TRAVEL AGENT

ASSOCIATIONS

American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
1101 King Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-2782
Web site: http://www.astanet.com
The ASTA is the largest association for travel professionals, including agents and travel-related companies.

International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN)
300 Garden City Plaza, Suite 342
Garden City, NY 11530-3302
(516) 663-6000
Web site: http://www.iatan.org
According to its Web site, the IATAN's mission is “to promote professionalism, administer meaningful and impartial business standards, and to provide cost-effective products, services and educational programs that benefit the travel industry.”

WEB SITES

California Occupational Guides
http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/TRAVLAGT.HTM
This is a description of the job of a travel agent, including descriptions of working conditions, outlook, wages, training requirements, and information on finding a job.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002–03 Edition

http://www.bls.gov/oco
This Web site, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, contains detailed information on hundreds of occupations.

Questions and Ideas About Working in the Travel Industry
http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/1896/Travelagent.html
Provides information on being a travel agent and links to travel schools.

Travel Agent
http://realvideo.acinet.org/ramgen/43021.rm
Offers a video in RealPlayer format.

BOOKS

Boyd, Wilma. Travel Agent. New York: Arco, 1984.

This book has been around for many years, but it is packed with illustrations and relevant information.

Career as a Travel Agent. Research No. 184, Career Research Monographs. Chicago: The Institute for Research, 1997.

Detailed discussion of all aspects of a career as a travel agent.

Reis, Ronald A. The Everything Hot Careers Book. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corp., 2001.

This book gives the inside scoop on travel agent careers, including interviews with people in the profession.

PERIODICALS

Condé Nast Traveler
4 Times Square
New York, NY 10036
Web site: http://www.concierge.com
This magazine features travel deals and destinations. Its online version offers links to airline, car, and hotel reservations, and offers numerous resources for those planning vacations.

National Geographic Traveler
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Web site: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler
A travel magazine with feature stories and vivid photography highlighting all kinds of locations around the world.

Travel and Leisure
c/o American Express Publishing
1120 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Web site: http://www.travelandleisure.com
This consumer magazine offers everything a traveler needs to know.