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In the coming year, 7,500 travel agent positions will open.
Between 2020 and 2030, despite COVID-19, the field of travel booking will grow by at least five percent.
If you love traveling, geography, and helping people, you could establish an enjoyable, lucrative career as a travel agent with less than a one-year training program.
While the job consists of you helping others plan and book their vacations, most travel agents consider their own discounted vacations a major perk.
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Travel Agent Duties in Colorado
The duties of a travel agent do not vary much from state to state.
This position helps clients make travel decisions, decide which travel package to purchase, or whether to travel on a cruise or on a plane.
The travel agent also books travel arrangements, such as hotels, train travel, and flights for the clients.
They may help a client arrange the desired travel itinerary or they might plan the itinerary from scratch based on an interview of the client and what they indicated that interests them on the trip.
A travel agent can also book flights, hotels, and reservations.
These individuals need consummate communication skills – both written and oral.
Licensing Requirements to Become
The state of Colorado does not require licensing or certification for travel agents, many cities require business licenses.
Some cities require a license for specific types of businesses, while other cities require it for all businesses, including home businesses.
For example, the City of Arvada requires all businesses, including home businesses, to obtain a business license.
The city makes these free though.
In Lakewood, all businesses within the city limits must obtain a business license.
The cost of the license is $15.
Denver only requires certain types of businesses to register for a license and travel agents are not among them.
Each city in the state has different requirements, so phone your city clerk’s office to find out whether you need a business license.
While the US does not require licensing for this position either, most travel planning websites advise consumers to look for travel agents who have earned a certificate from the industry organization, The Travel Institute (TTI).
One part educational entity, one part industry guidance arm, TTI provides education, testing, certification, industry advocacy, formal continuing education, and professional webinars.
TTI administers the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) Test and works with Penn Foster Career School and Ashworth College to administer the test to provide certification for their students who successfully pass the TAP.
TTI also offers specialty coursework and certification in the areas of Certified Travel Associate, Certified Travel Counselor, and Certified Travel Industry Executive.
Travel Agent Programs
When you study to become a travel agent, you do not obtain a certificate or degree naming you a travel agent.
Instead, you earn a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism.
The program length ranges from two years to four years from accredited colleges and universities.
The important phrase there is accredited since it means your credit hours transfer, typically, and other schools and professional organizations recognize the validity and quality of the program you attended.
Aside from the online TTI coursework, you could attend one of the three colleges in Colorado that offer a travel and tourism program:
- Colorado Mountain College, Hospitality Management Associates or Bachelors, rate of $5,400 per semester in-district tuition or $11,400 per semester in-state tuition,
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Graduate Certificate in Adventure Tourism, rate of $57 or $74 or $98 per credit hour differential tuition,
- Metropolitan State University of Denver, Travel and Tourism Management (TTM) bachelor’s, rate of $260 per credit hour tuition for a typical cost of $6,245 per semester.
Salary in Colorado for Travel Agents
The salary of a travel agent varies depending on education and experience as well as whether the travel agent works with an agency or as an independent contractor.
On average though, a travel agent in the state of Colorado earns $38,567 annually, according to Salary.com.
The website tallied that data on November 29, 2021.
Salary.com also calculated the typical range for the position of a travel agent – between $35,140 and $44,914.
You should be aware of a few considerations to this salary range.
For example, the location of the travel agent causes a wider variance.
You might earn more in Denver or Boulder than in a smaller town.
Certifications can help boost your earnings.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $39,120 |
| Colorado Springs | $38,501 |
| Aurora | $39,094 |
| Jefferson | $38,987 |
| Fort Collins | $37,658 |
| Arvada | $39,120 |
| Pueblo | $35,875 |
| Westminster | $39,120 |
| Boulder | $39,627 |
| Thornton | $39,120 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 90 | $59,240 | $28.48 | $92,560 | $37,990 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 80 | $48,410 | $23.28 | $78,810 | $31,800 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 920 | $50,260 | $24.16 | $70,050 | $32,490 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 50 | $51,370 | $24.7 | $82,880 | $30,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to earn a degree to become a travel agent?
You do not have to earn a degree to establish yourself as a travel agent.
You could take the courses through TTI or get a job in another capacity at a travel agency, such as a receptionist.
You would learn the skills needed while working.
What key skills do you need as a travel agent?
A travel agent must communicate well orally and in writing.
You need to actively listen to clients and pick up inferences, such as repeatedly mentioning that a person does not fly well or has never flown.
This lets you know to suggest train or boat travel.
You must know geography well and learn to use the typical industry databases and booking software.
Do travel agents charge clients or resorts and hotels?
As a travel agent, you would receive a fee or commission from a hotel, motel, cruise line, airline, etc. for booking travel for it.
You would not typically charge the traveler, your client, for the use of your services.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Travel Agent
Travel Agent License by State