Being a travel agent in Washington is a relatively easy job.
If you’re considering changing careers or simply are searching for one without many demands, this could be it!
Read on!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Washington
Generally, travel agents present various travel destinations to their clients, along with various packages they could benefit from.
Usually, these packages include:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
These offers should be tailored to the needs and budget of the client.
You’ll need to find out why are they traveling.
Their travel reason could be:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
To ensure your clients will have a good time at their destination, you’ll have to complete additional tasks.
These include:
- 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
Travel Agent Job Requirements in Washington
You can’t really be a travel agent without some abilities.
The most important of them 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
You’re not really required to have an education or a diploma in the field, but these will definitely help you get hired faster.
Additionally, having some experience working in a travel agency will also be an advantage.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Washington
The best education that travel agents can receive is in tourism or other hospitality-related fields.
They usually aim to obtain a Bachelor’s degree that has a duration of 4 years.
Below, you can see the 13 Washington colleges and universities that offer such a degree.
Top 13 Schools in Washington
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Washington University | 400 EAST UNIVERSITY WAY ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 |
| Edmonds Community College | 20000 68TH AVE W LYNNWOOD, WA 98036 |
| Highline Community College | 2400 S 240TH ST DES MOINES, WA 98198 |
| Northwest Indian College | 2522 KWINA RD BELLINGHAM, WA 98226 |
| Olympic College | 1600 CHESTER AVE BREMERTON, WA 98337 |
| Peninsula College | 1502 E LAURIDSEN BLVD PORT ANGELES, WA 98362 |
| Shoreline Community College | 16101 GREENWOOD AVE N SHORELINE, WA 98133 |
| Skagit Valley College | 2405 E. COLLEGE WAY MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273 |
| South Seattle College | 6000 16TH AVE SW SEATTLE, WA 98106 |
| Spokane Community College | 1810 NORTH GREENE STREET SPOKANE, WA 99217 |
| Washington State University | PO Box 645910 Pullman, WA 99164-5910 |
| Wenatchee Valley College | 1300 FIFTH ST WENATCHEE, WA 98801 |
| Whatcom Community College | 237 W KELLOGG RD BELLINGHAM, WA 98226 |
If these programs are not enough, you can look at other schools as well, and even at programs taught online.
Here are the main topics you can expect to study:
- 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 Washington
The demand for travel agents is on the rise again, after things started going back to normal after 2020.
You can get employed by a travel agency or you can start one of your own.
When working for another, you’ll have to follow the regulations they set in place, whereas if you work on your own, you set up your own rules.
Both types of employment will demand you to travel quite a bit and this can only be good for your career.
If you want to know how much you’ll earn as a travel agent, look no further than the table below.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$37K | |
$41K | |
$48K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Washington
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $41,971 |
| Spokane | $37,004 |
| Tacoma | $40,705 |
| Vancouver | $39,749 |
| Bellevue | $41,971 |
| Kent | $40,623 |
| Everett | $41,073 |
| Renton | $41,930 |
| Federal Way | $40,705 |
| Yakima | $37,993 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | ** | $55,450 | $26.66 | $64,100 | $40,940 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 30 | $42,940 | $20.64 | $48,400 | $34,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
The actual numbers may differ based on experience as well as other factors.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Washington
If you want to start a business, you’ll need extra permits.
These usually need to be updated from time to time and usually involve passing an exam and paying some fees.
To have more credibility, you can also register with some tourism-related associations.
Doing so requires paying an annual membership fee as well.
Obtaining relevant certifications, such as CTA or CTC, can enhance your credibility and competitiveness as a travel agent.
Building strong customer service and communication skills is essential, as you’ll be helping clients plan their dream vacations and addressing their inquiries and concerns.
Familiarize yourself with popular travel destinations and trends, as well as the ins and outs of travel booking systems and platforms.
Thank you for the insightful guide! Becoming a travel agent in Washington seems like a fantastic way to combine my passion for travel with a fulfilling career.
Wow, I had no idea there were specific regulations and certifications needed to become a travel agent in Washington.