Do you enjoy traveling to exotic locales to find new and unique adventures? Does the prospect of finding and researching the best experiences and providers get you excited? If the answer to these questions is a resounding “yes,” you could be the perfect candidate for a certification course.
Anyone who has spent their time getting deep into the details for flights, accommodations, and dining to find the best deals already has part of the answer to start travel agent work. And while there generally aren’t any formal education or professional certification requirements to working as an agent, choosing the right training program can open doors to opportunities you might otherwise miss.
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Starting Your Travel Agent Career: A Brief Intro
Travel Agent Industry Requirements
While you technically don’t need a professional certification to be a travel agent, many agencies prefer candidates with some sort of training. Your first step toward your new career should be to find a program to introduce you to the nuts and bolts of the job.
Host Agencies for Travel Agents
A good place to start is joining what’s known as a host agency. Host agencies are umbrella companies that support individual travel agents by providing access to vendors, tools, marketing and sales materials, and training. Agents who work for a host agency do so as independent contractors, so these companies are the best way to get the support you need to start a travel agent career.
Legal Requirements for Travel Agents
In the United States, many jurisdictions have no real requirements to be a travel agent. Some do require agents to register with an agency, so check with your state government to research any registration requirements.
Otherwise, there’s no national or local governing body dictating how to be a travel agent.
Different Types of Training Programs
On one hand, the lack of legal requirements can be a great thing for travel agents. Anyone can make it in this industry and find success. On the flip side of the coin, a low cost to entry can mean a wide gap in service quality offered by different agents.
The best way to set yourself apart in a crowded field is through a training and certification program. There’s no single course for the industry but there are universally-recognized certifications available to you.
- International Air Transport Association lets you book international and domestic flights as an agent on behalf of clients.
- CLIA gives certified agents access to cruise lines worldwide.
- Travel Industry Designator Service opens access to different travel vendors and suppliers. Certified agents can earn a commission on travel products sold by these providers.
Many travel companies, including hotels and airlines, offer agent rates that are lower than their listed prices. However, these rates are only available to professionals with these designations. Many companies require agents to have all three certifications to access preferred rates.
If you’re considering taking a dive into the travel agency pool, you should strongly consider completing the above certification courses. While not a legal or industry requirement, professional credentials are signifiers of trust and quality, helping you attract and sign new clients more easily.
