The tourism industry is opening once again after the events of 2020.
This can only mean that there’s an increased demand for tourist agents in Missouri.
You might want to grab something to drink and read this guide!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in Missouri
The majority of those who don’t come in contact with many travel agents, don’t really know what this occupation is all about.
They probably think that their job is only to find:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
However, this is not completely true.
These professionals need to complete a series of steps and tasks to find the services above.
First and foremost, they need to understand what the clients need and want.
These are some of the additional tasks needed to find those services:
- Review visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
- 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
It’s also very common for these agents to receive other tasks from time to time.
This could be when a colleague is not present in the agency, for instance.
Agents will better fulfill their jobs if they specialize in types of travel.
These types are:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in Missouri
As you could expect, there are some prerequisites to becoming a travel agent in Missouri.
Most of them relate to having certain abilities, such as:
- 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
Previous experience is not always needed, but it can set some candidates apart from the rest.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in Missouri
As a future travel agent, you shouldn’t ignore your education!
It will be easy to see that many of the other agents hold a Bachelor’s degree in tourism.
Such education gives the right tools, skills, and knowledge of how to complete your job duties better.
Missouri’s schools offering tourism courses are listed below.
Top 11 Schools in Missouri
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Avila University | 11901 WORNALL RD KANSAS CITY, MO 64145 |
| College of the Ozarks | 100 OPPORTUNITY AVENUE POINT LOOKOUT, MO 65726 |
| Missouri State University | 901 S NATIONAL AVENUE SPRINGFIELD, MO 65897 |
| St. Louis Community College | 5600 OAKLAND AVE ST. LOUIS, MO 63110 |
| Saint Louis University | ONE NORTH GRAND BLVD SAINT LOUIS, MO 63103 |
| Stephens College | 1200 E BROADWAY COLUMBIA, MO 65215 |
| Stevens - The Institute of Business and Arts | 1521 WASHINGTON AVENUE SAINT LOUIS, MO 63103 |
| Southeast Missouri State UniversityThis | ONE UNIVERSITY PLAZA CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO 63701 |
| Three Rivers Community College | 2080 THREE RIVERS BLVD POPLAR BLUFF, MO 63901 |
| University of Central Missouri | 108 W SOUTH STREET WARRENSBURG, MO 64093 |
| University of Missouri | 105 JESSE HALL COLUMBIA, MO 65211 |
As a future candidate for any of these schools, you’ll need to have a high school diploma.
A GED is also acceptable for those who couldn’t graduate from high school.
Keep in mind that there are classes offered both in a traditional setting and online.
Tourism classes generally cover these topics:
- 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 Missouri
While many travel agents work for travel agencies, there’s also the possibility to work independently.
Regardless of who you want to work for, you’ll have to also do some traveling of your own.
Doing so will improve your connections, and knowledge of the destination, and help you get better deals for your clients.
There are fewer aspects that influence how much you’ll earn as a travel agent.
In cities like St. Louis, salaries are higher on average.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$33K | |
$36K | |
$43K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in Missouri
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $37,645 |
| St. Louis | $37,795 |
| Springfield | $36,267 |
| Columbia | $37,375 |
| Independence | $37,604 |
| Lee's Summit | $37,502 |
| O'Fallon | $37,488 |
| St. Joseph | $37,313 |
| St. Charles | $37,590 |
| St. Peters | $37,508 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 400 | $52,980 | $25.47 | $74,920 | $28,610 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 500 | $48,410 | $23.28 | $73,930 | $29,300 |
| Springfield, MO | 520 | $40,620 | $19.53 | $57,860 | $26,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in Missouri
There are several associations that you could join to increase your credentials.
This can only benefit your career in the long run but do know membership fees are usually required.
Any extra license you may obtain to work on your own might need periodical renewal.
I’m currently a travel enthusiast looking to turn my passion into a profession. This guide provided clear and practical steps to get started as a travel agent in Missouri.
Fantastic read! I didn’t realize there were so many opportunities for travel agents in Missouri. The advice on continuing education and staying updated with travel trends is crucial.
I’ve been thinking about becoming a travel agent for a while now. This post clarified so many things for me, like the importance of networking and building a client base.
This is exactly what I needed. I recently moved to Missouri and have been considering a career change.