Travel Agent Schools in Wisconsin

The following article explores the requirements to become a Wisconsin travel agent. Starting a career in this field may be challenging, as candidates sometimes need help discovering specific travel agent programs at colleges, universities, and other popular institutions.

However, there are several pathways for Wisconsin individuals to consider, not only to launch their careers as travel agents here but also to do so on the best possible path. For this reason, we have outlined all the major considerations below, including the preparatory steps involved in the process, the educational destinations and pathways to consider, and possible licensure/certification requirements for career opportunities.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Wisconsin

The following are the steps involved in becoming a travel agent in Wisconsin.

Basic Requirements

The basic requirements to become a travel agent in Wisconsin are to understand the scope of the job and have a high school diploma or GED. Doing so will make it easy to settle into a training program and get a strong start.

Some important skills for a prospective travel agent in Wisconsin include organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal, and research skills.

Formal Training

Even though travel agents in Wisconsin are not mandated to receive formal training, they can only be successful with one. Time spent in formal training helps candidates pick up crucial technical skills and gives them a sense of the business side of the job.

Marketing is a strong component of being a travel agent, and those who attend the right training programs will also gain expertise in this area. We highlight some top training options in an upcoming list below.

Certification

Certification is another aspect of being a travel agent that, while not compulsory, is entirely beneficial. Employers and host agencies love certified agents, as do potential clients. There are a few destinations in Wisconsin where you can receive certification as a travel agent, and we will look at these in the next section.

Host Agency

Aspiring travel agents may be lucky enough to find a host agency before attending a training program. In some cases, they may have already graduated before joining one.

Once they do, the host agency should help them get started by providing valuable tools and resources to help them ease into their new positions.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Become a home and building inspector in Wisconsin

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Wisconsin travel agents don’t have to earn a license from the state to start their careers. As mentioned above, they don’t have to become certified, but doing so can greatly benefit them.

Candidates in the state looking to become certified often turn to the American Society of Travel Advisors. Here, they may qualify for a handful of credentials, including specialty options to stand out in a specific area.

The International Air Transport Association and the Travel Industry Designator Association also offer highly rated credentials. After becoming certified, candidates must maintain their credentials periodically by meeting requirements such as continuing education.

Top Travel Agent Schools in Wisconsin

The entries below are all worthwhile training destinations for prospective travel agents in Wisconsin.

Explore travel agent schools in Wisconsin by city:

• Travel agent schools in Milwaukee

Salary & Career Outlook

At the start of their careers as travel agents in Wisconsin, it is common for professionals in this field to start with an annual average salary between $24,729 –$44,110. The first figure is relevant to those still among the state’s bottom 10% of earners, while the second figure is pertinent for the average earners in the middle.

Of course, this means that candidates can ultimately scale their earnings to be among the highest-paid in the top 10%. In this case, they may end the year with an annual average salary of up to $71,159 or more.

Along with experience, credentials, employer, and specialty, choosing the right location within the city can help candidates scale their earnings. New Lisbon, for instance, boasts the highest annual salary for travel agents in Wisconsin at $54,986 per year.

Madison, with an annual average salary of $47,224, and Oshkosh, with an annual average salary of $45,379, are among the highest-paying locations.