Learning how to become a travel agent in Indiana is not difficult, you just need to know the correct steps to take. You need to know what is expected from you and what you can expect when becoming a travel agent in Indiana.

Indiana is known for various attractions such as Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, Indiana State Museum, Koch Planetarium, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. When you are a travel agent you need to be able to tell people about the available attractions in the destination they are traveling to, just how you would be able to tell them about Indiana attractions. http://attractions.uptake.com/indiana.html

Many people go online nowadays to book their trips. Websites like Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Orbitz.com offer complete package deals where one can book a flight, accommodations and a rental car with the click of a button. Because many people turn to the Internet, a travel agent needs to be educated about various destinations. The travel agent needs to be able to tell their clients things they didn't know about their destination. They will need to become experts when it comes to managing and arranging travel and accommodations.

On this page you will find the requirements to become a travel agent in Indiana. You will find information about salary, duties, licensing and much more.

To become a travel agent in Indiana, you will need a minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent. Because travel agents use computers to do most of their research on, it is required that you know your way around computers. Many employers hire people who have had some sort of additional travel agent training. Vocational training can come in handy here. Some people choose to get a bachelors' or masters' college degree in tourism and travel. Some opt to take various courses like world history, geography, computer science, and foreign languages. Courses can be followed online, in community colleges and in Public adult education programs. Several school in Indiana that offer classes geared towards becoming a travel agent include Penn Foster Career School, International Business College Indianapolis, Central Pennsylvania College, Stratford Career Institute, and International Business College Fort Wayne. Some of these are online schools so you can study from the comfort of your own home. http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/indiana http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/travel_agent.htm

Education is important, but you will also need some other skills when aspiring to become an Indiana travel agent. Travel agents sell vacations and therefore you should have some sales skills. Some other qualities that that may work to your benefit include being accurate, well-organized, detail-oriented, courteous and professional.

EXPERIENCE: Getting a job at a travel agency is one way to gain experience. You may have to start as a receptionist or reservations clerk, only to get more duties and responsibilities which eventually results in becoming a travel agent. Being around other travel agents will benefit you because you can see their day to day activities and learn from them. Even if you have to offer to become an unpaid intern at a travel agency, it might be worth it for the experience. Some people working at a travel agency go on to own their own travel agency. Once you are a travel agent, you want to make sure that you always keep educating and training yourself. With the Internet as competition, you want to be able to provide the client with information they aren't expecting. http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/travel_agent.htm

SALARY: The salary of a travel agent in Indiana depends on experience, education, age and the company you work for. According to salary.com the average base salary in 2010 for a travel agent in Indianapolis, Indiana is estimated at $31,117.00 per year. http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&jobfamilycode=23&txtKeyword=travel+agent&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Materials+Management&hdZipCode=46201&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=20&pagefrom=selectjob&hdJobCategory=AR02&hdGeoLocation=Indianapolis%2C+IN+46201&countertype=1&totaljoblistnum=2&joblevelcode=&hdCurrentPage=1&hdNarrowDesc=Hotel%2C+Gaming%2C+Leisure%2C+and+Travel&hdLocationOption=0&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdJobTitle=Travel+Coordinator&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=travel+agent&rdbSearchByOption=0&hdStateMetro=77&jobcounter=3&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=HS08000037&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&hdAjaxKeyword=travel+agent&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23travel%23+OR+%23agent%23&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1<ref>

LICENSE: Becoming a travel agent in Indiana doesn't require you to have a license or certificate of any kind. There is no state administered test you have to pass as you would when getting your driver's license. The certificates some people hold are those of educational facilities. The only state that requires travel agents to get a license is Rhode Island. If the state you live in requires you to register as a travel agent it is usually in the form of a tax you have to pay. It's not like they will tell you that you can or cannot run your travel business. http://hometravelagency.com/travel-agent-articles/travel-agent-license/

Tasks & Duties: If you are still wondering whether or not becoming a travel agent in Indiana is for you. Try looking at some of the following tasks and duties that are required of you. They might help you decide whether this field of business is for you. As a travel agent you will be required to:

• ■ Advice travelers about their chosen destinations: Be knowledgeable when informing them about the climate/weather, attractions, currency, required travel documents, necessary vaccinations, customs and possible accommodations. Clients expect information they can't find anywhere else. They expect you to answer their questions
• ■ You will have to research publications and online sources for information on flights, group discounts, fares, and quality of hotel accommodations.
• ■ If you work for a tour operator you might also have to promote, develop, arrange and sell the company's own travel services and package tours. Usually this is done through direct mail, presentations and the Internet.