How to Become a Travel Agent in North Carolina

Updated On November 13, 2023
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Being a travel agent seems like an easy profession for many, but is it really?

Through this guide, you’ll discover what you must do to become a travel agent in North Carolina, as well as just how easy this job is or not.

Read on!

Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in North Carolina

How can you know if a job is good for you or not?

Oftentimes, its description and related responsibilities offer a big clue.

Almost everyone goes to a travel agent so they’ll easily find:

  • Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Entertainment

Travel agents can only find those with specific knowledge, skills, and after taking specific steps.

Understanding the needs, desires, and budget, of the person they offer their services to, are the first steps of the process.

Will this ensure the person reaches their destination, though?

Not, without the travel agent:

  • Reviewing visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
  • 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

Sometimes the agent might have to complete additional steps or duties.

it’s very helpful for an agent to know more about specific types of tourism.

Here they are:

  • Honeymoon
  • Have some more family time together
  • For business
  • Go on a cruise
  • Luxury
  • Budget
  • Relaxation

Requirements to be a Travel Agent in North Carolina

Being a travel agent in North Carolina must be different than in other states, right?

No, not at all.

Typically, the ideal candidates have:

  • 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

Many individuals start working for tourism agencies as receptionists to accumulate some experience.

This will make them stand out from the competition.

Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in North Carolina

North Carolina doesn’t have any licensing requirements for future travel agents.

This doesn’t mean that receiving specific tourism-related education isn’t encouraged.

You can do so by enrolling in one of the next schools.

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Top 22 Schools in North Carolina

School NameAddress
Appalachian State University287 RIVERS ST BOONE, NC 28608
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College340 VICTORIA RD ASHEVILLE, NC 28801
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute2855 HICKORY BOULEVARD HUDSON, NC 28638
Campbell University143 MAIN STREET BUIES CREEK, NC 27506
Cape Fear Community College411 NORTH FRONT STREET WILMINGTON, NC 28401
Carteret Community College3505 ARENDELL ST MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557
Central Piedmont Community College1201 ELIZABETH AVENUE CHARLOTTE, NC 28204
Coastal Carolina Community College444 WESTERN BLVD JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546
Durham Technical Community College1637 LAWSON STREET DURHAM, NC 27703
Fayetteville Technical Community College2201 HULL RD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303
Guilford Technical Community College601 E. MAIN STREET JAMESTOWN, NC 27282
East Carolina UniversityEAST 5TH STREET GREENVILLE, NC 27858
High Point UniversityONE UNIVERSITY PARKWAY HIGH POINT, NC 27268
Johnson and Wales University801 WEST TRADE STREET CHARLOTTE, NC 28202
Livingstone College701 W MONROE ST SALISBURY, NC 28144
Nash Community College522 N. OLD CARRIAGE ROAD ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804
North Carolina Central University1801 FAYETTEVILLE STREET DURHAM, NC 27707
Sandhills Community College3395 AIRPORT RD PINEHURST, NC 28374
Southeastern College207 REGENCY EXECUTIVE PARK DRIVE CHARLOTTE, NC 28217
University of North Carolina1400 SPRING GARDEN ST GREENSBORO, NC 27402
Wake Technical Community College9101 FAYETTEVILLE ROAD RALEIGH, NC 27603
Western Carolina University1 UNIVERSITY DRIVE CULLOWHEE, NC 28723

These institutions offer programs with a duration of at least 2 years for a tourism-related degree.

Most of your competition will, however, hold a Bachelor’s degree instead.

You have the freedom to choose classes held in person or online.

To enroll, make sure you at least graduated from high school or obtained a GED.

Here’s what you’ll be studying in such a program:

  • 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 North Carolina

Being a travel agent comes with perks, such as:

  • Being able to travel often
  • Being able to work on your own

Working for agencies is also possible and it can have other advantages, such as higher credibility.

It’s normal to want to know how much you’ll earn once you get hired or start working on your own.

This next table has the average salaries in the state’s main urban settings.

Annual Salary Range:
ItemPercent
$33K
$36K
$43K

Average Salary of Travel Agents in North Carolina

City NameSalary
Charlotte$37,600
Raleigh$37,146
Greensboro$36,685
Durham$36,931
Winston Salem$36,774
Fayetteville$35,223
Cary$37,146
Wilmington$35,012
High Point$36,904
Greenville$36,877

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Asheville, NC70$45,460$21.86$64,370$24,350
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC370$46,510$22.36$63,980$30,440
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC70$51,200$24.62$82,390$19,950
Greensboro-High Point, NC60$48,790$23.46$74,230$18,400
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC40$44,610$21.45$58,370$30,640
Raleigh, NC180$49,840$23.96$68,880$23,700
Winston-Salem, NC30$46,340$22.28$62,480$28,820
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Travel Agents, OCC 41-3041, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information for Travel Agents in North Carolina

You might want to become a member of some organization that can help with furthering your career.

If you choose to work on your own, make sure to obtain the appropriate permits and keep them current.

Travel Agent State-specific Information:

3 Comments on North Carolina

  1. Being a travel agent in NC has been a great career choice for me, you have to be a people person, and love travel, if you do, I highly recommend it.

  2. G
    Greta Benson says:

    Thank you for the valuable insights! I’ve always had a knack for trip planning and now I feel inspired to turn my passion into a profession.

  3. A
    Archer Alvarez says:

    I love that this guide is tailored to North Carolina specifically. It’s reassuring to know the state’s regulations and resources for aspiring travel agents.

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