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Salesperson, Travel Agent, Travel Consultant
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In general, travel counsellors:
When routes or schedules change or other factors create the need to alter customer travel plans, travel counsellors must be able to make the necessary adjustments quickly.
Travel agencies may earn commissions by selling the services of suppliers such as:
Most travel counsellors work in travel agencies located in towns or cities, but a growing number work from their homes. Most of a travel counsellor’s work day is spent consulting with clients and completing paperwork. They often are subject to time pressures. They need to work overtime during peak travel periods, when clients’ travel plans change or when socio-political events or natural disasters occur.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in persuading clients by promoting particular destinations, tour packages and other travel services, and by selling single-fare tickets and package tours
Interest in operating computerized reservation and ticketing systems to make bookings and reservations; and in providing travel details to clients regarding destinations, transportation and accommodation options and costs, and recommending suitable products
Interest in compiling information to investigate new travel destinations, hotels and other facilities and attractions
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Travel counsellors are sales representatives who are responsible for encouraging customers to return and use their agency’s services again. Therefore, they need:
They should enjoy working with people and promoting travel products, performing detailed work and taking a methodical approach to compiling information, and operating computerized systems.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 108 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 31, 2021 and Dec 21, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Provide travel information to clients regarding destinations, transportation and accommodation options and travel costs, and recommend suitable products | 85 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Make transportation and accommodation reservations using computerized reservation and ticketing system | 84 |
| Tasks: Provide customers with travel information and other details such as regulations, duty free allowances, health risks and requirements, attractions and special events | 76 |
| Tasks: Sell travel products and travel insurance | 74 |
| Tasks: Attend to cancellations and schedule changes | 71 |
| Tasks: Perform general office duties | 64 |
| Attention to detail | 63 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 60 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 58 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 56 |
Travel counsellors should have at least a high school diploma. Travel agencies generally prefer to hire people who have:
It is beneficial to have completed travel-related courses or programs at the post-secondary level.
Prospective students are strongly advised to discuss their career and education plans with people employed in the travel industry before enrolling in an education program.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Some employers prefer to hire people who are certified. Voluntary certification is available through the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA). The designations offered include Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) and Certified Travel Manager (CTM).
Tourism HR Canada offers voluntary emerit Travel Counsellor certification. Certification training is accessible from the emerit website.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Travel counsellors are employed by:
Qualifications for employment vary considerably from one employer to another. Inexperienced workers may start in clerical positions and take night courses or in-service training while they are gaining experience. Advancement depends on the travel counsellor’s sales ability and initiative, and the size of the company. Some experienced travel counsellors move into travel agency management positions, or open their own travel agencies (emerit also offers certification as a Travel Manager).
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Travel counsellors
2016 NOC: 6521
80.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries, working conditions and travel benefits vary greatly from one employer to another. Many travel agencies have incentive plans where wages are based on sales productivity.
Depending on their agency’s sales performance, travel counsellors may qualify for reduced rates for air, cruise and hotel arrangements. Educational tours are offered to travel agencies by suppliers, and counsellors usually attend 1 tour a year.
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) website: www.ahla.ca
Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) website: www.acta.ca
Travel Alberta website, Industry hub: industry.travelalberta.com
Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
