Being a travel agent seems like an easy profession for many, but is it really?
Through this guide, you’ll discover what you must do to become a travel agent in North Carolina, as well as just how easy this job is or not.
Read on!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in North Carolina
How can you know if a job is good for you or not?
Oftentimes, its description and related responsibilities offer a big clue.
Almost everyone goes to a travel agent so they’ll easily find:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
Travel agents can only find those with specific knowledge, skills, and after taking specific steps.
Understanding the needs, desires, and budget, of the person they offer their services to, are the first steps of the process.
Will this ensure the person reaches their destination, though?
Not, without the travel agent:
- Reviewing visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
- Keeping accurate records
- Finding solutions to issues and emergencies
- Handling payments and deposits
- Promoting the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer
- Negotiating with hotels, resorts, cruise companies, and more
Sometimes the agent might have to complete additional steps or duties.
it’s very helpful for an agent to know more about specific types of tourism.
Here they are:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in North Carolina
Being a travel agent in North Carolina must be different than in other states, right?
No, not at all.
Typically, the ideal candidates have:
- 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
- Having a clean criminal record
- Being honest
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Speaking a foreign language
- Liking and having the ability to travel
Many individuals start working for tourism agencies as receptionists to accumulate some experience.
This will make them stand out from the competition.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in North Carolina
North Carolina doesn’t have any licensing requirements for future travel agents.
This doesn’t mean that receiving specific tourism-related education isn’t encouraged.
You can do so by enrolling in one of the next schools.
Top 22 Schools in North Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | 287 RIVERS ST BOONE, NC 28608 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 VICTORIA RD ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | 2855 HICKORY BOULEVARD HUDSON, NC 28638 |
| Campbell University | 143 MAIN STREET BUIES CREEK, NC 27506 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 411 NORTH FRONT STREET WILMINGTON, NC 28401 |
| Carteret Community College | 3505 ARENDELL ST MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | 1201 ELIZABETH AVENUE CHARLOTTE, NC 28204 |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | 444 WESTERN BLVD JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546 |
| Durham Technical Community College | 1637 LAWSON STREET DURHAM, NC 27703 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | 2201 HULL RD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303 |
| Guilford Technical Community College | 601 E. MAIN STREET JAMESTOWN, NC 27282 |
| East Carolina University | EAST 5TH STREET GREENVILLE, NC 27858 |
| High Point University | ONE UNIVERSITY PARKWAY HIGH POINT, NC 27268 |
| Johnson and Wales University | 801 WEST TRADE STREET CHARLOTTE, NC 28202 |
| Livingstone College | 701 W MONROE ST SALISBURY, NC 28144 |
| Nash Community College | 522 N. OLD CARRIAGE ROAD ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804 |
| North Carolina Central University | 1801 FAYETTEVILLE STREET DURHAM, NC 27707 |
| Sandhills Community College | 3395 AIRPORT RD PINEHURST, NC 28374 |
| Southeastern College | 207 REGENCY EXECUTIVE PARK DRIVE CHARLOTTE, NC 28217 |
| University of North Carolina | 1400 SPRING GARDEN ST GREENSBORO, NC 27402 |
| Wake Technical Community College | 9101 FAYETTEVILLE ROAD RALEIGH, NC 27603 |
| Western Carolina University | 1 UNIVERSITY DRIVE CULLOWHEE, NC 28723 |
These institutions offer programs with a duration of at least 2 years for a tourism-related degree.
Most of your competition will, however, hold a Bachelor’s degree instead.
You have the freedom to choose classes held in person or online.
To enroll, make sure you at least graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
Here’s what you’ll be studying in such a program:
- 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 North Carolina
Being a travel agent comes with perks, such as:
- Being able to travel often
- Being able to work on your own
Working for agencies is also possible and it can have other advantages, such as higher credibility.
It’s normal to want to know how much you’ll earn once you get hired or start working on your own.
This next table has the average salaries in the state’s main urban settings.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$36K | |
$43K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in North Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $37,600 |
| Raleigh | $37,146 |
| Greensboro | $36,685 |
| Durham | $36,931 |
| Winston Salem | $36,774 |
| Fayetteville | $35,223 |
| Cary | $37,146 |
| Wilmington | $35,012 |
| High Point | $36,904 |
| Greenville | $36,877 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 80 | $46,220 | $22.22 | $75,550 | $27,610 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 300 | $46,080 | $22.15 | $76,640 | $28,700 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 60 | $48,670 | $23.4 | $70,140 | $28,070 |
| Raleigh, NC | 230 | $51,990 | $24.99 | $80,500 | $29,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in North Carolina
You might want to become a member of some organization that can help with furthering your career.
If you choose to work on your own, make sure to obtain the appropriate permits and keep them current.
Being a travel agent in NC has been a great career choice for me, you have to be a people person, and love travel, if you do, I highly recommend it.
Thank you for the valuable insights! I’ve always had a knack for trip planning and now I feel inspired to turn my passion into a profession.
I love that this guide is tailored to North Carolina specifically. It’s reassuring to know the state’s regulations and resources for aspiring travel agents.