Travel Agent Schools in Indiana

Indiana travel agents are well-versed in crafting travel plans and ensuring that they meet specifications. They can help individuals, companies, and groups set specific targets for their trips and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

The state of Indiana makes it easy for candidates to start a career in this profession, and those interested need only meet a few requirements and considerations before they can start what is hopefully a long-lasting and fulfilling career.

In the following sections, we analyze what an interested individual has to do to achieve this objective. We explore educational possibilities, certification options, and annual average salary projections, among other key details.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Indiana

Candidates may follow the steps below to start their travel agent careers in Indiana.

Proper Research

Every aspiring travel agent must research the field, its potential duties, and which specific niches appeal to them the most.

Some common options are destination travel, family vacations, travel vacations, and group vacations.

Training & Real-World Experience

Naturally, becoming a successful travel agent in Indiana is virtually impossible without proper training. However, individuals may attend academic programs to start their careers.

In this regard, they can go for short-term programs that can be completed in a few months or long-term hospitality programs that can be completed in a few years and lead to an associate or bachelor’s degree.

After academic training, or in its place, they may receive real-world experience by learning in-house at a travel agency.

Networking, Professional Opportunities & Marketing

Once properly trained, a prospective travel agent’s priority in Indiana should be networking, marketing, and professional opportunities. This is how they will establish themselves as a proper force in the industry and an expert in their niche.

Joining a host agency is a great way to build a strong network and enjoy in-house resources for career growth. Certification, as shown below, is also very valuable.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Become a truck driver in Indiana

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Indiana does not require aspiring travel agents to obtain licensing or certification. The state leaves all the major requirements to prospective employers, professional organizations, and customers.

This is why even though licensing is still not something that candidates pursue, certification is quite common despite its non-mandatory status. Professionals pursue certification because it gives them an edge in the professional market and allows for career growth through resources for continuing education and networking.

Professionals in Indiana who would like to become certified as travel agents can consider several agencies and organizations, including the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the Travel Designator Association (TDA), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Top Travel Agent Schools in Indiana

These programs are great for launching a career as a travel agent in Indiana.

Explore travel agent schools in Indiana by city:

• Travel agent schools in Indianapolis

Salary & Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment rate of travel agents in Indiana and across the country to increase by 3% in the coming decade. This will lead to even more job openings, totaling tens of thousands every year during this period.

According to the current earnings figures, travel agents in Indiana can expect an annual average salary of $23,313 if they are among the lowest-paid or $67,085 each year among the highest-paid. If they fall into the middle category—where most professionals in this field fall—they will earn an annual average salary of $40,856.

Those who would like to increase their yearly returns would have to pay attention to factors like experience, location, credentials, and business strategy. Concerning location, travel agents in Bristol are the highest-paid in the state, with an annual average salary of $44,747.

They are followed by those in Clayton and Valparaiso, with annual average salaries of $43,851 and $42,882, respectively.