Florida travel agents have fun careers that come along with a lucrative salary that can generate unlimited earnings.
Below, we discuss how to become a travel agent in Florida for independent and home-based travel agents.
Table of Contents
Key Travel Agent Duties in Florida
Booking Accommodations, Flights, Rental Cars, Cruises, and Hotels
Florida travel agents spend most of their time researching the best accommodations, airline tickets, and other travel-related fees for their clients.
Their expertise gives them access to specialized travel networks and computerized travel systems that show them real-time pricing and discounts for their travel clients.
They are authorized to book clients’ accommodations, tickets, entertainment venues, and other travel-related locations.
Travel Planning
Travel planning is one of the most essential parts of creating the ultimate travel experience.
Travel agents use the information provided to them by their clients to book meaningful travel experiences their clients won’t soon forget.
They also book specialty travel vacations like destination weddings and adventure cruises based on the needs and preferences of their clients.
Travelers enlist the services of knowledgeable travel agents to help them make important travel decisions.
Many travelers have an idea of where they want to go but need to figure out how to get there within their budget.
Travel agents provide travel counseling services to help travelers narrow down their desired location and travel destination based on critical factors like budget, climate, local regulations, and local amenities.
Registering as a Seller of Travel with the State of Florida
Unlike most states in the US, Florida requires travel agents to register their travel agency or independent travel agent business as “sellers of travel” with the Florida Deparment of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Florida Travel Agent – Licensing Requirements
Florida doesn’t officially require its travel agents to have a travel agent license.
Still, they do need agents to register with the state and pass a mandated job-readiness test to earn a travel agent certificate.
The Travel Institute administers the Travel Agent Proficiency Exam in partnership with the National Association of Travel Advisors.
The State of Florida requires new travel agents to register as sellers of travel with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
New agents must pass the Travel Agent Proficiency exam with a score of 70 or better to earn a Florida Travel Agent Certificate.
What is the TAP Exam?
The TAP exam is a 100-question test that tests travel agent knowledge of the following key areas.
- Travel Industry Terminology
- Travel Concepts
- Travel Regulations
- Customer Service Skills
- Travel Planning Procedures
Florida Travel Agent Programs
Florida offers travel agent programs for new, pros, prospective, and active travel agents to learn, excel, and succeed.
The programs offered are online and in-person options that make it easier for students to plan around their work and busy lives.
Chapin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University
Florida International University is home to the Chapin School of Hospitality Mana
Address: 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, Florida – 33199
Phone: 305-919-4500
Website: https://hospitality.fiu.edu
The Travel Institute – Online
The Travel Institute offers a variety of online programs to help prospective travel agents succeed.
They have career training courses that use industry standards and regulations to educate new and continuing education travel agent students.
Travel Institute classes lead students to travel agent specializations and certifications that can help them excel in the field.
Website: https://www.thetravelinstitute.com/
Travel Agent Representative Schools in Florida – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Chapin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University | 3000 NE 151st St, North Miami Beach, FL 33181, United States |
| The Travel Institute - Online | 945 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01701, United States |
Salary
If you’re a travel lover who wants to make a good salary, then working as a travel agent in Florida may be the right career for you.
Salary tracking experts at Salary.com report that America’s travel agents make an average annual salary of around $40,000.
This salary can increase based on work locations, years of experience in the travel industry, and providing niche-based travel services or adventure package sales.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $34,904 |
| Miami | $35,628 |
| Tampa | $34,941 |
| St. Petersburg | $34,948 |
| Hialeah | $35,462 |
| Orlando | $34,871 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $35,649 |
| Tallahassee | $33,075 |
| Hollywood | $35,649 |
| Pembroke Pines | $35,418 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 110 | $51,920 | $24.96 | $79,560 | $30,180 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 140 | $47,390 | $22.78 | $78,750 | $31,060 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 80 | $43,350 | $20.84 | $60,070 | $26,890 |
| Gainesville, FL | 30 | $46,210 | $22.21 | $70,320 | $29,070 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 150 | $49,040 | $23.58 | $71,360 | $30,650 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 4,070 | $50,420 | $24.24 | $67,870 | $31,230 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 110 | $53,150 | $25.55 | $76,220 | $36,160 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 100 | $51,130 | $24.58 | $74,630 | $31,860 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 2,910 | $40,550 | $19.49 | $51,170 | $27,260 |
| Panama City, FL | 40 | $37,730 | $18.14 | $48,170 | $22,880 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 50 | $47,980 | $23.07 | $70,250 | $29,180 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 450 | $47,430 | $22.81 | $73,760 | $28,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to work as a travel agent in Florida?
No.
Florida doesn’t require travel agents to have a license to work as an agent.
They require new and existing travel agents to register as travel sellers with the professional standards division.
Travel agents who offer specialty travel services and those who want to sell travel insurance may also require additional licenses or certifications.
What are the minimum requirements for becoming a travel agent in Florida?
The basic minimum requirements for becoming a travel agent in Florida are as follows:
- Minimum 18 years of age or older
- Clean criminal background
- Register with the state as a\ seller of travel
- Maintain annual state registration fees
- Pass the Travel Agent Prep test with a score of 70 or better
Can I make a good living as a travel agent in Florida?
Yes!
Florida travel agents make a good living, according to salary experts like those at salary.com.
Travel agents who specialize in selling travel to Florida and its popular destination packages for Disney, Universal Studios, and Sea World get to work in one of the world’s most visited destinations along with unlimited earning potential for niche-based travel.
Travel Agent Info by State
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