The Changing Face of Travel Agents 2023, the report released by The Travel Institute, offers valuable insights into the current state of the travel industry. Based on the findings, the gig economy continues to thrive, and more agents are interested in part-time work that provides greater flexibility and independence.
Compared to the previous surveys in 2008 and 2018, the trend towards independent contractor (IC) agent models is increasing, with 71% of agents working as ICs and only 29% as employees. Additionally, 44% of ICs say that being an agent today represents a career change, which suggests that it is an attractive career option for people from all walks of life.
Despite high job satisfaction, there has been a significant exodus of experienced agents in recent years, and there is potential for the current seasoned agent population to “age out.” During the pandemic, 36% of agencies lost seasoned staff, and 44% had to replace that staff with a combination of experienced and new-to-the-industry agents.
Moreover, the current travel agent population is aging, with 66% of agents over the age of 50, compared to 52% in 2018 and just 11% in 2008. However, the report shows that the “young” agent population has declined, with only 6% of agents under the age of 35 compared to 11% in 2018 and 9% in 2008.
These trends could signal a shortage of available skilled travel agents to meet consumer demand in the next decade. Moreover, staffing and recruiting are not the current top areas of concern, as owners and managers cite the complexity of researching global regulations and traveler anxiety as their daily challenges.
To increase the availability of educated travel advisors and increase public awareness about the value they bring, Travel Leaders Network has partnered with The Travel Institute to recruit and retain agents through attractive educational programs. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% increase in agents from 2021-2031, indicating a high demand for skilled travel agents, which needs to be met.
The Travel Institute has taken an active lead in training new agents through its TRIPKIT introductory training course for industry newcomers, training an average of 2,000 agents each year. The Institute is on track to train approximately 5,000 agents in 2023. Educational institutions, industry suppliers, and agencies need to act collectively to ensure quality agent education and introduce students to agent career options, whether as ICs with a host agency or as employees with a travel industry employer.
The report further indicated that quality education is critical for young new agents to succeed and dedicate themselves to an agent career that plays a vital role in the travel industry. The travel industry needs to collectively attract and retain young, dedicated individuals who will eventually take the industry’s reins and ensure it not only survives but thrives.
The Changing Face of Travel Agents 2023 shows changes in the travel industry, creating opportunities and challenges for the industry—while also stressing the need for industry-wide training to attract, educate, and retain young, dedicated individuals to ensure that the travel industry thrives in the future.
