If your interest is to grow in the travel and tourism career, this article is definitely for you. In this article, we are going to discuss various courses offered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). So, keep reading through this article, and you will come to know more about the IATA course details.
What is meant by IATA?
The International Air Transport Association, commonly known as IATA, was founded in the year 1945. It is a global trade organization comprised of 290 airlines, accounting for 83% of total air traffic. It has its headquarters in Montreal, Canada, and its executive offices in Geneva, Switzerland.
The primary goal of this organization is to represent, serve, and lead the airline industry. They are also offering various travel and tourism courses. These certificates are globally accepted and add extra value to the resume of a student. With this qualification, you should have no trouble finding a good job at an airline, airport, or travel-related company.
IATA course details
Let’s go over some of IATA’s courses and requirements. Some of the subject areas of the IATA courses are mentioned below.
- Air Navigation
- Airport
- Airline
- Cargo and Logistics
- Civil Aviation Authority
- Ground Operations
- Travel and Tourism
- Safety
- Sales and Marketing, etc.
Now, take a look at some IATA course information.
Foundation in Travel and Tourism Diploma
This course needs to be completed in 12 months.
With this course, you will have the essential skills and knowledge to work in the travel and tourism industries. You can also enhance your communication and sales skills to meet the needs of travelers and become a professional tour guide.
This program is intended for
- Travel agents
- Airline reservation agents
- Tour operators
- Call center agents
To receive the complete diploma, a candidate must choose one elective course with a Foundation in Travel and Tourism with an Amadeus Diploma, Galileo Diploma, or Sabre Diploma.
Travel and Tourism Consultant Diploma
This course is recommended for Foundation in Travel and Tourism graduates, travel agents, reservations, marketing, and sales personnel.
You will get a total of nine modules, including both textbook and e-learning material to be completed in 12 months.
After completing this course, you will have knowledge of ticket exchanges and reissues, as well as improved sales skills to advise clients on the best travel arrangements. Aside from that, you’ll learn about travel industry rules and regulations.
Global Distribution Systems Fares and Ticketing Course
It is a self-study course that will assist you in understanding the price and ticketing of airline journeys; the mileage system; the fare selection process; retrieving bookings and interpreting rules; quoting fares; and issuing tickets.
You need to study one of these three GDS systems, namely Sabre, Galileo, or Amadeus. You can complete this course within 60 hours (approximately).
The course is specially designed for BPO workers, travel agents, airline ticket agents, and any travel or airline professional involved in the distribution of airline tickets.
For details of any IATA course, please visit their official website and follow the instructions before registering for any course.
Travel Sales and Operations Diploma
This IATA course will teach you the essential skills required to be a successful travel agent. This program is ideal for travel agents, call center representatives, BPO agents, travel agency owners, travel agency accountants, etc.
For completion of the diploma, candidates have to complete two required courses: Managing the Travel Business Diploma and Travel and Tourism Consultant Diploma. And also, one elective course in Foundation in Travel and Tourism with Amadeus, Galileo, and Sabre Diploma. You can complete this program within 3 years.
Travel and Tourism Consultant for the Leadership & Management Diploma
In this IATA course, you will study popular destinations, sales skills, social media marketing, gain knowledge of travel products, exchange and reissue tickets, and more.
To complete this course, you need almost 200 hours. This course is specially designed for travel agents, Graduates of the Foundation in Travel and Tourism and Reservations, and salespeople.
Some IATA authorized training centers in India
Here we mention some of the authorized training centers.
- Bird Academy, New Delhi
- Christ University, Bangalore
- IITC (Ahmedabad, Bandra (West), Nariman Point, Ghatkopar Center)
- Nehru College of Aeronautics & Applied Sciences, Coimbatore
- Vidya Bharathi Group of Institutions, Cochin, and more.
You can search for your nearest training center by visiting the official website of IATA. For course and fee availability, you can directly contact the training centers.
Job Opportunities after the IATA Course
You might be wondering what your job opportunities are after successful completion of the IATA course. Some popular job opportunities for candidates are
- Tour operators and Travel Agents: As travel agents and tour operators, they are responsible for handling the customer’s concerns calmly and maintaining excellent customer service. It also advises customers on travel options for domestic and international travel based on their preferences and budget.
- Airline Ticketing Agents: They are responsible for booking flight tickets for domestic and international flights and making reservations for customers. They are answering all the queries of customers related to seat availability, fare price, flight timings, etc.
- Ground Staff: The ground staff is responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of the passengers, solving their questions related to flight information, and making the process hassle-free for them. They also assist disabled or physically challenged passengers.
- Cargo Handler: The cargo handler is in charge of the loading and unloading of luggage for passengers and ensures its security and safety.
Aside from that, other roles are Airline Sales Representatives, Accountants, Cruise Sales Managers, Crew Scheduler, etc.
Conclusion
My article about the IATA course in its entirety has come to an end. I tried to cover some important courses offered by IATA, course requirements, and the job prospectus for the courses. I hope this article is beneficial to you and you might go forward and explore your career in the tour and tourism sector.