Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Travel Agent Good communication and computer skills are essential for travel agents. A high school diploma typically is required to become a travel agent. However, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have sales experience or relevant certification or
Education
. Communication and customer service skills are essential. Education Travel agents typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation, but employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a college degree or who have taken courses related to the travel industry. Community colleges, vocational schools, and industry associations may offer technical
Training
, certificates, or continuing education in professional travel planning. In addition, some 4-year colleges offer degrees in travel and tourism. Courses usually focus on reservations systems, marketing, and regulations regarding international travel. Training Employers in the travel industry typically provide on-the-job training that lasts at least 1 month. This training covers topics such as how to operate computer systems that are used in the industry. For example, a travel agent could be trained to work with a reservation system used by several airlines.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some states require travel agents to have a business license, to register with the state, or to meet other conditions. Requirements vary by state. Contact individual state licensing agencies for more information. Although not required, some travel agents may choose to earn professional credentials. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Other Experience Some agencies prefer to hire travel agents who have extensive traveling experience. These agencies especially prefer travel agents who focus on particular destinations or types of travelers, such as groups with a special interest or corporate travelers. Agencies also may prefer to hire travel agents who have sales experience.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of travel agents is projected to decline 0 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,900 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Demand is projected to be flat for travel agents’ expertise in recommending options to clients seeking personalized travel experiences. People are expected to continue relying on travel agents for their advice on popular or unique destinations and for their ability to handle travel issues. However, the ability of travelers to use online resources, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools, to research vacations and book their own trips may limit demand for travel agents. AI may also allow travel agents to perform administrative and marketing tasks more efficiently. Travel Agents Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Sales representatives, services 2% Travel agents 0% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Travel Agents Do
Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, and make travel arrangements for clients.
Duties
Travel agents typically do the following:
- Arrange travel for business and vacation clients
- Determine clients’ needs and preferences, such as schedules and costs
- Plan and arrange tour packages, excursions, and day trips
- Find fare and schedule information
- Calculate total travel costs
- Book reservations for travel, hotels, rental cars, and special events, such as tours and excursions
- Describe trips to clients and advise about local customs and attractions
- Give details on required documents, such as passports and visas, and on complying with cross-border entry requirements, such as health and safety protocols
- Make alternative booking arrangements if changes arise before or during the trip
Travel agents sort through vast amounts of information to find and arrange the best trip options for travelers. In addition, resorts and specialty groups use travel agents to promote vacation packages to their clients.
Travel agents may visit destinations to get firsthand experience so that they can make recommendations to clients. They visit hotels, resorts, and restaurants to evaluate the comfort, cleanliness, and quality of establishments. Self-employed travel agents may have additional responsibilities related to running their business, such as recordkeeping, managing staff, and marketing. However, travel agents most of their time talking with clients, promoting tours, and contacting airlines and hotels to make travel accommodations.
The following are examples of types of travel agents:
Leisure travel agents sell vacation packages to the public. They are responsible for arranging trip itineraries based on clients’ interests and budget. Leisure travel agents often focus on a specific geographic area or type of travel, such as adventure tours. Some cater to a specific group, such as students or single people.
Corporate travel agents, also called travel coordinators, primarily make travel arrangements for businesses. They book transportation and accommodations for an organization’s employees who are traveling to conduct business or attend conferences.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Travel agents held about 61,500 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of travel agents were as follows:
| Travel arrangement and reservation services | 72% |
| Self-employed workers | 12 |
Travel agents typically spend much of their day sitting, working on the phone and on the computer. Agents may face stress during travel emergencies or unanticipated schedule changes.
Work Schedules
Most travel agents work full time, although part-time work is common. Some work additional hours during peak travel times or when they must accommodate clients’ schedule changes and last-minute needs.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Travel agents must listen to clients’ travel needs and offer travel advice and information that meet those needs. Customer-service skills. Travel agents must be able to interact with clients and respond to questions and complaints in a friendly, professional manner. Detail oriented. Travel agents must ensure that the reservations they make are for the dates, times, and locations that match travelers’ schedules. Organizational skills. Travel agents often work on itineraries for many clients at once. Ability to keep information in order and to ensure that bills and receipts are processed in a timely manner is essential. Sales skills. Travel agents must be able to persuade clients to buy transportation, lodging, or tours.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about travel agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.