Are you interested in finding out how to become a travel agent in Seattle, Washington? If so, this page might be of some help to you.

Are you accurate, detail oriented, organized, professional and courteous? If so, becoming a travel agent might be the right profession for you. The job of a travel agent has many different aspects. On this page you will find more information about this. http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/travel_agent.htm

As a Seattle travel agent you can refer customers to local attractions such as Olympic National Park, the Space Needle, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Seattle Art Museum. Besides local attractions you will also have to be up to date on the various different tourist attractions in vacation destinations all over the world. http://www.planetware.com/top-tourist-attractions-/seattle-us-wa-s.htm

Some travel agents prefer to specialize in areas such as cruise travel, business travel, honeymoons and group travel. It is estimated that the job outlook for these agents is favorable since they have a niche. With the rise of travel websites like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Priceline.com, Hotwire.com and Kayak.com travel agents have to become experts when it comes to travel. These websites allow people to search for their own air fares, hotel accommodations and rental cars. Besides this they can be accessed 24/7, often right from home. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos124.htm

There are certain requirements to become a Seattle travel agent. You will find more detailed information about this and much more below.

EMPLOYMENT: After graduating high school and taking travel agent training classes, you can start looking for a job. Most travel agents started in entry level positions such as receptionists and reservation clerks at a travel agency. This gives you a chance to watch other travel agents and learn from their day to day activities. Over time you can request more duties and responsibilities and eventually you might get that travel agent job. If you cannot find employment at a travel agency, try offering to work for free as an intern. Not only will you get the experience, but it will look good on your resume. If you are thinking of starting your own business, keep in mind that most self employed travel agents started out working at travel agencies. When it comes to Washington, the city of Bellingham is where travel agent jobs are most common. In Tacoma, Washington the job opportunities for travel agents are the lowest. http://www.careeroverview.com/travel-agent-careers.html http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/washington

SALARY: Another deciding factor on whether or not to become a travel agent is the salary. In 2010 the base annual salary for a Seattle travel agent is estimated at $34,685. Even though Tacoma, WA has the lowest amount of travel agent jobs, it is still the location with the highest average salaries for travel agents. If you decide your own business selling travel, your income potential is unlimited. http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/travel-agents/washington http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&jobfamilycode=23&txtKeyword=travel+agent&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Materials+Management&hdZipCode=98101&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=20&pagefrom=selectjob&hdJobCategory=AR02&hdGeoLocation=Seattle%2C+WA+98101&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=163&jobcounter=8&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=OF13000058&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&hdAjaxKeyword=travel+agent&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23travel%23+OR+%23agent%23&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1

HIGH SCHOOL: To become a Seattle travel agent you will need a minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many employers prefer to hire people with travel agent training. Therefore it's a good idea to get some additional training. Look into online courses, community college and/or public adult education school. Some classes that might be beneficial also include world history, geography, computer science and foreign languages. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos124.htm

ADDITIONAL TRAINING: There are many travel agent courses, classes and programs available that can be followed on a part time or full time basis. Classes can be taken in a classroom environment or right from home. A school in Seattle that teaches classes geared towards becoming a travel agent is:

• ■ Edmonton Community College, # 20000 68th Avenue W., Lynwood, Washington 98037, Phone Number: (425) 640-1459. This school has several hospitality, tourism and travel degree programs. http://education-portal.com/travel_school_seattle.html

If you prefer to study from the comfort of your own home and go at your own pace, an online study may be the way to go. Seattle residents can look into online classes from the following schools:

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

DUTIES: If you are not sure whether you want to become a Seattle travel agent, you can review some of the duties you will have to perform once you are a travel agent. This way you will be able to see if they include tasks you might excel in. You will also be able to see if there are specific fields that you need more education or experience in. Following is a summary of what you can expect your duties to be once you are a travel agent:

• ■ Advice travelers about their destinations: You will have to be able to inform travelers of the climate/weather, attractions, currency, required travel documents, necessary vaccinations, customs and possible accommodations. Clients expect information they can't find anywhere else.
• ■ A travel agent should be able to research publications and online sources for information on flights, fares, group discounts and quality of hotel accommodations.
• ■ If you work for a tour operator you might also have to develop, promote and sell the company's own travel services and package tour. This is usually done through direct mail, presentations and the Internet.
• ■ Booking air fare, accommodation, transportation and any desired tours at the destination is part of your job. Also printing tickets for your clients will also be required.

LICENSING: Some states have certain formal license requirements for travel agents. Seattle is not one of them. Unlike real estate and insurance agents, there is no state administered test you have to pass in order to sell travel. Some states require you to join a travel seller's registration program so that suppliers recognize you as a legitimate entity. If you are not sure about your state laws, check with the office of the Attorney General or the Department of Commerce. http://www.careeroverview.com/travel-agent-careers.html http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/FAQ.htm