According to the Idaho Department of Commerce, tourism in this state is valued at close to 4 billion dollars.
Even if 2020 almost brought an end to all touristic activities, things are coming back on track, meaning this is a good time to consider becoming a travel agent in Idaho!
Read on to learn more!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Idaho
Travel agents have quite a few tasks on their hands, daily.
These aren’t limited to only finding:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
While the customers mainly go to a travel agency for those, they have preferences and budgets that agents must account for,
The agents can better help their clients if they are more knowledgeable in certain types of travel.
In case you didn’t know, travel can be divided into these types:
- Honeymoon
- Family-oriented
- Business
- Budget
- Cruise
- Luxury
It’s very common to combine at least two of these types.
To ensure the best service to their clients, travel agents must:
- Review visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
- Understand the needs and desires of their clients
- Keep accurate records
- Find solutions to issues and emergencies
- Handle payments and deposits
- Promote the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer
- Negotiate with hotels, resorts, cruise companies, and more
It’s also rather common for agents to receive additional duties at times.
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Idaho
You probably wonder what you need to get hired as a travel agent in Idaho.
There’s no simple answer here, as a variety of skills are important:
- Good communication skills
- Good management skills
- Able to use various computer programs
- Good problem-solving skills
- Great marketing skills
- Able to work full-time
- Detail-oriented
- Being confident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be honest
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Speaking a foreign language
- Liking and having the ability to travel
Expertise is not on the list, but it doesn’t mean it cannot be asked for by some employers.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Idaho
It’s not common knowledge that travel agents are actually college graduates with diplomas in tourism and hospitality.
There are a few other fields in which these professionals can have a degree.
The next Idaho schools are a good place to start looking into.
Top 4 Schools in Idaho
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Brigham Young University | 525 S Center St, Rexburg, ID 83460 |
| Idaho State University | 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho, 83209 |
| Lewis-Clark State College | 500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501 |
| University of Idaho | 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844 |
It’s not unusual for some of the schools to accept everyone applying.
However, there are usually a few requirements for enrolling, such as graduating from high school or having a GED diploma.
Common classes for future travel agents are listed below:
- 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 Idaho
We already mentioned that to get hired you don’t really need previous experience.
You can still accumulate some by working in a tourism agency and fulfilling other roles.
You might be required to do some traveling at the beginning of your new career, but not only.
Constant traveling will keep you well-informed on destinations and the trends there.
This aspect alone will greatly benefit your customer and also your career.
As far as salaries go for a travel agent in Idaho, these are higher in Lewiston and other similar cities.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$36K | |
$42K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Idaho
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise | $35,748 |
| Meridian | $35,709 |
| Nampa | $35,364 |
| Idaho Falls | $34,895 |
| Pocatello | $33,357 |
| Caldwell | $35,325 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $36,697 |
| Twin Falls | $33,242 |
| Lewiston | $37,905 |
| Post Falls | $36,779 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 170 | $44,720 | $21.5 | $46,760 | $39,940 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Idaho
The Idaho Department of Commerce is a good resource to keep you informed on the latest news related to this industry.
Joining various associations, despite the annual membership fees, will only benefit your career.
As someone born and raised in Idaho, I’ve always had a passion for showcasing the beauty of our state to others.
This is such a comprehensive guide! I’ve been considering a career change, and becoming a travel agent in Idaho seems like the perfect fit for my love of adventure and helping others explore new places.
It’s great to see resources specifically tailored to Idaho! I’ve been dreaming of turning my passion for travel into a career, and knowing where to start in my own state is incredibly valuable.