What qualifications do I need to begin a career in travel & tourism? 

Most tourism employers do not require a college certificate or degree to begin working.  However, many employers, especially in the travel agencies, prefer to hire people that have participated in a travel school training program. Travel agency managers simply do not have the time to teach you the basics of the industry. Computer skills are very important and any experience in sales and marketing will be to your advantage. A love of travel attracts many people to the field but to succeed, agents must have a desire to be of service. They must be friendly, articulate, well groomed, organized, accurate and detail oriented. Good business skills and the knowledge of geography are also very important to succeed as a travel agent.  

Do travel and tourism employees receive lots of travel perks? 

The travel benefits in certain sectors are very good. Most airlines, hotels, car rental companies and cruise lines extend special discounts to travel industry professionals. Airlines offer a 75% discount off full fares to travel agents. Cruise lines extend a flat rate to travel agents to cruise for as little as $50 per person per day!  Travel agents have the opportunity to earn free or discounted travel by booking incentives offered by the tour companies and cruise lines as well as participate in FAM trips. Visit the travel industry benefits page to learn more! 

What are the job opportunities in travel and tourism? 

Our program concentrates on the skills required to become a travel agent but the travel and tourism industry comprises many different segments and includes tour operators, car rental companies, airlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, meeting planners, corporate travel managers, theme parks and attractions, to name just a few! 

What is the employment outlook in Travel and Tourism? 

The travel and tourism industry is the nation’s largest services export industry and one of America’s largest employers.   Travel and tourism is America’s third largest retail industry employing 1 out of every 17 U.S. residents.  It is the first, second or third largest employer in 29 U.S. states.  These past few years have brought many challenges to the industry but the need for qualified people will continue to grow. Agencies are experiencing a shortage of qualified travel agents when it comes time for hiring. We are currently in a upswing of business which means agencies need more personnel to handle the business. So now is the time to consider a career as a travel agent.

How has the Internet affected the tourism industry? 

Travel and tourism is a service intensive field, which requires human contact the Internet cannot supply. Even travel agents who were expected to be pushed aside by the Internet are still in great demand. In fact, many people that book on the Internet end up returning to the travel agent for assistance and advice because of a bad experience by booking on their own.  By booking with a travel agent, the traveling public has someone they can contact for questions, issues or problems prior, during or after travel. Who do you call if you book on the Internet?  A prime example of the services provided by travel agents is the unfortunate events that took place on September 11, 2001. As we all know, the airlines were grounded immediately and not able to resume flying for several days. This left many travelers stranded with no options.  For those travelers who booked with a travel agent, they had someone to call for up to date information. They didn’t have to wait in the long lines at the airports to get their flights rescheduled.  The travel agent community stayed in constant contact with their clients to keep them abreast of the situation.   For those clients within driving distance of their destination, agents were booking car reservations on the spot to let their customers know a car was waiting for them. Hotel reservations were arranged immediately for those people who were to far from their destination to drive.  What about the people that booked on the Internet or directly with the airlines? They had to wait in the long lines and sleep at the airports for days until flights were resumed.  The Internet is a great tool and travel agents use it on a daily basis for researching and booking online with travel suppliers but it is not going to close down the travel agencies!

How much money can I make working as a travel agent?

Salaries are going to vary from region to region of the United States but the typical frontline travel agent with experience averages a salary of $26,100 annually. Some frontline agents will receive salary only while others are paid salary and commission. You might even find some agencies paying agents a commission percentage only. For the true sales person with a large client base and repeat business, being paid based on a commission level can be very lucrative.   Independent contractors or home-based travel agents are paid strictly on commission and usually earn a certain percentage of commissions they generate by the hosting travel agency. Entry-level travel agents will start at a lower rate of pay ($18,000 - $24,000) but with experience and selling skills, the pay will increase over the years.  Travel agents with good selling and customer service skills working on commissions have the opportunity to get their pay scale to a high level. Some agents on a commission arrangement can make in excess of $75 thousand annually. Just like any sales job, the more you sell, the more you make! Travel agency managers average a salary of $33,400 per year.  Benefits to travel agency employees will vary from store to store but most large agencies have the full range of benefits; health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, paid holidays and vacations. 

Do I really need training to get a job in a travel agency? 

You will find most travel agencies will not hire unless the candidate has previous travel industry experience or travel school training. Managers simply do not have the time to train you on the basics of the industry.  Our program will give you a good overall understanding of the skills required to be a travel agent and help you advance more quickly in your position.

Do I need to be licensed to be a travel agent? 

Travel agents do not require a "license" to work in an agency but there is a Travel Sellers License required in several states in order to sell travel in that area. Currently, 14 states have regulations that mention travel sellers specifically require a license. This list is subject to change so always check with your local state government to verify what your state regulates.