Travel agent jobs keep increasing in Kentucky.
If you think this is the career path you want to take, then you need to learn more about what it entails.
This also means knowing what training and education you need.
All you have to do is read the following article in order to get all the information you are looking for.
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Kentucky
Before getting a job in the field, you first need to know what are the main tasks of a travel agent.
Your main responsibility will be helping, your clients with finding:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
To do that, there are some tasks you need to complete first.
Some of these tasks include:
- Review visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
- Understand the needs and desires of their clients
- Keep accurate records
- Find solutions to issues and emergencies
- Handle payments and deposits
- Promote the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer
- Negotiate with hotels, resorts, cruise companies, and more
Travel agents can have one area of specialization.
You can choose one of the following:
- Honeymoon
- Family-oriented
- Business
- Budget
- Cruise
- Luxury
Travel agents need to know the destinations suggested to their clients.
You will need to possess some specific skills, as you can see below:
- 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
- Having a clean criminal record
- Being honest
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Speaking a foreign language
- Liking and having the ability to travel
You don’t need to have any experience in tourism, but education can be helpful.
Your job will also include doing quite a lot of traveling in order to check out locations.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Kentucky
Kentucky does not require any certification or education for travel agents.
However, if you apply for certification, you will get a better position in the future.
You can get a degree in tourism, like a Bachelors’.
The programs for travel agents in Kentucky provide classes online but also in person.
In Kentucky, you can check out the below schools if you want to attend a program:
Top 7 Schools in Kentucky
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beckfield College | 16 SPIRAL DRIVE FLORENCE, KY 41042 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Commonwealth Hall 1711 521 Lancaster Ave. Richmond, KY 40475 |
| Kentucky Travel Industry Association | 931 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40601 |
| Midway University | 512 East Stephens Street Midway, Kentucky 40347 |
| Sullivan University | 3101 BARDSTOWN RD LOUISVILLE, KY 40205 |
| University of Kentucky | SOUTH LIMESTONE LEXINGTON, KY 40506 |
| Western Kentucky University | 1906 College Heights Blvd. Bowling Green, KY 42101 |
The main requirement is having a high school diploma or a GED.
You will attend classes like:
- 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 Kentucky
You will get many benefits if you are a travel agent.
Your work schedule will mostly be flexible, and you can also visit many locations.
If you prefer, you can apply to work for a tourism agency or even start your own company.
However, the latter requires additional certifications.
You may also be interested in knowing how much travel agents earn on an annual basis.
The salaries depend on whether you have enough experience and education.
Those who work in a large area have more work opportunities compared to those who live in a remote region.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$32K | |
$36K | |
$42K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Kentucky
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisville | $36,198 |
| Lexington | $36,148 |
| Bowling Green | $34,748 |
| Owensboro | $36,051 |
| Covington | $37,538 |
| Richmond | $35,785 |
| Georgetown | $36,128 |
| Florence | $37,522 |
| Hopkinsville | $34,547 |
| Nicholasville | $36,087 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 70 | $44,340 | $21.32 | $53,890 | $37,320 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 110 | $43,440 | $20.88 | $55,230 | $30,210 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Kentucky
Kentucky enables travel agents to join the Kentucky Travel Industry Association.
This will bring you increased chances to advance your career and network.
The travel agent certifications expire after some time has passed.
In order to keep working, you will have to renew your license.
This is typically done by attending some extra hours of class.
You should also keep in touch with the agency that issued the certification.
They will provide updates and let you know when your license requires renewal.
Thanks for sharing! As a Kentucky local, it’s great to see resources tailored to our state. Excited to explore the possibilities of becoming a travel agent right here at home!
This breakdown makes pursuing a career in travel feel so much more attainable. I never realized the steps were so straightforward.