Are you looking for a new and rewarding career in tourism?
You can easily start a career as a travel agent, as this job has many advantages.
However, you will first need to learn more about the training and certification required in Tennessee.
Check out the article below.
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Tennessee
Travel agents provide assistance to clients and help them choose the best vacation packages.
For that to happen, you need to go to several locations and learn more about them.
This will help your clients make the best decision regarding their vacation packages.
In addition to offering recommendations, you will also help with:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
Furthermore, you will have the following responsibilities:
- 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
You can decide to get specialization, such as:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Travel Agent Job Requirements in Tennessee
Travel agents need to have some skills in order to do their job.
These include the following:
- 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 Tennessee, you can work without having any certification or education.
But, if you choose to get hired in an office, some companies might require credentials.
Many future travel agents opt for a bachelor’s degree that provides better career opportunities.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Tennessee
Once you decide to get a certification, there are a few steps to take.
The first one is finding a school where you can train, that offers the program you need.
Then, you can choose between an online program or a physical one.
The online programs are more suitable for those who have a job already.
Currently, you can find the following programs in this state:
Top 9 Schools in Tennessee
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | 4501 AMNICOLA HWY CHATTANOOGA, TN 37406 |
| Christian Brothers University | 650 EAST PARKWAY SOUTH MEMPHIS, TN 38104 |
| Columbia State Community College | 1665 HAMPSHIRE PIKE COLUMBIA, TN 38401 |
| Nashville State Community College | 120 WHITE BRIDGE RD NASHVILLE, TN 37209 |
| Pellissippi State Community College | 10915 HARDIN VALLEY ROAD KNOXVILLE, TN 37933 |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | 737 UNION AVENUE MEMPHIS, TN 38103 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology | 2468 TECHNOLOGY CENTER DRIVE JACKSON, TN 38301 |
| University of Memphis | SOUTHERN AVENUE MEMPHIS, TN 38152 |
| University of Tennessee | 527 ANDY HOLT TOWER KNOXVILLE, TN 37996 |
To join one, you should have a high school diploma or a GED.
Some of the schools have additional requirements.
The subjects you will take in class include:
- 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 Tennessee
In Tennessee, you have many employment options.
For example, you can start your own business and work independently.
This requires additional certifications.
You can also decide to get a job for a travel company.
This involves office work, which can be suitable if you want a stable job.
Salaries for travel agents in Tennessee vary depending on how much experience and credentials you have.
It is also important that you live in a big city that offers many job opportunities.
This way, you will get more chances to get hired fast compared to those living in a less populated region.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$31K | |
$34K | |
$41K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Tennessee
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nashville | $35,673 |
| Memphis | $35,572 |
| Knoxville | $35,219 |
| Chattanooga | $34,608 |
| Clarksville | $34,866 |
| Murfreesboro | $35,405 |
| Franklin | $35,548 |
| Jackson | $35,303 |
| Johnson City | $33,409 |
| Hendersonville | $35,620 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | 70 | $42,600 | $20.48 | $72,090 | $24,800 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 60 | $47,680 | $22.92 | $59,940 | $26,980 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 210 | $45,280 | $21.77 | $62,450 | $27,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Tennessee
Travel agent certifications have to be kept up to date and renewed before expiring.
In this state, there are a few requirements in order to renew it.
First of all, you need to attend some additional hours of education.
But, you should consider contacting your licensing agency to get all the info you need.
You will also learn more about the industry updates and changes.
