Travel Agent Schools in North Carolina

In North Carolina, travel agents allow individuals to experience personalized exploration of the world around them by understanding their needs and planning travel itineraries to suit their unique preferences.

To become successful travel agents in North Carolina, candidates must go through a few steps to meet the basic requirements, acquire the necessary skills and training, and set themselves apart from the competition in the employment market.

In the following sections, we explore these steps and requirements in absolute detail. Interested candidates will discover the best places to receive training as a future travel agent in North Carolina, the licensure and certification requirements, and the salary outlook based on several important factors.

How to Become a Travel Agent in North Carolina

Future travel agents in North Carolina are advised to follow the steps below to start their careers on the right foundation.

Acquiring Training

Naturally, the most important step in becoming a travel agent is to acquire training. To do so, candidates often need a high school diploma or GED at the very least.

Nowadays, having some level of postsecondary training is crucial. For these, candidates may enroll in colleges and apply for either 2-year programs, 4-year programs, or even less.

During their training, candidates are expected to gain relevant skills in areas such as international affairs, marketing, budgeting, tourism, business practices, and more.

Developing on a Personal Level

Along with the technical topics learned from a formal training program, aspiring travel agents in North Carolina are also expected to keep improving personally. This involves developing transferable interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Anyone looking to become a travel agent must also be exceptional with research, as they will have to figure out ways to save on spending by finding the best deals on hotels, flights, and cruises, among others.

Certification & Employment

Lastly, after all of these steps are complete, candidates may go on to pursue certification and secure employment.

While certification is not mandatory by the state or employers, it is widely believed that certified travel agents are typically more favored when it comes to securing employment and leveraging career growth opportunities.

For their employment, candidates are advised to work with host agencies to begin their careers.

Below, we look at some of the most notable certification agencies for travel agents in North Carolina.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Every state in the United States expects travel agents to receive a local license. In North Carolina, these professionals are expected to possess the global trade numeric code known as the IATA number.

Host agencies can provide IATA numbers, eliminating the need for individual agents to have one of their own. An IATA number provides access to billing and settlement plans, direct airline ticket booking systems, industry resources, and exclusive training programs.

Some professional organizations that travel agents in North Carolina may join for professional credentials include the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and the Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS).

Top Travel Agent Schools in North Carolina

Below are some notable travel agent schools in North Carolina for candidates to consider.

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Salary & Career Outlook

The highest-paid travel agents in North Carolina (top 10%) take home at least $63,363 in average salary at the end of the year. The lowest-paid in the state (bottom 10%) take home around $38,031 in annual average salary, while those in the middle take home an annual average salary of around $49,090.

Professionals in the field may improve their salary by spending more time on the job, moving to a more favorable location, negotiating a better commission structure, or moving to a bigger travel agency.

Those who would like to move to more favorable locations may consider Charlotte, where travel agents proudly earn an annual average salary of $69,815, and Asheville, where professionals in this field take home an annual average salary of $53,968.