Read this guide if you’re interested in a job as a travel agent in Colorado!
Everyone thought that 2020 would bring an end to the tourism industry and hospitality-related businesses.
This wasn’t the case, and therefore there’s a need for professionals that can revive travel.
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Colorado
The job duties of a travel agent are quite many and diverse.
They are not limited to helping their customers find:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
Having to take into consideration budgets and preferences, already makes the above tasks a bit more difficult.
Things can become easier if the agent specializes in types of travel, for instance.
These generally are:
- Honeymoon
- Family-oriented
- Business
- Budget
- Cruise
- Luxury
The majority of agents will combine the types of tourism, such as luxury or budget honeymoons.
However, travel agents also need to ensure travelers have all their papers in order and that they’ll be safe.
All these can be ensured through:
- Reviewing visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
- Understanding the needs and desires of their clients
- Keeping accurate records
- Finding solutions to issues and emergencies
- Handling payments and deposits
- Promoting the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer
- Negotiating with hotels, resorts, cruise companies, and more
Many occupations receive occasional extra tasks, and that of a travel agent is no exception.
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Colorado
There’s an ideal candidate for all jobs.
To be hired as a travel agent in Colorado, you’ll need:
- Good communication skills
- Good management skills
- Able to use various computer programs
- Good problem-solving skills
- Great marketing skills
- Able to work full-time
- Detail-oriented
- Being confident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be honest
- Have a high school diploma or GED
One cannot be a travel agent without liking to travel and actually being able to visit various places.
Many agencies also want experienced agents, but this is not mandatory.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Colorado
The majority of travel agents enroll in specialized classes to increase their knowledge and credibility.
Most often, they earn a Bachelor’s degree in tourism or some other related field.
There aren’t many schools in Colorado offering such programs, but we still listed them below.
Top 4 Schools in Colorado
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Colorado State University | 711 Oval Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80521 |
| INTO Colorado State University | 150 Old Main Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80525 |
| Metropolitan State College of Denver | 890 Auraria Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Campus Box 28, 501 20th St, Greeley, CO 80639 |
Each school offers both graduate and undergraduate diplomas in this field.
The duration of the course is at least 2 years.
To be accepted in a class, you’ll generally have to present at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Additionally, many schools will require minimum grades in specific subjects taught in high school.
Once you get accepted, expect to study the following:
- Introduction to the travel industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic/International geography
- Destination geography
- Introduction to international travel
- Introduction to air travel
- Transportation
- Career development
- Sales and marketing for travel
Travel Agent Salary and Employment in Colorado
One of the main things to know about this job is that travel agents can work either in agencies or on their own.
Working on your own means you could run a business, but for this, you’ll need extra permits or licenses.
You’ll have to check with your local authorities on this, though.
Working independently or running a business on your own means that you could be working from home or anywhere else in the world.
You will have to travel quite a bit for this job, both before starting working and during your actual job.
Denver, Thornton, and Boulder are just a few of the cities where salaries are higher.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$34K | |
$38K | |
$45K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Colorado
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $38,759 |
| Colorado Springs | $38,146 |
| Aurora | $38,733 |
| Fort Collins | $37,310 |
| Thornton | $38,759 |
| Arvada | $38,759 |
| Westminster | $38,759 |
| Pueblo | $35,543 |
| Boulder | $39,261 |
| Greeley | $37,454 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 90 | $69,280 | $33.31 | $99,990 | $46,960 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 890 | $64,010 | $30.77 | $94,700 | $43,410 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 50 | $58,700 | $28.22 | $88,270 | $40,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Colorado
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is one of the main resources travel agents use when they need extra credentials.
Additionally, a CTO can help a travel agency in various other ways, like through the promotion of specific destinations or festivals.
Becoming a travel agent in Colorado means you’re entering a state with a thriving tourism industry. From the stunning Rocky Mountains to vibrant cities like Denver and Boulder, you will have a plethora of attractions to offer to travelers.
I’ve always loved exploring Colorado and beyond, and becoming a travel agent seems like the perfect way to turn that passion into a career! Thanks for breaking down the steps so clearly.
This post is super helpful! I’m thinking about starting my own travel agency here in Colorado, and it’s good to know what licenses and certifications I’ll need to get started.