Travel Agent

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Work Tasks

TRAVEL AGENTS give advice on destinations, make arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals, tours, and recreation. Travel agents plan vacation packages and business and pleasure trips. They advise on weather conditions, restaurants, tourist attractions, and recreation. For international travel, travel agents provide information on customs regulations, passports, visas, vaccinations, and currency exchange rates. Travel agents consult a variety of published and computer-based sources for information on departure and arrival times, fares, and hotel ratings and accommodations.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $37,500 average per year ($18.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (70,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to decline (0.1% per year)

Entry Requirements

The minimum education requirement for those interested in becoming a TRAVEL AGENT is a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many vocational schools offer full-time travel agent programs that last several months, as well as evening and weekend programs. Travel agent courses are also offered in public adult education programs and in community and 4-year colleges. A few colleges offer bachelor's or master's degrees in travel and tourism.