Learning how to become a travel agent in Kentucky is not difficult. You have to meet the educational requirements and also take various courses. On this page you will find step by step information about travel agent salaries, duties, Kentucky schools, benefits and more. After reading the page, you should be able to get a good idea of what it takes to become a travel agent in Kentucky.

Priceline.com, Travelocity.com and Orbitz.com are all travel websites that people can use to make their own travel arrangements. These travel websites offer air fares, accommodations, and rental cars at many locations all over the world. Because the Internet is available to people 24/7, travel agents have to make sure that they are experts when it comes to travel. They need to provide information that the client would not be able to find themselves. Travel agents often have access to special discounts and promotions that are not available to the general public. They also are able to give clients information about their personal experience, because they are often well traveled. http://career.qandas.com/jobs/what-are-the-job-duties-of-a-travel-agent.html

As a travel agent you should be able to tell people about different travel destinations. Locally, you can tell them about Mammoth Cave, Conrad-Caldwell House, J. B. Speed Art Museum, and the Thomas Edison House all of which are good sightseeing attractions to visit in Kentucky. http://www.rentalcarmomma.com/cities/kentucky.htm

Go to School:

• If you want to become a travel agent, the first thing you have to do is go to school. You need to at least have a high school diploma or the equivalent to get a good start. Some people opt to go further and get masters and bachelor's degrees in tourism and travel. Unless you have an extensive history of traveling, the chance of getting a job as a travel agent right after high school is minimal. Many employers require additional education that is geared towards becoming a travel agent. Vocational schooling is an ideal course. Courses in foreign languages, world history, geography, and computer science can be found online, in community colleges and in public adult education programs. Some schools offering classes in Kentucky include Sullivan University, Strayer University Online, Penn Foster Career School and Stratford Career Institute. Some are physical schools that you need to go to and some are online schools. http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/kentucky http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/travel_agent.htm

Besides the required education, you will also need some other qualities to be a success as a travel agent. Travel agents have to be organized, accurate, professional, detail oriented and courteous.

Get a Job:

• Once you have completed the required education and have successfully participated in several courses, you can start looking for a job. Don't expect to work as a travel agent right away. You might have to settle for a job as a reservations clerk or receptionist at a travel agency at first. This will, however, get your foot in the door and you can learn from watching other travel agents go about their day to day tasks. Once you start getting more responsibilities you might be able to progress into the desired travel agent position. http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/travel_agent.htm

Salary:

• One of the deciding factors when contemplating becoming a travel agent can be the salary. As with any profession, you want to know what you will be paid. Your salary will depend on various factors including the company your work for, your age, your experience and your education. However, the 2010 annual base salary for a Kentucky travel agent is estimated at $30,183.00. Also be prepared because it will take a while to build up your client base so you might not make commission from sales right away. If you decide to start your own business, how much you make will really depend on how hard you work. http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&jobfamilycode=23&txtKeyword=travel+agent&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Materials+Management&hdZipCode=40202&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=20&pagefrom=selectjob&hdJobCategory=AR02&hdGeoLocation=Louisville%2C+KY+40202&countertype=1&totaljoblistnum=2&joblevelcode=&hdCurrentPage=1&hdNarrowDesc=Hotel%2C+Gaming%2C+Leisure%2C+and+Travel&hdLocationOption=1&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdJobTitle=Travel+Coordinator&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=travel+agent&rdbSearchByOption=0&hdStateMetro=99&jobcounter=3&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=HS08000037&nouop=1&type_id=1&prepop=Select+a+Degree&key=untd_emd300_12335_hybridV6DD&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&hdAjaxKeyword=travel+agent&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23travel%23+OR+%23agent%23&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1&c=CA1431183187

License:

• Unlike a real estate agent or insurance agent, a travel agent doesn't need a special license to operate. There is no state administered test you are required to pass as you would with a driver's license or real estate license. If you start your own business as a travel agent you might have to become part of the "Travel Seller's" registration programs that many states carry. Usually a financial contribution is required. Registration can be with the following companies ICTA, ASTA, ARC or CLIA. If you don't register and just print business cards saying that you are a travel agent, you will not be recognized by suppliers as a legit entity. http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/FAQ.htm

What are Your Duties:

• Before deciding you want to become a travel agent, make sure you know what the job entails. Following are a list of tasks and duties you will have to be able to execute:
• ■ A Kentucky travel agent will spend a lot of time behind a computer, researching different rates, deals and promotions. Your clients expect you to be able to provide what they want. They can tell you where they want to go and have you provide the flight information, accommodations, rental car and such. Of course you want to make sure to provide favorable prices. Negotiating might also be required here.
• ■ Providing brochures and publications to the customer about their chosen destination is another task for a travel agent. Additional information regarding local customs, points of interest, necessary travel documents, vaccinations, or foreign country regulations should also be provided.
• ■ 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.
• ■ Travel agents are responsible for booking hotel reservations and transportation either by using their telephone or terminal.
• ■ Another task at hand is calculating costs of the fares, hotel stay, transportation and quoting various travel package prices.

Look Out for Scams:

• Working as an independent travel agent for a host travel company is another option you have. However, there are a lot of scam companies out there that are only after your money. Try to find out if you are dealing with a reputable company before becoming an affiliate. Here are some signs that tell you the company is probably a scam:

1. If a company promises free or discounted travel, it's most likely a scam. (Everyone would sign up if that was the case)
2. If you get promised a commission to recruit other people to join the company, it's probably a scam. (You want to sell travel, not recruit affiliates)
3. Companies that brag about their success are probably not successful at all.
4. If you have to pay hundreds of dollar to become an affiliate, walk the other way. http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/scams.htm