If you are wondering how to become a travel agent in Colorado you have come to the right place. On this page you will find information on travel agent education, travel agent licensing, travel agent salary and much more.

Cheap air fare, cheap hotels, cheap rental cars, travel discounts and travel package deals are all things a travel agent will have to deal with when looking for a travel arrangement that meets their client's needs and budget. Not only does a travel agent have to be detail oriented, organized, accurate, professional, and courteous, but a travel agent also needs to be able to advise and inform customers about their travel destination. Telluride Ski Resort, Ecko Lake, and Rocky Mountain National Park are all tourist attractions in Colorado that a travel agent can refer to their customer. Besides local attractions the travel agent also has to be able to inform customers about other attractions worldwide. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos124.htm http://www.planetware.com/top-tourist-attractions/colorado-usco.htm

30 Percent of the U.S. population goes online for travel information. They utilize websites such as like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Priceline.com, Hotwire.com and Kayak.com to book their travels. Even though these websites are 'open' 24/7, and can be accessed right from home, they don't provide the discounts you might get when using a travel agent. Travel agents often have access to special travel deals, travel discounts and travel promotions. http://www.khalsaweb.com/internetarticles/travel-onlince.html

If you are aspiring to become a Colorado travel agent, this page might be able to answer some of your questions.

EDUCATION: To become a travel agent in Colorado you will need a high school diploma or the equivalent of this. Once you graduate high school it will be hard to find a job as a travel agent without any prior training or experience. Some people prefer going to college after high school and getting degree in tourism & travel. Employers tend to hire people who have completed some form of travel agent training. Some schools in Colorado offering classes geared towards becoming a travel agent include:

• ■ Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, CO 80160-9002, Phone: (303) 797-4222. This school was established in 1965 and offers travel services classes. http://www.citytowninfo.com/school-profiles/arapahoe-community-college
• ■ Colorado Mountain College, 831 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601-0233, Phone: (970) 945-8691. This school was established in 1967. You can obtain a degree in tourism and travel here. http://www.citytowninfo.com/school-profiles/colorado-mountain-college

If you prefer an online study, you can look into the following schools:

• ■ Stratford Career Institute: (Online study) Established in 1991, offers classes in travel and tourism. http://www.citytowninfo.com/school-profiles/stratford-career-institute
• ■ Central Pennsylvania College: (Online study) Established in 1881, offers classes in travel & tourism operations. http://www.citytowninfo.com/school-profiles/central-pennsylvania-college
• ■ Penn Foster Career School: (Online study) Established in 1890, offers classes geared towards becoming a travel/tourism specialist. http://www.citytowninfo.com/school-profiles/penn-foster-career-school

EMPLOYMENT: Jobs for travel agents in Colorado are more common in Boulder and Fort Collins. Colorado Springs and Denver have the least amount of jobs for travel agents. Since most travel agents start out in entry level positions you will most likely start working as a receptionist or reservations clerk at a local travel agency in Colorado. This is a good way to gain experience and learn the job. Over time you may get more responsibilities which may lead to that travel agent position. If you cannot get your foot in the door by getting that entry level position, try offering to work for free as an intern. This will look good on your resume and benefit you when looking for a future job. http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/colorado

PAYDAY: Salaries for travel agents are the highest in Boulder, CO and Denver, CO. The 2010 base annual salary for travel agents in Colorado is estimated to be $31,242. However, when you first start working as a Colorado travel agent don't expect to make a lot of money. You first have to build up your client base. If you decide to start your own business and work from home, you are in charge of how much you make. Your earning potential is basically unlimited. The more you put into your business, the more you will get out of it. http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/colorado http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&jobfamilycode=23&txtKeyword=travel+agent&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Materials+Management&hdZipCode=80302&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=20&pagefrom=selectjob&hdJobCategory=AR02&hdGeoLocation=Boulder%2C+CO+80302&countertype=1&totaljoblistnum=2&joblevelcode=&hdCurrentPage=1&hdNarrowDesc=Hotel%2C+Gaming%2C+Leisure%2C+and+Travel&hdLocationOption=1&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdJobTitle=Travel+Clerk&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=travel+agent&rdbSearchByOption=0&hdStateMetro=217&jobcounter=8&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=OF13000058&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&hdAjaxKeyword=travel+agent&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23travel%23+OR+%23agent%23&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1

LICENSING IN COLORADO: Washington, Rhode Island, Oregon, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Hawaii]], Florida, and California all have licensing provisions for people selling travel from home. If you live and sell travel out of these states, you will need to register so that suppliers recognize you as a legitimate entity. Colorado doesn't require a license. There is no state administered test to pass as there is in real estate and insurance. Since laws do change make sure to check with the state office of the Attorney General or the Department or Commerce. http://www.careeroverview.com/travel-agent-careers.html

TRAVEL AGENT BENEFITS: As a Colorado travel agent you get to enjoy discount travel and see a lot of the world. It is considered part of the job to travel. Your employer might send you to go to a vacation resort so that you can experience it firsthand. Once you get back, you will be able to sell the resort more effectively and confidently because you are speaking from your own experience. After a minimum of 6 months your employer will add you to the IATAN list of employees allowed to travel at discounts. IATAN will issue you a travel ID card that will give you discounts up to 80 percent on air fares, cruises, hotels, car rentals and more. Upon termination of employment, you will have to turn in your ID card. http://www.travelagenttrainingcenter.com/Travel%20Industry%20Benefits.htm