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Travel Agent Duties in Pennsylvania
As a travel agent, you have several responsibilities that you need to keep in mind to be successful every day on the job.
They include the following:
- Maintain transportation for clients, including plane tickets, car rentals, and bus tickets
- Provide essential documentation for the area and landmarks such as brochures and guides
- Maintain lodging reservations and manage the fees for entertainment events.
- Be the contact when there are issues for clients to report on trips.
- Keep updated with current trends by attending annual conferences.
- Join memberships of leading travel agent organizations
- Promote travel insurance and its benefits to clients
These are the most critical job duties you will have as a travel agent in Pennsylvania.
It is essential to know that while working on these duties, you will always need to remain professional and calm, even when situations can make your client anxious and someone tries to elevate the problem.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Travel Agent in Pennsylvania
Since travel agents in Pennsylvania promote and sell travel insurance as a part of their packages, there is a need for licensing on the insurance portion of the job duties.
Licensure is not required if you are not planning to sell travel insurance, but you cannot expect a large clientele if you omit this from your job duties.
To maintain this licensure, it is essential that training is updated and provided before the license expires so that the agent can keep their certification and continue operating legally.
Travel Agent Programs
To gain a license in Pennsylvania, you do not have a particular program to pass; you just need to complete the exam for travel insurance to be eligible for licensure.
In Pennsylvania, you are not required to complete a travel agent program, but it is highly recommended.
Even those who have taken entry-level positions and want to move up to the travel agent position find themselves more competitive when they have pursued some form of certification or degree through a technical college or university.
- Penn Foster – Career Diploma for Travel and Tourism Specialist
- Westmoreland County Community College – 2 programs
- Widener University – 1 program
- Community College of Allegheny County – 1 program
- Temple University – 4 programs
All the schools above are located in Pennsylvania and offer a variety of programs related to travel agents.
These degrees range from a career diploma to Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs.
The more education a travel agent gathers in their field, the better their chances of being hired and competing with others applying for the same position.
These schools are both private and public institutions, with tuition costs ranging in price.
You also have the option to take courses online, in the classroom, or in a hybrid setting to fit your personal needs.
Salary
In Pennsylvania, travel agents throughout the state are averaging between $36,000 and $45,000 annually as travel agents with little to no experience.
This is generated from those working full time and average from all the major cities across the state.
This salary starting has the potential to grow, and those who have built up a stable clientele over time see this salary increase each year.
If they are working with an agency, they are able to take advantage of bonuses when meeting and surpassing goals.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $41,437 |
| Pittsburgh | $38,103 |
| Allentown | $38,985 |
| Erie | $35,731 |
| Upper Darby | $41,437 |
| Reading | $38,481 |
| Scranton | $35,704 |
| Bethlehem | $38,985 |
| Lower Merion | $41,437 |
| Bensalem | $41,780 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 90 | $36,960 | $17.77 | $56,740 | $15,080 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 40 | $41,970 | $20.18 | $56,360 | $18,850 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 560 | $46,030 | $22.13 | $60,820 | $27,250 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 160 | $41,550 | $19.97 | $55,800 | $15,080 |
| Reading, PA | 100 | $47,300 | $22.74 | $78,010 | $15,080 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 30 | $50,990 | $24.52 | $56,910 | $28,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
Travel Agent job description template | Workable
Travel insurance producer responsibilities.pdf (pa.gov)
Best Travel and Tourism Colleges in Pennsylvania | 2022 (universities.com)
Travel Agent Salary | Salary.com
Travel Agent Salary | Vocational Training HQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How successful can I be as a travel agent if I do not sell travel insurance?
While it is not a requirement to sell travel insurance, this is something that most clients who use travel agents look for when they are booking their vacations.
Without travel insurance, you may not be able to maintain a stable clientele in order to succeed in the industry.
I have worked in the tourism industry for years. Should I pursue a degree now?
While having experience in the tourism industry is great for those who want to be travel agents, it does not always teach the different skills, time management, and understanding different processes that a travel agent does like a program geared towards that career.
While you may not be in a position to get a full undergraduate degree, choosing to get a career diploma and build on your skills will give you invaluable knowledge to be successful.
Can I specialize in certain vacations?
As a travel agent, you may find that you have a niche in honeymoons, business travel, or international destinations.
You can market yourself to families or couples exclusively.
Based on the clientele and your experience, if you are looking to direct your services to a certain audience, you need to market yourself as that type of travel agent, so they know what they can expect when they reach out to you for their services.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Travel Agent
Travel Agent License by State