How to Become a Certified Travel Agent

• Travel agents help individuals, organizations, and businesses plan their trips.
• Certification is provided in a range of travel sectors, including cruise companies and airlines.
• Although travel agent certification is not needed, it might help you advance in your career.
• Communication, organization, sales, and negotiation skills are all desired in travel brokers.

For travel agents, perks of the job can include learning about destinations, working from home, and travel. As of May 2021, there are around 37,190 travel agents in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  

Obtaining one or more travel agent certifications is how some people grow in their careers. Travel agent certification is a document presented to travel agents after they complete a training program that includes courses and, oftentimes, at least one exam.

Travel agents — from beginners to seasoned travel executives — can be certified in a variety of travel sectors, including airlines, business travel, cruise lines, and more. A travel agent certification is separate from destination- or vendor-specific training certification.

Getting travel agent certification can help you network, achieve career advancement, and gain valuable, highly transferable skills in sales, customer service, marketing, problem-solving, negotiating, and communication.

Travel agents with one or more certifications may be more competitive when job hunting, attract more clients, make more money, advance in their careers, and own their own travel agencies.

Travel agent certification is not the same as a travel agent certificate or license. While a license is not required to be a travel agent, some U.S. states require travel agencies or home-based travel agents to be licensed. Some U.S. states require travel agents to get a registration number.

What Are the Requirements for a Travel Agent Certification?

• High school or GED diploma.
• Completion of coursework and, in most cases, passing one or more exams. Certification typically takes 6-18 months to complete.
• Some certification programs may require travel agents to be members of their organization.
• Some certification programs may require 12 months or more of experience in the travel industry.
• Computer skills may be helpful since travel agents do most of their work on the computer.
• Customer service or sales experience may be beneficial.
• The ability to speak more than one language may also be helpful.
• An understanding of destinations and experience traveling, cruising, and making itineraries are also helpful.
• In addition to travel agent certification, some travel agents also earn an associate degree or bachelor's degree in business, business administration, economics, hospitality management, international business, liberal arts, tourism, or travel. However, this is not required.

What Skills Will I Learn with a Travel Agent Certification?

The skills travel agents learn are transferable to many careers, including hospitality and marketing. The skills travel agents learn as they pursue travel agent certification include:

• Communication and negotiation
• Computer skills, including computer reservation systems
• Customer service
• Sales and marketing
• Strategic business planning

Is a Travel Agent Certification Worth It?

Some travel agents choose to receive on-the-job training instead of a certification. However, many decide to get one or more certifications offered by schools, industry associations, destinations, and vendors.

Getting your travel agent certification can be a great way to learn about destinations, gain highly transferable skills, network, and build a client base. Many clients prefer to work with a certified travel agent. Travel agent certification may be helpful for travel agents who wish to start their own companies.

While most consumers can easily book their own travel, employment for travel agents is projected to grow 5% from 2020-2030, according to the BLS. About 7,500 openings for travel agents are projected annually, on average, over the decade, according to the BLS.

Examples of certification programs include:

• American Society of Travel Advisors' (ASTA) verified travel advisor (VTA)
• Airlines Reporting Corporation's (ARC) specialist training and certification
• Cruise Lines International Association's five certification programs, including the certified cruise counsellor program
• Global Business Travel Association's global travel professional certification
• International Air Transport Association's foundation in travel and tourism diploma
• The Travel Institute's certified travel associate (CTA).

What Jobs Can I Get with a Travel Agent Certification?

After completing their certification, travel agents pursue many jobs, including

• Cruise travel agent: They specialize in booking cruise vacations. Some agents further specialize in river cruises or particular cruise lines.
• Corporate travel agent: These agents arrange business and conference travel for business professionals and companies.
• Leisure travel agent: They sell vacation packages to individuals, families, and groups. Some travel agents may focus on certain regions, destinations, or travel niches like adventure travel, family travel, honeymoons, and luxury travel.

How Much Money Can I Make with a Travel Agent Certification?

Travel agents make a median annual salary of $42,350, as of May 2020, according to the BLS. This wage data includes money earned from commissions. Some travel agents who work at larger travel agencies may earn commissions.

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