How to become a travel counsellor
Official title: Travel counsellors
Also called: Travel agent, Travel consultant, Travel counsellor, Travel specialist, Travel centre counsellor, Travel information agent, Booking agent - travel agency, Tourist information counsellor, Visitor information counsellor, Reservation agent - travel agency, Reservation sales agent - travel agency
Travel counsellors advise clients on travel options and tour packages, make bookings and reservations, prepare tickets and receive payment. They are employed in travel agencies, transportation and tourism firms and hotel chains.
Main tasks
- Provide travel information to clients regarding destinations, transportation and accommodation options and travel costs, and recommend suitable products
- Plan and organize vacation travel for individuals or groups
- Make transportation and accommodation reservations using computerized reservation and ticketing system
- Sell single fare tickets and package tours to clients
- Promote particular destinations, tour packages and other travel services
- Investigate new travel destinations, hotels and other facilities and attractions
- Provide travel tips regarding tourist attractions, foreign currency, customs, languages and travel safety
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. A college diploma or vocational training in travel or tourism is usually required. Certification with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) may be required.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $46,800 a year The middle half earn $37,499 to $54,600.
- About 14,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 15,300 are projected by 2033. (+4.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Pursers and flight attendants
- Airline ticket and service agents
- Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
- Hotel front desk clerks
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Questions people ask
How do I become a travel counsellor?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. A college diploma or vocational training in travel or tourism is usually required. Certification with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) may be required.
How much does a travel counsellor earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $46,800 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $37,499 to $54,600.
Is a travel counsellor a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2033, from about 14,600 to about 15,300 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a travel counsellor?
Not always. 28% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03