Travel Agent

Career Diploma 8 months

Travel Agent Training

If you're adventurous, organized, and love to travel, our Travel Agent Career Diploma can help you prepare to take the first steps toward an exciting new career path. With flexible, online classes, you'll learn how to become a successful travel agent on your schedule, from home. 

  • Can prepare students for entry-level jobs as travel agents in a variety of settings including travel agencies and tour companies, airlines and cruise lines, in-house corporate travel departments, and wholesale suppliers or convention bureaus.
  • Online travel agent training covers essential topics such as how to arrange all modes of transportation for travel, how to book hotels and resorts, how to recommend popular tourist destinations, and the different career paths you can take as you explore jobs in the travel industry.
  • As part of the program, students will sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) certification exam developed by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and The Travel Institute. 
  • Graduates receive a voucher to enroll in the Destination Specialist course at The Travel Institute to further their training. This course allows you to explore an area of personal interest and helps you prepare for travel additional agent certification by completing the Destination Specialist certification exam. 
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $240 Ends 7/15/2025

Cost of Program

$749

$989 Save $240

or

$59/month, Start for as low as $20

Request Info Enroll Now

1-800-471-3232 (10AM - 6:30PM ET)

See full program cost & payment options
travel agent handing passports and tickets to couple.

What You Will Learn

  1. How to apply knowledge of travel costs including fees, taxes, discounts and other factors to calculate cost of travel accommodations for clients.
  2. How to prepare or request transportation carrier tickets, and book transportation and hotel reservations.
  3. How to apply your knowledge of physical and cultural geography to the field of travel and tourism.
  4. How to compare accommodations, tickets, itineraries and travel packages to determine which will better suit clients.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Career Outcomes

Travel Agent

AVG SALARY*

$47,410/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

68,800

JOB GROWTH*

3%


Our online Travel Agent Career Diploma Program is designed to prepare students to begin an entry-level career as a travel agent in a variety of settings including travel agencies, tour companies, airlines, and more. You'll also prepare to sit for the nationally recognized Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) certification exam.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. You should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where you plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in your program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Penn Foster College is not approved or regulated as a school by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Travel Agent Training Curriculum

  • 12 courses
  • 21 exams
  • 36.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)


Estimated completion time:

  • Fast track = 8 months
  • Average time = 11 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

In your online travel agent training classes, you'll cover essential topics that can help you prepare for an entry-level job in the field and earn TAP certification. Your courses include:


  • North American Air Travel
  • Exploring the World
  • Tourism
  • Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP®) Certification

Show Full Curriculum

Travel Agent Training Success Stories

Penn Foster’s Travel Agent Training can help prepare you for the first step in your travel agent career. This program has helped recent graduates find new jobs or start their own businesses while learning at their own pace. Learn more about Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them. 
View Student Success Stories
quote icon

Shaylen J.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“I feel I got the basics needed to start in the career path I want.”

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.
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Travel Agent Training Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our online Travel Agent Career Diploma Program. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today!  

Option 1: Pay in full

Save up to $240 Ends 7/15/2025

Cost of Program1

$749

$989 Save $240

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Save up to $40 Ends 7/15/2025

Cost of Program1

$949

$989 Save $40

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $20 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program1

$989

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $49 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (10AM - 6:30PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Travel Agent Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Start anytime
  • No exam due dates
  • Self-paced

Interactive

  • Digital study guides
  • Self-check quizzes
  • Simulations and videos

Connected

  • 24/7 access to online resources
  • Learning Resource Center
  • Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

  • Expert faculty
  • Robust learning resources
  • Dedicated student services

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Travel Agent Training FAQs

What is a travel and tourism specialist?

A travel and tourism specialist, or travel agent, works directly with clients to determine what they’re looking for in their experience, figure out their travel preferences, and where they can go on their budget. You’ll also provide information on different travel options and tour packages, as well as giving advice on different local customs should they be traveling outside of the country. To become a travel agent, you’ll learn about various travel packages, modes of travel, and how to work with clients to plan their best vacation.

What is the current outlook for the travel and tourism industry?

While many travelers can use the internet to research and book trips, there are often many confusing aspects that a skilled travel agent can assist them with. Additionally, travel agents have access to package discounts, as well as experience and advice they can offer to clients, making them essential to planning a great vacation. 

What is the average salary for a travel and tourism specialist?

According to national averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a travel agent was $47,410 in 2023.* Salary can vary based on your experience, the company you work for, and even the state in which you live. 

Are travel agencies still relevant today?

Yes! While some travelers do prefer to schedule their own trips online, the advice and recommendations a skilled travel agent can offer can be invaluable to inexperienced travelers or those looking to book extensive trips. Besides being familiar with industry-standard reservation software that can make booking a flight or hotel a much easier process, travel agents have insight into the best hotels, packages that can save clients money, and more.

Sources:

 *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Travel Agents." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed November 13, 2024.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country. 

Disclaimers:

1 Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.