Citing continued opportunities to research and book trips
on the Internet, as well as an increase in mobile bookings, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics projected the employment of travel agents to decline 12%, a loss of
8,700 jobs, between 2012-2024.
The projection was included in the bureau’s 2016-2017
Occupational Outlook Handbook for travel agents, released last month.
“The ability of travelers to use the Internet to research
vacations and book their own trips is expected to continue to suppress demand
for travel agents,” the outlook states. “An increasing amount of travel is also
expected to be booked on mobile devices.”
While the bureau is calling for an overall decline of
agents — in 2014, it said there were about 74,100 — the outlook says the very reason
it cites could push more clients to agents.
“However, the sheer number of travel and review websites
can make travel planning a frustrating experience for some consumers,” the
outlook states. “This may lead to an increasing number of people turning to
travel agents to help filter through the options and give personal
recommendations.”
The bureau’s outlook said the best travel agent job
prospects lie in specialization, in either specific destinations or types of
travelers (as an example, the bureau cites special interest groups and
corporate travelers).
It also notes that “some job opportunities might result
from a growing number of experienced travel agents reaching retirement age.”