Travel Agent Schools in Iowa

Travel agents don’t just help people acquire tickets and move from one country to another. These professionals are so well-rewarded because their job involves crafting personalized experiences that help people get the most for their money and enjoy a trip that they will remember forever.

In the following sections, we analyze the steps required to start a successful travel agent career in Iowa. We begin by considering training possibilities and then explore what other steps candidates can take to network with professionals and build a solid customer base.

Finally, we provide an overview of the projection of annual average earnings and career outlook for the field in the coming decade.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Iowa

Travel agents in Iowa usually start their careers following the process below.

Basic Preparation

At the basic level, candidates must prepare for a travel agent career in Iowa by understanding the specific duties and categories in the profession. They may consider focus areas like destination travel, adventure travel, and group travel in hopes of choosing one sub-specialty that appeals to candidates the most.

Training Options

There is no shortage of destinations from which to receive introductory education as a future travel agent in Iowa. The most common approaches are:

• Short-Term Academic Programs—Short-term academic programs, such as online travel agent programs, can be perfect for building basic skills in the profession.
• Long-Term Programs: Academic institutions also offer 2-year or 4-year Hospitality and Tourism programs that candidates may use to receive advanced education and establish themselves as experts in the field.
• In-House Training - Lastly, candidates can receive on-the-job training from a travel agency or a hospitality firm to start their careers.

Joining a Host Agency

Most travel agents join an existing host agency at the start of their careers. This way, they have access to many existing resources and do not have to build everything from scratch.

Further along the way, however, they may ultimately choose to start their travel agency.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a home and building inspector in Iowa

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The following organizations offer highly-rated credentials for travel agents in Iowa:

• American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA),
• The Travel Designator Association (TDA, and
• The International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Although no law at the state or city level requires individuals to pursue these credentials, it is still extremely common. Some reasons for this are the professional opportunities for networking, job placement, and continuous education.

The International Air Transport Association is also responsible for issuing the IATA number, which all travel agents must have for international travel. Professionals working for a host agency do not have to apply for an IATA number of their own; they will be assigned one by the host agency.

Top Travel Agent Schools in Iowa

The institutions below offer top-class training for aspiring travel agents in Iowa.

Explore travel agent schools in Iowa by city:

• Travel agent schools in Des Moines

Salary & Career Outlook

Even though their annual average salary can reach as high as $66,219, the majority of travel agents in Iowa are median earners, managing an annual average salary of $40,328—in line with the national average. Only the top 10% make the $66,219 figure, and the bottom 10% may have to start with an annual average salary of around $23,012.

Professionals in the field can work on their business strategy and marketing to become well-paid and among the top earners. Of course, experience and credentials, as well as location, also play key roles in altering these numbers.

Currently, Iowa Falls, Marion, and Sioux City are the places with the highest annual average salary figures for travel agents in Iowa. The numbers here are $44,740, $42,807, and $42,481, respectively.

As for the future projections, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment rate for travel agents across the country will increase by 3% between now and the year 2033.