With so many relevant skills overlapping between the two professions, for many teachers the progression from educator to travel agent feels like natural one.
At KHM Travel Group, we are proud to host many educators who have simultaneously held teaching positions while operating their at-home businesses or have embraced this new career path to prepare for (or following!) retirement. Even several of our team members have found their way to the travel industry after spending time in front of a classroom.
The traits that define you in your role as educator will define you in your new role as travel advisor.
Here are some of the skills that transfer from the school to the home-based travel agency, with thoughts from our team and teacher travel agents:
Has A Commitment to and Love of Learning
Whether you’re just starting out in the travel industry or have been a travel agent for years, there is always something new to learn. Just as teachers participate in ongoing education and professional development events, travel advisors are constantly doing the same. Excitedly embracing educational opportunities is so important for understanding the ins and outs of the ever-changing travel industry and helping your business flourish.
“Education requires constant growth, and that ability to learn quickly is invaluable in the ever-evolving travel industry.” – Jaime C. (high school College and Career Readiness/Academic Intervention)
“As a former K-8 educator, I feel a sense of passion for learning new things. This translates to everything in my life, especially working in the travel industry. I love getting to share my knowledge with others and to offer teachable moments.” – Janet Platt (Lead Compliance and Group Specialist with KHM Travel Group)
“It’s hard to fully grasp ahead of time how many completely different systems you will have to learn and navigate in this business. Not one single supplier does travel booking the same way. So lean on your enthusiasm for lifelong learning as you begin to take it all in. Be patient with yourself, though, and try to take on only one new system and one new supplier at a time.” – Carol A. (former 2nd grade teacher)
Can Adapt to People and Situations
With each new school year or even class period throughout the day, you’ve had on-the-job training to work with a classroom full of diverse learners and personalities. Just like students, clients come in a variety of types. Some need more handholding or will micromanage their vacations. Others book their trip and then you don’t hear from them again until they return. Some are organized and invested in their trips, completing tasks in a timely manner, while some will need constant prodding.
Being able to pivot or prioritize tasks that require your immediate attention is important in the classroom and when managing multiple trips for your clients. Some days go according to plan, and you’ll find yourself moving through your to do list with ease, but other days might find you veering from your checklist to address an unforeseen situation.
Feels a Strong Sense of Responsibility to People in Their Care
A home-based travel agency is a business, not a hobby, and with operating it comes a great deal of responsibility. You must adhere to compliance and supplier requirements, understand travel protocols, adhere to deadlines, and make your clients’ payments in a timely manner, for example. The less glamorous behind-the-scenes operations also require your care, including things like managing your business funds, preparing taxes, and Seller of Travel licenses. Launching your business with the right mentality and approaching each day with a renewed sense of ownership will help keep you on track.
Shows Empathy
When working with people, whether they are children learning new math skills or adults trying to understand the logistics of their Italy itinerary, empathy is necessary. Listening to clients and trying to understand the emotions they have attached to their trips and displaying kindness if things go wrong shows you are the kind of person people can trust for their travel plans. This relationship building is important for longevity and growth in the industry.
Can Multi-Task Throughout the Day
Travel agents, like teachers, often face a wide variety of tasks throughout their workdays, and knowing how to move seamlessly between them (and sometimes juggling more than one task at a time!) is important for time management.
“I taught high school sciences for five years and multi-tasking is a big one! You learn to pay attention to details, recall specifics for each student/client, have patience when repeating yourself, and pivot when something changes and you need to resolve a new problem.” – Amanda R.
“Managing a classroom has made it second nature to juggle multiple clients, bookings, and details at once.” – Jaime C. (high school, College and Career Readiness/Academic Intervention)
Stays Level-Headed in a Crisis
Things don’t always go smoothly in the classroom, nor will they when sending clients around the world on strategically crafted itineraries. Keeping a level head and knowing how to solve problems efficiently is a must. This means knowing how to tap into the resources needed to address situations when they arise and then working to resolve things efficiently.
“Whether addressing classroom challenges or travel disruptions, finding solutions efficiently is critical.” – Jaime C. (high school, College and Career Readiness/Academic Intervention)
Has Keen Attention to Detail
Whether it’s a weekend getaway to Las Vegas, a family theme park vacation, or an extended river cruise, the trip details pile up. Figuring out a way to organize and stay on top of all these details (Pre-tour city stays! Excursions! Transfers! Dining Plans! Embarkation procedures! Entry requirements!) is vital to your clients’ plans (and their happiness!)
“The thorough attention to detail you developed through lesson planning will transfer nicely into crafting client itineraries.” – Amy Smith, Administrative Assistant for Marketing and Supplier Relations with KHM Travel Group (former long-term substitute teacher)
“Being detail oriented as a travel agent is more than a skill. It’s an act of care. Every passport date checked, every connection confirmed, and every preference remembered has the power to turn a simple trip into a seamless experience. In travel, the smallest details often create the biggest peace of mind, and clients never forget the agent who made them feel truly taken care of.” – Geoff Cox, Vice President of Sales and Marketing (former middle school social studies teacher)
Presents Information in a Way That Makes Sense
Teachers are well accustomed to presenting information to students with different learning styles, and this skill comes in handy when working with clients. Knowing how to break down information in a clear, concise manner will be helpful for travelers of all varieties.
“Just as kids have different learning styles, our clients have their own styles of processing information we send them. You may need to change things up so someone understands something better. For instance, I have a client who has dyslexia, along with some other learning issues. If I send her a lot of information, it’s easier for her to read it if the print is larger, spaced out more, and if it’s in alternating colors.” – Missy S. (high school English)
Maintains Patience Under Pressure
Patience is necessary when working with challenging clients, navigating issues with a supplier, or managing changing travel plans. There can be long hold times with suppliers, particularly during widespread events that disrupt travel, or sometimes you might feel frustrated with the help you’re receiving. The journey is rewarding as a travel agent, but it’s not without its bumps in the road.
You also need to have patience with yourself as you launch your business and begin to lay its foundation. With so much to learn, you might feel overwhelmed…so don’t try to dive in and do it all at once.
“The understanding that not everyone receives information into their brains in the same way has given me patience when communicating with clients. I’m not constantly frustrated when they ask questions I’ve already answered.” – Carol A. (2nd grade)
Is Fueled by Passion
We know teachers are passionate about educating students, watching them grow, and instilling a love of learning that helps them succeed throughout their lives. When it comes to trip planning – big overseas adventures or small resort getaways and everything in between – passion for travel is what fuels many travel agents. Helping people check destinations from their bucket lists, make memories with their loved ones, and enjoy new experiences around the globe is often what keeps travel agents going when days feel challenging.
“Have passion in what you do, even when there are ‘down’ days.” – Nancy M. (retired, 2nd grade)
Establishes Organization Methods that Work
Teachers must be organized to operate their classrooms, and travel agents must be organized to manage the many trips they have booked for their clients. Each part of managing a business and planning travel requires structure and organization. Client trip files, digital tools, social media and other marketing efforts, a general workflow, and even your physical workspace need to be neat and tidy. (The good news is that for the most part, you can implement what works for you!)
“With approximately 120 students divided among six classes per day at two different levels, organization wasn’t just helpful…it was an absolute requirement for me to be able to do my job. Setting up my classroom and workspace, storing materials, logging my students’ data, and planning out lessons each week more than prepared me for the level of organization that client and trip management would require when I became a travel agent. While my methods have evolved over the years, attention to detail and dedication to organization have truly helped me in every aspect of managing my business.” – Stephanie Nye, Copywriter with KHM Travel Group (former high school Spanish teacher)
Communicates in a Timely and Clear Manner
From the first inquiry to the welcome home email or phone call, travel agents remain in constant communication with their clients. This comes in the form of answering questions via email, speaking with new clients during a consultation call, preparing a thorough “Know Before You Go” guide for departing clients, or conducting a Zoom meeting to review documents together. No matter the method, travel agents need to consider timelines, strategies, tone, and professionalism when presenting information to clients.
“Teaching has taught me how to explain things clearly, answer questions patiently, and diffuse stressful situations calmly when problems arise.” – Darlene K. (7th grade Social Studies)
“When it comes to communicating with clients, just like with students listen to find out what is actually being said. Don’t jump in too quickly, and ask follow up questions to check for understanding.” – Kelly S. (high school Special Education)
…And some impactful closing thoughts from Geoff Cox, Vice President of Sales and Marketing (former middle school Social Studies teacher):
“To every teacher considering becoming a travel agent: you already have many of the qualities that make an exceptional advisor. Teachers are natural planners, communicators, problem-solvers, and caregivers. These are all skills that help clients feel supported, informed, and cared for throughout their travel experience. Your patience, organization, and attention to detail can turn stressful trips into seamless and meaningful memories.”
If you’re feeling excited but overwhelmed, with the support of a good host agency like KHM Travel Group and our kind and helpful travel agent community, you can become a successful travel agent.
