services travel agents provide to customers.

 

 

 

 

Identify types of travelers.

 

 

 

Agency income

List the factors which determine agency income.

 

State methods used by travel agencies to increase income.

 

 

 

Agent characteristics

Discuss the characteristics of a competent travel agent.

 

 

 

Manager

Describe the functions of a travel agency manager.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the qualifications for the position of travel agency manager.

 

 

 

Employee incentives

Describe employee incentive plans used by travel agencies.

 

 

 

 

Contrast various employee incentive plans travel agencies use.

 

 

 

Documents

Describe the data needed for travel agency bookkeeping.

 

Give examples of forms used to document customer services.

 

 

 

Travel consultant

Discuss the qualifications of travel consultant.

 

 

 

 

State the requirements for becoming a Certified Travel Consultant.

 

 

 

Conference requirements

Describe the services offered by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC).

 

Describe the services offered by the International Airlines Travel Agency Network (IATAN).

 

 

 

 

Describe the services offered by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

 

 

 

 

Discuss bonding requirements associated with operating a travel agency.

 

 

 

Organizational structure

Contrast the advantages of proprietorship or partnership or corporation as an organizational structure for a travel agency.

 

 

 

TRAVEL REFERENCE GUIDES

5

0

 

Airline guides

Describe the contents of Official Airlines Guides.

 

 

 

Ground and sea travel guides

Give example of railway reference guides.

 

Give example of motorcoach reference guides.

 

Give example of sea travel reference guides.

 

Give example of car rental reference guides.

 

 

 

Hotel/motel guide

Give example of hotel/motel reference guides.

 

 

 

Specialized guides

Give examples of tour operation agencies.

 

Give examples of meetings planner guides.

 

Give an example of a travel reference for handicapped travelers.

 

 

 

AIRLINE INDUSTRY

10

0

 

Sales and reservations

Discuss services provided by the airline sales representative.

 

 

 

 

Process an airline ticket reservation.

 

 

 

 

Reconfirm an airline ticket reservation.

 

 

 

Standard ticket

Describe the contents of an airline ticket.

 

 

 

 

Define area bank as applied to airline travel ticketing procedures.

 

Discuss rules for ticket stock security.

 

Discuss common errors in writing airline travel tickets.

 

 

 

Equipment and supplies

Identify equipment and supplies required to meet ARC and IATAN requirements.

 

 

 

OTHER TRANSPORTATION MODES

5

0

 

Rail

Discuss Amtrak travel options.

 

 

 

 

Discuss Amtrak travel accommodations and services.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the cultural benefits of rail travel in foreign countries.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the benefits of the Eurailpass.

 

 

 

Sea

List reasons for sea travel.

 

 

 

 

Discuss types of cruise ships and classes of service.

 

 

 

 

Describe life aboard a cruise ship.

 

 

 

 

Contrast travel on a cruise ship with travel on a freighter.

 

 

 

 

Plan a sea voyage.

 

 

 

Motorcoach

Describe accommodations provided on a motorcoach.

 

 

 

 

Describe the types of travel services provided by motorcoaches.

 

 

 

Rentals

Discuss domestic car rental services.

 

 

 

 

Describe the procedure for booking a car rental.

 

 

 

 

Discuss foreign country car rental services.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the requirements for purchasing an automobile overseas.

 

 

 

 

List documents required to operate an automobile in a foreign country.

 

 

 

 

Discuss optional forms of rental transportation.

 

 

 

HOTEL AND RESORTS

5

0

 

Hotel rating

Describe hotel rating systems.

 

 

 

 

Describe the information available in a directory for a hotel chain.

 

 

 

Client needs

Discuss travel agency client's most often requested information about hotels.

 

 

 

Hotel reservations

Discuss the procedure for making a hotel reservation.

 

Contrast the differences between individual reservation and group reservations.

 

 

 

TRAVEL AND TOURISM CAREERS

5

0

 

Progression

State entry level positions for the travel industry.

 

 

 

 

List travel agency job options available to graduates.

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

5

0

 

Travelers’ insurance

Discuss types of travelers’ insurance.

 

 

 

Travelers checks

Discuss client benefits for purchasing travelers checks.

 

 

 

Tipping

Discuss tipping guidelines.

 

 

 

Packing for trip

Discuss client clothing and packing hints.

 

 

 

Traveling with a pet

Discuss requirements for traveling with a pet.

 

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Suggested Resources include textbooks shown below or most current edition.

 

Gregory, A.  (1989).  The travel agent: Dealer in dreams (3rd ed.).  Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

 

Metelka, C. J.  (1990).  The dictionary of hospitality, travel and tourism (3rd ed.).  Albany, NY: Delmar.

 

Rice, S., & Todd, G.  (1991).  Travel perspectives: A guide to becoming a travel agent.  Albany, NY: Delmar.

 

Starr, N., & Silva, K.  (1990).  Travel career development (4th ed.).  Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

 

Semer-Purzycki, J.  (1989).  A practical guide to fares and ticketing.  Albany, NY: Delmar.

 

Sterens, L.  (1990).  Guide to starting and operating a successful travel agency (3rd ed.).  Albany, NY: Delmar.