How to Become a Travel Agent in Alaska

Wondering How to Become a Travel Agent in Alaska?

Alaska travel agents have the unique status of living in one of the most visited places on earth.

If you’re thinking about becoming a travel agent in Alaska, you must first meet the basic requirements below. 

Basic Requirements

Minimum of 18 years of age

Clean criminal background 

Education Requirements

Getting started as a travel agent in Alaska doesn’t require you to have any formal training or previous experience.

Prospective travel agents who want to make a permanent career in the field will want to take relevant training classes and gain ACE certification. 

Travel Agent Programs and Classes in Alaska

The Alaska Travel Industry Association offers an intensive training program that prepares its students to earn the coveted Alaska Certified Expert certification most travel industry professionals hold. 

The free training is online and teaches new travel agents how to sell Alaska travel packages for each region in the state.

New agents who register online will gain immediate access to the online agent toolkit that includes access to a wealth of information to help new travel agents get started. 

Their complementary agent toolkit includes sample itineraries, webinars, events, and training resources to help Alaskan travel agents succeed. 

While formal certification as a travel agent isn’t required in Alaska, the benefits to taking advantage of the free online travel agent classes and resources are hard to ignore.

Agents who earn the ACE certification in Alaska reap the following career benefits. 

Benefits of Becoming ACE certified as a travel agent in Alaska

• Access to Exclusive Travel Industry Resources
• Higher Earnings Potential
• Increased Credibility 
• Most Local Travel Agencies Require It

Salary

Working as a travel agent in Alaska is a lucrative way to earn a decent salary.

With an entry-level earnings potential of around $23.44 per hour, travel agents in Alaska make more than the national average of $19.44 an hour. 

Agents who want to boost their earnings potential can take on additional duties and earn certifications that can help them earn higher pay.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Anchorage	$40,829
Juneau	$40,466
Fairbanks	$40,660
Sitka	$39,915
Ketchikan	$39,915
Kenai	$40,278
Kodiak	$40,278
Bethel	$40,278
Wasilla	$40,278
Barrow	$40,109

Regional Salary in Alaska

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Travel Agents, OCC Code 41-3041, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Travel Agent Duties

The typical duties of a travel agent in Alaska go beyond making travel arrangements and booking flights for clients.

Alaska travel agents carry out the following tasks when planning their clients’ flights, cruises, destination weddings, and group travel itineraries. 

Plan Travel Itineraries

Clients who make travel reservations using travel agency services rely on the agent’s expertise to help them have an unforgettable experience.

Alaska travel agents plan to travel by learning to understand their client’s needs and interests, then plan an itinerary based on the client’s budget. 

Book Flights

Booking flights for Alaska travel and getting the best rate for travelers is a challenging task. 

Agents specializing in Alaskan travel work with airlines, airports, and other travel partners using specialized software to compare rates, manage flight reservations, and accommodate special requests. 

Arrange Car Services

Travel agents have a knack for choosing the best transportation services for their clients.

These tourism experts arrange car services for travelers based on budget, the type of car desired, how many passengers are riding, and how much luggage is being carried.

They also accommodate special requests for travelers with special needs and disabled travelers. 

Arrange Travel Accommodations

When clients visit travel agents to plan their trips, they rely on the expertise of their agents to help them book flights, arrange for car services, and to choose the best accommodations for the money.

Travel agent networks make it easy for agents to get the best pricing and deals on accommodations for travelers. 

Offer Travel Safety Tips and Advice 

The travel agent’s role is to research their clients’ destinations and provide them with the most relevant and up-to-date information on local rules and regulations and travel safety.

Travel agents use online resources and other tools in their toolkits to verify that travel is safe within specific regions and warn travelers of potential dangers in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license or certification do I need to become a travel agent in Alaska?

Like most US states, Alaska doesn’t officially require its travel agents to have a license or certification.

However, local industry experts recommend following the trend and taking the free online certification course many Alaskan Travel Agencies require to join their team.

What are the basic requirements for working as a travel agent in Alaska?

Prospective travel agents who want to work in Alaska must be at least 18 years of age with a clean background and have completed a high school diploma or equivalent.

Learn more about becoming a travel agent in Alaska and what skills are required for success in the field by visiting the following sources online.

• American Society of Travel Agents
• Certified Travel Associate
• Travel Industry Association of America

Are there any travel agent schools in Alaska?

Yes!

There are a variety of online and in-person travel agent classes available for new and prospective agents.

Travel Alaska even offers a free online certification course that prepares new agents for success in the field.

Travel Agent Info by State