Travel Agent Schools in Alaska

Travel agents in Alaska can either work for a host agency or start their own agency. The former is usually most advisable for individuals just starting their careers.

As one would expect, interested candidates must consider several other requirements on their journey to becoming successful travel agents in Alaska. The guide on this page introduces residents to all these and more.

Along with exploring the preparatory steps, educational options, and licensure/certification requirements, we also reveal the top training programs for candidates in the area and the annual average salary to expect based on a few important factors.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Alaska

Alaska travel agents are advised to start their careers correctly by following the steps below.

Basic Requirements

Prospective travel agents in Alaska usually start their careers with a high school diploma or GED. They are supposed to have one of these to secure admission into a training program, although some may still need to ask for it.

Choosing a Training Program

Aspiring travel agents may choose to participate in a training program before or after choosing a host agency. Those who have chosen a host agency tend to have access to training resources offered by the agency, including seminars, online resources, live sessions, small group training, and recordings.

Those who don’t have the luxury of having a travel agency provide training for them at the beginning may attend an academic program courtesy of a community college or technical school. They can cultivate all the required skills before choosing a host agency.

It is also possible to find an academic program that offers online training for more flexibility and convenience or a hybrid arrangement that combines classroom and hands-on training with online materials.

Getting the First Client

Thanks to the existing framework and attractive tools, working with a host agency often makes it easy for a travel agent to get their first client. Candidates may also improve their profiles by leveraging technology and online social networking.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a truck driver in Alaska

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Alaska, travel agents are not legally required to receive a license or register before they can start their professional careers. While certification is also not legally required, it can be quite valuable for gaining specialized knowledge and building credibility, among other benefits.

The Travel Institute offers a “Certified Travel Associate” credential for travel agents nationwide, including Alaska. The institute also offers a “Certified Travel Counselor” credential for those with at least five years of experience.

Other notable organizations offering nationally recognized credentials are the American Society of Travel Advisors and the Cruise Lines International Association.

Individuals interested in these credentials should be prepared to participate in a training program and pass a professional examination to verify their skills on the job.

Top Travel Agent Schools in Alaska

Below are some high-quality training programs for aspiring travel agents in Alaska.

Explore travel agent schools in Alaska by city:

• Travel agent schools in Anchorage

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of a regular travel agent in Alaska is $43,993. By regular, we mean travel agents among the average earners in the middle percentile.

A survey of travel agents in the state also showed that the highest-paid travel agents in Alaska earn an average salary of $75,924 at the end of the year. Those in the bottom 10 percent earn an annual average salary of $26,385.

In identifying the factors that cause the disparity in earnings, experience, location, employer, and specialty were all pinpointed as some of the major causes. Considering location alone, travel agents in college earn the most in Alaska, with an average annual salary of $47,272.

Travel agents in Ketchikan were also highly placed on the list, with an average annual salary of $46,469, as were those in Wasilla, who earned an average salary of around $45,233 annually.