Everyone thought that in 2020 we’ll stop traveling, especially for pleasure.
However, as things evolved, tourism appears to go back to normal and this means now it’s a good time to become a travel agent in Oregon.
The demand for such professionals is increasing again, so read on if you are considering a career in a travel agency!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Oregon
Usually, the job’s description will be more than enough to help you realize if you want to work in such an occupation or not.
Travel agents usually help tourists to find the various services they need at attractive prices.
These are the main services tourists need:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
These require some skills, knowledge, and a certain approach.
Understanding what the client wants, likes, and his budget, are part of the skills and approach.
However, there’s more work to be done, including making sure the client can legally go to his destination.
For this, agents in Oregon will be:
- 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
Various other factors may appear and add to the list we just mentioned.
Travel agents who know certain destinations better than others are more successful.
This means you should specialize in a type of tourism:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Oregon
There are specific prerequisites to becoming a travel agent.
These are usually related to your abilities, but not only.
Good travel agents in Oregon 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
You’re not required to have previous experience in this field, but it can’t hurt to accumulate some by working other jobs in an agency.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Oregon
Travel agents from Oregon are not forced to obtain certification.
Undergoing special education and obtaining a degree in tourism will definitely help your future career.
The programs last for at least 2 years, though the majority of travel agents choose the longer programs or 4 years.
Below, you’ll see the schools in Oregon that offer tourism-related courses.
Top 9 Schools in Oregon
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| American College of Healthcare Sciences | 5005 S MACADAM AVE PORTLAND, OR 97239 |
| Blue Mountain Community College | 2411 NW CARDEN AVE PENDLETON, OR 97801 |
| Central Oregon Community College | 2600 NW COLLEGE WAY BEND, OR 97703 |
| Chemeketa Community College | 4000 LANCASTER DR NE SALEM, OR 97305 |
| Clackamas Community College | 19600 MOLALLA AVE OREGON CITY, OR 97045 |
| Lane Community College | 4000 E 30TH AVE EUGENE, OR 97405 |
| Mt. Hood Community College | 26000 SE STARK ST GRESHAM, OR 97030 |
| Oregon State University | 1500 SW JEFFERSON AVENUE CORVALLIS, OR 97331 |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College | 1988 NEWMARK AVE COOS BAY, OR 97420 |
If you can’t find a program you’re happy with, you can choose a college from a different state.
Not everyone knows that some of the programs are offered online, allowing students to learn at a different pace.
To be accepted in any of these programs, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
These are common topics for a tourism-related 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 Oregon
Working as a travel agent has a few advantages, such as:
- Being able to travel often
- Being able to work on your own
However, working for a travel agency is somehow still popular.
Travel agencies also offer advantages when working for them.
As far as salaries go, they depend on experience and location, among others.
The table below shows the average salaries in major cities across the state.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$34K | |
$38K | |
$45K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Oregon
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $39,851 |
| Salem | $37,798 |
| Eugene | $37,434 |
| Gresham | $39,800 |
| Hillsboro | $39,724 |
| Beaverton | $39,851 |
| Bend | $37,008 |
| Medford | $36,628 |
| Springfield | $37,350 |
| Corvallis | $37,254 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene, OR | 180 | $34,830 | $16.74 | $45,310 | $28,120 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 340 | $46,750 | $22.48 | $57,740 | $32,720 |
| Salem, OR | 30 | $44,400 | $21.35 | $64,380 | $31,970 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Oregon
If you decide to work on your own, you’ll need additional licenses.
Working in customer service or a related field to build customer service skills. This will help anyone who wants to pursue being a travel agent in Oregon in the future.