More than 90% of trade believe agents should undergo mandatory exams

The survey* was launched following TTG’s interview with Amanda Teale, founder of luxury lifestyle brand Minerva Private Travel & Lifestyle Management, who urged advisors to join her call for higher standards across the industry. 

More than 400 agents responded to the poll, with 94% agreeing that all travel agents should "undergo mandatory training to improve standards across the industry".

Meanwhile 90% of respondents said they believed the travel agent profession had been "threatened by the rise of “untrained agents". 

In terms of who should take responsibility for implementing mandatory training, 39% said Abta while 23% and 19% said the burden should be on individual agencies and the government respectively.

“Our industry needs to be regulated so that a consumer knows they are dealing with someone who is experienced,” said one respondent. “It hurts to see ‘travel agents’ starting up when they have no experience at all.”

Meanwhile another added: “Don’t let untrained agents practise without a certification of some kind and at least two years’ experience before they can be self-employed.”