As the world started to go back to normal according to some, traveling resumed as well.
The demand for travel agents in Pennsylvania is on the surge, and now is a good time to consider this as your new career, if you need a job.
We’ll describe this occupation in detail and what you have to do to get started, so don’t stop reading!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Pennsylvania
Knowing what you’re supposed to do in any function you may have is a good way to know if a job is a good fit for you or not.
These agents work with 2 types of beings:
- Individuals who travel
- Businesses related to traveling and hospitality
A travel agent is a mediator between the two types of entities.
For this, agents need specific skills, knowledge, and a certain approach.
Understanding what the tourist wants, and likes, and their budget is both a skill and an approach to offering a solution.
Agents also need to make sure their clients are allowed to go to their destinations, wherever they may be.
For this, a travel agent will:
- Review visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities and requirements
- Keep accurate records
- Find solutions to issues and emergencies that may occur
- Handle payments and deposits
- Promote the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer
- Negotiate with various businesses, such as hotels, resorts, cruise companies, etc.
Based on a case-by-case scenario, additional tasks may have to be completed.
it’s very common for travel agents to specialize in certain types of tourism.
The most common tourism types are:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Pennsylvania
To be a successful travel agent you need to have certain abilities.
Below is a brief description of an ideal candidate for a travel agent position:
- 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
While experience is not needed, you’ll meet enough employers who will ask about it.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Pennsylvania
As a travel agent in Pennsylvania, you don’t have to obtain any license.
This doesn’t mean you don’t have to study though.
The majority of travel agents in this state are college graduates usually holding a Bachelor’s degree in tourism.
They probably studied at one of the schools below.
Top 34 Schools in Pennsylvania
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bucks County Community College | 275 SWAMP RD NEWTOWN, PA 18940 |
| Butler County Community College | 107 COLLEGE DRIVE BUTLER, PA 16002 |
| California University of Pennsylvania | 250 UNIVERSITY AVE CALIFORNIA, PA 15419 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 1837 UNIVERSITY CIRCLE CHEYNEY, PA 19319 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | 800 ALLEGHENY AVE PITTSBURGH, PA 15233 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | 1700 SPRING GARDEN ST PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130 |
| Delaware County Community College | 901 S MEDIA LINE RD MEDIA, PA 19063 |
| Drexel University | 3141 CHESTNUT ST PHILADELPHIA, PA 19104 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 200 PROSPECT STREET EAST STROUDSBURG, PA 18301 |
| Edinboro University | 200 EAST NORMAL STREET EDINBORO, PA 16444 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | 1 HACC DR. HARRISBURG, PA 17110 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | 1011 SOUTH DR 201 SUTTON HALL INDIANA, PA 15705 |
| Keystone College | ONE COLLEGE GREEN LA PLUME, PA 18440 |
| Lackawanna College | 501 VINE ST SCRANTON, PA 18509 |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | 4525 EDUCATION PARK DR SCHNECKSVILLE, PA 18078 |
| Marywood University | 2300 ADAMS AVE SCRANTON, PA 18509 |
| Mercyhurst University | 501 EAST 38TH STREET ERIE, PA 16546 |
| Northampton Community College | 3835 GREEN POND RD BETHLEHEM, PA 18020 |
| Penn State | 201 OLD MAIN UNIVERSITY PARK, PA 16802 |
| Penn State | TULPEHOCKEN ROAD READING, PA 19610 |
| Penn State | 128 OUTREACH BUILDING UNIVERSITY PARK, PA 16802 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | ONE COLLEGE AVE WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701 |
| Pittsburgh Technical College | 1111 MCKEE ROAD OAKDALE, PA 15071 |
| Robert Morris University | 6001 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD MOON TOWNSHIP, PA 15108 |
| Saint Joseph's University | 5600 CITY AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19131 |
| Seton Hill University | 1 SETON HILL DRIVE GREENSBURG, PA 15601 |
| Temple University | 1801 NORTH BROAD STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19122 |
| University of Pittsburgh | 300 CAMPUS DRIVE BRADFORD, PA 16701 |
| University of Pittsburgh | 4200 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA 15260 |
| Walnut Hill College | 4207 WALNUT ST PHILADELPHIA, PA 19104 |
| Westmoreland County Community College | 145 PAVILION LANE YOUNGWOOD, PA 15697 |
| Widener University | ONE UNIVERSITY PLACE CHESTER, PA 19013 |
| Wilkes University | 84 WEST SOUTH STREET WILKES-BARRE, PA 18766 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | 441 COUNTRY CLUB RD YORK, PA 17403 |
While Pennsylvania has many schools offering tourism programs, there’s nothing stopping you from looking at courses in other states as well.
You can choose programs that require in-class attendance or that take place online.
Graduating from high school or having a GED is the minimum prerequisite to be accepted in these classes.
Those enrolled in a tourist-related program learn about:
- 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 Pennsylvania
These are the two main advantages of working as a travel agent:
- Being able to travel often
- Being able to work on your own
Being employed by a travel agency is still popular and it has other benefits.
This next table shows the average salary in the major cities across Pennsylvania.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$34K | |
$38K | |
$45K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $41,119 |
| Pittsburgh | $37,810 |
| Allentown | $38,685 |
| Erie | $35,457 |
| Reading | $38,185 |
| Upper Darby | $41,119 |
| Scranton | $35,430 |
| Bensalem | $41,459 |
| Lancaster | $37,607 |
| Abington | $41,088 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 90 | $36,960 | $17.77 | $56,740 | $15,080 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 40 | $41,970 | $20.18 | $56,360 | $18,850 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 560 | $46,030 | $22.13 | $60,820 | $27,250 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 160 | $41,550 | $19.97 | $55,800 | $15,080 |
| Reading, PA | 100 | $47,300 | $22.74 | $78,010 | $15,080 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 30 | $50,990 | $24.52 | $56,910 | $28,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Pennsylvania
Those who work on their own must hold special licenses.
These may need to be kept updated.
This makes the process seem much more manageable! Feeling inspired to pursue my dream of helping others explore the world as a travel agent in Pennsylvania.
Love that you included info on licensing and certifications. It’s reassuring to know what steps I need to take to establish myself as a credible travel agent in Pennsylvania.
I’ve always dreamt of turning my passion for travel into a career! Thanks for breaking down the steps specific to Pennsylvania, super helpful!