Have you always liked to travel and learn about new places?
If so, becoming a travel agent in South Carolina might just be the ideal job for you.
Once you decide to start a career in the field, all you need to do is learn more about the requirements.
Read this article and you will soon be able to start your dream career.
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in South Carolina
Travel agents need to help their clients by recommending various destinations.
In addition to having enough info about destinations, you will also help with:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
The other common tasks for a travel agent are:
- 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
If you want to opt for a specialization, your options are:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Travel Agent Job Requirements in South Carolina
The skills a travel agent needs to develop include:
- 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 South Carolina, you don’t need to get a degree or a license to work in tourism.
However, getting a diploma or a certification will provide better job opportunities.
You will need to visit different locations to know what recommendations to make.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in South Carolina
The first step to take in getting a license is to attend a training program in a school.
These training programs are available through facilities throughout South Carolina.
Some programs require in-person attendance, but others can be taken online.
If you are working, you may wish to opt for an online program.
The facilities that offer physical classes in South Carolina are:
Top 8 Schools in South Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Charleston Southern University | 9200 UNIVERSITY BLVD CHARLESTON, SC 29406 |
| Coastal Carolina University | 103 TOM TROUT DRIVE CONWAY, SC 29526 |
| College of Charleston | 66 GEORGE ST CHARLESTON, SC 29424 |
| Columbia College | 1301 COLUMBIA COLLEGE DR COLUMBIA, SC 29203 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | 2050 HIGHWAY 501 EAST CONWAY, SC 29526 |
| Trident Technical College | 7000 RIVERS AVENUE CHARLESTON, SC 29423 |
| University of South Carolina | COLUMBIA-CAMPUS COLUMBIA, SC 29208 |
| University of South Carolina | 1 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD BLUFFTON, SC 29909 |
To get into a program, you have to provide proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Some schools have additional requirements.
The subjects you will learn about are:
- 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 South Carolina
In South Carolina, you can work for a tourism business and have an office-based job.
If you prefer working by yourself, you can get more credentials and work independently.
Once you have more credentials, you can also start a travel business.
Maybe you also want to know what salary to expect.
In South Carolina, you can get paid pretty well if you have some experience to back you up.
If you are just starting, your salary will be lower.
Keep in mind that salaries are also higher for travel agents who live in bigger cities.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$32K | |
$35K | |
$42K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in South Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $36,453 |
| Columbia | $35,570 |
| North Charleston | $36,453 |
| Mount Pleasant | $36,453 |
| Rock Hill | $37,783 |
| Greenville | $36,463 |
| Summerville | $36,292 |
| Goose Creek | $36,399 |
| Sumter | $34,325 |
| Hilton Head Island | $35,837 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 140 | $43,250 | $20.8 | $58,990 | $31,060 |
| Columbia, SC | 60 | $38,210 | $18.37 | $60,540 | $24,960 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 60 | $43,000 | $20.67 | $59,650 | $27,570 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 40 | $38,980 | $18.74 | $59,060 | $20,650 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 140 | $36,470 | $17.53 | $50,310 | $29,830 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in South Carolina
The travel agent certification will allow you to work for a few years.
After a certain period, you will need to have it renewed if you want to continue working.
Typically, renewing means that you will need to attend some additional hours of education.
To find out what the requirements are, contact the agency that issued your certification.
They will also help you keep up to date with any changes in the industry.
