There are several advantages to working as a travel agent in Oklahoma.
The tourism industry is flourishing, so you will get many work opportunities.
If you want to choose this career path, you have to get some info first.
All you have to do is read this article in order to know what steps to take.
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Oklahoma
Travel agents have several duties they have to accomplish on a daily basis.
So, you have to help your clients with tasks such as:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
You will also need to complete other tasks, such as:
- 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
Some travel agents decide to get specialization.
You can choose from the following:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Travel Agent Job Requirements in Oklahoma
There are some skills you will need to have in order to succeed.
These skills usually are:
- 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
In Oklahoma, it is not required to get a license or higher education.
However, these will help you in getting a better job and thus a higher salary.
A travel agent has to travel often to various locations in order to describe them to clients.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Oklahoma
If you choose to get certified, you can choose a school in which to train.
You will have to attend a program where you can improve the skills needed for the job.
The program you choose can be in person or online.
This depends on how much time you have.
If you are working, you should choose an online program as it leaves you more time.
The schools offering physical courses in this state are:
Top 12 Schools in Oklahoma
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Carl Albert State College | 1507 S MCKENNA POTEAU, OK 74953 |
| College of the Muscogee Nation | 2170 RAVEN CIRCLE OKMULGEE, OK 74447 |
| East Central University | 1100 E. 14TH STREET ADA, OK 74820 |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center | 12777 N ROCKWELL AVE OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73142 |
| Great Plains Technology Center | 4500 W LEE BLVD LAWTON, OK 73505 |
| Kiamichi Technology Center | 301 KIAMICHI DR MCALESTER, OK 74501 |
| Metro Technology Centers | 1900 SPRINGLAKE DRIVE OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73111 |
| Northeastern State University | 600 N GRAND TAHLEQUAH, OK 74464 |
| Oklahoma State University | 107 WHITEHURST STILLWATER, OK 74078 |
| Oklahoma Wesleyan University | 2201 SILVER LAKE RD BARTLESVILLE, OK 74006 |
| Tulsa Community College | 6111 E SKELLY DR TULSA, OK 74135 |
| Tulsa Technology Center | 3420 S MEMORIAL DRIVE TULSA, OK 74145 |
To enroll, you will have to provide a high school diploma or a GED.
Depending on the school, there might be more requirements to fulfill.
The schools offer classes on:
- 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 Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, you can find work in many facilities.
Having a license will also help you get hired by a company and work in an office.
However, another option is to start a company and work for yourself.
To do this, you will need some other certifications in addition to the main one.
The salaries for travel agents in Oklahoma are higher than the average.
The more experience and education you have, the better the salary.
How much you will earn also depends on whether you live in a big city.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$32K |
|
$36K |
|
$42K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $35,065 |
| Tulsa | $36,827 |
| Norman | $34,835 |
| Broken Arrow | $36,712 |
| Lawton | $32,666 |
| Edmond | $34,950 |
| Enid | $34,720 |
| Stillwater | $34,720 |
| Muskogee | $36,482 |
| Bartlesville | $36,482 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 260 | $34,910 | $16.78 | $65,880 | $20,500 |
| Tulsa, OK | 300 | $37,730 | $18.14 | $48,960 | $31,980 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Oklahoma
After certification, you can work for a set period of time before your license expires.
Before it expires, you should renew it so that you can keep working.
This is done by sending an application and taking some extra hours of class.
However, you should reach out to the agency that released your certification.
They will offer more info regarding renewal and continuing education.
I love the idea of starting with an online course to get the basics down. Definitely going to look into the recommended programs.
I never realized how important networking is in the travel industry. Joining local travel agent associations sounds like a smart move. Thanks for the advice!
I’ve always wanted to be a travel agent but didn’t know where to start. This guide breaks it down perfectly.