Travel Agent Schools in Missouri

Travel agents in Missouri are great at managing a client’s overall travel experience, helping their customers get the best deals, and meeting unique requirements that may pertain to specific destinations. Travel agents don’t just innately acquire their skills; they have to dedicate time to receiving proper education at the beginning.

They also have to consider specific laws and requirements pertaining to their areas of practice before they can carry out their jobs confidently. The following article helps prospective travel agents in Missouri to understand all of these considerations and have a straightforward time launching a career in the profession.

It also includes a list containing some of the best training programs for individuals to enroll in at the start of their journey.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Missouri

Below are the requirements for becoming a travel agent in Missouri.

Educational Considerations

As with most professions, proper education is absolutely crucial to becoming a successful travel agent in Missouri. Typically, candidates have the following choices to make.

Training Arrangement

Concerning their training arrangement, individuals in Missouri can start a travel agent career by either attending an academic program offered by a trade/technical school or a program offered by a host agent or travel Association.

All of these destinations offer several benefits, but what is most important is that students understand what they have been taught regardless of which arrangement they choose.

Training Duration

It is also worth pointing out that those who choose an academic training program must make a decision. Typically, this decision involves choosing a short-term program that can be completed in a few months or a long-term program that can be completed in a couple of years.

Training Destination

Lastly, candidates have the option of learning online or in person. Many travel agent programs are also hybrid programs in which students complete part of their training online and the other on campus.

Employment & Networking

Networking is an important part of becoming a successful travel agent, both when starting out and even during a career. Candidates may facilitate a strong network by joining professional associations, as outlined below.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Become an auto mechanic in Missouri

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Fresh travel agents looking to join a professional organization, become certified, and have access to career-growth tools and resources should consider joining the American Society of Travel Advisors. The society is notable for several courses that help candidates improve their project management, legal, and negotiation skills.

Of course, certification is a step that travel agents in Missouri are not mandated by law to do. However, because there are more pros than cons to it, virtually all professionals in this field choose to become certified anyway.

The International Air Transport Association also offers valuable credentials and resources for travel agents in Missouri. Other prominent options to consider are the Travel Industry Designator Service and the Cruise Lines International Association.

Top Travel Agent Schools in Missouri

The following are some top training programs for prospective travel agents in Missouri.

Explore travel agent schools in Missouri by city:

• Travel agent schools in Kansas City

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of a travel agent in Missouri can range from $22,981 to $66,129. Professionals who earn the $22,981 annual average salary are among the lowest-paid in the state, and those who earn the $66,129 annual average salary are among the highest-paid.

Candidates can go from the least-paid category to the highest-paid category by working on things like credentials and experience. A travel agent’s host agency, their marketing strategies, and their specific location within the state can also help push them higher in the salary spectrum.

Those who are right in the middle earn an annual average salary of $40,274, which is in line with the average figure nationwide. As for specific locations to look out for, Raymore is where travel agents in Missouri make the most money, with an annual average salary of $43,121.

Chesterfield and Grandview employees are second and third, with annual average salaries of $42,495 and $42,156, respectively.