Everyone thought that 2020 brought the end to all hospitality-related businesses.
Things started to improve and tourism once again needs personnel, including travel agents.
If you want to become a travel agent in North Dakota, read this guide as we have all the useful information for you!
Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in North Dakota
One of the first things to know is whether you can do this job or not.
Learning about its description and related responsibilities is one of the first steps toward this goal.
There’s close to nobody who doesn’t know these professionals help tourists find specific services.
These are:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entertainment
There are more things involved in managing to find these travel solutions.
The agents need certain skills and knowledge and to follow specific procedures.
The skills include understanding what the client wants, likes, and is willing to pay.
That’s also the first part of the procedure.
The remaining part is ensuring the customer can actually travel, by:
- 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
It’s not uncommon to have to complete additional duties, depending on various factors.
Their success rate can go higher if they know more about specific reasons for traveling.
These are the main ones:
- Honeymoon
- Have some more family time together
- For business
- Go on a cruise
- Luxury
- Budget
- Relaxation
Requirements to be a Travel Agent in North Dakota
Becoming a travel agent in North Dakota must be more difficult than in other states, correct?
This isn’t the case at all.
You need the following if you want higher chances of getting hired:
- 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
Starting working other jobs in a tourism agency is how some people gain experience in this field.
Having experience will be a great advantage, but not mandatory.
Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t have licensing requirements as far as future travel agents are concerned.
Receiving some tourism-related training is highly recommended.
The majority, if not all, of tourist agents, holds a degree in tourism.
North Dakota has only one school with such a specific program.
Top 1 Schools in North Dakota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| North Dakota State University | 1301 12TH AVENUE NORTH FARGO, ND 58108 |
Usually, one educational institution is not enough to choose from.
You can look at schools from other states as well.
The program you select can also be online, as long as you can earn a degree.
A high school diploma or a GED is mandatory when applying for a spot in these courses.
Tourism programs cover topics such as these:
- 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 Dakota
These are just some of the perks of being a travel agent:
- Being able to travel often
- Being able to work on your own
Many agents work for agencies still, for this adds to their reputation.
The salary can be a good motivator to want to become a travel agent, and we have some actual figures below.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$32K | |
$36K | |
$42K |
Average Salary of Travel Agents in North Dakota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $36,014 |
| Bismarck | $36,705 |
| Grand Forks | $33,860 |
| Minot | $36,129 |
| West Fargo | $36,014 |
| Williston | $36,129 |
| Dickinson | $36,129 |
| Mandan | $36,705 |
| Jamestown | $35,783 |
| Wahpeton | $35,438 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 40 | $46,010 | $22.12 | $61,290 | $31,410 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 60 | $46,090 | $22.16 | $61,050 | $32,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Travel Agents in North Dakota
There are various associations that these agents can join.
This is usually very beneficial for their careers.
Becoming a travel agent from home sounds like a great way to earn income while managing the family. The flexibility to work remotely while booking trips for clients is exactly what I’ve been looking for!
I already love planning trips for friends and family, so becoming a travel agent sounds like a natural next step. This post is super motivating, and I’m excited to look into online courses that can help me get certified.
As a travel agent based in North Dakota, I’d suggest starting by getting certified with an industry-recognized course. It helps build credibility and gives you the tools to really succeed, especially if you’re starting your own agency.
I’m looking to make a career switch, and working in travel sounds perfect. The flexibility and potential for working remotely from North Dakota make this path really appealing. Thanks for breaking down the steps!