The year 2020 brought a lot of changes for most of us while the hospitality industry suffered the most.
However, as things get back on track, now is a good time to consider becoming a travel agent in Massachusetts!
Grab a hot beverage and read this guide to find out more about the job and the process!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Massachusetts
Everyone has a basic idea of what a travel agent does.
In most cases, they’re contacted by those who want to travel, for deals for the following:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
Generally, the job of a travel agent is made easier if they are more familiar with at least one of these types of tourism:
- Honeymoon
- Family-oriented
- Business
- Budget
- Cruise
- Luxury
These professionals do a bit more than what was mentioned above.
They are also responsible for the next tasks:
- 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
It’s also not uncommon for them to take on additional duties, as the case may be.
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Massachusetts
These agents need to have certain abilities and knowledge to be successful at their job.
Here are the best attributes to have by the ideal travel agent:
- 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
Having previous experience in the field is not always needed, though it’s not unheard of to be asked for it.
There are many travel agents that used to be employed as other types of personnel in a tourism agency, before starting to work as agents.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Massachusetts
Having some education or training in the field is the best way of gaining the knowledge and even some of the skills you’ll need.
You’ll easily discover that many agents actually have a degree in tourism.
Associates’ degrees are common though even more common are the Bachelor’s degrees in this field.
Here are the Massachusetts schools that offer courses in tourism.
Top 21 Schools in Massachusetts
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bay State College | 31 ST. JAMES AVE BOSTON, MA 02116 |
| Berkshire Community College | 1350 WEST STREET PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 |
| Boston University | 233 BAY STATE ROAD BOSTON, MA 02215 |
| Bristol Community College | 777 ELSBREE ST FALL RIVER, MA 02720 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | 250 NEW RUTHERFORD AVE BOSTON, MA 02129 |
| Cape Cod Community College | 2240 IYANNOUGH RD WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 02668 |
| Endicott College | 376 HALE STREET BEVERLY, MA 01915 |
| Fisher College | 118 BEACON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 |
| Greenfield Community College | ONE COLLEGE DR GREENFIELD, MA 01301 |
| Holyoke Community College | 303 HOMESTEAD AVE HOLYOKE, MA 01040 |
| Lasell University | 1844 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE NEWTON, MA 02466 |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | 50 OAKLAND ST WELLESLEY HILLS, MA 02481 |
| Massasoit Community College | ONE MASSASOIT BOULEVARD BROCKTON, MA 02302 |
| Middlesex Community College | 591 SPRINGS RD BEDFORD, MA 01730 |
| Nichols College | CENTER RD DUDLEY, MA 01571 |
| North Shore Community College | 1 FERNCROFT RD DANVERS, MA 01923 |
| Northern Essex Community College | 100 ELLIOTT STREET HAVERHILL, MA 01830 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | 670 WEST BOYLSTON STREET WORCESTER, MA 01606 |
| Salem State University | 352 LAFAYETTE ST SALEM, MA 01970 |
| Tufts University | 419 BOSTON AVE MEDFORD, MA 02155 |
| University of Massachusetts | 374 WHITMORE BUILDING 181 PRESIDENTS DRIVE AMHERST, MA 01003 |
It’s possible for some of these schools to offer online programs along with in-class courses.
You generally won’t be accepted for enrollment without graduating from high school or without a GED diploma.
Students in the tourism programs learn about:
- 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 Massachusetts
Frequent travel comes with the territory of working for a tourism agency.
Traveling helps the agent always be informed should changes take place.
Additionally, it’s more professional to negotiate packages face-to-face rather than through emails or phone calls.
While working for an agency is the most common work setting, being an independent travel agent is also possible.
For this, you will need additional permits or certifications.
As far as salaries go, they’re higher on average, in cities such as Boston, Lynn, or Cambridge.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$38K | |
$41K | |
$49K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Massachusetts
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $43,249 |
| Worcester | $40,420 |
| Springfield | $39,825 |
| Cambridge | $43,249 |
| Lowell | $41,841 |
| Brockton | $41,572 |
| New Bedford | $40,459 |
| Quincy | $43,249 |
| Lynn | $43,249 |
| Fall River | $40,459 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 1,780 | $59,320 | $28.52 | $83,550 | $38,800 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 80 | $54,010 | $25.97 | $77,100 | $35,590 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 60 | $48,370 | $23.26 | $76,470 | $33,270 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Massachusetts
Usually, licenses need you to pass some exams, pay some fees, and be kept current.
Utilize social media, email marketing, and other digital marketing strategies to reach potential clients and promote your services. Build relationships with clients and provide exceptional service to generate positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Stay informed about changes and developments in the travel industry, including travel restrictions, health and safety protocols, and new travel trends.