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7 Best Online Travel Agent Training Programs

Travel Agent Training Programs

Get information on Travel Agent Training programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

With online studies, your career as a travel agent starts with a laptop, access to the internet, and a click.

If you spend hours daydreaming about the perfect vacation and love being a part of every last planning detail, a career in travel is right for you.

If you want smooth sailing and to help vacationers’ trips go off without a hitch, a travel agent career is for you.

Start turning travel dreams into a reality for clients.

How do you get the certification and training you need to launch a career as a travel agent?

Check out these best online travel agent training programs.

Travel Agent

1. Penn Foster

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Most online courses prepare you to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP exam to earn your travel and tourism certification.

The TAP test takes two hours to complete.

The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.

Or, continue your education to get your Bachelor of Science BS degree in hospitality.

After obtaining the necessary credentials, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66,300 jobs in travel await those who pursue them, with an anticipated 3 percent job growth.

Travel agents earn an average of $46,400 annually, or $22.31 per hour.

The American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA, and The Travel Institute developed the TAP certification examination.

Pass the TAP to launch your travel agent career.

Earn your TAP certification and then continue your education by attaining your Certified Travel Associate CTA certification.

Or, specialize in specific types of travel like the following:

  • Family travel
  • Accessible travel
  • Rural tourism
  • Pet-friendly travel
  • Cruise lines
  • Sustainable travel
  • Eco-friendly travel
  • Solo travel
  • Luxury travel
  • Romantic getaways
  • Destination weddings
  • Honeymoon travel

Take a look at the best options for online travel agent training programs.

Travel Agent

Check out the following top online training programs:

Penn Foster Online offers courses at levels from high school to college degrees.

Learn everything you need to understand about the travel and tourism industry through this accredited school.

Penn Foster offers an affordable and accredited online Travel Agent Career Diploma.

The program prepares students for entry-level travel agent careers.

Study at your own pace with access to a dedicated faculty.

The Penn Foster online program prepares students for the TAP Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.

Studying through Penn Foster also allows you free enrollment in a Destination Specialist course at The Travel Institute to help prepare you for the Destination Specialist certification exam.

Fast-paced learners complete the course in as short of time as nine months.

The average student takes 15 months to prepare for work as a travel agent.

Go on to work in an agency, a tour company, an airline, or any travel agent capacity.

The travel agent certificate online program usually costs $989.

Catch a sale to find it as low as $799.

The Travel Institute has a history of preparing individuals for successful and rewarding careers in the travel industry since 1964.

More than 25,000 students claim success through learning with The Travel Institute.

With more than 50 years of training travel agents, the Travel Institute offers certification as a non-profit organization.

The online program aims to develop travel professionals who will better the industry and benefit travelers.

The online training offers their own TRIPKIT Travel Industry Introductory Program.

The Travel Institute also offers certification courses and training in areas of specialization in the travel industry.

Before deciding on a course, sign up for one of many free Webinars.

Gain a solid foundation of knowledge to kick-start your career in travel in up to 12 months of study.

Become a Certified Travel Counselor CTC for $550.

Or, if you already have five years of industry experience, take the Fast Track course.

The Travel Institute also offers Certified Travel Associate CTA and Certified Travel Industry Executive CTIE courses.

Stratford Career Institute is privately owned and established in 1991.

The Institute offers quality at-home vocational training programs to students in North America.

Stratford foresaw the need for emerging education for busy adults and offers distance learning.

SCI provides the opportunity for students to learn in the convenience of their own home with a flexible schedule.

This online school is a member of the United States Distance Learning Association, the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education, and the International Council for Open and Distance Education ICDE.

SCI also has academic affiliations with Institutional Accountants ICIA and The Travel Institute.

If you love to travel and want to turn travel planning into your career, Stratford Career Institute online offers a comprehensive travel and tourism course.

Learn the basics and then move into more advanced topics.

Delve into sales and marketing with this self-paced course.

Complete the course in a year or shorter.

Some students are ready for the next step after six months.

The Stratford Career Institute Travel and Tourism online course will prepare you to sit for the TAP test.

Learn everything you need about landing a job and continuing work as a successful travel agent for $1,049.

Catch the course on sale for $499 during Black Friday or other sales throughout the year.

The Travel Agent Campus is a highly sought-after travel agent/advisor online training and certification program.

Train with lessons developed by innovators of their independent home-based travel agent learning platform.

Learn from instructors who offer more than 30 years of training to those new to the travel business.

The Travel Agent Campus allows you to work at your own pace.

Learn everything you need to know to earn your online travel agent certification in two weeks.

Or, take less time.

Most students finish the course in about three to ten days.

Pay $995 in full, or break it down into monthly payments.

Once you start your travel career, earn as much as 70 percent to 90 percent commission.

Learn at home about the vast travel industry and tourism at your own pace in partnership with TPI Travel Planners International.

Get started in your career of planning, researching, and booking trips with the help of this online course.

Travel Agent

Grand Canyon University GCU offers a private for-profit university.

GCU is the largest Christian university in the world, teaching 70,000 online students and 20,000 on-campus learners.

Take your time and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management.

By attaining a BS in Hospitality Management, you open doors to a solid career in travel.

With Grand Canyon University, earn your degree after studying 120 credit hours at approximately $485 per credit.

The online courses each last eight weeks and are self-paced.

You may participate in Web chat sessions or view lectures online throughout the courses.

If you have already earned college credit, transfer credit hours to reduce your overall expenses.

Apply for scholarships to save more on tuition costs. Also, enjoy extensive discounted tuition for active military personnel.

Study online to receive your travel consultant certificate from a program featured by Oprah, ABC, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal.

IAP Career College offers a private online career learning opportunity.

This online college allows students to develop skills to advance their careers or start a business.

Learn the principles and techniques of the travel industry through an affordable online program.

IAP Career College online Travel Consultant Certificate Course takes approximately six weeks to complete.

Some students get done faster, by four weeks.

Others take a full 12 weeks to complete.

Work online at your own pace without teaching assistance.

The IAP course costs approximately $377.

Catch a special sale to get it for as inexpensive as $149.00.

Ashworth College offers career education that teaches practical skills employers want without breaking the bank.

This online school is among the most affordable online schools available to gain travel agent certification.

All of the career-focused courses at Ashworth College include books, lessons, study guides, and academic guidance.

Earn your certification among more than 300,000 students who have graduated from Ashworth.

Ashworth College offers an online travel agent training program to prepare you for work in the travel industry.

The course of study covers reservations, customer service, and geography.

Study entirely at your own pace to prepare for the TAP test certification in less than a year.

Earn your travel and tourism diploma to work with planning tours and management positions.

Pay $989 with monthly payments of $799 paid in full.

Ready yourself to take the Travel Institute Travel Agent Proficiency Test after completing the course.

Ashworth College additionally provides a toolkit with resume templates and other resources to help you land a travel career.

online travel agent course reviews

Online travel agent training programs offer courses that teach everything you need to prepare you as a travel agent.

Some of the typical courses included in travel agent training programs include:

  • Air travel ticketing, reservations, and baggage handling, including North American Air Travel
  • Geographic studies, including popular travel destinations, cultures, customs, and top attractions while exploring the world
  • Tourism and the History of tourism, including types of tourism and how travel impacts the economy
  • TAP Travel Agent Proficiency Certification studies include customer service, consumer-focused professionalism, specialized travel sales techniques, marketing, office skills, and time management.
  • Advanced skills in journey pricing and ticketing
  • BSP Agent billing reports and agent remittance procedures
  • Learn about required documents for international trips
  • Intro to Tourism Management to establish a foundational understanding of the tourism business
  • Delve into the challenges of the hospitality industry as a career
  • Aspects of Transportation Learning how to navigate domestic and foreign transportation systems such as air, railway, or cruises
  • Convention and Special Event Planning, including conferences, trade shows, arranging travel, lodging, booking the best venue, and organizing food services
  • World Regions, including time zones, weather, and climate
  • International Travel Documentation
  • Customer-focused selling and understanding customer needs
  • Accepting and processing payments
  • Travel Insurance
  • Car Rentals
  • Tour Sales and Niche Marketing
  • Hospitality
  • Global Distribution System GDS and establishing Passenger Name Record PNR
  • Career Options in Travel
  • Types of Tours and Tour Operators
  • Fares and ticketing
  • How to start an at-home travel agency
  • Business Ethics and writing skills
  • The Art of listening and communicating

Several online colleges, universities, and career training centers offer a complete program to attain the skills needed in the travel industry.

One of the benefits of studying online is that you learn at your own pace.

Earning an online travel agent certification varies in how long it takes .

Spend a few days, two to three weeks, or stretch it out.

Combine your studies with an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree, and take two to four years.

Pursue one or all of the travel agent certifications, including the following:

  • Travel Agent Proficiency TAP
  • The Certified Travel Associate CTA – Requires one year of industry experience or completion of the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP exam.
  • Certified Travel Counselor
  • Certified Travel Industry Executive
  • ASTA Verified Travel Advisor VTA from the American Society of Travel Advisors ASTA
  • International Air Transport Association IATA
  • Travel Industry Designator Service TIDS
  • Certified Cruise Counselor CCC from the Cruise Lines International Association CLIA
  • Accredited Cruise Counselor ACC
  • Master Cruise Counselor MCC
  • Elite Cruise Counselor ECC

Online training costs in the travel industry vary based on how long the program is, whether the institution is accredited, and any specializations you pursue.

It ranges in cost from approximately $100 to about $1,000 to complete certification.

Some online programs include an exam fee, so expect to spend about $2,000 or more.

Once you obtain the certification, expect ongoing studies to maintain the certification.

Agents must earn ten continuing education credits CEUs per year.

online travel agent course reviews

Pursue your dream of adventure and love for travel.

Obtain your certification to start work in the travel and tourism industry fast .

Study through the best online travel agent training programs.

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7 Best Online Travel Agent Programs (Complete Guide)

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Travel Agent

Many people’s dream job is to travel and get paid!

While travel agents are only sometimes traveling, as they need to help plan and use their resources to set itineraries while getting the best deals, they must be knowledgeable about various places.

If you’re interested in becoming a travel agent, several educational paths exist to help you reach your goals.

The most common approach is an online travel and tourism diploma program, which is readily available.

If you want to dive deeper into the field, associate and bachelor’s degree programs are available but still require the fundamental core classes and can take up to four years to earn.

On the other hand, a certificate degree can be achieved in under one year.

If you’re interested in becoming a travel agent and are searching for a reputable online program, keep reading to learn more!

Best Online Travel Agent Programs

Despite being necessary for tens of thousands of travelers worldwide, travel agency positions are relatively niche.

Therefore, only a few online travel agent programs exist, including the following:

American Society of Travel Advisors

The ASTA offers a Verified Travel Advisor certification program, which helps students hone travel and tourism skills while providing a broad industry perspective.

This online, self-paced course is highly flexible, as students can complete the required coursework on their own terms.

Lessons for the primary certification include the following:

  • Advanced Public Speaking – improves public speaking capabilities through actionable information.
  • Agency Relationships and the Law – learn about your legal obligations to your clients, liabilities, and legal rights.
  • Ethics for Travel Advisors – students must review and agree to the 12-point Code of Ethics, which builds client trust.
  • Legal Overview for the Travel Agency Industry – taught by an attorney about legal issues surrounding taxes, liability, insurance, fees, and more.
  • Marketing YOU! – maximize your value by promoting your business using effective marketing tactics.
  • Project Management and Planning for the Travel Advisor – learn how project management and planning are critical to the industry and how to apply these techniques within your business.
  • Real-World Sales Tactics – learn tactical solutions for improving your consulting and selling skills.
  • The Art and Science of Negotiation – negotiating is a critical aspect of a successful travel business that allows you to get the best prices for your clients.
  • U.S. Travel Agency Regulatory Compliance – helps travel advisors avoid costly regulatory mishaps.

The ASTA member program price is $399, the non-member independent travel advisor cost is $627, and the non-member travel advisor price is $789.

For those seeking re-certification, the tuition cost is $179.

Ashworth College

As one of the leading online vocational schools, Ashworth College helps students explore travel and tourism careers.

Their diploma in travel and tourism comprises coursework like The Global Distribution System, Types of Travel, and Travel Geography.

The program begins by teaching students the business fundamentals and ends with how to establish an exciting career as a travel agent or in other travel-related fields.

Program graduates have moved into numerous careers, from corporate travel at significant companies to starting a travel agency business.

Cayuga Community College

The entirely online Tourism Management certificate from Cayuga Community College is a 30-credit-hour program that prepares students for entry-level careers as travel agents, destination marketing organizations, tourism bureaus, tour companies, or working for tourism promotion agencies, hotels, inns, cruise lines, and visitor centers.

This self-paced certificate program allows students to work and attend school on their own schedule.

The faculty teaching these courses is the same online as on-campus, and students can transfer credits from other schools instead of retaking the class.

Colorado State University

CSU offers an online master’s degree in tourism management for those looking to make a career change or advance further in the industry.

This program focuses on developing students’ business management insight, helping them understand global tourism’s environmental and social impacts, and enhancing their knowledge of standard industry practices.

Furthermore, the faculty focuses on new technology, an evolving marketplace, and international events impacting tourism activities.

Throughout the nine-month program, students will learn more about financial management tools and processes, effective communication and marketing strategies, how to use data to guide business strategies, and how to manage resources and people ethically and strategically.

The program has 30 total credits and costs $794 per credit hour, regardless of if you live in-state or out-of-state.

Cruise Lines International Association

CLIA offers numerous online certification programs, including Accredited Cruise Counselor, Certified Cruise Counselor, Master Cruise Counselor, Elite Cruise Counselor, and Travel Agency Executive (TAE), a broader certification beyond cruises.

TAE was developed for management travel agency professionals currently employed by a CLIA Affiliate Agency and may be selling travel products.

To be eligible, candidates must work in a leadership capacity within the travel industry.

Those accepted into the program have two years from enrollment to complete the program and submit the required documentation.

The curriculum includes the following mandatory courses:

  • Better Listening Skills for Better Business
  • Building Client Loyalty
  • Cruise Industry Leadership 501
  • Cruise Industry Leadership 601
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Effective Cruise Presentations 101
  • Marketing 101
  • Public Relations 101

Attendees must also select one elective training requirement: three CLIA online courses and live seminars, earning the CTA, CTC, or CTIE designation, or holding an undergraduate or graduate business degree.

Additionally, students must have two personal travel experiences: two cruises of at least two nights or be a CLIA Global Cruise Line Member.

Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster and Ashworth College typically frequent the same list as best online vocational schools.

Like Ashworth, Penn Foster boasts an excellent travel agent diploma.

If you are passionate about travel, the program prepares you to work for tour companies, cruise ships, airlines, and travel agencies.

Many graduates also opt to open a travel agency business or in a corporate travel position.

The travel agent course prepares students for the Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.

The curriculum includes Computerized Reservation Systems, Tours and Vacation Packages, Exploring the World, International Travel, World Geography, North American Air Travel, and The Travel Professional.

The school also offers a Destination Specialist course to expand student skills in the field further.

Tuition for the entire program, including materials, is $799, but the school offers flexible monthly payments for those who cannot immediately pay in full.

Stratford Career Institute

The Stratford Career Institute Travel Agent Program was developed for those who love to travel and want to transition that passion into a career.

The course covers basic and advanced topics that benefit aspiring travel agents and novices.

The curriculum includes Destination Geography, Travel and Booking Trends, and Corporate and Leisure Travel.

Students can expect to also learn about sales and marketing techniques, ticket prices and fees, and common fares within the industry.

The Travel Institute

Founded in 1964, The Travel Institute has granted just under 30,000 certifications since its founding.

The school has over 145 approved programs and has been awarded 3,600 scholarships since 2014.

The school offers a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program, which covers 15 critical study areas developed to focus on the required skills for becoming a North American travel consultant.

To enroll in the program, candidates must have at least one year of industry experience selling travel products and services or pass the Travel Agent Proficiency exam with an 80 percent score.

To earn the certification, candidates must pass the CTA examination with at least a 70% score.

To maintain the certification, candidates must earn 10 continuing education units or more annually and be registered in the Certified Travel Agent Directory, which is a public document.

The skill modules range from travel insurance and planning itineraries to business ethics and business writing.

Best of all, the program can be taken entirely online in digital or digital plus print formats for those who prefer learning using physical materials.

The program offers peer support, one—on—one counseling, practice scenarios, and expert tips via videos from industry executives.

The digital version costs $550, while the digital plus print option costs $650.

What Courses Are in an Online Travel Agent Program?

Travel agent programs vary greatly based on the type and level of the coursework and the industry type.

The most common travel agent courses cover the following topics:

  • Advising clients on local activities.
  • Booking trends.
  • Customer relationship management.
  • Determining travel costs.
  • Developing alternative travel plans when schedules change.
  • Discuss essential information with clients.
  • Informing clients about required travel documents.
  • Legal aspects of the travel industry.
  • Marketing techniques
  • Negotiating hotel rates.
  • Planning itineraries.
  • Project management and planning.

Can You Earn a Travel Agent Certification Completely Online?

Since there is no in-person requirement to become a certified travel agent, all certifications can be completed online.

Depending on the educational level in the tourism industry that you wish to achieve, the school may require an internship to gain firsthand experience in the industry, dealing with clients.

Experts advise students at all levels to enroll in an internship, which can help make you marketable for future potential employers, develop professional contacts, have a higher probability for direct job offers, and expand your transferrable skills.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Travel Agent Certification Online?

The online travel agent certification time commitment ranges based on the educational level you wish to achieve.

More basic certificates can be earned in a few months, whereas bachelor’s degrees in travel and tourism can take four years or more if you plan to enroll in an internship.

The primary difference between the certificate and diploma programs and the associate and bachelor’s degree programs is the latter requires foundational core classes, and the former focuses solely on travel agent topics.

However, the associate and bachelor’s degree programs tend to go more in-depth on many travel and tourism topics and offer additional opportunities to take specialized electives, which could also make you a more marketable candidate.

Also, the more education received, the higher salary you could earn after graduation compared to those with a lower level certification.

How Much Does an Online Travel Agent Certification Cost?

Like the time commitment required for travel agent certification, the cost varies based on several factors, including the training length, the school’s reputation, specialization, and financial aid availability.

The most basic certification programs cost between $330 and several thousand for a program lasting several months to one year.

Specialization programs for those with related training can cost around $550.

For those seeking higher education, an associate degree can range from several thousand dollars per year to over $10,000.

A bachelor’s degree can cost thousands of dollars for the entire program.

Suppose you’re considering a private school for associate or bachelor’s degrees.

In that case, it’s advisable to complete the core classes at a local community college with significantly less expensive credit hours, then transfer in the credits and take the travel and tourism classes at the private school.

This could save tens of thousands of dollars in the long term. Another option is to look for scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities.

As the world reopens, travel and tourism are at an all-time high for adventurers wanting to get outside and explore new cultures.

Although technology continues to improve and create itineraries and plans for travelers at the click of a button, travel agents are still needed due to their professional connections and relationships with hotels, travel and transportation companies, restaurants, airlines, and other travel-related businesses.

Therefore, they continue to be in high demand to get their clients the best possible prices.

For those looking to enter this dynamic and exciting field, there are plenty of online educational opportunities from which to choose.

Schools like The American Society of Travel Advisors and The Travel Institute focus on preparing students for industry certifications.

Ashford College, Penn Foster, and the Stratford Career Institute are some of the best online colleges available, so they use technology so students can succeed.

Cayuga Community College and CSU are more traditional schools with multiple educational levels beyond certificates, and the Cruise Lines International Association emphasizes coursework related to cruise travel.

Many options depend on your academic and career goals, so determine where you want to go next!

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#1 CHOICE FOR TRAVEL AGENT CERTIFICATIONS

Award-winning educational programs and resources for travel agents and agency owners..

Wanderlust Campus is where travel entrepreneurs come to grow. We're the travel industry's leading provider of online travel agent training programs, consulting, tools and resources to support travel agents and travel agency owners at every stage of their growth journey.

Our travel agent education programs

online travel agent course reviews

BEST FOR: Aspiring Travel agents

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BEST FOR: Aspiring and new travel agents

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BEST FOR: Experienced travel agents

The Travel Agency Launch Kit includes everything you need to successfully launch your travel business in 30 days or less.

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A SNAPSHOT OF The Launch Kit …

The Travel Agency Launch kit includes everything you need to successfully launch your travel business in 30 days or less. This is a wonderful starter kit to get your business launched and start making your first sales. It also helps you avoid painful mistakes (what to avoid & common pitfalls that can set you back years). It’s 100% on-line, self-paced, with all the training, tools and done-for-you resources included. It has lifetime access to the training membership site, where your content and training is hosted.

This program IS PERFECT FOR YOU IF…

Resources may not allow for a certification right now but you are dedicated and serious about scaling your own portable, profitable travel business.  You want to curate a special brand that will grow with your goals, and even though you are new, you see yourself working independently in the future.  That’s great!  You also understand that how you set up your business now will make a huge difference in your ability to scale your business later.

The Careers on Vacation Mastermind for aspring and new agents teaches you everything you need to know to get your travel business optimized for success – from initial set-up to intentional launching and scalable growth.

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A SNAPSHOT OF Careers on Vaction…

This is our signature and most popular program. Careers on Vacation™ is our 12-week immersive mastermind program for aspiring, new or experienced agents (we have two learning tracks based on your experience). We are an ASTA affiliated travel school, and as a graduating participant you will receive the Careers on Vacation certification, recognized industry wide to use in your marketing.    We offer full support as you set up your marketing machine, sales, service, and operational systems. Get access to our personal team of leading experts as we support you in the real world set up and application, this is what is so different about our program and why we have the best results in the industry.

You want the best travel agent certification available to set you up for success. You are dedicated and serious about scaling your own portable, profitable travel business.  You want a viable business, not just an occasional hobby.  You value the ability to call your own shots, and want to curate a special brand that will grow with your ambitious goals.  You also understand that the right support and training & having proper systems in place is critical for fast growth. 

The Careers on Vacation Mastermind for experienced agents teaches you everything you need to know to bring scalable growth to your travel business – from operations to sales and marketing.

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Why we're the leader in travel agent education and certification:

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Program case studies.

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Stephanie started her journey as a travel professional by earning her Careers on Vacation Certification. She later went on to earn her agency certification in the Wanderlust CEO program. Today she runs an award winning agency with over 300 travel professionals, and is a member of our multi-million dollar club.

Stephanie P., Pickles Vacations

Jess earned her Careers on Vacation Certification in 2018. She graduated out of her hosting environment and today she is still happily running her highly successful travel business full time.

— Jess M., vida travel co.

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From start up essentials to business building tools, mastermind participants receive exclusive perks and discounts on the industry's best services – and they're only available to our community!

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Events & Retreats

Meet cyndi and her team, dedicated to helping you launch and grow a profitable travel business.

Jodie earned her Careers on Vacation certification in 2018. She went on to scale a hugely successful agency and became a Disney EarMarked agency in record time. Also a member of our multi-million-dollar club, today she enjoys traveling the world while running her amazing agency.

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Jamie earned her Careers on Vacation Certification in 2020. She then went on to earn her agency certification in our Wanderlust CEO program. Today Jamie has built a team of over 70 agents, and is featured on stages nationwide to advocate for accessible travel. She is a proud member of our multi-million dollar club.

— Jamie S., Adventures By Jamie

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Watch the Free Masterclass

Wondering if becoming a travel agent is right for you .

Our travel agent trainings and certifications have helped thousands of people successfully transition into making travel their new way of life. Grab a spot in our masterclass and learn the simple systems our clients use to create wildly successful travel businesses in record time.

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THE JOURNAL

Travel Advisor Resources

How to Become a Travel Agent Online: Fora's Full Guide

Fora Author Fora Travel

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/become-a-travel-agent-online

You want to become a travel agent online. Is it easy? Are there any education or experience requirements? We’re answering all your questions and then some.

Want to check out the coolest travel agent remote jobs for yourself? Apply to become a Fora Advisor today.

First off, what is an online travel agent?

The only real difference between an online travel agent — we prefer the modern term, travel advisor — and a travel agent who works in a brick-and-mortar environment is, well, their setting. 

We could get into the nitty gritty comparisons — remote travel agents have more flexibility, in-person travel agents offer face-to-face meetings and so on — but at the end of the day, the locale is the only major difference.

(Need to back up and ask, “ What does a travel agent do? ” Our guide has all the answers.)

Next, the vital question: can you become a travel agent online?

Absolutely — and there are a ton of advantages to becoming a travel agent online, as compared to traditional travel agent schools .

(BTW: this guide focuses purely on the remote aspects of becoming a travel planner. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive look, check out how to become a travel agent .)

Pros of becoming a remote travel agent

Becoming a travel agent online offers a high degree of flexibility that more traditional travel agent jobs can’t match. 

For one, remote travel agents can work from anywhere, while brick-and-mortar agents are tied to a specific location. 

It’s also worth noting remote travel agents can be much more in tune with the contemporary travel industry. Many traditional travel agent schools have outdated curriculums that haven’t kept pace with the rapid modernization of the field.

Best of all, online travel agents can work with anyone around the world. Face-to-face interactions, while still possible at the discretion of the agent, simply aren’t necessary nowadays. Everything from bookings to travel planning can be completed over the internet — and most customers are just as interested in being able to consult a travel advisor from the comfort of their home.

Cons of becoming a remote travel agent

Simply put, there aren’t any major disadvantages to becoming an online travel agent versus committing to a brick-and-mortar office. Although some clients still prefer in-person exchanges, this is no longer the industry norm. 

If you love travel, you have what it takes to become a travel agent . But it certainly helps to have interpersonal skills, industry knowledge and a rolodex of relationships with travel partners around the world — all of which we provide in our online travel advisor training program.

(P.S. Looking for more jobs in the travel industry or jobs where you travel ? See our guides.)

What are the benefits of becoming a remote travel advisor with Fora?

We’ve covered the basics of becoming a travel agent online, but here’s why your choice of host agency matters. Fora offers unparalleled flexibility and support to all Fora Advisors. We’re big on inclusivity, and we always advocate for our own. All that said, you’re still in complete control of your travel business (learn how to become an independent travel agent with Fora).

Already convinced? Sign up to become a Fora Advisor .

(Prefer to fly completely solo? Here’s how to start a travel agency , but be warned, it’s no easy endeavor.)

Can you become a travel agent online as a side hustle?

Yes. In fact, a large number of Fora Advisors run a travel side hustle and nothing more. If you’re only interested in booking the occasional vacation for family or peers, it’s completely fine with us.

Do you need any certifications or degrees to become a travel agent online with Fora?

No experience or education is required to become a Fora Advisor. We offer all the travel agent training and travel agent certification programs you could possibly need to be successful. Plus, these courses can be completed at your own pace. 

Topics range from the basics of booking hotels to how to build a sales funnel and beyond.

How much money can you make as an online travel agent with Fora?

With great flexibility comes great ranges of Fora travel advisor salaries .

Obviously, the Fora Advisors that spend the most time honing their craft and selling travel make the most money. And many of our independent travel planners are only interested in making side money.

Need more details? Check out how much travel agents make , and for a deep dive on commissions, see how much travel agents make per booking .

How does Fora pay remote travel agents?

Fora Advisors are paid via direct deposit, a rarity in an industry that often still relies on the 20th-century method of paying by paper check. Our guide to how travel agents get paid offers an in-depth explanation.

Ready to work with a host agency that embraces new-age tech? Become a Fora Advisor .

How long does it take to become a travel agent online with Fora?

Becoming a travel agent online with Fora doesn’t take very long at all. The application process is easy, and you’re allowed to start booking travel as soon as you’re accepted as a Fora Advisor.

Wondering, " How long does it take to become a travel agent ?" See our guide for more intel.

How much does it cost to become a travel agent online?

Other agencies handle this differently, but at Fora, we charge a monthly subscription fee that covers our comprehensive training, access to our peer community — which possesses an incredible depth of travel expertise — extensive marketing resources, access to our proprietary booking platform and much, much more.

Currently, it costs $49 per month or $300 annually for a subscription (BTW: most advisors make their membership fee back within the first month). As far as becoming a travel agent online, few host agencies even compare — and many don't offer the perks that we do. 

Is becoming a travel agent online worth it?

It’s fair to wonder if being a travel agent is worth it . But if you love travel, you're already most of the way there. We'll teach you everything you need to know to build a thriving travel business you love.

That being said, if you’re wondering whether it makes sense to become a travel agent online or at a designated office, there’s no competition. Remote travel agent jobs are quickly becoming the standard — there simply aren’t any major advantages to brick-and-mortar travel planning nowadays.

Join Fora and become a travel agent online today

Ready to become a travel agent online? Why not join a host agency that puts your success front and center? Sign up to become a Fora Advisor today.

Looking for more travel advisor resources ? Check out these guides, as well:

Take it from Our Advisors: 8 Reasons to Become a Fora Advisor  

How Do Travel Agents Get Clients? Fora's Top 4 Tips  

How to Become a Luxury Travel Agent: the 2023 Guide  

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent  

  A Window into Fora's Certified Training  

How to Market Your Travel Business Like a Pro: Tips from the Experts  

How to Be a Successful Travel Advisor: Insider Tips from the Pros

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

Sign up free

10 Online Training Courses for Travel Agents

We've put together a list of online training courses for travel agents that can help you enhance your skills and establish a successful career in the travel industry. These courses will teach you how to improve your client’s experience, seal deals with them, prepare travel accommodations, secure the best travel packages, and more.

Online Training Courses for Travel Agents

1. Guest Experiences

Customer experience in the travel industry can make or break your business’ success. For this reason, it goes without saying that giving your customers the best experience possible should be your utmost priority. EdApp’s Guest Experiences course has all the tips and tricks that can help you do so.

This online training course for travel agents starts with the most basic technique in building rapport with customers – smiling. You'll discover the impact a smile can have and how clients will respond favorably to your positive attitude. Within the same lesson, you’ll learn how to break the ice with them too. 

We all know that having loyal and returning customers is the key to surviving the travel industry. This course will also show you how to guarantee that their entire travel experience is enjoyable and convince them to use your travel services again in the future.

Made with the busy schedules of most learners in mind, this course has been designed to respond to any devices, like smartphones and laptops. This gives you the flexibility to access your training anytime and anywhere you prefer.

  • Cost : Free
  • Scope : The power of a smile, how to break the ice with customers, giving service with consistency

Created by EdApp

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - Karamo's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training by EdApp

2. Karamo's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training

As a travel agent, it’s important to put inclusion at the heart of your business process. You need to know the right language to speak as you communicate with clients and co-workers from different backgrounds and cultures. 

The course Karamo's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training by EdApp will help you better understand the concept behind diversity, equity, and inclusion. You’ll get to explore your unconscious biases by reflecting on the stereotypes you’ve witnessed as you grow up. Then, you’ll learn how to spot and stop microaggressions that most people, unfortunately, encounter every day. You’ll also find some actionable steps you can take to make your travel business a safe environment for your clients and co-workers. 

This unconscious bias training course was made in collaboration with culture expert Karamo Brown. It’s 100% online and free to take – no credit card is needed to access it. 

  • Scope : Meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion, exploring unconscious biases, spotting and stopping microaggressions

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - Travel and Tourism Specialist by Penn Foster

3. Travel and Tourism Specialist

If you’re only starting your career as a travel agent, then you can turn to Penn Foster’s Travel and Tourism Specialist course to learn all the basics. It serves as an introductory online training course for travel agents, covering topics such as how to apply travel costs to calculate the overall cost of travel accommodations. Then, there’s a guide on how to prepare transportation carrier tickets. It also discusses the benefits of using a Computerized Reservation System (CRS) to book and reserve transportation and hotel for your clients. 

This course, unfortunately, is a bit expensive. But on the bright side, you’ll get an industry-accredited certificate upon completion.

  • Cost : 799 USD
  • Scope : Travel costs, steps to prepare transportation carrier tickets, how to use CRS for hotel and transportation booking

Created by Penn Foster

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - Assisting Travelers with Special Needs by IATA

4. Assisting Travelers with Special Needs

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) created its course about Assisting Travelers with Special Needs to help travel agents learn the difference between properly helping regular passengers and those with special needs. It discusses the common airline services made specifically for travelers with special needs. It also goes over some additional non-air travel services and support that you can offer to them. 

This online training course for travel agents is delivered in an e-book format. While self-paced, it’s valid for only six months from the time of enrolment.

  • Cost : 100 USD
  • Scope : Steps to assist passengers with special needs, common airline services for those with special needs

Created by IATA

Online Training Course for Travel Agents  - Travel Agent and Consultant Training by Alison

5. Travel Agent and Consultant Training

Learning platform Alison also offers a great course on Travel Agent and Consultant Training. You can take this to gain a deeper understanding of the basics of travel and tourism and the main duties and tasks of travel agents. You’ll get to identify the key components of tourism products and services, and the expert predictions on the future of the travel industry. 

Additionally, it’ll discuss in detail the importance of crisis management and public awareness in keeping your travel business successful, despite the ever-changing trends and needs in this type of industry. 

This Alison course is free to take but to acquire an official certificate, you’ll need to shell out a fee of around €21-€37.

  • Cost : Free with a paid certificate
  • Scope : Basics of travel and tourism, duties and tasks of travel agents, components of tourism, future of travel industry, the importance of crisis management and public awareness

Created by Alison

Explore our library including online training courses for travel agents.

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - Travel Agent 101 by Universal Class

6. Travel Agent 101

Everything you need to know about organizing the best domestic and international travel trips is covered in the Travel Agent 101 course offered by Universal Class. It talks about the different modes of transportation, alongside different services you can offer to clients seeking to experience a high level of travel accommodation. It also explores the basics of processing passports and visas, highlighting the regulations and restrictions that you and your clients should know of. 

There are a total of 13 online lessons in this course, and you’ll only need about seven hours on average to finish this free online travel agent training. Upon completion, you should be able to plan the perfect trip for your potential clients while taking into account their travel needs, wants, and budget.

Created by Universal Class

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - Active Listening by EdApp

7. Active Listening

Active listening is a very crucial skill that every travel agent should have. Learn how to listen to your customer’s requests and demands and help them achieve their travel goals by taking the Active Listening course by EdApp. 

This online training course for travel agents highlights how active listening can benefit your business. Then, it delves into the core principles of this skill, which include asking the right questions and making constant eye contact as you explain the travel deals to your customers. It also offers some tips on how to read body language to fully understand the point of view of the person you’re talking to. 

Using some examples of gamification in its lessons, you’ll get to enjoy a travel agent online course that works like a smartphone game.

  • Scope : Benefits of active listening, core principles of active listening, how to read body language

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - Travel Agent Training by Georgia Southern University

8. Travel Agent Training

This Travel Agent Training was developed by Georgia Southern University experts to help you and other aspiring travel agents be ready to enter the fiercely competitive field of travel and tourism. Here, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of the travel industry, international travel, and air travel. You’ll learn more about the basics of geography and how you can apply your knowledge when planning your clients’ trips. It’ll also show you the ropes of selling and marketing your travel services to the public. 

Just a quick heads up, this online course for travel agents is set to run for six months. Plus, it will require you around 100 hours to complete it.

  • Cost : 2,345 USD
  • Scope : The fundamentals of the travel industry, international travel, and air travel, applying geography knowledge to planning trips, sales and marketing in the travel business

Created by Georgia Southern University

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - SMART Tourism and Responsible Travel by FutureLearn

9. SMART Tourism and Responsible Travel

FutureLearn’s SMART Tourism and Responsible Travel covers everything you need to know about the growing concerns relating to international air travel, like how this industry is affecting environmental health. It brings light to the role of travel agents in mitigating the negative effects of travel on environmental grounds. It also goes into detail about the step-by-step process of planning responsible travel trips for your clients and how to use SMART technology to help them make sustainable travel decisions. 

This online training course for travel agents was made in partnership with Nottinghan Trent University. After passing the course's final test and receiving a passing grade, you'll be given a digital certificate that you can add to your credentials. 

  • Cost : 189.99 USD (Subscription basis)
  • Scope : Effects of travel on the environment and how to minimize them, how to plan responsible travel trips, the use of SMART technology for sustainable travel trip

Created by FutureLearn

Online Training Course for Travel Agents - The Bid Proposal Cycle by EdApp

10. The Bid Proposal Cycle

Bidding is an essential skill that every travel agent should also master. You must know how to position your travel services as the best among your competitors to close deals with your prospective clients. 

In this EdApp course, you’ll be led through the key elements of the bid proposal cycle, which includes positioning yourself, developing your proposal, securing a contract, and debriefing your proposal. Additionally, it’ll go through many competitive bidding methods, which you can use as a guide when finding the best one that works for you and your business. 

As you progress through the course, you’ll find a set of guide questions that would help you determine whether or not bidding is the most strategic move. In the event that you pursue to bid, the course will then teach you how to write competitive bid proposals to increase your chances of winning. 

Elearning development software EdApp has made its courses accessible through offline viewing, making sure that you can still complete your training and learn everything you need to know about bidding even when you’re not connected to the internet. 

  • Scope : The elements of the bid proposal cycle, competitive bidding methods, how to write competitive bid proposals

Setting yourself up for success in the travel industry with online training courses for travel agents

The rise of the internet and social media has driven more and more people to go on a trip or tour, often to visit beautiful places and experience various cultures. While it has definitely given the travel industry a great opportunity, this trend has also created fierce competition in the field. If you want to make your place in the market as a competitive travel agent, it’s vital to build and maintain a skill set that’ll allow you to capture new types of clients, and keep them coming back to you. Our list above consists of online training courses for travel agents that you can take and share with your colleagues to get a competitive edge and seal your success in the travel industry.

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Top Online Courses for Travel Agent Certification

4 minute read

online travel agent course reviews

By Christopher Brown

Top Online Courses for Travel Agent Certification

Travel agents spend their days planning dream vacations, setting up all-inclusive stays at luxurious resorts, and making dream holidays a reality. It may sound like a fantasy, but thanks to the internet, travel agent certification is within reach! The travel industry has seen monumental growth in recent years, and the trend shows no signs of stopping. All the more reason to turn a passion for travel into a lucrative new career. There are a wide variety of options available, and you can find the right online travel agent certification course if you start searching now.

The Travel Institute

For those who are serious about becoming a top-tier travel agent, The Travel Institute offers renowned courses. They provide various certification levels, starting with the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) Test and moving up to the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program. The courses cover all the essentials, from planning itineraries to managing business aspects.

The best part is that they offer a mix of self-study and guided lessons, allowing you to fit your studies around your existing commitments. Their courses do come with a price tag, but it’s a worthwhile investment for those who aim for a high level of expertise.

Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster’s Travel Agent program is an affordable and flexible option that is perfect for those who are new to the industry . This accredited program offers a comprehensive overview of travel agency operations, airline and hotel services, and world geography.

The course is entirely online and lets you study at your own pace. Additionally, they offer interactive simulations where you can practice crafting vacation packages for various clients. By the end of the course, you’ll feel ready to start booking holidays and serving clients effectively.

New York Institute of Career Development (NYICD)

The NYICD offers an online Travel Agent Course designed to provide you with comprehensive training in the travel industry. This course takes you through various topics, including planning, reserving, ticketing, and more.

With the aid of video tutorials, quizzes, and exams, you’ll have a hands-on approach to understanding the nuances of being a successful travel agent. NYICD even provides student advisors who can help you navigate any bumps along the way. They also offer a payment plan for those on a budget.

Free Learning Options

Let’s not forget that starting a new career path can sometimes come with financial constraints. Thankfully, there are also free online courses that can provide foundational knowledge in travel and tourism.

Websites like Coursera and Udemy often have free options. While these courses might not offer an official certification, they are a fantastic starting point to understand the industry basics. You can learn about customer service, travel trends, and even get a primer on using travel software. Many courses come with videos, quizzes, and peer-reviewed assignments that can help you get your foot in the door.

ASTA Training Programs

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is another excellent resource. Though not entirely online, they offer a combination of online courses and on-site workshops. Their programs are targeted at both newcomers and experienced travel agents.

They cover important subjects like ethical considerations, legal aspects of the industry, and practical aspects of itinerary planning. With a membership, you can also access a wealth of resources to keep learning beyond your initial certification.

Cruise Line Training Programs

Many major cruise lines also offer their specialized training programs for travel agents. Companies like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line offer courses that help agents understand the nuances of cruise vacations. These programs delve into what sets a cruise vacation apart from other travel experiences, offering in-depth information on cruise packages, excursions, and on-board amenities.

Completing these training programs often grants you exclusive access to booking incentives and special deals for your clients, making your services even more attractive. It’s a win-win situation—your clients get a curated experience, and you get to broaden your expertise in a specialized area.

IATA Courses

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) offers specialized training for those particularly interested in air travel planning. Their range of courses is designed to cater to multiple skill levels and covers topics like reservation systems, air ticketing, and international travel regulations.

IATA’s programs are globally recognized, making it easier for you to find employment opportunities or collaborate with international agencies. Given the ever-changing nature of airline rules and regulations, staying updated through a recognized entity like IATA can give you an edge in the competitive travel market.

Destination: A New Career!

With both paid and free options available, financial constraints need not hold you back from pursuing your dream career in planning dream vacations. Your journey toward becoming a certified travel agent is full of exciting twists and turns. Don’t stop here—continue your online exploration to find the perfect fit for you and turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession.

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Travel Agent Training (Exam Cost Included)

Together, travel and tourism make up one of the world's largest industries. While independent travel booking is on the rise, travel agents continue to play a vital role in luxury, corporate, and group travel. As the industry continues to expand, now is the perfect opportunity to become a skilled travel agent.

This online Travel Agent certification course will prepare you to work in the fast-paced travel industry. By completing your travel agent course, you will gain a deep understanding of both travel and tourism, so you can help clients research, plan, and book their trips.

Butler Community College

Details + objectives, course code: ges218.

What you will learn

  • Everything you need to know about the travel industry, including airline and ground transportation, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, specialty travel, and more.
  • All about the international and domestic travel destinations that you are most likely to recommend and sell to your clients.
  • How to market yourself as a Travel Professional
  • Customer service skills needed as a Travel Professional

How you will benefit

  • Upon completion of this course, you will be able to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA)
  • You will have the knowledge you need to get started in your travel career

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 6 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 100 course hours
  • Introduction to the Travel Industry
  • Professional Skills
  • Basic/International Geography
  • Destination Geography
  • Introduction to International Travel
  • Introduction to Air Travel
  • Transportation
  • Career Development
  • Sales and Marketing for Travel

Instructors & Support

Helene K. Liatsos

Helene K. Liatsos is a consultant for small businesses, travel agencies, and home-based business startups with more than 25 years of experience. Along with a successful career in the travel industry, working with airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, Helene established her own business management company, Home Office Management Experts, and was awarded the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a QuickBooks Certified Advisor, she provides bookkeeping, payroll and QuickBooks training services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. This course is for you if you want to enhance your travel industry knowledge or jump-start your career in the travel industry.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader .
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

  • Travel Career Development and accompanying workbook
  • Exploring the World and accompanying workbook

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

How much do travel agents make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents earn an average income of $43,810 per year ($21.06 per hour). Top-earning travel agents (90th percentile) earn over $74,220 annually. This occupation has an expected growth rate of 20% by 2031, much faster than the average growth rate for all professions (5%). This translates into 7,500 openings for travel agents every year.

What does a travel agent do?

Based on information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, calculate total costs, and make travel arrangements for clients.

A travel agent's typical duties can include anything from organizing travel for business and vacation clients (planning and arranging tour packages, excursions, and day trips) to giving details on required documents, such as passports and visas, and on complying with cross-border entry requirements, such as health and safety protocols. Travel agents also describe trips to clients, advise about local customs and attractions, book reservations for travel, hotels, rental cars, and special events, and make alternative booking arrangements if changes arise before or during a trip.

What is a certified travel agent?

A certified travel agent has earned one of the available industry certifications, such as Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). While they are not required to work in the industry, travel agent certifications can add prestige to your resume. When considering a CTA certification, it is necessary to first obtain the TAP certification. This course covers the fundamental knowledge necessary for this certification and serves as a solid foundation for your CTA certification journey.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

The Travel Agent Training course will prepare you to sit for the TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA), the registration fee for this test is included with this course. The Travel Agent Proficiency or TAP test is the first step towards professional recognition. The test allows students to demonstrate that they have mastered the basics of the travel industry – selling skills, basic geography, and the items/products sold by travel counselors.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. In addition, you will receive an exam voucher for the TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA), after successful completion of the course and financial obligation.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

About Certification

I enjoyed that it was at my own pace given my busy work schedule. The facilitator was helpful throughout the course.- B.T., University of Central Florida

Everything was exactly how it was stated. The course was easy to follow, my facilitator responded in a timely fashion, and the support was phenomenal.- T.E., Cuyahoga Community College

I enjoyed the course and found it helpful in preparing me for a job in the travel industry.- A.K., University of Vermont

The facilitators were helpful and timely in answering any questions or concerns. The courses were easy to follow and complete.- T.O., Palm Beach State College

I enjoyed my course! This was the first time I have done an online course and I loved that it was independent work you can do at your own pace to finish whenever fits your schedule. Everything was perfect with me!- M.A., George Mason University

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The following dates are available for this boot camp. Once you register, our enrollment team will contact you to confirm your session dates.

Travel Agent Training (Exam Cost Included)

Train to become a travel industry professional in this flexible online course..

how-to-become-a-travel-agent

Requirements

Prerequisites.

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Together, travel and tourism make up one of the world's largest industries. While independent travel booking is on the rise, travel agents continue to play a vital role in luxury, corporate, and group travel. As the industry continues to expand, now is the perfect opportunity to become a skilled travel agent.

This online Travel Agent certification course will prepare you to work in the fast-paced travel industry. By completing your travel agent course, you will gain a deep understanding of both travel and tourism, so you can help clients research, plan, and book their trips.

What you will learn

  • Everything you need to know about the travel industry, including airline and ground transportation, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, specialty travel, and more.
  • All about the international and domestic travel destinations that you are most likely to recommend and sell to your clients.
  • How to market yourself as a Travel Professional
  • Customer service skills needed as a Travel Professional

How you will benefit

  • Upon completion of this course, you will be able to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA)
  • You will have the knowledge you need to get started in your travel career
  • Introduction to the Travel Industry
  • Professional Skills
  • Basic/International Geography
  • Destination Geography
  • Introduction to International Travel
  • Introduction to Air Travel
  • Transportation
  • Career Development
  • Sales and Marketing for Travel

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader .
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

  • Travel Career Development and accompanying workbook
  • Exploring the World and accompanying workbook

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. This course is for you if you want to enhance your travel industry knowledge or jump-start your career in the travel industry.

You've got questions. We're here to help.

Our highly knowledgeable Enrollment Specialists will answer any questions you might have about the course and payment options.

Helene K. Liatsos

Helene K. Liatsos is a consultant for small businesses, travel agencies, and home-based business startups with more than 25 years of experience. Along with a successful career in the travel industry, working with airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, Helene established her own business management company, Home Office Management Experts, and was awarded the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a QuickBooks Certified Advisor, she provides bookkeeping, payroll and QuickBooks training services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

How much do travel agents make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents earn an average income of $43,810 per year ($21.06 per hour). Top-earning travel agents (90th percentile) earn over $74,220 annually. This occupation has an expected growth rate of 20% by 2031, much faster than the average growth rate for all professions (5%). This translates into 7,500 openings for travel agents every year.

What does a travel agent do?

Based on information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, calculate total costs, and make travel arrangements for clients.

A travel agent's typical duties can include anything from organizing travel for business and vacation clients (planning and arranging tour packages, excursions, and day trips) to giving details on required documents, such as passports and visas, and on complying with cross-border entry requirements, such as health and safety protocols. Travel agents also describe trips to clients, advise about local customs and attractions, book reservations for travel, hotels, rental cars, and special events, and make alternative booking arrangements if changes arise before or during a trip.

What is a certified travel agent?

A certified travel agent has earned one of the available industry certifications, such as Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). While they are not required to work in the industry, travel agent certifications can add prestige to your resume. When considering a CTA certification, it is necessary to first obtain the TAP certification. This course covers the fundamental knowledge necessary for this certification and serves as a solid foundation for your CTA certification journey.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

The Travel Agent Training course will prepare you to sit for the TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA), the registration fee for this test is included with this course. The Travel Agent Proficiency or TAP test is the first step towards professional recognition. The test allows students to demonstrate that they have mastered the basics of the travel industry – selling skills, basic geography, and the items/products sold by travel counselors.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. In addition, you will receive an exam voucher for the TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA), after successful completion of the course and financial obligation.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

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A Complete Guide to Travel Agent Schools, 2023 [+Comparison Chart]

Travel agent schools are one of many travel agent training, education, and professional development opportunities. With so many choices, the decision can be mind-boggling.

Never fear. HAR's (Host Agency Reviews') goal is to de-boggle your mind. We'll help you decide if a travel school is right for you, give you a list of questions to ask before you take the plunge, and help you decide which travel agent school is best for you.

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

Travel agent school preamble.

  • A Comparison Chart of Travel Schools

Is a Travel Agent School Right for Me?

  • How Do I Pick the Right Travel Agent School for Me?
  • Alternatives to Travel Schools

Completing a travel agent school is not a requirement to enter the industry. In fact, no specific schooling is required to become a travel advisor. No diploma, no certification or professional certificate, no degree, no fancy letters after your name. Nada. You don't need any of it. A travel agent school is something to consider if you're in it primarily for credentials.

The most important consideration is the quality of the education and how the travel agent school will equip you to succeed as a travel agent.

If/when you pick a travel agent school, the most important consideration is the quality of the education and how the travel agent school will equip you to succeed as a travel advisor.

One of the challenges of choosing a travel school is that there is no standardization or quality control. There's no organization that comes out and says, "Hey, you know, in order to be a credible travel agent school, you need to hit all these marks." What this means is that you are the one that needs to assess whether or not a travel agent school meets your educational needs.

Sound overwhelming? That's what we're here for! To help you create your own metric to decide if attending a travel agent school is the best choice for you!

Travel Agent Schools: Infographic + Comparison Chart

I released a few messenger pigeons to gather information on school programs. Below is an infographic that offers of comparison of travel agent schools plus tools to help you decide if travel agent school is best for you and (if so) to help you decide which one fits your needs.

Before I launch in, it's important to note that the comparison chart only includes programs that are travel-agent-specific . I didn’t include hospitality, tourism, or events management programs. Those areas of study are a different beast entirely.

Here’s the info our messenger pigeons had in tow 🐦🐧. As it turns out, messenger pigeons have impeccable infographic-creating capabilities. Sign in below to download our comparison chart!

Now that you have the lay of the land of what's out there, we're going to dive into how to decide which program would be the best fit for you.

Here are a few things to help you determine whether or not a travel agent school is a good decision for you. (You can think of it as an un-failable quiz!):

1. are you totally new to the industry?

If you're really working from ground zero, a travel agent school is great way to help you get your bearings. Not only that, but if you do your due diligence and choose a great travel agent school, you stand to save some time by getting all the basic industry info you need in one place (rather than trying to cobble together your own education).

2. Do you want to earn a general degree or professional certificate?

If you want to earn an Associate's degree or a professional certificate then a travel agent school could be a great option for you. If you're in the market for a general degree, you'll want to be sure the travel school you choose is accredited.

If you're in the market for a general degree, you'll want to be sure the travel school you choose is accredited

How can you tell if a school is accredited?

  • Check out our travel agent school comparison chart , which indicates if a travel agent school is accredited. Don't see your school of choice on our chart? Drop me an email at [email protected] so I can add the school to our chart!
  • Check on the travel agent school's website to see if they're accredited. (You can usually find this in the About [School] section . . . they'll want to brag about their accreditation, so it will be there if they have one!)

If you're looking to earn a professional certificate, you won't need to pick an accredited school, but you'll want to choose a program that's industry-recognized (more on that later).

3. Does the idea of a structured program & Peer Support motivate you?

A travel agent school can also be a good option if you find If you thrive off of the structured support of a set program—a syllabus, class schedule, homework, evaluation, deadlines, quizzes, etc. Each travel agent school will be structured differently, so if there are some aspects of the school structure that are important to you, make sure that the travel school fits the bill for you.

Most of the travel agent schools are online, but this isn't necessarily at the expense of tight-knit peer communities. One way to evaluate a travel school is to check and see if they have active online groups of alums. You can also ask programs how much contact students have with one another during the course (we'll get more into the nitty gritty of evaluating schools soon.)

4. Is a Travel School in Your Budget?

The tuition for travel agent schools listed in this article ranges from $495 to $15,900. That's quite a range. In terms of making a sound financial investment, consider these questions:

1. How much do I want to spend on a travel school?

2. Is the travel school affordable?

3. Does it seem to offer a good value?

4. Is it a good value for what it offers (for example, you might consider how much it costs per credit or contact hours, rather than focusing on the total sticker price) .

5. Is it comparable in price to other training programs?

6. Can I pay in installments?

7. Can I get any scholarship, aide, loans?

One thing to factor in your decision is the income potential for a travel agent. How do you know what kind of income to expect? We have some hard data on income for new travel agents , as well as how much you can expect earnings to increase as you gain experience .

5. Do You Have Time?

Travel agent schools are a time commitment as well as a financial commitment. Like tuition, the duration of travel school programs varies significantly—from four weeks to two years. Additionally, the time you need to invest in your coursework will also vary.

Travel agent schools are a time commitment . . . Like tuition, the duration of travel school programs varies significantly—from four weeks to two years.

If you want to take the time to get your bearings the industry before you dive in, a travel school could be idea. If you want to start selling travel yesterday and are willing to learn as you go, it might not be the best fit (or you might explore a short or self-paced program.)

time to tally your score.

Yay! You finished your unfailable quiz! If you answered yes to a majority of the questions, a travel school could be a great fit and you should probably keep exploring! So keep reading!

If you answered no to a majority of these questions, you should still keep reading because, let's face it, you're really thorough and you want to ensure you not missing out on any info! But if you want to take a shortcut to explore alternatives, go here !

Make a Travel Agent School Short List

A travel school is a good option for you?! *High five!* Now the kicker is this, how do you decide what program might be best for you.

Here's a list of questions to ask of your travel agent school programs to help you narrow it down:

1. Who teaches in the program and what is their background in the industry?

I'm going to be honest here. There's a lot of training and education programs out there, and you deserve a program with someone at the helm who's invested in the travel industry. Look at their background, and gauge the industry engagement of the people who run and teach at the school.

There's a lot of training and education programs out there, and you deserve a program with someone at the helm who's invested in the travel industry

The most important quality of a travel agent school is the quality of its education, and choosing one with deep industry roots is a good indication that you'll be in good hands.

2. If you want a general degree, is the school accredited?

If you want a general degree in addition to earning a professional certificate at a travel agent school, you want (I'll go ahead and say need ) to pick a school that is accredited.

Here's another thing to consider: Do any of the credits from the travel agent certificate go toward the general degree? Hopefully the answer is a resounding yes (the more credits that apply to your degree, the merrier).

3. is their certificate recognized within the industry?

Most travel agent schools result in some kind of professional certificate. If you're an independent contractor, a travel agent certificate itself is not going to give you instant access to a higher pay scale. But a good program will help you cultivate professional skills, which will translate to a higher pay scale.

If you want to become an independent contractor, you may also want to consider if a host agency accepts the certificate in lieu of the host's education program (more on that later). How would you know that if a host is willing to make this accommodation? You can post a question on their host profile on this very site!!!

4. Is their curriculum current, thorough and useful?

Evaluating the strength of a travel school's curriculum may seem hard if you have no industry experience. But I'm here to give you a few pointers on how to gauge if it's up to snuff for what you need:

  • Does it cover a variety of topics? Does it go into as much depth as you need such as marketing, sales strategies, legal & regulatory topics, an industry overview, trip planning? Is there any focus on some popular niches such as destination specialty, cruise, etc (especially if it aligns with what you want to do).
  • Does it focus on topics that you don't need? Okay. I'm about to say something controversial: Unless you want to be a corporate agent, you don't need a curriculum that focuses on GDS (Global Distribution System) . There. I said it. You can throw flaming bags of dog poop on my porch, but I stand behind this because A.) 99% of the time, GDS is not the right tool for the job for leisure agents and B.) It's a waste of your time and money to spend so much time learning a tool you probably won't use. Do you want to be familiar with what it is? Sure. But if you're going to sell leisure, you don't need 20% of your coursework dedicated to it.
  • Is it current? When is the last time the travel agent school updated their curriculum? Do they talk about current issues in travel? If you're not sure just by perusing their site, give them a holler and ask.
  • Do specific areas of focus align with what you want to do? Some travel agent schools will have specific areas of study that might be optional. This may include focusing on a particular destination or niche. This is fabulous . . . unless you don't really care about that area of study. So if a program has an entire unit on, let's say, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, that's not going to be very helpful to you if you primarily want to book adventure trips to Alaska and the Arctic regions. But there's an exception . . .
  • Does it prepare you to become an independent contractor or an employee? A curriculum will be very different based on whether or not you want to become an employee or an independent contractor. If you want to work for a retail location as an employee, familiarity with GDS is going to be an asset; a broad overview of cruise lines and popular destinations like Jamaica, Mexico and DR is critical. But if you're going to be an independent contractor, it's important that the area of study aligns closely with what you want to do. It might seems like choosing a niche is putting the cart before the horse, but homing in on a specialty can help you choose a travel agent school.

5. What are the program goals & do they succeed?

You have a good handle on your goals, but how do they align with the goals of a travel school? More than that, does the travel agent school achieve the goals they set out for themselves as a program? Here's a few questions to consider.

  • What are the goals of the program (and does it fit with your professional goals? Is it to prepare you for the Travel Institute's TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test? 1 Is it to eventually support you with job placement? Is it give you a broad overview? Is it to make you an expert on selling cruises? Is it to give you a broad overview of the industry?
  • Does the travel school have follow-up employment services? Will they continue to support you once you're out in the world? How do they do that?
  • Are their alumnae ending up where you want to end up? Are their alumnae doing the jobs (or creating the jobs) that you want to do?
  • What does their data say? Beyond graduation/completion rate, how long does it take their students to get settled into the industry?

Alternatives to Travel Agent School

Maybe you've gotten this far and decided that a travel agent school is not right for you. But you don't need to throw your arms up in surrender just yet because there are other options.

What are they you ask? Read on!

1. Travel Agent Certification:

Travel Agent Certification Options

Certifications allow you to add fancy letters after your name that will (hopefully) be recognized by the travel industry. They're often provided by organizations such as  travel consortia , accreditation organizations ( more here on travel agent accreditation options ), and travel industry membership groups such as GBTA or the Travel Institute.

A comparable example to travel agent certification might be like a CPA (certified professional accountant). You can still be an accountant without your CPA, but it helps potential clients know that you're the real deal. If you're looking for certification (in addition to/ rather than training) we have a resource for you!

2. Host Travel Agent Education Programs:

Host Agency Education Programs

Host agencies and travel consortia also have loads of education opportunities. In fact, some of the travel agent schools listed above were founded by folks who run host agencies. (They're busy!)

What the heck a host agency and travel consortium? At its most basic, a host agency is an umbrella organization that an independent agency (that’s you!) can align with for better commissions, supplier relations, and marketing/tech tools.

A travel consortium is a collective of host agencies, travel agencies, and/or travel advisors that join forces to combine resources in order to increase their industry footprint. This gives them more including buying potential, benefits, & commission levels.

School's Out for the Summer

Yay! Your education on travel agent schools is complete. You can now consider yourself well prepared (if not over-prepared) to decide if a travel school is for you, and (if it is), which option is your best choice.

Have you gone to a travel agent school? Let us know the good, bad, and ugly in the comments below!

⭐️ Don't Miss HAR's Travel Agent Training & Education Series! ⭐️

  • Travel Agent Training and Education: This is the motherboard for all travel agent training options.
  • A Guide to Host Agency and Consortia Education: Details on host and consortia education, plus a comparison chart.
  • Travel Agent Certification: Want to read up on what certification options are out there? This is for you.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Dec. 2019. We annually update and republish this article to include the latest information about travel agent school programs. The article was updated and republished on the post date listed at the top of the article.

  • Here's a hint: If prepping for the TAP test is your primary initiative, you can get a study guide for the TAP test and take it on your own for what could be a fraction of the cost to attend a travel school. ↩

About the Author

Mary Stein - Host Agency Reviews

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

Mary Stein - Host Agency Reviews

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Rejuvia Travel School Logo

Become a Travel Agent in as little as Four Months

Study at your own pace, avoid membership fees, and start profiting from your passion! Rejuvia Travel School offers an online Travel Agent certification that you earn on your own terms.

online travel agent course reviews

Scroll to learn more.

How our online travel agent course works.

Course progress will be measured by online quizzes, assignments, and a final project. To graduate as a certified travel agent, students must maintain an average grade of 80%.

Most students complete the course in around 4 months. You will have access to all chapters and resources for the remainder of the year, even if you complete the course ahead of schedule.

Your certificate of achievement will show travel industry employers you have the skills necessary for entry-level positions.

What Will You Learn?

Chapter 1 - why become a travel agent.

A career in the travel industry offers many possible career paths. Chapter 1 will focus on the value of becoming a travel agent, the type of people that pursue travel careers, and the many areas of specialization that are possible within the industry.

Chapter 2 - Building Blocks of the Travel Industry

In this chapter, you will learn about the building blocks of the travel industry. How will you get your clients where they’re going? How will you inform them of what they can do once they’ve arrived?

Chapter 3 - Travel Consultants – Vacation Specialists

This chapter will guide you through getting started, offering information about how to manage your clients, plan their dream travels, and be the best, most informed travel agent you can be in planning vacation packages and cruise vacations.

Chapter 4 - Popular Vacation Destinations

This chapter will provide an overview of popular vacation destinations to help you begin to educate yourself about these travel hotspots. Learn how to guide your clients to the destination that is right for them.

Chapter 5 - Specializations

Imagine that you're the one who planned the perfect moments. Through this chapter, learn how to forge lifelong bonds through specializing in areas like honeymoon and destination weddings, family travel, and Disney vacations.

Chapter 6 - Corporate Travel Specialists

This chapter provides an overview of the corporate travel agent’s duties and responsibilities. Learn what a corporate travel specialist does, as well as how and why. Get a feel for this specific field of specialization.

Chapter 7 - Show Me (Us) the Money!

In this chapter you will learn the basics of generating income, commission structures and payment timelines, and customer payments. Most importantly, you will learn how travel agents are compensated for their work.

Chapter 8 - Sales, Customer Service and Relationships

In this chapter, you’ll understand how important customer relations are. A travel agent who wants to attract clientele through referrals and word of mouth will need to focus on customer service skills and relationship building.

Chapter 9 - Travel Insurance

In this chapter, we’ll answer the following questions: What is travel insurance and what does it cover? Why is travel insurance good for the client, and for the travel agent? When should travel insurance be sold, and who sells it?

Chapter 10 - Passports and Visas

In this chapter, you’ll learn about passports and visas, where and how to obtain and renew them, when they are required, and everything else necessary to help your clients travel abroad with proper documentation.

Chapter 11 - Avoiding Fraud and Scams

This chapter will provide an overview of the most common types of travel industry–related fraud and offer pointers to ferret them out and avoid them. Understanding scams is one of the most important aspects of the job.

Chapter 12 - Travel Agent Benefits

This chapter will provide an overview of the different types of travel agent benefits; how and when they can and should be used; and the expectations of you as a traveler and as a professional in the travel industry.

Chapter 13 - How to Find Customers and Grow Into a Superstar Agent

It’s time to learn how to find customers and grow into a superstar travel agent. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s hit the ground running! Learn how to turn your interest into a profitable passion.

Chapter 14 - I’ve Learned a Lot. Now What?

This chapter will help you outline our first steps on the path to making a sale including sample forms, example email templates and timeline booking timeline cheat sheet.

Chapter 15 - Final Project

In this chapter, you’ll find some reminders and tips to help you become the best travel agent you can be, followed by one final assignment to prepare you to embark on your new journey.

Career Benefits

Adventure for a living. Embark on discounted cruises with a companion of your choice, and accumulate free tropical resort stays as you meet sales goals.

Enjoy a career with a flexible work schedule. Work part-time, or full-time, from home, or at the office. The choice is yours.

Profit from your passion. Make money while helping your clients plan their dream vacation in a career that you love.

Why Choose Rejuvia Travel School?

We offer exceptional, one-on-one assistance throughout your educational journey and will offer career placement assistance after graduation.

Enjoy a free cruise upon completion. This is your first travel benefit/familiarization trip as a travel agent where you will start seeing things through the eyes of a customer.

Cost Comparison

online travel agent course reviews

The complete value of Rejuvia Travel School tuition and fees totals $1,598. There is a $300 Registration Fee and $199 Curriculum Fee due at the time of enrollment ($499 total). For our students convenience, recurring monthly payments are processed with Stripe, a secure online payment processor. Learn more about our refund policy  here .

Rejuvia Travel School

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  • Easy & secure online payments
  • Convenient monthly recurring payments
  • 12 month access to course material

Join Rejuvia Travel School Today

Begin turning your passion into a profession today. We provide open enrollment, meaning you can start the class at anytime. Access to the online coursework will be granted after credit card payment has processed and a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D., certification, high school transcripts) is uploaded.

"I could not imagine jumping into this career without the training that I received. The instructors are very knowledgable and the curriculum covers all aspects of the travel industry."

Krista P. | Travel Agent

Ambassador Travel

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Free Online Travel Agent Course: The Complete Guide

In an increasingly globalized world, the travel industry is expanding at an astonishing pace. Travel agents are vital to this industry, connecting travelers with the perfect holiday destinations and making travel arrangements. Aspiring travel agents or those looking to enhance their skills can benefit greatly from online travel agent courses. Among these courses, MainStreet Travel Agency stands out as the best option, providing comprehensive training and certification. This article explores various aspects of travel agent courses, including online certifications, schooling, and classes.

Online Travel Agent Course

Online travel agent courses have made it easier for aspiring agents to enter the field. These courses provide the flexibility to learn from anywhere and at any pace. They cover everything from reservation systems to customer service and marketing strategies.

MainStreet Travel Agency: A Top Recommendation

Among various options, MainStreet Travel Agency offers a free online travel agent course that’s highly recommended. Their course is designed by industry experts and includes real-world scenarios to provide hands-on experience.

The course covers:

  • Travel Planning : Learn how to plan and book the perfect trips for clients.
  • Marketing Skills : Understand how to market travel products effectively.
  • Customer Service : Enhance interpersonal skills to provide exceptional service.

Other Options

Other online platforms also offer courses, though they might not match the depth and quality of MainStreet Travel Agency. Examples include:

  • Travel Agent Campus
  • The Travel Institute
  • ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)

MainStreet does not charge fees to take their online courses and offers is the cheapest yet most comprehensive travel agent program online.

Online Travel Agent Certification

Certification offers professional recognition and can significantly impact your career as a travel agent. Many online platforms provide certifications, but MainStreet Travel Agency offers a comprehensive certification program that sets you apart from others.

Travel Agent Certification Online Free

MainStreet Travel Agency provides a free certification program upon completion of their course. This certification is recognized by major travel industry bodies and adds credibility to your profile. You can also find other free or low-cost certifications, but they might lack the recognition that MainStreet’s certification enjoys.

Travel Agent Schooling Online

For those who prefer structured learning, online travel agent schooling provides an opportunity to gain a formal education in travel and tourism.

MainStreet’s Comprehensive Schooling

MainStreet Travel Agency offers a structured online schooling program that covers all aspects of travel agent training. From planning to executing travel arrangements, this program is designed to create well-rounded professionals.

Alternative Options

Other schools also offer travel agent programs, but they might charge tuition or lack the in-depth curriculum found at MainStreet.

Travel Agent Courses

Types of travel agent courses.

Travel agent courses are available in various forms to cater to different requirements, preferences, and skill levels. Some of the popular types include:

1. Basic Travel Agent Courses

  • Ideal for those new to the industry.
  • Cover fundamental concepts like reservation systems, travel insurance, customer service, etc.

2. Specialization Courses

  • Target specific areas like luxury travel, cruises, or adventure tourism.
  • Offer deeper insights into niche segments.

3. Advanced Travel Agent Courses

  • Suitable for experienced agents looking to enhance their expertise.
  • Include topics like advanced marketing strategies, business development, etc.

4. Travel Agency Management Courses

  • Designed for those interested in starting or managing a travel agency.
  • Focus on operational, financial, and managerial aspects.

Features of Travel Agent Courses

Travel agent courses are structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of the travel industry. Key features often include:

– Interactive Learning

  • Engaging content with videos, quizzes, and real-world scenarios.
  • Practical assignments for hands-on experience.

– Flexibility

  • Self-paced learning with online access.
  • Options to choose modules according to interest and career goals.

– Industry Insights

  • Collaboration with industry experts.
  • Updates on latest trends, regulations, and technologies.

– Career Support

  • Placement assistance and networking opportunities.
  • Guidance on licensing and certifications.

MainStreet Travel Agency: The Top Choice

MainStreet Travel Agency’s travel agent courses stand out for their quality, relevance, and comprehensiveness. They offer a range of courses that are both accessible to newcomers and valuable for seasoned professionals. Key highlights of their offerings include:

– Free and Affordable Options

  • Free basic course for those starting their career.
  • Reasonably priced specialization and advanced courses.

– Industry-Relevant Curriculum

  • Designed by travel industry experts.
  • Alignment with current industry standards and practices.

– Interactive and Engaging Learning

  • Practical assignments and live sessions with experts.
  • Active student community for networking and support.

– Certification and Licensing Support

  • Free certification upon course completion.
  • Guidance on acquiring necessary licenses.

Travel agent courses are instrumental in shaping the careers of aspiring travel professionals. They offer a structured pathway to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise. Among various offerings, MainStreet Travel Agency stands out as a preferred choice for its commitment to quality, affordability, and industry alignment.

Whether you are venturing into the world of travel or looking to upgrade your existing skills, MainStreet Travel Agency’s travel agent courses provide the perfect platform. Their comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-prepared to thrive in the ever-evolving travel industry, making them a top recommendation for anyone pursuing a career in travel.

MainStreet’s Course Offerings

MainStreet Travel Agency has an array of courses catering to both beginners and experienced travel agents. These include:

  • Basic Travel Agent Course : For those new to the industry.
  • Specialization Courses : Such as luxury travel, cruises, or adventure tourism.
  • Webinars: Watch supplier webinars that are specifically made for agents on requested topics.
  • Supplier Courses: Agents have access to training directly from suppliers, allowing them to learn about each product they will potentially sell.

Travel Agent License Online

A travel agent license is a legal authorization that permits an individual or a business to operate as a travel agent. Not all jurisdictions require a travel agent license, but where applicable, obtaining one is a crucial step in establishing a legitimate and compliant travel business.

Why is Licensing Important?

Licensing ensures that travel agents meet specific standards and adhere to regulations and ethical guidelines, providing protection for consumers. It establishes trust and credibility in the travel industry.

Requirements for Obtaining a Travel Agent License

The specific requirements for a travel agent license can vary widely depending on the jurisdiction, state, or country. However, general components typically include:

1. Educational Qualifications

  • Some regions may require a formal education or completion of specific travel agent courses. MainStreet Travel Agency, for instance, offers courses that align with many licensing requirements.

2. Experience

  • Previous experience in the travel industry or completion of an internship or training program may be required.

3. Background Check

  • Some jurisdictions may conduct a background check to ensure the applicant’s suitability.

4. Examination

  • A licensing examination that covers various aspects of the travel industry, laws, and ethics may be necessary.

5. Insurance and Bonds

  • Travel agents may need to acquire professional liability insurance or surety bonds as a part of the licensing process.
  • There may be application and licensing fees that must be paid.

7. Continuing Education

  • Ongoing education or professional development might be necessary to maintain the license.

How to Obtain a Travel Agent License

The process for obtaining a license generally follows these steps:

  • Research local regulations to understand if a license is needed in your jurisdiction.
  • Complete any necessary education, training, or examinations.
  • Gather all required documents, such as proof of education, background checks, and insurance.
  • Apply through the relevant regulatory body, often a state or provincial agency.
  • Pay any applicable fees associated with the application and licensing.
  • Comply with ongoing requirements, such as continuing education and renewal fees.

Obtaining a travel agent license can be a complex process that varies by jurisdiction. It’s crucial to research and understand the specific requirements in your area. Pursuing a course through a reputable organization like MainStreet Travel Agency can be an excellent step towards meeting educational requirements for licensure.

While a travel agent license may not be mandatory everywhere, having one can enhance credibility and demonstrate commitment to professional standards. It serves as an essential benchmark for quality in the travel industry, ensuring that agents are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve their clients effectively.

The need for a travel agent license largely depends on the jurisdiction and specific regulations governing the travel industry in that region:

United States

In the United States, the requirements vary by state. Some states, such as California, Florida, and Washington, have specific registration or licensing requirements for travel agents. These may include submitting an application, paying fees, obtaining a bond, or meeting other regulations. In other states, there might be no specific licensing requirements for travel agents.

In Canada, licensing for travel agents varies by province. Provinces like Ontario have regulations requiring travel agents to be registered and to meet specific criteria, including undergoing background checks and fulfilling educational requirements.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, there’s no specific license required to operate as a travel agent. However, travel agents must comply with regulations, including those related to package travel and consumer protection. Membership in recognized travel associations can also add credibility.

In Australia, travel agents were previously required to be licensed under a specific scheme, but this has since been repealed. However, compliance with Australian Consumer Law and other relevant regulations is mandatory.

Other Countries

Regulations vary widely around the world. Some countries may have explicit licensing requirements, while others might only have general business licensing or consumer protection regulations that apply to travel agents.

Why Consider Licensing or Certification

Even in jurisdictions where a license is not required, travel agents may choose to pursue certification or join professional associations. Organizations like MainStreet Travel Agency offer courses and certifications that can enhance a travel agent’s credibility and demonstrate their commitment to professional standards.

The need for a license to become a travel agent depends on the location and specific laws governing the travel industry in that region. It’s essential to research and understand the regulations in the jurisdiction where you plan to operate. Even where a license is not required, professional development, certification, and adherence to industry standards are key to building a successful career as a travel agent.

Becoming a Travel Agent in Illinois

Becoming a travel agent in Illinois can be an exciting opportunity to engage with the world of travel and tourism. While Illinois doesn’t have specific licensing requirements for travel agents, there are steps you can take to establish yourself as a professional in the industry. Here’s a guide to help you on your path to becoming a travel agent in Illinois:

1. Educational Background

While a formal education isn’t necessarily required to become a travel agent in Illinois, taking courses related to travel and tourism can provide you with valuable insights and skills. Many aspiring travel agents pursue courses through providers like MainStreet Travel Agency, which offers online classes tailored to various aspects of the industry.

2. Gain Experience

Entry-level positions in travel agencies, airlines, or related businesses can provide hands-on experience. Consider internships or part-time jobs to understand the practical aspects of the industry.

3. Consider Certification

Although Illinois doesn’t mandate certification, obtaining a recognized certification can demonstrate your expertise and commitment. Organizations like the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) offer certification programs, as do specialized institutions like MainStreet Travel Agency.

4. Develop Skills

Focus on cultivating skills such as customer service, communication, sales, and knowledge of travel booking systems. Consider workshops, online tutorials, or specialized training to hone these skills.

5. Choose a Specialization (Optional)

Some travel agents find success by specializing in certain types of travel, such as luxury travel, cruises, or adventure tourism. Courses and certifications in these specializations can enhance your offerings.

6. Join Professional Organizations

Associations like ASTA provide networking opportunities, industry insights, and professional development resources. Membership can also enhance your credibility.

7. Comply with Business Regulations

If you plan to open your own travel agency, you’ll need to register your business and comply with Illinois state business laws. This may include obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and following any relevant local regulations.

8. Consider Professional Liability Insurance

While not required by law, having professional liability insurance can protect you from potential legal claims and enhance your professional standing.

9. Build a Portfolio and Network

Establish relationships with vendors, clients, and industry professionals. Consider building a portfolio of your work, including client testimonials and successful travel planning examples.

10. Stay Informed

The travel industry is dynamic and ever-changing. Regularly update yourself on travel trends, regulations, and technologies to stay competitive.

Becoming a travel agent in Illinois involves developing your skills, gaining experience, and potentially pursuing professional certifications. While there are no specific licensing requirements for travel agents in the state, adherence to professional standards, continuous learning, and networking within the industry can lead to a successful career.

MainStreet Travel Agency’s courses and certification offerings can be particularly helpful for aspiring travel agents in Illinois, providing education and credibility as you embark on this exciting career path.

Travel Agent Class Online

Online classes offer flexibility and the ability to learn from industry experts without geographical constraints.

MainStreet’s Interactive Classes

MainStreet offers interactive online classes that encourage student engagement and real-world problem-solving.

Other Class Options

While other platforms also offer classes, MainStreet’s offerings stand out for their quality and industry relevance.

Travel Agent Online Training

Training is essential for continuous professional development.

MainStreet’s Training Modules

MainStreet Travel Agency’s training modules offer hands-on practice and the latest industry insights. They also provide free online support and resources.

Other Training Options

Other training options exist but may not be as comprehensive or aligned with current industry standards as MainStreet’s.

Travel Agency Classes Online

For those interested in starting or managing a travel agency, specialized classes are available online.

MainStreet’s Agency Management Course

MainStreet offers a detailed course on managing and operating a successful travel agency.

The world of online travel agent education is vast and varied. Courses, certifications, schooling, and classes are readily available to suit different needs and budgets. However, MainStreet Travel Agency emerges as a standout option, offering free online courses, certification, and comprehensive training.

From their free travel agent certification online to specialized classes and interactive training, MainStreet provides unparalleled value. Their courses are designed with real-world application in mind, ensuring that you are well-prepared to excel in the competitive travel industry. Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced agent looking to sharpen your skills, MainStreet Travel Agency offers the best pathway to success in the travel world.

online travel agent course reviews

online travel agent course reviews

Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor

This is ‘THE’ course for anyone interested in working as a travel advisor. 

Congratulations and welcome! Just by visiting here, you’ve taken the first step in discovering the fulfilling and thrilling career of a Travel Advisor. When you enter the travel industry, you’ll find that your social feeds will suddenly be filled with pictures of colleagues and work acquaintances globetrotting. It’s downright dreamy. Let us help you on your journey!

This self-paced course, written by Steph Lee, founder of Host Agency Reviews , includes not only a 240+ page manual (your literal roadmap) but also seven instructional videos that cover a mind-boggling amount of nooks and crannies to explore when being a travel advisor. Upon completing this course, you will learn:

  • How the travel industry operates.
  • The tools and techniques travel advisors use to book trips and ensure the safety and happiness of their clients.
  • Tips and tricks to help you secure a position as a travel advisor.

Whether you’re looking to be a corporate or leisure advisor, a luxury or adventure advisor, this course will give you the building blocks you need to start your career.

Let’s get started!

Written by  Steph Lee , founder of Host Agency Reviews Provided by the   American Society of Travel Advisors

$ 199.00

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The Pros and Cons of Booking Through Online Travel Agencies

Carissa Rawson

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

You’re likely already familiar with online travel agencies, even if you don’t travel often. These companies — such as Priceline , Expedia and Orbitz — act as intermediaries between you and a travel provider.

Booking your travel through an OTA can be a good idea in some circumstances, but you’ll want to be wary of its pitfalls. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of online travel agencies, so you’ll know what to use to book your next vacation.

Pros of booking through online travel agencies

There are certainly advantages booking through online travel agencies, though you’ll find different experiences whether you’re using public OTAs — such as Kayak — or private ones like those offered by your card issuer, such as the Chase's travel portal .

✅ It may be cheaper

When searching for flights online, you may see different prices for the same routes that vary across websites. Although it may be a result of fare type — for example, some search results may not clarify that a fare is basic economy rather than main cabin or economy — other times, the difference comes down to competition for your business.

Online travel services will often offer slightly lower prices on flights in an effort to entice you as a customer. This is true for both hotels and airlines.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for online travel-booking websites

✅ It can earn you more rewards

Have you ever heard of shopping portals ? By logging into a shopping portal, you can earn rewards for purchases made with many online merchants. Some hotel chains, such as Hilton , Marriott and IHG , can be accessed through shopping portals while still booking directly on the hotel website. In this way, you can earn rewards with the hotel directly as well as with the shopping portal.

The same isn’t true for shopping portals and most airline sites. However, many public online travel agencies are accessible through shopping portals, which can then earn you rewards for airfare bookings. By opting to book in this way, you’ll be able to earn points or cash-back rewards through the shopping portal that you’d otherwise miss.

Some card issuers will also reward you heavily when using their online travel services. Clear examples of this can be seen with Capital One and Chase. With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , for example, you’ll get 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is similar. With this card, you can get 10 Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase's portal.

While these numbers are high, it’s important to remember that there are trade-offs when booking through an OTA rather than directly with a hotel or airline. We’ll get into that a little later.

Online travel agencies offered by your card issuer may not feature the same prices as booking directly; you’ll want to compare these before committing to a purchase.

Some card issuers will go so far as to give your points more value when redeeming through their online travel agencies.

This is true with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . When redeeming points on Chase's travel portal, you’ll get 1.25 cents in value per point rather than 1 cent elsewhere.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth this year?

Cons of booking through online travel agencies

There are several downsides when it comes to using online travel services for booking travel. It mainly comes down to the fact that travel providers prefer that you book directly with them — and offer more perks to woo your business.

❌ It can be harder to change a booking

Ever needed to change a flight after it's booked? No matter the reason, attempting to alter or otherwise cancel a flight can be a hassle — especially if you’ve booked through a third party.

Generally speaking, rather than offering you direct assistance, both hotels and airlines will recommend you contact the online travel agency you’ve booked with in order to make any changes.

While you may be able to make changes or get refunds with the travel agency, airlines and hotels can — and will — offer much more flexibility when you’ve booked with them directly. You may also be subject to additional fees charged by the online travel agency, which can erase any savings you’ve received.

❌ You may not receive elite benefits

This is the real kicker for anyone wanting elite status. Although airlines will almost always recognize your elite status and allow you to earn miles even for bookings made through an online travel agency, hotels and rental car companies will not.

This is especially important for hotel chains. Earning elite status with hotels generally relies on elite night credits. Although these can be earned in a variety of ways — including having complimentary status by holding certain credit cards — the main method of acquiring elite night credits is by spending nights in hotels. Rooms booked through an online travel agency do not count toward elite status as elite night credits.

Additionally, you will not receive any of the benefits of your existing elite status if your booking is through a third party. This can mean the loss of perks such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and even free Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: The best airline and hotel rewards loyalty programs this year

❌ It may be more expensive

Did you know that many hotel chains have best price guarantees? Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG all have a guarantee that’ll give you either points or a discount if you find a better rate elsewhere.

These guarantees are generous; Hilton, for example, will match the rate and then discount it by a further 25%.

Although you’ll need to file claims for these guarantees and they face limitations — such as a 24-hour window from when you made the booking — you can save a lot of money on your stay if your request is approved.

Online travel agencies can be hit or miss

There are two sides to every coin and this is no different, as there are several benefits and limitations of online travel services. Depending on your needs and loyalty program status, you’ll want to choose whether to book directly with a travel provider or rely on OTAs to do the job for you.

Booking travel through credit card portals from issuers like Chase and Capital One can earn you big rewards. But if you anticipate altering your travel plans or aim to earn elite status instead, booking directly is the way to go.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

online travel agent course reviews

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Travel Agent Training (Exam Cost Included)

Train to become a travel industry professional in this flexible online course..

how-to-become-a-travel-agent

Requirements

Prerequisites.

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Together, travel and tourism make up one of the world's largest industries. While independent travel booking is on the rise, travel agents continue to play a vital role in luxury, corporate, and group travel. As the industry continues to expand, now is the perfect opportunity to become a skilled travel agent.

This online Travel Agent certification course will prepare you to work in the fast-paced travel industry. By completing your travel agent course, you will gain a deep understanding of both travel and tourism, so you can help clients research, plan, and book their trips.

What you will learn

  • Everything you need to know about the travel industry, including airline and ground transportation, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, specialty travel, and more.
  • All about the international and domestic travel destinations that you are most likely to recommend and sell to your clients.
  • How to market yourself as a Travel Professional
  • Customer service skills needed as a Travel Professional

How you will benefit

  • Upon completion of this course, you will be able to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA)
  • You will have the knowledge you need to get started in your travel career
  • Introduction to the Travel Industry
  • Professional Skills
  • Basic/International Geography
  • Destination Geography
  • Introduction to International Travel
  • Introduction to Air Travel
  • Transportation
  • Career Development
  • Sales and Marketing for Travel

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader .
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

  • Travel Career Development and accompanying workbook
  • Exploring the World and accompanying workbook

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. This course is for you if you want to enhance your travel industry knowledge or jump-start your career in the travel industry.

You've got questions. We're here to help.

Our highly knowledgeable Enrollment Specialists will answer any questions you might have about the course and payment options.

Helene K. Liatsos

Helene K. Liatsos is a consultant for small businesses, travel agencies, and home-based business startups with more than 25 years of experience. Along with a successful career in the travel industry, working with airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, Helene established her own business management company, Home Office Management Experts, and was awarded the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a QuickBooks Certified Advisor, she provides bookkeeping, payroll and QuickBooks training services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

How much do travel agents make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents earn an average income of $43,810 per year ($21.06 per hour). Top-earning travel agents (90th percentile) earn over $74,220 annually. This occupation has an expected growth rate of 20% by 2031, much faster than the average growth rate for all professions (5%). This translates into 7,500 openings for travel agents every year.

What does a travel agent do?

Based on information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, calculate total costs, and make travel arrangements for clients.

A travel agent's typical duties can include anything from organizing travel for business and vacation clients (planning and arranging tour packages, excursions, and day trips) to giving details on required documents, such as passports and visas, and on complying with cross-border entry requirements, such as health and safety protocols. Travel agents also describe trips to clients, advise about local customs and attractions, book reservations for travel, hotels, rental cars, and special events, and make alternative booking arrangements if changes arise before or during a trip.

What is a certified travel agent?

A certified travel agent has earned one of the available industry certifications, such as Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). While they are not required to work in the industry, travel agent certifications can add prestige to your resume. When considering a CTA certification, it is necessary to first obtain the TAP certification. This course covers the fundamental knowledge necessary for this certification and serves as a solid foundation for your CTA certification journey.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

The Travel Agent Training course will prepare you to sit for the TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA), the registration fee for this test is included with this course. The Travel Agent Proficiency or TAP test is the first step towards professional recognition. The test allows students to demonstrate that they have mastered the basics of the travel industry – selling skills, basic geography, and the items/products sold by travel counselors.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. In addition, you will receive an exam voucher for the TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA), after successful completion of the course and financial obligation.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

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    How you will benefit. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test, offered by the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA) You will have the knowledge you need to get started in your travel career. How the course is taught. Self-paced, online course. 6 Months to complete.

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    Travel agent salary. The average annual salary for a travel agent is $53,457 per year. Travel agents may receive benefits such as a 401 (k), health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and paid time off. Your salary can also depend on the city and state in which you work and your experience level.

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