How to Become a Travel Agent in Louisiana

How To Become A Travel Agent In Louisiana

Louisiana is a busy state when it comes to tourism.

Millions of people visit New Orleans every year, alone.

Visitors also flock to Baton Rouge and surrounding areas to tour cemeteries, swamps, plantations, and try the delectable Cajun cuisine.

With so many folks clamoring for places to stay, things to do, and eat, this is good news for travel agents in the state.

Travel agents are the people we can trust to plan everything we need in a trip, from where to stay, to how to get around.

A travel agent will take care of all the pesky details, so travelers can just worry about if they’re going to have gumbo or Jambalaya for dinner.

Travel agents must be great communicators, patient as all get out, well organized, have good computer skills, and good with geography and current world events (you don’t want to send your clients to a place that’s experiencing a natural disaster or a military conflict).

Being a travel agent is a great job for a parent, college student, or anyone looking for flexible hours.

Keep reading to find out more about being a travel agent in Louisiana.

Travel Agent Duties In Louisiana

In Louisiana, and elsewhere, a travel agent basically takes care of the client’s entire travel itinerary from beginning to end.

They sit with the clients and go over likes and dislikes, destinations (if they aren’t sure), and budgets. 

From there, the agent will take care of all transportation, accommodation, plan activities, make sure all travelers have proper credentials and vaccines, collect payments and pay off airfare, hotels, etc.

They need to keep up to date about any changes to the plans, dove problems for the client as they arise, and provide the best price possible by negotiating with airlines, hotels, etc.

Licensing Requirements To Become A Travel Agent In Louisiana

The state of Louisiana does not require a license to be a travel agent.

However, you must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma.

It is strongly recommended that you attend classes in tourism and/or hospitality, so you are knowledgeable enough to perform the job duties.

Travel Agent Program In Louisiana

University Of Louisiana

About The School

The University of Louisiana was established in 1898 and is a leading public research college.

The school offers over 240 majors and minors, many of them can be taken online.

The campus itself it is beautiful and in the heart of Louisiana.

The school focuses on celebrating its unique culture and history, while welcoming everyone to learn and grow.

About The Program 

The University offers a tourism and hospitality program that can lead to either a four-year degree or a training program that can be done online and leads to a certificate.

The online course is more geared toward people wishing to become travel agents and takes only 6 months to complete.

Topics of instruction will include an overview of the travel industry, several units of geography and world culture, transportation modes, international and domestic travel, management and marketing skills, computer programs, and interpersonal skills.

Please contact the school for current tuition costs.

Address: 104 E. University Ave.

Lafayette, Louisiana 70504

Phone: (337)4821000

Website: https://louisiana.edu

Travel Agent Representative Schools in Louisiana – Summary Table

Salary For Travel Agents In Louisiana

Travel agents in Louisiana average about $39,440 per year.

They tend to make more in larger cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

The ability to make more money also depends on experience, education, and specialty.

For example, focusing on luxury and business travel will probably make you more than planning a Disney vacation.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
New Orleans	$35,940
Baton Rouge	$34,500
Shreveport	$33,751
Lafayette	$33,471
Lake Charles	$33,266
Kenner	$35,921
Bossier City	$33,751
Monroe	$33,061
Alexandria	$32,525
New Iberia	$33,276

Regional Salary in Louisiana

* 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are some advantages to being a travel agent in Louisiana?

Aside from the general benefits of job flexibility, being your own boss, and meeting new people, there are a few added bonuses.

One biggie is that you get great discounts on hotels and activities in New Orleans.

So if you want to plan a friends trip or couples getaway to The Big Easy for yourself, it’s totally affordable.

What are some disadvantages of being a travel agent in Louisiana?

Being a travel agent is demanding and time-consuming no matter where you are in the world.

In Louisiana, this can be even more true when people travel in droves to places like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and other popular tourist destinations.

Is it easy to start your own business in Louisiana?

Yes and No.

While the start-up costs are low, (you can work from home at the beginning) and you don’t need a ton of certifications, it is extremely time-consuming and won’t happen overnight.

You must have a strong resolve and not give up.

You’ll need to market yourself and develop a good website and strong social media presence.

Once you start attracting customers, things will pick up.

Many will recommend you if they were happy with your service.

Travel Agent Info by State