As a sales representative, the travel agent must be pleasant and patient. Experienced travel agents can take an advanced course, leading to the designation of Certified Travel Counselor, offered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. Another recognized mark of achievement in this field is a certificate of proficiency from the American Society of Travel Agents. It is awarded to those who pass a test covering the duties of travel agents. Travel agents who start their own agencies must gain formal conference approval before they can receive commissions.
Conferences are organizations of airlines, shiplines, or rail lines.
The Airline Reporting Corporation, for example, is the conference of airlines. To gain conference approval, an agency must be in operation, be financially sound, and employ at least one experienced travel agent. Since conference approval can take time to obtain, most self-employed agents make very little profit in their first year. Their income generally is limited to commissions from hotel, cruises, and tour operator and to nominal fees for making complicated arrangements. There are no Federal licensing requirements for travel agents.