Some people want to become a travel agent because they will get to travel and see more of the world. However, there is more to the profession of travel agent than traveling the world. If you want to know how to become a travel agent in Montana, this page might be of help to you.

Nowadays people become their own travel agent by using websites such as Kayak.com, Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. 30% of the U.S. population goes online to look for information on travel. These travel websites allow you to book your own flight, accommodation and rental car with the click of a button. Travel websites are available 24/7 and can be accessed from the comfort of one's home. Because of this, travel agents have to become experts on all things travel. They have to provide the client with exclusive information they cannot find by themselves. Just how you are able to tell someone that Fort Peck Museum, Yellowstone National Park, and Livingston Depot Center are tourist attractions in Montana, you should be able to tell your customers about tourist attractions at their travel destination. http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/montana-yellowstone-country-us-mt-yc.htm http://www.khalsaweb.com/internetarticles/travel-onlince.html

On this page you will find step by step information on travel agent education requirements, salary, benefits, duties and more.

HIGH SCHOOL & TRAINING: Requirements to become a travel agent in Montana are a high school diploma or the equivalent and additional travel agent training. Unless you are very well traveled, an employer will not hire you with just a high school diploma. Most employers hire people who have had some sort of travel agent training. Vocational school can be of some help. A travel agent has to know how to work on computers since this is a large part of their job. Travel agents have to research various rates, accommodations and destinations online. They have to constantly educate themselves about the latest trends of various travel destinations. Courses or classes in world history, geography, foreign languages, and computer science will be beneficial to you. Some people opt to go to college and get a bachelor's or associate's degree in tourism and travel. One school in Montana offering travel agent classes is the University of Montana Western. You can also take classes through online schools such as Penn Foster Career School, Strayer University Online, and Stratford Career Institute. Besides education, some other qualities travel agents should have include good organizational and communication skills, and they also have to be accurate and professional. http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/montana http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/travel_agent.htm

GET A JOB: When looking for a job as a travel agent, be prepared to start at the bottom of the ladder. You can get your foot in the door by accepting a receptionist or reservation clerk position at a travel agency. You will be able to learn from the other travel agents and request more responsibilities. Eventually you might end up as a travel agent. 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. It's important to keep education 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

LICENSING: In order to become a travel agent in Montana, you do not need a license or pass any state administered tests. You can pass several educational courses and such, but there are no regulated tests that you need to pass in order to become a travel agent. Anyone can basically sell travel. If you decide to start your own business selling travel from your home, some states require you to become part of part of a Travel Seller's registration program. You usually do this in the form of a financial contribution. Registration is mainly necessary so that you are recognized by suppliers as a legitimate entity. http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/FAQ.htm

SALARY: Like most people in sales, a travel agent is dependent on a client base. You will have to start out building your client base before you can start selling travel and make commission from your sales. Your salary as a travel agent depends on factors such as experience, education, age etc. However, the 2010 base annual salary of a travel agent in Montana is estimated at $26,523.00. For those deciding to start their own business, the earning potential is limitless. Some home base travel agents even make up to 100K per year. http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Materials+Management&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=20&pagefrom=selectjob&redbird=&jobfamilycode=23&joblevelcode=&hdLocationOption=1&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=travel+agent&hdJobCategory=AR02&hdZipCode=59101&hdStateMetro=18&hdGeoLocation=Billings%2C+MT+59101&hdCurrentPage=1&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=OF13000058&hdJobTitle=Travel+Clerk&hdNarrowDesc=Hotel%2C+Gaming%2C+Leisure%2C+and+Travel&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&jobcounter=8&countertype=1&rdbSearchByOption=0&txtKeyword=travel+agent&totaljoblistnum=2&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1&hdAjaxKeyword=travel+agent&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23travel%23+OR+%23agent%23 http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/FAQ.htm

SCAMS: If you are considering working for a host travel company as an independent travel agent you have to be careful. There are a lot of scam companies out there that are only after your money. Before associating yourself with any company, try to find out if you are dealing with a reputable company. Here are some signs that tell you the company is most likely a scam:

• ■ 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)
• ■ If a company promises free or discounted travel, it's most likely a scam. (Everyone would sign up if that was the case)
• ■ Companies that brag about their success are probably not successful at all.
• ■ If you have to pay hundreds of dollar to become an affiliate, walk the other way. http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/scams.htm