Be a part of the travel industry boom! Travel agent jobs in Texas are an excellent career option for people with exceptional customer service and organizational skills.
Why Are More People Becoming Travel Agents?
Becoming a travel agent offers the perfect blend of flexibility and fun, allowing you to sell travel from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you’re balancing a busy schedule or looking to turn your passion for travel into a profitable venture, this opportunity lets you manage your work around your lifestyle.
With straightforward training, you can quickly start booking vacations for friends, family, and future clients, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a rewarding career that fits seamlessly into their lives.
Some prefer to start their own business, while others become a travel agent with a host agency.
However all experienced agents will agree that some sort of formal education is the best way to start in this exciting journey.
Main Steps to Become a Travel Agent in Texas
- Take a travel agent training course
- Obtain travel agent certification
- Promote yourself
- Develop a niche within the travel industry
- Consider working with a host travel agency
We will cover each step in detail below. The good news is, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree or a lot of money to get started.
Step 1: Education and Training
Below are some online travel agent training courses that you can take through local schools.
Why Should I Take One Of These Travel Agent Classes?
There are three main benefits:
- The courses are taught by industry professionals from the travel industry, and they are designed for beginners with no experienced who seek to become a travel agent.
- The courses are delivered in a user friendly online format.
- It will help you obtain TAP certification (Travel Agent Proficiency) from the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA). More on this in step 2.
How Long is Travel Agent Training?
Most students complete their travel agent certificate program in about 6 months, depending on fast they want to progress. With online courses you can control the pace of study.
Contrast this with those who choose to complete a hospitality and tourism degree, which might take 2 to 4 years to obtain.
How Much Does it Cost?
Just about $2,300, or $110 per month if you want to finance it.
What Do You Study?
You’ll take classes on:
- Domestic & world travel legal requirements
- Communication and customer service skills
- How to sell travel services
- Marketing strategies
- Organization and bookkeeping skills for a travel business
- Networking
- Airline and hotel pricing
- How to book trips for solo or group trips
- Computer systems and software for booking flights and travel
- Planning government, corporate or leisure travel itineraries
- Travel insurance
You will also receive a copy of the following book.
Travel Career Development
This online Travel 101 resource serves as an essential guide for newcomers to the travel industry, offering an immersive experience focused on the five key areas: Air, Ground Transportation, Accommodations, Tours and Packages, and Cruises.
The widely-used Travel Career Development textbook, now available in a digital format, continues to be a crucial resource for aspiring agents and professionals alike, helping to unlock careers and enhance knowledge in the travel and tourism industry.
Step 2: Travel Agent Certification
As mentioned, the travel agent classes above will prepare your for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test. So the next step would be to sign up for the exam.
The TAP® (Travel Agent Proficiency) test is a key step toward professional recognition in the travel industry, often included in entry-level training. It evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of travel basics, including selling skills, geography, and travel products, through a proctored 100-question multiple-choice exam. A score of 70% or higher is needed to pass.
If you want, you can pursue other certifications at a later time. Certified Travel Associate is a more advanced certification also proved the The Travel Institute. It is billed as the industry leading credential for travel agents.
Other options include the following:
- The American Society of Travel Advisors
- Cruise Lines International Association
- The International Air Transport Association
- Travel Agent Campus
- National Travel
Step 3: Promote Yourself
To attract clients, you will have to market yourself. The course above will cover aspects of travel agent marketing.
But no matter what, you will need a website. Sure, social media can be very effective but many potential clients will want to learn more about you on a website. So, look for a domain name and get a site up and running. Then you will want to set up a Google Business profile so that clients can find you when searching for local agents.
As you develop a niche or specialty, you will want to keep updating your site to focus on these details.
Step 4: Develop a Niche
To become a successful travel agent, you most have a specialty (or even two).
It is likely that there is already some form of travel or destination that you are already passionate about. You likely wanted to become a travel agent in Texas after realizing this.
So, take this interest and make it your specialty.
Becoming an travel expert in your field will help you stand out. You will be able to refine your marketing and networking so as to develop a specific client base.
Step 5. Consider a Host Agency
As an independent travel agent, a host agency can provide some unique benefits that you may not find on your own. Examples include booking systems, client management tools, and specialized training.
Host agencies can also connect agents to a network of travel suppliers (tour operators, car rentals, cruise lines etc) offering established relationships, discounts on vacation packages, and marketing assistance.
By partnering with the right host agency, independent travel agents can maintain their autonomy while accessing the resources and reputation of a larger organization, which enhances their service offerings and helps attract a wider range of clients.
However, a host agency might not be for everyone. First, you will need to decide if the agency can align with the niche that you have chosen in step 4.
Secondly, many agencies will require you to take their own training programs and you might not need them after getting certified (step 2). Companies such as Dream Vacations, ForaTravel etc all require you to complete their training programs.
At this juncture, we have concluded the “How to become a travel agent in Texas” part of the article. Below we will take a look at some other questions and aspects of the job.
Other Considerations
How Do Travel Agents Get Paid in Texas?
Travel advisers make commissions on vendors who book trips with their clients. Cruise companies usually make commissions ranging from about 15%.
Air travel usually is paid to agents who reserve large numbers of business or flight bookings.
Does the State of Texas Have Formal Travel Agent Requirements?
There is no specific “licensed travel agent” requirement in Texas.
Some people get confused because Texas requires a special license if you want to sell travel insurance.
To obtain a specialty travel insurance license in Texas, a travel agency or public carrier can be licensed to sell various types of travel-related insurance, such as accident and health insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and personal effects insurance.
Applicants must complete specific training programs provided by the insurance agency and company.
The application process for an agent or agency license involves submitting an online application with a $50 fee and a signed Appointment certification (Form FIN700).
What About an Associates Degree in Travel & Tourism?
A lengthier, more in-depth hospitality and tourism degree might be a better fit for those hoping to work with high-end companies, or start their own travel agencies and plan luxury vacations and business trips for high-end clients.
Networking
Programs like these tend to be more business-focused than a typical travel agent course, and can potentially allow you to network with:
- Country club and resort owners
- Hotel and restaurant managers
- Event planners
Texas travel agents with hospitality and tourism degrees can form connections with these professionals to expand their selection of exclusive lodgings, venues, events, and activities to choose from when planning trips for high-profile travelers.
Where Else Can Travel Agents Work in Texas?
You dont have to be an independent travel agent to work in the industry. You can be an employee of a travel agency (not necessarily an independent contractor). Many good travel agents start their career this way.
Certified Travel Agents
Typically, employers prefer to hire candidates who have an official certification. Because of this, certified travel associates (CTA) often have an easier time finding work than non-certified applicants.
Job Description
Travel agents in Texas help develop, book, and manage their clients’ travel plans. Depending on the travelers’ unique needs, budget, and preferences, an agent may perform the following tasks for their clients:
- Choosing travel destinations
- Booking travel for domestic and overseas flights and lodgings
- Purchase travel insurance
- Renting vehicles
- Making restaurant reservations
- Buying tickets for local events and activities
- Hiring language interpreters
- Handling currency exchanges
Potential Employers
Licensed travel agents in TX might even qualify for jobs at well-known companies like:
- Travelocity
- Airbnb
- Vrbo
- Trip Advisor
- Expedia
- KAYAK
- Trivago
Career Outlook
Experts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics expect the demand for travel agents in the United States to increase by about 20 percent between 2021 and 2031. Because of this projected growth rate, skilled travel agents in Texas may be able to obtain well-paying jobs at some of the nation’s top travel age
Travel Agent Salaries in TX
The average travel agent salary in Texas is about $47,000.
Below are some average salaries and hourly wages for areas of the state.
| Area | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock | $25.61 | $53,270.00 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $24.33 | $50,600.00 |
| El Paso | $17.80 | $37,030.00 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $22.97 | $47,780.00 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $22.24 | $46,250.00 |
A good travel agent in Texas can make over $60,000 or $70,000 per year if they have enough experience. Having an official travel agent certification might also allow hopefuls to negotiate higher salaries when applying for travel agent jobs in Texas.
If you open your own travel agency, you can usually set your own prices and possibly make more than other agents in the state.
Those who struggle to find travel agent jobs in Texas may be able to work as hotel concierges, event planners and tour guides. If you have the proper credentials and education, you might consider opening your own travel agency.