Online Travel Agent Degree Program Information

Online travel agent training prepares students to gain certification as a professional travel agent. From online courses, potential travel agents learn how to generate sales and provide for customer's travel plans. While there are no online degree programs for travel agents, there are online certificate programs available that provide the training necessary for professional certification.

Online Travel Agent Certificate Overview

Travel agent training prepares students for certification through the National Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) exam, created by the Travel Institute and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). This test assesses whether an individual has gained the necessary skills and education for entry-level work in the travel business. The exam is knowledge-based and training for the exam can be done completely online.

Program Information and Requirements

Online travel agent training programs are typically self-paced. Some schools have a limit to the amount of time a student may take to complete the course, generally around six months.
A student must have access to a computer with Internet capabilities for these online training programs. Students often can confer with their instructors by email or phone. Current word processing and web-browsing software is usually recommended. Supplemental materials, such as books and CD-ROMS, can often be purchased online through the school's bookstore.

Common Topics Covered in Training Courses

Online travel agent certification programs typically consist of one or two courses covering a variety of topics relevant to customer service and comprehensive travel knowledge. Training includes how to book customer reservations for airlines, trains, car rentals, cruises, tours and accommodations such as resorts and hotels.
Students gain familiarization with various computer reservation systems, and some programs include access to these systems upon training completion. Instructors outline successful methods for finding travel agent positions or building one's own travel agency. Frequently addressed topics in travel agent training include:

• Sales and Marketing for Travel Agencies
• Geography for Travel
• Domestic and International Travel
• Career Search and Development

Career Information for Graduates

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median yearly income for a travel agent in 2009 was $30,790 (www.bls.gov). The BLS cautioned potential travel agents that the success of a travel business is dependent on the economy and workload may fluctuate with seasonal and holiday travel.