Travel Agent Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota is a wonderful place to work as a travel agent. These professionals ensure that their clients visiting the state have a good time and help coordinate travel to other wonderful places across the country.

Comprehensive training is needed to become a successful travel agent in Minnesota. However, attending the right training program is one of many considerations that an aspiring travel agent in the state must make. To help candidates become as familiar with the process as possible and ensure a smooth journey when they begin, we have provided the comprehensive guide below.

Readers will discover the educational options, certification possibilities, top training programs, and annual average salary figures.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Minnesota

There are generally two major steps to becoming a Minnesota travel agent: finding a host agency and receiving training. We explore both requirements in detail below.

Finishing a Program

Perspective travel agents may envision earning a certificate or diploma to start their careers. Although this is not compulsory by state law, it is a very effective way to ensure direct entry-level placement into a host agency—especially for the few who may not be willing to provide training from scratch.

Of course, most do, and individuals who would like to receive hands-on training may do so by joining a host agency and receiving training there. This opportunity may be more common if a candidate already has some form of experience in the travel and tourism industry.

Finding a Host Agency

For those who have graduated from an academic program, joining a host agency is the next step to becoming a successful travel agent in Minnesota. Host agencies usually have an array of resources, including an existing client pool, making it much easier for a new travel agent to settle in.

They also have a team of experienced agents from which to learn.

Even though it is technically possible for fresh travel agents to start their agencies, it is not advisable, seeing as prior experience is crucial to the endeavor. Working for some time in a host agency is the perfect way to obtain such experience before branching out.

Explore trades with similar paths:

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

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The American Society of Travel Advisors offers certification for travel agents in Minnesota and nationwide. Even though getting one is not required by law, it is important for career opportunities.

Not only do certified travel agents stand out, but they are also well-positioned to continue improving thanks to access to resources and tools. Additionally, becoming certified is a great way to verify expertise in a particular sub-discipline within the field.

The ASTA is one of many organizations issuing high-quality credentials that travel agents in Minnesota may consider. The International Air Transport Association is another highly rated organization with valuable credentials, similar to the Travel Industry Designator Association.

Top Travel Agent Schools in Minnesota

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

Explore travel agent schools in Minnesota by city:

• Travel agent schools in Minneapolis

Salary & Career Outlook

From a survey of travel agents in Minnesota carried out by the employment platform Indeed, the locations in the state where travel agents earn the highest annual average salary include the following:

• Eagan, with an annual average salary of $66,993;
• Saint Cloud, with an annual average salary of $57,804; and
• Duluth, with an annual average salary of $53,724.

Even though location is a key factor in influencing a travel agent’s annual average salary in Minnesota, it is not the only one that professionals in this field can optimize to improve their earnings. More experienced agents, candidates with specialty credentials, and those who work with favorable host agencies tend to earn more income.

Generally, though, a travel agent in Minnesota can expect to earn an annual salary of $52,095 if they are among the average earners. In contrast, they can expect an annual salary of $33,444 if they are among the bottom 10%. Those who manage to be among the top 10% of the population have around $81,148 yearly salary.