How to Become a Travel Agent in Maine

Do you think you can work as a travel agent in Maine?

If this career interests you, check out the article below for more info.

Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Maine

Travel agents have quite a few tasks and job responsibilities.

Your most important task will be assisting people with:

• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Entertainment

You will also have to do the following:

• 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

You might be more successful if you choose one area of specialization.

These can be:

• Honeymoon
• Family-oriented
• Business
• Budget
• Cruise
• Luxury

It is also helpful if you have enough knowledge about the destinations you are making recommendations for.

Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Maine

As a travel agent, you should also have some particular skills.

Usually, these include:

• 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

In Maine, travel agents are not required to have specific education or training.

However, getting a diploma or a Bachelor’s degree will help you get a better position.

You will also have to get used to traveling a lot of the time.

Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Maine

The best way to ensure a flourishing career is by getting a certification.

The easiest way to do that is by attending a program offered by a school in your area.

You can choose a program in person or attend online classes.

Online classes are a good idea for students who already have a job.

The schools that provide travel agent programs in Maine are the following:

Most schools in this state only require a high school diploma or a GED.

During the program, you will join 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 Maine

The best perk about being a travel agent is that you will travel a lot.

You will also have a flexible work schedule, and you can work no matter where you are.

You can choose to work independently or get hired by a travel agency.

If you choose to start your own traveling company, you will have to get some extra certifications.

You may also want to know the salary that a travel agent earns every year.

This varies and depends on your region and credentials.

If you have a degree, you will earn a better salary.

This is also the case for travel agents who live in a big city or metropolitan area.

Generally, it will be easy for you to find a job as the industry keeps growing in Maine.

Additional Information for Travel Agents in Maine

You will be able to find a job easier if you join the Maine Travel Industry Association.

If you got a license, you should know that it will expire so you need to get it renewed.

You might need to attend some additional class hours in order to renew it.

To make it easier, reach out to the agency that issued your travel agent license.

This way, you will be able to keep up to date with the renewal process and industry updates.