travel consultant key responsibilities

Travel Consultant Job Description [Updated for 2024]

In the age of global exploration, the focus on travel consultants has never been stronger.

As the world becomes more accessible, the demand for knowledgeable individuals who can plan, guide, and ensure seamless travel experiences grows more pronounced.

But let’s dig deeper: What’s really expected from a travel consultant?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker looking to understand the essence of this role,
• A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply curious about the intricacies of travel consultancy,

You’ve found the right spot.

Today, we present a customizable travel consultant job description template, created for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right in.

Travel Consultant Duties and Responsibilities

Travel Consultants provide expert advice and guidance on travel options to individuals and groups.

They utilize their knowledge of travel destinations and the travel industry to arrange travel accommodations and plan travel itineraries based on the client’s preferences and budget.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Consulting with clients to determine their travel needs and preferences
• Researching and presenting travel itinerary options including transportation, accommodation, and attractions
• Booking and confirming reservations for travel and accommodation
• Offering and selling travel insurance and other travel products
• Advising clients on necessary travel documents such as visas and passports
• Keeping up-to-date with changes and trends in the travel industry
• Providing information on travel advisories and safety warnings
• Handling and resolving client complaints and issues
• Maintaining accurate records of client bookings and payments
• Building and maintaining relationships with travel suppliers and industry partners

Travel Consultant Job Description Template

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Travel Consultant to join our team.

In this role, you will be responsible for organizing and booking clients’ travel plans including transportation, accommodation and activities.

Travel Consultant responsibilities include understanding the clients’ travel needs, planning and arranging customized travel experiences, and selling suitable travel packages and services.

The successful candidate should be passionate about travel, have excellent knowledge of various travel destinations, and outstanding customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and sell travel experiences, accommodations, insurance, and other travel services
• Cooperate with clients to determine their needs and advise them on travel destinations, travel dates, costs and accommodations
• Manage travel-related issues or emergencies
• Collaborate with clients to determine their needs and suggest suitable travel packages
• Organize travels from beginning to end, including tickets, accommodation, and transportation
• Supply travelers with pertinent information and useful travel/holiday materials
• Handle unforeseen problems and complaints and determine eligibility for money returns
• Maintain relationships with key persons to ensure maximum client satisfaction

Qualifications

• Proven work experience as a travel consultant
• Excellent knowledge of travel software and computer reservation systems
• Fluency in English; knowledge of additional languages is a plus
• Strong sales skills and commercial awareness
• Ability to interact, communicate and negotiate effectively
• Sound knowledge of domestic and international travel trends
• Degree in hospitality, travel, tourism, business or relevant field
• Personal travel experience will be considered an advantage
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Travel discounts

Additional Information

• Job Title: Travel Consultant
• Work Environment: Office setting with options for remote work. Occasional travel may be required for familiarization trips or industry conferences.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Travel Agency Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $40,000 minimum to $60,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

What Does a Travel Consultant Do?

Travel Consultants, also known as travel agents, primarily work for travel agencies, tour companies, or operate their own business.

They can also work as independent contractors or consultants.

Their main task is to plan, organize, and book travel arrangements for their clients.

This includes not only booking flights, hotels, and car rentals, but also arranging for tours or other local attractions at the destination.

Travel Consultants provide advice on potential travel destinations, offer information about the local culture, customs, and regulations, and address any travel concerns their clients might have.

This information may include details about necessary travel documents, like visas or passports, or health and safety advisories.

They also work on creating customized itineraries based on their clients’ preferences, budget, and travel goals.

These itineraries may include details about sightseeing spots, dining options, local transportation, and other travel-related aspects.

Travel Consultants often deal with suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators, to negotiate contracts, make reservations, and handle any changes or cancellations.

A significant part of their job is to ensure client satisfaction and handle any emergencies or problems that arise during the trip.

This could include rebooking flights, arranging alternative accommodations, or helping with travel insurance claims.

They also stay updated about changes in the travel industry, such as new travel destinations, airline policies, or travel technology, to provide their clients with the best possible service.

Travel Consultant Qualifications and Skills

A proficient travel consultant should have skills and qualifications that align with the role, such as:

• Strong knowledge of various travel destinations and the services available in those destinations
• Excellent interpersonal skills to connect with clients, understanding their specific travel needs and preferences
• Exceptional communication skills to provide clear and accurate information to clients, as well as listen and understand client requests
• Excellent organizational skills for managing travel arrangements, such as booking flights and accommodations, arranging transport, and planning itineraries
• Strong sales skills to effectively promote and sell travel products and services, while also building long-term client relationships
• Problem-solving skills to handle any changes or issues that may arise during the travel planning process or the trip itself
• Customer service skills for performing transactions, handling inquiries, and providing after-sales support, including handling complaints and giving advice
• Working knowledge of travel software systems and online booking tools, as well as proficiency in using computer systems and office software
• Attention to detail to ensure all travel arrangements are made correctly and according to the client’s requirements

Travel Consultant Experience Requirements

Travel consultants typically require at least 1 to 2 years of experience in the travel industry or a customer service role.

This experience can be gained through internships, part-time roles, or positions in related fields such as hospitality or tourism.

Candidates with a background in business or sales may also qualify for travel consultant roles, as these positions often involve selling travel packages and negotiating travel deals.

Those with more than 3 years of experience often have a thorough understanding of the travel industry, including expertise in booking flights, accommodations, and other travel services.

They are also usually familiar with travel-related software and applications.

Travel consultants with more than 5 years of experience may have leadership experience and could be eligible for managerial roles in travel agencies or tour companies.

They may also have specialized knowledge or certifications in areas such as luxury travel, adventure tourism, or corporate travel management.

In addition to practical experience, many employers prefer travel consultants who have completed relevant training or education, such as a diploma or degree in travel, tourism, or a related field.

Travel Consultant Education and Training Requirements

Travel Consultants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent education.

However, many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism, hospitality, or a related field.

In addition to formal education, they should have a good understanding of world geography, different cultures, and travel regulations.

Proficiency in foreign languages can also be beneficial.

Many travel consultants gain practical skills through on-the-job training, which includes reservation system software training, customer service training, and learning about the different products and services available to travelers.

Certifications can also be beneficial for travel consultants.

For instance, the Travel Institute offers the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) and Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) credentials, which require continuing education and work experience.

In-depth knowledge about certain destinations or types of travel (like luxury or business travel) can also be an advantage.

This can be achieved through personal travel experiences or specialized training courses.

Finally, because the travel industry is constantly changing, travel consultants must continually update their knowledge through seminars, workshops, and industry events.

Travel Consultant Salary Expectations

A Travel Consultant earns an average salary of $40,840 (USD) per year.

This salary can fluctuate depending on the individual’s experience, skills, location, and the size of the employing agency.

Furthermore, additional earnings could be made from commissions based on sales of travel packages.

Travel Consultant Job Description FAQs

What skills does a travel consultant need.

Travel consultants should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to understand their clients’ travel needs and preferences.

They should also have good organizational skills to plan and arrange complex travel itineraries.

Knowledge of travel software and reservation systems is also required.

A good travel consultant should also be able to handle stressful situations, as they often need to make last-minute travel arrangements or cope with travel emergencies.

Do travel consultants need a degree?

While a degree is not always required, many travel consultants have degrees in fields like hospitality, tourism, or business.

Some travel agencies prefer consultants with a background in a specific area, such as luxury travel or business travel.

Certifications from recognized travel organizations, such as The Travel Institute or The American Society of Travel Agents, can also be beneficial.

What should you look for in a travel consultant resume?

In a travel consultant’s resume, look for previous experience in the travel industry, including roles at travel agencies or hospitality companies.

Familiarity with travel software and reservation systems is also a plus.

Other valuable qualities to look for include strong customer service skills, the ability to handle stress, and proficiency in multiple languages.

What qualities make a good travel consultant?

A good travel consultant is passionate about travel and enjoys helping others explore the world.

They are detail-oriented, ensuring that all travel arrangements are made accurately and efficiently.

They have excellent interpersonal skills, making clients feel comfortable and understood.

Additionally, they are problem solvers, able to quickly come up with solutions when travel plans change or emergencies arise.

Is it difficult to hire travel consultants?

Hiring travel consultants can be challenging due to the specific skills and knowledge required for the job.

The ideal candidate should not only have a passion for travel, but also have excellent customer service skills, knowledge of various travel destinations, and the ability to handle stressful situations.

Offering competitive salaries, opportunities for travel, and a supportive work environment can help attract high-quality candidates.

So there you have it.

Today, we’ve unraveled the mystery behind what it actually means to be a travel consultant.

And guess what?

It’s not just about booking flights and hotels.

It’s about curating unforgettable experiences, one destination at a time.

With our reliable travel consultant job description template and real-world examples, you’re fully equipped to take the leap.

But why stop there?

Venture further with our job description generator . It’s your next step to creating precision-designed job listings or refining your resume to perfection.

Every travel itinerary is a part of a larger journey.

Let’s craft those unforgettable experiences. Together.

Reasons to Become a Travel Consultant (See the World!)

How to Become a Travel Consultant (Complete Guide)

Disadvantages of Being a Travel Consultant (No Home Comforts)

Unbelievable But True: Enjoyable Jobs With Fat Paychecks

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The Golden Ticket: Careers That Are Winning in the Job Market

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The Editorial Team at InterviewGuy.com is composed of certified interview coaches, seasoned HR professionals, and industry insiders. With decades of collective expertise and access to an unparalleled database of interview questions, we are dedicated to empowering job seekers. Our content meets real-time industry demands, ensuring readers receive timely, accurate, and actionable advice. We value our readers' insights and encourage feedback, corrections, and questions to maintain the highest level of accuracy and relevance.

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Travel Consultant Job Description

Travel consultants provide suggestions for travel arrangements and then proceed to make those plans upon confirmation that clients would like to purchase the package. Most travel consultants require a deposit before they work to secure reservations.

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Travel Consultant Job Description Template

We are looking for a well-traveled and insightful travel consultant to advise on and plan business and vacation itineraries. The travel consultant should meet with clients to determine their needs, and then select the most appropriate options given time and budget constraints. You should also inform clients of cancellation procedures and any applicable penalties.

To ensure success as a travel consultant, you should plan arrangements in accordance with clients' mobility and medical requirements. An outstanding travel consultant will monitor and tend to all queries within short turnaround times.

Travel Consultant Responsibilities:

• Responding to inquiries about our company's services and offerings.
• Determining each client's requirements, including destinations, length of stay, and transit time.
• Ensuring that clients pay the deposit before you commence with bookings.
• Informing clients about the cancellation policy, including salient dates and all penalties.
• Ascertaining and adhering to the available budget.
• Selecting the most appropriate transport based on the available finances, requisite departure and arrival times, and preferred duration of transit.
• Securing accommodation that is best suited to the budget and location of choice.
• Planning excursions based on each client's needs and interests.
• Accounting for mobility and medical needs during each phase of the trip planning process.

Travel Consultant Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Qualification in tourism or similar is preferred.
• Demonstrable experience as a travel consultant, with expertise in local and international travel arrangements.
• Computer literate, with exceptional desktop research and professional writing skills.
• Top-notch interpersonal skills, including communication, respect, and empathy.
• Ability to source the best quotes.
• A knack for delivering multiple outputs within tight turnaround times, as needed.
• Capacity to deliver commendable services that surpass clients' expectations.

Related Articles:

Travel agent job description, reservation agent job description, travel consultant interview questions, travel agent interview questions, reservation agent interview questions.

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What does a Travel Consultant do?

A travel consultant is responsible for organizing travel arrangements by recommending travel packages, inclusive of all details such as location, travel costs, amenities, and other related factors. Travel consultants confirm the client's preference, ensuring the execution of plans based on their best interests. They arrange the itineraries, reservations, and other specifics for the client's security and comfortability. Travel consultants should also consider factors that may affect travel plans, such as weather conditions and other booking complications, immediately notifying the client on plan adjustments.

• Responsibilities
• Skills And Traits
• Comparisions
• Types of Travel Consultant

Travel consultant responsibilities

A travel consultant plays a vital role in planning and organizing travel arrangements for clients. They must manage travel reservations and arrangements for corporate and leisure clients. They also assist business executives with domestic and international travel arrangements, including flight, hotel, car rental, and Amtrak bookings. They provide customer service, maintain client satisfaction, and prepare travel itineraries for both individual and group travel. They also specialize in international air travel ticketing and exchange domestic and international airline reservations. They handle accounting responsibilities and maintain product knowledge. They also manage and maintain existing contracts with travel agencies and corporate accounts while evaluating quarterly productivity. They must also be skilled in conflict resolution and have a deep knowledge of travel destinations.

Here are examples of responsibilities from real travel consultant resumes:

• Manage small scale projects to ensure profile databases and scripts properly transfer information in GDS.
• Negotiate contracts, book event/meeting space; manage corporate housing for independent contractors, including RFP's and ROI's.
• Collaborate with other offices on VIP and unusual international reservations for better quality of reservations.
• Provide customer service by providing administrative support to associates using the online reservation booking tool Apollo.
• Modify business travelers airline, car and hotel reservations including exchanging tickets in emergency and non emergency situations.
• Book transportation and hotel reservations using a computer or telephone, collecting payment for transportation and accommodations from the customer.
• Coordinate transportation/reservations, utilize Apollo reservations software
• Operate Amadeus global distribution system to build air itineraries.
• Conduct monthly centrally bill account (CBA) reconciliation in DTS.
• Help arrange both corporate and leisure reservation using the Amadeus CRS system.
• Review all authorization and vouchers within DTS for errors prior to approval.
• Facilitate all airline contracts from start to finish; group air ticketing, passport and visa.
• Monitor and sort global distribution system (GDS) queues (or similar program) to maintain quality control.
• Conduct RFP's, and negotiate discounts with agencies, airlines, car rental companies and hotels as necessary.
• Utilize WorldSpan travel and reservation software.

Travel consultant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 33 % of Travel Consultants are proficient in Reservations , Booking , and Car Rentals . They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills , Customer-service skills , and Detail oriented .

We break down the percentage of Travel Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Modified business travelers airline, car and hotel reservations including exchanging tickets in emergency and non emergency situations.

Provided customer service by providing administrative support to associates using the online reservation booking tool Apollo.

Coordinate domestic/international flight arrangements, hotel accommodations, car rentals, train tickets and limo service.

Provide information and prepared and book all air, car, and hotel reservations for frequent business travel members.

Cultivated customer relationships by providing superior service in all aspects of corporate travel, ultimately increasing potential for repeat business.

Tracked marketing demographics and performed related accounting functions using advanced travel industry software.

Common skills that a travel consultant uses to do their job include "reservations," "booking," and "car rentals." You can find details on the most important travel consultant responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a travel consultant to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "travel agents must listen to clients’ travel needs and offer travel advice and information that meet those needs." Travel consultants often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "manage direct communication with tour operators, resort/property managers and transportation vendors (airline, rail and ground). "

Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling travel consultant duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "travel agents must be able to interact with clients and respond to questions and complaints in a friendly, professional manner." According to a travel consultant resume, here's how travel consultants can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "provided vacation information and arranged travel reservations for customers utilizing points earned on various credit card redemption programs. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for travel consultants to perform their duties. For an example of how travel consultant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "travel agents must ensure that the reservations they make are for the dates, times, and locations that match travelers’ schedules." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a travel consultant: "created detailed client profiles in the sabre program. ".

Organizational skills. travel consultant responsibilities often require "organizational skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "travel agents often work on itineraries for many clients at once." This resume example shows what travel consultants do with organizational skills on a typical day: "performed multiple tasks and organizational skills enhanced communication and customer service skills developed and organized sales material to increase client base"

Sales skills. Another common skill required for travel consultant responsibilities is "sales skills." This skill comes up in the duties of travel consultants all the time, as "travel agents must be able to persuade clients to buy transportation, lodging, or tours." An excerpt from a real travel consultant resume shows how this skill is central to what a travel consultant does: "checked in and assisted members with maps, books and any related sales of travel through aaa special preferred suppliers. "

See the full list of travel consultant skills

The three companies that hire the most travel consultants are:

• BCD Travel 158 travel consultants jobs
• Vail Resorts 35 travel consultants jobs
• Accenture 30 travel consultants jobs

Choose from 10+ customizable travel consultant resume templates

Don't have a professional resume?

Compare different travel consultants

Travel consultant vs. tour agent.

A corporate travel agent assists people in planning, choosing, and arranging holidays. Corporate travel agents will work to the budget set out by those planning the holiday. They provide opinions and advice on the places to go as well as local tourist attractions, customs, and events. The characteristics of agents include enthusiasm, resourcefulness, people skills, and professionalism . They offer foreign and domestic travel services for their corporate clients. Also, they coordinate international and national travel for clients.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a travel consultant are more likely to require skills like "strong problem-solving," "booking," "car rentals," and "corporate travel." On the other hand, a job as a tour agent requires skills like "telephone messages," "sales floor," "data entry," and "crs." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Travel consultant vs. Corporate travel expert

Each career also uses different skills, according to real travel consultant resumes. While travel consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "strong problem-solving," "corporate travel," "travel reservations," and "airline tickets," corporate travel experts use skills like "gds," "customer service," "travel arrangements," and "real estate."

Travel consultant vs. Corporate travel agent

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from travel consultant resumes include skills like "strong problem-solving," "car rentals," "corporate travel," and "travel reservations," whereas a corporate travel agent is more likely to list skills in "rental cars," "corporate travel arrangements," "corporate travel policies," and "tour packages. "

Travel consultant vs. Traveler

Types of travel consultant.

• Travel Agent
• Travel Coordinator
• Travel Counselor
• Corporate Travel Agent
• Corporate Travel Consultant

Updated March 14, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Travel Consultant Job Description

Travel consultant duties & responsibilities.

To write an effective travel consultant job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included travel consultant job description templates that you can modify and use.

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Travel Consultant Qualifications

Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.

Licensing or Certifications for Travel Consultant

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: IATA, CTC, TICO

Education for Travel Consultant

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the travel consultant job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Collage Degree in Tourism, Education, Computer Science, Business, Software Engineering, Communication, Engineering, Business/Administration, Information Systems, International Education

Skills for Travel Consultant

Desired skills for travel consultant include:

Desired experience for travel consultant includes:

Travel Consultant Examples

• Microsoft Word (.docx) .DOCX
• PDF Document (.pdf) .PDF
• Image File (.png) .PNG
• Answer telephone enquiries and book reservations to the required standard, adhering to department policies, relating to credit facilities and written confirmations
• Organize, coordinate, and host monthly calls with assigned TMC partners, including but not limited to detail on road map information, feature enhancement requests, and release note reviews
• Create and maintain assigned TMC dashboard reports for review internally, and externally
• Assist with ‘TMC Questions’ case inventory as needed
• Promote, track, and report on the TMC Certification program
• Provide educational webinars on a monthly basis
• Host ad-hoc, in-person education sessions as needed by the TMC partner audience
• Facilitate in-person training sessions once per quarter
• Create and host monthly TMC User Group informational sessions via webinar on an every other month basis
• Assist in the creation of the monthly TMC Partner Connect newsletter
• Graduate preferred, experience in relevant role highly preferred
• A great passion to serve premium customers
• Ability to work independently while contributing to an environment where strong teamwork is required
• Attention to detail with excellent time management and organisation skills
• You will be rewarded with competitive benefits and unrivalled career prospects
• Strong time management and organisational skills including multi-tasking and prioritising of workloads, the ability to follow through on commitments to both customers and to the organisation
• Completes other activities and duties as assigned by management
• Strive to deliver customer Service Level Agreement at all times and exceed the customer’s expectation
• Reach monthly sales targets while driving exceptional customer service KPIs
• Work with both speed and efficiency while consistently displaying compassion and care in every interaction
• Handle any booking issues calmly and with empathy
• Local execution of staying in touch with our past clients, and marketing initiatives such as Cruise Nights our company’s core promotions – One Day Sale, World Explorer Event
• High end" educational experiences aligned to the needs of our premium customer base
• Flexible working arrangements work free birthday
• Ongoing training and support by a dedicated travel training team
• Opportunity to work with premium clientele on a consistent basis, providing interesting and diverse travel requests
• Minimum educational qualification required is Graduate
• Demonstrate close attention to detail and be highly organised
• Excellent problem solving skills able to research and use own initiative network of colleagues and suppliers to support service delivery and drive business improvement
• Ability to work flexible hours if/when necessary
• Strong time management and organisational skills including multi-tasking and prioritisation of workloads, the ability to follow through on commitments to both customers and to the organisation
• Minimum 1 year front-line sales experience, motivated by revenue targets and service KPIs
• Knowledge of domestic and international products and destinations (Additional training will be provided)
• Penalty rates will apply for any weekend shifts
• The ability to provide exceptional Customer Service
• The ability to work towards targets including sales, land and sea mix, quality and customer satisfaction
• Strong knowledge of premium products including hotels, cruising and tours
• An ability to adapt communication styles to the audience, communicate confidently, accuracy and able to lead our members to the desired outcomes
• A genuine passion about travel and service
• Full working rights for Australia required
• Ensure optimal executive level service through effective use of our Egencia tools while providing priority wait-listing, preferred seat selection, and upgrade management as needed
• Recommend alternate routes, lowest available fares, booking class, exchange rates and travel products/services and upgrades
• A love of sales and travel
• Experience using a GDS system, preferably Amadeus
• Superior selling skills & exceptional customer service skills are required
• Flexible and energetic, with the ability to work independently in a team environment
• Ability to navigate and use a variety of computer systems confidently with speed and efficiency
• Enjoy being a part of a global team
• Act as a customer liaison with contracted and preferred suppliers
• Provide Executive clients with a positive experience utilizing analytical& strategic skill for a first call resolution
• Follow-up on issues from A to Z
• Positively contribute to the team environment
• Minimum 5+ years as a Corporate Travel Consultant/Agent
• 3+ years servicing International customers with emphasis on booking practices and theory either in a travel office or call center
• Strong aptitude/understanding for booking highly complex multiple leg international itineraries
• A demonstrated and highly professional attitude and personal presentation skills in all verbal and written communications
• Capability to work from your home office
• Solid technical skills, with the ability to assist and teach customers about our online booking tool
• Minimum 1 year sales administrative experience
• Be part of a slightly quirky, fun, close knit team!
• Minimum 4+ years experience general Aviation knowledge or related area
• Proven track record to make independent quick decisions while taking accountability for decisions and actions
• Maintains polished demeanor with ability to influence appropriately while remaining calm in sometimes stressful situations
• 1.5 years of experience in C&M
• Assist the customer with their requirements and provide them with information on our various products
• Obtain and maintain detailed knowledge of all current products (including rates, facilities, destinations, food & beverage )
• Ensure all reservations are entered in the Travel Studio System
• Maintain reservation files and ensure that all information is up to date and accurate
• Identify and solve any problems that arise
• Handle ad hoc enquiries ensuring that they are answered/actioned in an appropriate manner at all times
• Book hotels and ground arrangements
• Assist with the ticketing process
• Prepare and process gift vouchers/certificates and booking forms
• Process payment/credit cards, produce and send out invoices
• Experience using a GDS system, preferably Amadeus, is desirable
• Recent qualification in travel and tourism
• Online travel booking knowledge (eg
• Perform general administrative duties and any other ad-hoc duties as required
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check
• Must be able to work under the stress of and meet ticketing deadlines

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Travel Consultant Job Description Template

What Does a Travel Consultant Do?

Travel consultants advise clients about options for travel in accordance with stated objectives. They facilitate travel arrangements and accommodations for individuals and groups. They also make sure that clients have all the necessary documentation required to travel to their destinations.

Travel Consultant Job Overview

In the travel consultant role, you will research domestic and international places of interest. You will book travel arrangements and collect payments from customers. Success in this position will be demonstrated by the effective execution of each customer’s travel plans.

Travel Consultant Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Books flight and other transportation arrangements as well as lodging and tours
• Provides information about travel destinations and accommodations
• Communicates with vendors of travel-related products to get the best deals
• Visits sites in advance of recommending to tourists
• Markets and sells holiday and other specialized tour packages

Travel Consultant Job Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, or similar field
• A certificate in travel consultancy
• Great sales and marketing ability
• Superior knowledge of tourism-industry trends
• Excellent knowledge of travel software
• Ability to speak multiple languages is a plus

Are you looking to start your hiring process today? Comeet can help. Check out our pricing plans  to learn more about how we can redefine the way you recruit new talent.

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Adrienne Smith

Adrienne Smith is a content strategy consultant working with high-growth businesses on their brand messaging, content strategy, and content creation. A digital nomad, she's exploring the world's cultures and cuisines as she works.

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Travel Consultant Job Description Template

A travel consultant helps people plan their holidays and business trips. They offer advice on where to go, how to get there, and what to do once you're there. They also book flights, accommodation, and transport.

Travel Consultant Job Responsibilities

• Arrange travel for business and vacation customers
• Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs and accommodations
• Plan and sell transportation and accommodations using knowledge of travel routes
• Calculate total travel costs and hand out final itinerary to customer
• Answer questions regarding travel regulations, passports and visas
• To provide excellent customer service to clients in order to ensure their satisfaction with the travel planning process.
• To work with clients to determine their travel needs and preferences, and develop customized travel itineraries that meet their requirements.
• To research various destination options and make recommendations based on client’s needs and interests.
• To book transportation, accommodation, and other necessary arrangements for clients’ trips.
• To keep upto-date on the latest developments in the travel industry in order to better serve clients’ needs and offer them new travel opportunities.

Travel Consultant Job Skills & Qualifications Needed

• Excellent customer service skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven sales ability
• High level of computer literacy, including experience with booking systems and Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Attention to detail
• Qualifications:
• A relevant tertiary qualification in tourism or travel would be highly regarded but is not essential.
• Industry qualifications such as a Certificate III in Travel may also be beneficial.

Similar job descriptions

Human resources management consultant, wedding consultant, development director, startup consultant, bi consultant.

Travel Agent Job Description: A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Responsibilities, Required Skills, and Work Environment

A travel agent’s job description involves a range of responsibilities, including helping clients plan and book their travel arrangements, providing expert advice and recommendations, researching and comparing travel options, handling reservations and payments, collaborating with other travel professionals, and maintaining accurate records.

Travel agents require a range of skills and qualifications, including excellent customer service and sales skills, organizational skills, and technology savvy. Although the job outlook for travel agents may be declining, there are still opportunities for experienced travel agents specializing in corporate travel or group planning trips.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the job description of a travel agent, including the key responsibilities, required skills and qualifications, work environment and schedule, and more.

Key Responsibilities of a Travel Agent

Travel agents have a variety of responsibilities that help them assist customers in planning and booking their travel arrangements. Some of the key responsibilities include:

Helping clients plan and book their travel arrangements

Travel agents are responsible for helping clients plan their trips, including booking transportation (such as flights, rental cars, and train tickets), accommodation (such as hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and hostels), and tours and activities. They also advise clients on travel itineraries and offer suggestions on destinations to visit based on their budget and preferences.

Providing expert advice and recommendations to clients

Travel agents are knowledgeable about travel destinations, including local customs, culture, and attractions. They use this knowledge to offer advice to clients on the best places to visit and the most convenient times to travel. They also advise clients on visa requirements and passport renewals, as well as other relevant information such as travel insurance and budgeting for their trip.

Researching and comparing travel options to find the best deals

Travel agents use their expertise to research and compare travel options, such as airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and vacation packages, to find the best deals for their clients. They also stay up-to-date on tourism trends and promotional techniques to ensure that they are providing the most competitive prices and packages to their clients.

Handling reservations, payments, and cancellations

Travel agents are responsible for making hotel reservations for their clients and processing payments for their travel arrangements. They also handle cancellations and refunds in a timely manner.

Collaborating with other travel professionals and vendors

Travel agents work with other travel professionals, such as tour operators and cruise lines, to offer clients a wide range of travel options. They also collaborate with vendors, such as hotels and airlines, to negotiate prices and provide clients with the best possible deals.

Maintaining statistical and financial records

Travel agents keep accurate records of their clients’ travel arrangements and financial transactions. This helps them to provide clients with future services and ensures that they are meeting their sales targets.

Staying up-to-date with industry trends and regulations

Travel agents stay current with industry trends and regulations, such as visa requirements and travel restrictions. They also attend travel seminars and educational programs to stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

Required Skills and Qualifications for a Travel Agent

Travel agents require a range of skills and qualifications to perform their job duties effectively. Some of the required skills and qualifications include:

Excellent customer service skills

Travel agents must have exceptional customer service skills to interact with clients in a professional manner. This includes listening to clients’ needs and concerns and addressing them in a timely and effective manner.

Sales skills

Travel agents must have strong sales skills to persuade clients to book their travel arrangements through them. This includes promoting travel packages and other services and offering advice on the best options for clients.

Organizational skills

Travel agents must be highly organized and detail-oriented to keep track of their clients’ travel arrangements and financial transactions. They must also be able to multitask and prioritize their workload to meet deadlines and ensure that clients’ needs are met in a timely manner.

Relevant education or certification

Many travel agents have a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism, hospitality management, or a related field. Certification from a travel industry association, such as a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), or Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE), can also be helpful in demonstrating expertise and knowledge in the industry.

Strong organizational skills

Technology savvy.

Travel agents must be familiar with online booking platforms and reservation systems to process travel arrangements efficiently. They must also be proficient in using social media for marketing and promoting travel packages and services.

While a high school diploma may be sufficient for some entry-level positions, many employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or a related field. Certification from a travel industry association, such as the Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) can also be helpful in demonstrating expertise and knowledge in the industry.

Cultural awareness and language skills

Travel agents must have a good understanding of geography and cultural awareness to offer advice on travel destinations and local customs. They must also have language skills to communicate effectively with clients who speak different languages.

Relevant experience

Many travel agents gain relevant experience in the hospitality industry or customer service before pursuing a career as a travel agent. Sales experience can also be helpful in persuading clients to book their travel arrangements through them.

Detail-oriented

Travel agents must be detail-oriented to ensure that all aspects of their clients’ travel arrangements are accurate and up-to-date. This includes scheduling transportation, booking hotel accommodations, arranging tours and activities, and providing clients with relevant information such as visa requirements and local customs.

Travel agents must be persuasive and able to sell travel packages and services to clients. This requires the ability to identify clients’ needs and preferences and offer customized recommendations that meet their needs.

Time management skills

Travel agents must be able to manage their time effectively to ensure that clients’ needs are met in a timely manner. They must also be able to prioritize their workload to meet deadlines and ensure that they are meeting their sales targets.

Work Environment and Schedule

Travel agents work in a variety of settings, including travel agencies, corporate travel departments, and home-based offices. They may work full-time, part-time, or on a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends. They must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple phone calls and emails from clients.

Average Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a travel agent is $40,660 per year. Job opportunities for travel agents are expected to decline by 26% between 2019 and 2029 due to the increasing use of online booking platforms and self-service options for travelers. However, travel agents who specialize in corporate travel or groups planning trips may continue to have job opportunities.

Job Description Template

When creating a loan processor job description, it is essential to outline the specific duties and responsibilities, required qualifications, skills, and experience, as well as any expectations for the workplace, schedule, and potential collaboration with other professionals. Here is a template to help guide you:

Job Description Template 1:

Job Title: Travel Agent

Responsibilities:

• Plan and book travel arrangements for clients, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and tours
• Research and recommend destinations, itineraries, and travel options based on client preferences and budget
• Provide excellent customer service and support throughout the travel process
• Manage bookings and payments, and maintain accurate records
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and travel regulations

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, or related field is preferred
• 2+ years of experience as a Travel Agent or in a related field
• Strong knowledge of travel industry regulations, trends, and options
• Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in travel booking systems and software
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Positive and supportive work environment
• Flexible scheduling options

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and qualifications for the position.

Job Description Template 2:

Job Title: Senior Travel Agent

• Lead and manage the travel department, including personnel and projects
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and suppliers
• Plan and book complex and customized travel arrangements, including group and corporate travel
• Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, or related field
• 5+ years of experience as a Travel Agent or in a related field

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and qualifications for the position.

Job Description Template 3:

Job Title: Corporate Travel Agent

• Plan and book travel arrangements for corporate clients, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and meetings
• 2+ years of experience as a Corporate Travel Agent or in a related field
• Strong knowledge of corporate travel regulations and booking systems

Job Description Template 4:

Job Title: Travel Agent (Entry-Level)

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and travel regulations Qualifications:
• 1+ years of experience in a customer service or sales role; experience in the travel industry is a plus
• Strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in basic computer software, such as Microsoft Office Benefits:
• Flexible scheduling options How to Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and qualifications for the position.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a travel agent.

A travel agent is a professional who specializes in helping clients plan and book their travel arrangements, including transportation, accommodation, tours and activities, and other related services.

What are the key responsibilities of a travel agent?

Some of the key responsibilities of a travel agent include helping clients plan and book their travel arrangements, providing expert advice and recommendations, researching and comparing travel options, handling reservations and payments, collaborating with other travel professionals and vendors, and maintaining accurate records.

What skills and qualifications are required to become a travel agent?

Travel agents require a range of skills and qualifications, including excellent customer service and sales skills, organizational skills, technology savvy, cultural awareness and language skills, relevant education or certification, and relevant experience in the hospitality industry or customer service.

What is the work environment and schedule for a travel agent?

Travel agents work in a variety of settings, including travel agencies, corporate travel departments, and home-based offices. They may work full-time, part-time, or on a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.

What is the average salary for a travel agent?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a travel agent is $40,660 per year.

Is the job outlook for travel agents positive?

The job outlook for travel agents is expected to decline by 26% between 2019 and 2029 due to the increasing use of online booking platforms and self-service options for travelers. However, travel agents who specialize in corporate travel or groups planning trips may continue to have job opportunities.

Image: Depositphotos

DRESDEN, Germany � In the gray villa at No. 4 Angelikastrasse here, perched on a hill overlooking the Elbe River, a young major in the Soviet secret police spent the last half of the 1980s recruiting people to spy on the West.

Vladimir Putin looked for East Germans who had a plausible reason to travel abroad, such as professors, journalists, scientists and technicians, for whom there were acceptable "legends," or cover stories.

The legend was often a business trip, during which the agents could covertly link up with other spies permanently stationed in the West. According to German intelligence specialists who described Putin's task, the goal was stealing Western technology or NATO secrets. A newly revealed document shows Putin was trying to recruit agents to be trained in "wireless communications." But for what purpose is not clear.

Putin defends the Soviet-era intelligence service to this day. In recent comments to a writers' group in Moscow, he even seemed to excuse its role in dictator Joseph Stalin's brutal purges, saying it would be "insincere" for him to assail the agency where he worked for so many years. Fiercely patriotic, Putin once said he could not read a book by a Soviet defector because "I don't read books by people who have betrayed the Motherland."

Such is the professional background of the man who emerged unexpectedly last month as Russia's new leader. Today, Putin is acting president and the clear favorite to win the March 26 election and a four-year presidential term. Yet a review of his career shows that Putin previously has thrived in closed worlds, first as an intelligence agent and later in city government.

Until he was handpicked in August by then-President Boris Yeltsin to become prime minister, Putin had never been a public figure. He spent 17 years as a mid-level agent in the Soviet KGB's foreign intelligence wing, rising only to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Later, as an aide to a prickly, controversial mayor of St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city and Putin's home town, he made a point of staying in the background.

Yet Putin's career also suggests that he witnessed firsthand the momentous finale of the Cold War. From the front line in East Germany, Putin saw how the centrally planned economies of the East staggered to disintegration. In St. Petersburg, he had a taste of the ragged path of Russia's early transition to a free-market, democratic system.

What Putin has taken from these experiences is not entirely clear. He has embraced the conviction that "there is no alternative" to market democracy, and soberly acknowledged Russia's economic weaknesses. But he also has expressed enthusiasm for reasserting the role of a strong state. He has said the Russian economy has become "criminalized," but so far only hinted that he would tackle the powerful tycoons who lord over it. Putin has vowed Russia will not revert to totalitarianism, but he has not demonstrated much skill working with Russia's fledgling, competitive political system.

Putin has never campaigned for office, and he told an interviewer two years ago he found campaigns distasteful. "One has to be insincere and promise something which you cannot fulfill," he said. "So you either have to be a fool who does not understand what you are promising, or deliberately be lying."

Putin, an only son, was born in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, to a factory foreman and his wife in 1952, shortly before Stalin's death. He entered Leningrad State University's law department in 1970, but the Soviet Union was not a state governed by the rule of law. Valery Musin, then a university lecturer, said the law department was a training ground for the KGB, the police and the bureaucracy.

Putin later recalled that the KGB targeted him for recruitment even before he graduated in 1975. "You know, I even wanted it," he said of joining the KGB. "I was driven by high motives. I thought I would be able to use my skills to the best for society."

After a few years spying on foreigners in Leningrad, Putin was summoned to Moscow in the early 1980s to attend the elite foreign intelligence training institute, and then was assigned to East Germany. He arrived in Dresden at age 32 when East Germany was a major focus of Moscow's attention. The German Democratic Republic was home to 380,000 Soviet troops and Soviet intermediate-range missiles. Berlin was a constant source of Cold War tensions and intrigue.

At the time, several thousand KGB officers reported to a headquarters at Karlshorst, outside Berlin; Soviet military intelligence also was stationed in East Germany. But the biggest intelligence operation was the East German secret police, the Stasi, who monitored hundreds of thousands of citizens and kept millions of documents on file.

The broad Stasi network was used often by the KGB, and the raw intelligence sent directly to Moscow. The East German dictatorship, headed in those years by Erich Honecker, remained steadfastly rigid even as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was beginning to experiment with political and economic reforms at home.

In Dresden, the KGB outpost at No. 4 Angelikastrasse was located directly across the street from the city's main Stasi headquarters. The Stasi poked into every aspect of life; in Dresden alone, the documents they preserved on citizens now stretch nearly seven miles in the archives here, according to Konrad Felber, a spokesman for the commission that maintains the documents.

There is little information about Putin's specific tasks in Dresden, but specialists and documents point to several assignments, including recruiting and preparing agents. The work likely involved Robotron, a Dresden-based electronics conglomerate, which was the Eastern Bloc's largest mainframe computer maker and a microchip research center.

At the time, a major KGB effort was underway to steal Western technology. The Soviet Bloc was so far behind, according to a German specialist, that agents at Stasi headquarters often preferred to work on a Western-made Commodore personal computer rather than on their office mainframe.

The presence of Robotron may have provided Putin with legends for sending technicians to the West, or for recruiting Westerners who came to East Germany from such large electronics companies as Siemans or IBM. Putin may also have been interested in military electronics and intelligence about NATO from informers in the West.

The KGB was known to the Stasi as "the friends," and it relied on the Stasi for support. For years, the Stasi prepared fake passports and driver's licenses for "the friends" to create cover stories for agents. Tens of thousands of people in East Germany were "registered," or marked in the secret files of the Stasi, as being "of interest" to the KGB. According to the German specialist, some were marked because the KGB was searching for people with plausible cover stories for trips abroad.

"You needed a guy with a background that looked good, a professor who had to go to an international conference or had to do business in the West," he said. "You needed such a legend."

Later, Erich Mielke, the East German state security minister, tried to rein in the Stasi's assistance to the KGB, which led to one case in which Putin is known to have been involved. On March 29, 1989, Maj. Gen. Horst Bohm, then the head of the Dresden branch of the Stasi, wrote a memo to Putin's boss, Gen. Vladimir Shirokov. While some names in the letter are blacked out, sources said the case involved Putin.

Bohm complained the KGB was recruiting reservists from the East German military who had gone into civilian life. They were being recruited "frequently" for temporary, special missions, Bohm said.

One reservist was called in, he said, to the Dresden "recruitment center" and was sent to talk with two Soviet civilians. "These talks included the issue of special training for wireless communications and also a short mission once each quarter of the year," the letter says. But Bohm complained that the agent was already working for the Stasi and urged the KGB to keep its hands off. "It is not possible" to recruit the East German army reservists for wireless communications training, he insisted.

Bohm later committed suicide, but one of his aides, Horst Jemlich, said in a brief telephone interview that the KGB was interested in procuring Western technology.

A puzzling and unexplained aspect of the Bohm letter is a reference to Soviet "military intelligence," which was a different agency from the KGB, to which Putin belonged. It is possible Putin was targeting Western military operations.

Putin also turned to the Stasi for help with routine logistics, such as obtaining a telephone � they were strictly controlled � and apartments. Putin was formally assigned to run a Soviet-German "friendship house" in Leipzig and carried out the duties, but this apparently was his own cover story. Intelligence specialists and political scientists said Putin may have had a political assignment to make contact with East Germans who were sympathetic to Gorbachev, such as the Dresden party leader Hans Modrow, in case the Honecker regime collapsed.

Putin's work with the Stasi won him a bronze medal in November 1987 from the East German security service, but the reasons for the award are unknown. It was described by one source as the next level up from the lowest, basic award for service.

Clearly, Putin was on the seam of East-West confrontation at the end of the Cold War, and the lessons were self-evident. In East Germany, Putin "must have noticed the system did not work anymore," said the German specialist. "If he was not stupid he would have noticed the East Germans were the losers of economic history."

The Soviet economy was also in trouble. Yuri Andropov, the KGB boss and later Soviet leader, had responded in the early 1980s by trying to impose more discipline on the ailing system, and many in the KGB shared his hope it could be saved from within. Others thought this to be unrealistic and believed the system itself would have to be junked. Putin, in a newspaper interview last year, hinted that he believed the system could have been salvaged. He said that "few people understand the magnitude of the catastrophe that happened late in the 1980s when the Communist Party had failed to modernize the Soviet Union."

When Putin returned to St. Petersburg, he took a job for a year and a half as assistant to the rector of the university, dealing with "international relations." However, that was partly a cover story. He was still working for the KGB, recruiting or spying on students. Putin acknowledged recently that he was "a KGB officer under the roof, as we say," noting that the rector knew about it.

Putin told a journalist, Natalya Nikiforova, that he did not move up higher in the KGB ranks because he did not want to move his family to Moscow. "I have two small children and old parents," he said. "They are over 80, and we all live together. They survived the blockade during the war. How could I take them from the place they were born in? I could not abandon them."

Putin also said then that he wanted to write a dissertation "on a subject I always knew and understood, I mean international private law." Musin said Putin came to him to make preparations for the dissertation but then dropped it when he got reacquainted with one of his old law professors, Anatoly Sobchak.

Sobchak, a leader in the first wave of democratic reformers in the Gorbachev years, was elected chairman of the Soviet-era Leningrad council. Putin quit the KGB, at the rank of lieutenant colonel, to work as Sobchak's aide. In 1991, the city governance system was changed, and Sobchak became St. Petersburg's first post-Soviet elected mayor.

Sobchak, like many of the early democrats, "was not prepared to govern," recalled journalist Sergei Shelin of New Times magazine. Sobchak constantly collided with members of the newly renamed legislature, the city Duma. Putin often was dispatched to repair relations. "Sobchak often asked Putin to go to the deputies," recalled Mikhail Amosov, a member of the Yabloko party. "Sobchak had bad relations with the lawmakers. There were always frictions. Sobchak always wanted to put them in their place; he treated them like an enemy force."

Putin quietly played a key role for Sobchak at the moment of the 1991 Soviet coup attempt. Sobchak, in Moscow at that moment, vowed to defend Yeltsin and fight the coup, and took the risky step of flying back to his city to oppose the putsch. Putin, with good ties in the local security services, showed up at the airport with armed guards to protect Sobchak, who was potentially vulnerable as a leading democrat.

In the early days of the new Russia, Putin headed a committee to woo overseas companies to St. Petersburg. But the city primarily needed humanitarian aid. "There was no food in the city at all," recalled Marina Salye, who was then a member of the legislature's food committee. "There was no money. Barter was the only way � say, metals for potatoes and meat."

St. Petersburg was a port and military city, and the state-owned shipbuilding and defense factories were stocked with precious metals. Salye said contracts were signed to trade metals for food, but she discovered the metals had been sold at discount prices, the food prices were inflated, and the food never arrived. Then it turned out that front companies had taken the profits and disappeared. Salye said she thinks Putin "was manipulating these contracts and was directly involved. But it hasn't been proved."

Salye confronted Putin, she recalled, but he brushed off her inquiries. "Everything is correct," she said he told her. "You are just making up things." Salye demanded an investigation, which was referred to a Moscow auditing commission and then dropped without explanation.

Putin, who speaks German, brought some companies to St. Petersburg, including German banks. A currency exchange was opened, and hotels were privatized. "All the work we did on privatization was supported by Putin, and not everyone was for it," recalled Sergei Belyaev, a former deputy mayor and later a member of the Russian parliament. But St. Petersburg never lived up to Sobchak's dream of becoming an international financial center. Moscow attracted far more foreign investment, while St. Petersburg lagged.

Putin's influence grew under Sobchak, but he remained in the shadows. "In the Petersburg days, it was always other people in front of the television cameras," said Igor Artemyev, leader of the Yabloko party. "Almost all the other vice mayors lined up next to the boss. Putin was always in the farthest corner."

After Sobchak was defeated in 1996, Putin left for Moscow. There, for reasons which remain largely unexplained, he suddenly moved onto a remarkably fast career track. After first serving on the Kremlin staff, he became director of the Federal Security Service, the domestic successor to the KGB, in 1998, and later added duties as head of the Kremlin Security Council. He was picked for prime minister last August because he appears to have impressed Yeltsin's inner circle and friendly tycoons, who were scrambling to find a premier and a potential Yeltsin successor.

During the same period, Putin apparently somehow found time to complete a postgraduate dissertation, which usually takes three years of study. He got a prestigious "candidate of science" degree, the equivalent of a PhD, from the Mining Institute in St. Petersburg in June 1997, a time when he was also working in the Kremlin.

Earlier, Putin had said he wanted to research international private law, but his 218-page dissertation was completely different. The title is "Strategic Planning of the Renewal of the Minerals-Raw Materials Base of the Region in Conditions of the Formation of Market Relations." Much of the document is a discussion about the cost-effectiveness of building a port and roads in St. Petersburg, and offers little insight into Putin's views of the market economy. The Mining Institute recently refused to show Putin's thesis to a reporter. When a copy of a summary was found by the reporter in the institute's library, officials snatched it away, saying it was private.

Mikhail Mednikov, a professor at the St. Petersburg Technical University, who was one of the "opponents" or reviewers at Putin's oral defense of his dissertation, said, "The defense was brilliant. It's a paper written by a market-oriented person."

But while Putin has promised to keep Russia on a market path, his critics worry about his commitment to Russia's young democracy. The institutions of a broad civil society � the press, political parties, free associations and others � are not yet well developed. The rule of law has not been well entrenched. And these weaknesses are, in part, a legacy of the Soviet police state of Putin's early career, when the Communist Party had a monopoly on power.

In a long, private talk recently with the Moscow PEN writers group, Putin tried to evade the question of the KGB's role in the Soviet system's legacy of terror. Referring to the Stalin-era purges, in which millions were sent to prison camps and death, Putin said, according to a transcript, "Of course, one must not forget about the year 1937, but one must not keep alluding to only this experience, pretending that we do not need state security bodies [such as the KGB]. All the 17 years of my work are connected with this organization. It would be insincere for me to say that I don't want to defend it."

Putin then went on to offer a strangely oblique explanation for the Great Terror, which seemed to avoid blaming the KGB.

"The state security bodies should not be seen as an institution that works against society and the state; one needs to understand what makes them work against their own people. If one recollects those hard years connected with the activities of the security bodies, and the damage they brought to society, one must keep in mind what sort of society it was. But that was an entirely different country. That country produced such security bodies."

He added, however, that if Russia will "treasure elements of civil society that we have got, our only gain over these years, then gradually we will be creating conditions under which those horrifying bodies of security will never be able to revive."

Putin's role in the blatantly misleading information issued by the government about the Chechnya offensive also has been criticized. His talent for creating legends has been evident in his explanations about the war. For example, Putin told the writers group that the military had been open with the news media, when the military has in fact hidden information about casualties, combat events, attacks on civilians and its goals and methods.

Felix Svetov, a writer who spent time in Stalin's prison camps as a child and who lost his father in the purges, was present at the writers meeting. He said Putin's comment "does not correspond with reality." Putin is a typical KGB type, he added. "If the snow is falling, they will calmly tell you, the sun is shining."

© 2000 The Washington Post Company

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