Naturally, a prospective travel agent in the state of Kansas must have a solid understanding of geography. However, the profession also requires an affinity for marketing and promotion, which will help candidates reach a wider audience and stand out in their field.
Luckily for Kansas residents, the state does not interfere too much in the affairs of travel agents. However, many requirements must still be met to secure employment and ensure that they remain on an upward trajectory for the rest of their careers.
The goal of the guide on this page is to introduce readers to all of these considerations and more.
How to Become a Travel Agent in Kansas
The following is a step-by-step analysis of how to start a career as a travel agent in Kansas.
Step 1: Become Familiar with the Profession
Understanding the profession’s responsibilities is an important step in becoming a travel agent in Kansas. In addition to recognizing possible duties, this step gives individuals a clear picture of what to expect regarding their focus areas.
Some, for example, go on to work as a destination, adventure, or corporate travel agent.
Step 2: Choose a Training Route
Students also have to choose a particular training arrangement, depending on what their goal is. For instance, those who would like to attend a community college or technical school to earn a certificate may go for a short-term travel agent training program.
Completing a bachelor’s degree program in hospitality, travel, and/or tourism management can provide a more robust education and an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Lastly, candidates may learn in-house at an existing travel agency for an immersive, hands-on experience without completing an academic program.
Step 3: Employment, Marketing, & Career Boost
Once properly trained, candidates can start working towards securing placement at an existing host agency. This is great for those who would like to settle into the job as conveniently as possible, utilizing in-house resources for marketing, planning, and booking, among other things.
Joining a professional organization can also be a source of a significant career boost, as we will see below.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Travel agents in Kansas are not expected to receive a state license or a local license or become certified by a professional organization. Unlike licensure, however, certification from a professional organization is still an extremely common practice because of the advantages it provides.
Certified travel agents are simply more respected by peers, firms, and clients and enjoy an edge over those who are not certified.
For those who would like to pursue certification in Kansas from prominent, nationally and internationally-recognized travel institutions, the following options are usually near the top of consideration:
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA),
- The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), and
- The Travel Designator Association (TDA).
Top Travel Agent Schools in Kansas
The schools below are notable for providing strong travel agent training programs in Kansas.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Online, KS Online Only
Kansas City Kansas Community College has an online travel agent program that is as convenient as they come.
Tuition
$2,245 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Washburn Tech
Online, KS Online Only
Washburn Tech offers an online Travel Agent training program through which state residents can conveniently earn a certificate and secure job placement. The program also offers Travel Institute certification.
Tuition
$2,245 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Cloud County Community College
Online, KS Online Only
At Cloud County Community College, Kansas, residents can enroll in an online travel agent program and complete their education in only a few weeks.
Tuition
$2,245 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Explore travel agent schools in Kansas by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
In Kansas, a fresh travel agent can end the year with a salary of around $38,292. This will see them fall among the median earners, making a figure that is in line with the annual average.
However, not everyone is lucky enough to start that high. Some may have to start among the lowest-paid, in which case their annual average salary may be closer to around $21,850.
This shouldn’t be a source of concern, however, as professionals in the field can quickly change their fortunes by working on relevant factors. These include credentials, business strategy, marketing, and, of course, place of employment.
Experience and location are two other important factors that can help travel agents improve their yearly returns to be among the top 10% ($62,875 annual average).
At present, Overland Park has the highest annual average salary for travel agents in Kansas, at around $42,457.
It is also worth mentioning Prairie Village, where travel agents earn an annual average salary of $42,199, and Leawood, where they earn an annual average salary of $41,771.