What Degree is Required to Become a Travel Agent?
If you love to travel, are knowledgeable about geography, and enjoy planning vacations, consider a job as a travel agent. With a few courses or a two-year degree, you could get a leg up on competition in the industry and be well on your way to making reservations. Keep reading to learn what a travel agent does and what education you will need to become one.
<h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3>
<p>As a travel agent, you can help travelers see the world by air, land, and sea. Your main goal is to assist travelers in making arrangements regarding their trips, whether for business or pleasure. You will book flights, reserve rental cars, purchase cruise tickets, order tickets for events or attractions, set up vacation packages, and book hotel rooms. You'll also plan itineraries and answer any questions clients have about traveling.
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<p>Most travel agents work in trip planning and reservation services. Generally, a travel agency will employ you, but with experience you can become self-employed by starting your own agency.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td>Entry-Level Education</td><td>High school diploma, many employers prefer higher education or certification</td></tr>
<tr><td>Licensing</td><td>Varies by state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Programs</td><td>Certificate, associate, bachelor's</td></tr>
<tr><td>Degrees</td><td>Associate in Applied Science in Hospitality and Tourism, Associate in Applied Science in Aviation Customer Relations, Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3>
<p>Travel agencies tend to hire agents with some training applicable to the field. You can take travel agency courses at a two-year college, or earn a diploma, certificate, or associate degree in travel or tourism. Some universities and colleges even offer bachelor's and graduate degrees in travel and tourism, which may lead to advanced positions in the industry. Travel-specific courses cover the following:
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<ul><li>Geography
</li><li>Air, rail and road travel
</li><li>Computerized reservations
</li><li>Marketing and sales
</li><li>Introduction to Global Distribution System
</li><li>Current issues and trends in hospitality
</li></ul><h3 id="section---SalaryAndJobOutlook">Salary and Job Outlook</h3>
<p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, <i>www.bls.gov</i>), the average annual salary for travel agents was $46,650 in May 2020. The highest-paying industries were Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities, Credit Intermediation and Related Activities, and Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services, all of which offered more than $52,000 per year.
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<p>Since many travelers use the Internet to make their own travel arrangements, employment in this job field was expected to decrease by 26% between 2019 and 2029, according to the BLS. Agents with formal training, particularly those who specialize in specific categories of travel such as adventure, corporate or group tours may experience the best job prospects.</p>