How to Become a Travel Agent in North Carolina

If you love travel and helping others, you may be a great travel agent.

Travel agents help clients plan their trips and give travel advice. 

If you want to be a travel agent in North Carolina, there’s no specific training.

However, there are some steps you should take to get the best start on your career. 

Travel Agent Duties in North Carolina 

Travel agents help their clients plan their trips, including vacations.

As a North Carolina travel agent, your duties will include booking flights, transportation, and hotel accommodations.

It’s very important for you to keep the client’s wishes and needs at the forefront of your mind when working as a travel agent. 

This can allow you to give your clients the best possible experience, and make their trip better than they thought it could be. 

You may also need to plan itineraries, recommend specific destinations, and book tours and other activities.  

You may work with clients who are traveling to North Carolina, or clients who are traveling from North Carolina to other locations.

You should also be prepared to handle any problems or mishaps that occur during or before travel as well. 

Specific duties for a travel agent in Missouri include:

• Making flight and hotel reservations
• Recommending specific attractions 
• Booking tours and dinner reservations
• Creating a schedule or itinerary
• Ensuring that passports and visas are in order when needed

Licensing Requirements to Become a Travel Agent in North Carolina

North Carolina doesn’t have any specific requirements to become a travel agent.

However, certification can be helpful for several reasons. 

First, it establishes you as a legitimate travel agent.

The industry has plenty of scams, because anyone can claim to be a travel agent.

Certification identifies you as a real travel agent, instead of a potential scammer. 

It also demonstrates your knowledge and skills.

To get certified, you need to pass an exam. 

It can also set you apart from your competition.

You’ll have an easier time finding clients if you are certified. 

 However, a few states require you to be licensed if you are working with clients who live in their state.  

If you are working with clients in California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington, you’ll need to be certified with the state. 

Travel Agent Programs in North Carolina

Wake Tech

Wake Tech offers a non-credit Travel Agent Training course.

This course will prepare you for a career as a travel agent in North Carolina.

The course is online, and self-directed, so you can complete it at your own pace. 

NC Central University

NC Central University also offers an online travel agent course.

You can take up to 6 months to complete the program, but many students complete the program much sooner.

You’ll learn about both domestic and international travel destinations that clients may be interested in.

You will also spend time studying the travel industry, which includes airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and specialty tours.

You will also learn necessary customer service skills, and how to market your skills as a travel agent.  

After you’ve completed the course, you can take the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.

This gives you a certification as a travel agent.

The cost of the course is $2,245.

This cost includes the cost of the test as well. 

Luxrally

Luxrally offers a free travel agent training course.

This training only takes 12-16 hours, and most of this time is self-directed, which means you can do the coursework in your own time. 

However, you will need to work with Luxrally travel agency for one year in exchange for your education. 

Travel Agent Representative Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table

Salary 

The average salary for a travel agent in North Carolina is $38,675.

Salaries range from $35,242 to $45,043.

This is a fairly high salary, particularly considering that there is little to no education required for the position. 

However, your salary will depend on your experience, skills, whether you choose to specialize in a particular type of travel and your education. 

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Charlotte	$35,861
Raleigh	$35,781
Greensboro	$35,083
Durham	$35,568
Winston-Salem	$35,205
Fayetteville	$33,685
Cary	$35,781
High Point	$35,293
Wilmington	$33,814
Asheville	$33,745

Regional Salary in North Carolina

* 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 travel agents in demand in North Carolina?

Yes.

The demand for travel agents in the U.S. is expected to increase by 20% in the next decade, which is much faster than average.

Since North Carolina is a popular travel destination with 300 miles of coastline and rugged mountains, you can expect to have great job security as a travel agent.

How do I get started as a travel agent in North Carolina?

You can become a travel agent in North Carolina without training, but it’s much easier if you have the proper education.

Experience in a related field, like wedding or event planning or customer service, can help you get started as well.

What skills do you need to be a travel agent in North Carolina?

It’s important to have great customer service skills to be a North Carolina travel agent.

You should also be detail oriented, have a passion for travel, and have good marketing skills.

Travel Agent Info by State