How to Become a Travel Agent in Alabama

The year 2020 nearly brought about the end of travel.

However, things are changing and now it could be a good time to consider becoming a travel agent in Alabama.

Read this guide to find out more!

Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Alabama

The job of a travel agent is to facilitate, for their clients, the various aspects related to traveling:

• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Entertainment

The job duties of a travel agent include:

• Review visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
• Understanding the needs and desires of their clients
• Keeping accurate records
• Finding solutions to issues and emergencies
• Handling payments and deposits
• Promoting the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer

Travel agents can even have niches of expertise by type of travel:

• Honeymoon
• Business
• Budget
• Cruise
• Luxury

Some travel agents specialize in destinations, by learning everything possible about a single place.

Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Alabama

Being a travel agent is relatively easy if you have the right skills and knowledge.

These include:

• Good communication skills
• Good management skills
• Able to use various computer programs
• Good problem-solving skills
• Able to negotiate
• Able to work full-time
• Detail-oriented
• Being confident

All of these skills will help you not only when dealing with the clients, but also when being in contact with the hotels, resorts, and so on.

Some agents may work on their own while others may have to work in a team.

Furthermore, there are times when there’s a peak in the demand for travel.

At these times, an agent may have to work extra hours or possibly weekends as well.

Education and experience are not always necessary for this job, but they could represent a great advantage when applying for a job.

Individuals must also:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a clean criminal record
• Be honest
• Have a high school diploma or GED

Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Alabama

As a matter of fact, travel agents don’t really need certifications or diplomas.

Education is equally not mandatory, however, it is very helpful in the long run.

For instance, geography is a good subject to be knowledgeable of.

The majority of travel agents hold degrees in travel or tourism.

These are some of the Alabama schools you can check out for specialized courses.

Enrolling in online classes is also possible and acceptable for future travel agents.

This is the outline of most classes for this career:

• Introduction to the Travel Industry
• Professional Skills
• Basic/International Geography
• Destination Geography
• Introduction to International Travel
• Introduction to Air Travel
• Transportation
• Career Development
• Sales and Marketing for Travel

Travel Agent Salary and Employment in Alabama

One of the greatest aspects of being a travel agent is that you can work on your own if you so choose.

Starting your own agency could be more difficult and may require additional training and licenses.

Keep in mind that working on your own means that you can work from home or anywhere in the world!

Working for a traveling agency is usually the most common setting for these professionals.

Getting employed there may be more difficult, but not impossible.

As far as salary goes, it will usually depend on your experience in the field as well as location, as the table below shows.

Regional Salary

Additional Information for Travel Agents in Alabama

Many travel agents actually travel before becoming agents.

This will help them know more about their niche, and thus they’ll be able to help their clients more.

There are organizations you can join that can help you with your credentials.