The travel industry is undergoing a robust recovery and a significant increase in jobs and international visitor spending. Its a great time to join this exciting industry and become a travel agent in Pennsylvania.
Steps to Becoming a Successful Travel Agent in PA
What do you need to start being a travel agent?
Generally, the procedure is straightforward, and it’s quite rewarding. For aspiring travel agents, the process can be broken into four main steps.
- Take a training program that will prepare you for an industry recognized certification (see below)
- Pass your certification exam
- Connect with a host agency
- Develop a niche
The remainder of this article will help you understand each step, and sprinkle in some other tips and pieces of advice.
Education and Training
Below are some travel agent certification courses offered through Pennsylvania schools near you.
Why Should You Take This Course?
Graduates of the program will be ready to take TAP certification exam (Travel Agent Proficiency) from the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA).
Here are some more reasons that make it a good investment:
- Adds credibility
- Provide schedule flexibility with a study as you go format
- Delivers a comprehensive explanation of industry
- Provides a curriculum that covers all essential topics for the travel industry
- Provides a launching pad for new opportunities, including starting as independent agency
How Long Is It?
It shouldn’t take longer than 6 months.
How Much Is It?
Total for all of the classes is $2,300, which can be paid on a monthly basis.
What’s more, acquiring added certifications may involve extra costs, but they’re vital investments that will pay off significantly in your career.
The total amount of money you need to become a travel agent in Pennsylvania depends on the cost of the training course that you select and any certification exam fees.
What Will You Study ?
Topics include the following:
Topics include the following:
- Getting to Know the Travel Industry
- Building Up Your Professional Skills
- Learning the Basics of Local and World Geography
- Understanding Different Travel Destinations
- Learning About Traveling Internationally
- Understanding Air Travel
- Booking Different Methods of Travel
- Improving Your Career Opportunities
- Making Travel Sales and Marketing Work for You
Related Local Programs
- Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia
The Tourism and Hospitality Management Proficiency Certificate program offers a short-term, 18-credit hour curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in one of the region’s largest industries. The program provides essential knowledge in hotel management, food and beverage operations, hospitality marketing, and human resource management. Upon completion, students will be equipped with the skills necessary to pursue roles such as tour guides, travel agents, and event planners, with potential salaries ranging from $31,456 to $51,435 in the Philadelphia area. Credits earned in this certificate can be applied toward an associate degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, allowing students to continue their education at their own pace.
Certification
What Certifications Do You Need?
While not required, the following organizations provide respected certifications.
- The Travel Institute
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
Certification Guidelines
Each organization has its own guidelines that candidates must meet before they can apply for travel agent certification.
If you want to work for a travel agency, some companies will expect you to have completed a two-year education program in tourism and hospitality.
How to Become a Travel Agent in Pennsylvania Video
Pennsylvania Requirements
Do you need a special license in Pennsylvania? The answer is no.
Currently, there is no legal requirement to have a travel agent license in Pennsylvania.
Salary Range
Below are some average salaries for the state based on data from major employment sites.
- $40,100 – Bureau of Labor
- $46,702 – ZipRecruiter.com
- $56,516 – Indeed.com
- $59,595 – Salary.com
Below are travel agent salaries for areas of the state:
| Area | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $16.45 | $34,210.00 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $17.72 | $36,860.00 |
| Lancaster, PA | $17.78 | $36,980.00 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $22.22 | $46,220.00 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $17.66 | $36,740.00 |
| Reading, PA | $21.41 | $44,530.00 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA | $18.81 | $39,130.00 |
source: data.bls.gov
After years of working in tourism and building their reputations, entrepreneurs who start their own travel agent business can earn higher wages than those who work for other companies.
Career Path
What Do They Do?
Travel advisors make various arrangements for those traveling for business and for pleasure.
Depending on the client’s needs, these professionals might offer advice on vacation destinations, recommend hotels and accommodations based on their convenient locations and amenities, and suggest restaurants and fun things to do during a trip.
Planning Trips
The first step in helping clients plan a vacation involves checking travel restrictions and requirements for whichever destination the traveler chooses. Depending on the location, the travel agent may need to help them obtain passports, visas, vaccination cards, and any other travel documents they need.
Job Duties
A travel agent’s duties at this stage typically include:
- Developing a budget depending on how much money the client wants to spend
- Booking stays at hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, retreats, and other lodgings
- Making restaurant reservations
- Purchasing concert, theater, museum, or amusement park tickets for travelers
- Arranging transportation on flights, cruises, ferries, drivers, rental cars, and shuttle services
Its all about creating an exciting journey. And this what makes it such a rewarding career, because in a way their journey becomes your journey!
Becoming an Independent Travel Agent in Pennsylvania
Starting your own business as an independent travel agent in Pennsylvania offers the opportunity to provide personalized travel planning services directly to clients.
Many choose this path for its flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to tailor services to specific interests, such as luxury travel or eco-tourism.
Specialization
For travel agents in Pennsylvania, specializing in a niche market can set you apart from competitors. By becoming an expert in a specific area, you can build stronger connections with clients who seek your specialized knowledge, and develop repeat clients and referrals.
You can also use your local knowledge to develop a focus on travel packages in the Keystone State. Your home state offers a diverse array of travel options such as:
- the scenic landscapes of the Pocono Mountains
- the cultural richness of Philadelphia
- the fun vibe of Pittsburgh
- Gettysburg National Military Park for history buffs
- hundreds of craft breweries for beer lovers
- check out visitpa.com for even more ideas.
So, think about how you can create unique travel experiences that large agencies might overlook.
Key Considerations
To succeed as an independent travel agent in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to develop a strategy for personal marketing, building customer relationships, training with the latest travel technology, networking, and affiliating with larger travel networks.
Continuous education on travel regulations and trends is also essential. While managing all aspects of the business can be challenging, it allows you to build a unique brand in the travel industry.
The Role of Host Agencies
Partnering with a host agency can provide independent travel agents with access to essential resources like booking systems, marketing support, industry credentials and training programs.
Training with a host agency will not only provide you with effective marketing tools, it will help you perfect a sales process. Experienced agents can help you pitch vacations and close deals.
This relationship allows agents to focus on client service while benefiting from the broader range of products and support offered by the host agency. For agents looking to enter the industry with minimal overhead, a host agency partnership is a strategic move.
Host agencies also function as a supportive community. In many ways, becoming a travel agent is all about networking. So this can be a vital form of support for those embarking on a new career.
Where Can Pennsylvania Travel Agents Work?
While independent travel agents work for themselves, other travel agents find jobs with local travel agencies or with large corporations like Expedia, Trip Advisor, and Travelocity. You could also work as a concierge with airlines, cruise lines, or luxury hotel chains.
For a travel agent just starting out, working for a larger company could be an easier way to gain relevant training experience. After several years of networking and experience in the industry, you might consider opening your own travel agency.
Career Outlook
Over the next decade, experts at the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predict the demand for travel agent jobs in the United States to increase by 20 percent. This translates to roughly 7,500 job openings per year between 2021 and 2031.
Travel agents in Pennsylvania can take advantage of these available employment opportunities or open their own travel agencies and tourism companies.
If you really want to become a travel agent in Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate. Taking a training course will provide the necessary resources and skills to be successful.