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Travel Agencies in Florida Education and Training

Train to be one of the best Florida travel agents around

By Andrea Townsley
Even in times of economic downturn, business is still good for travel agencies in Florida: About 80 million tourists travel to the state every year. Since there is so much to do there, many folks opt to use a travel agent to help them plan their vacations. By becoming a travel agent or opening up your own travel agency, you stand to make a lot of people happy while making some hefty commissions for yourself.

However, you can't just walk in and expect to get a job at travel agencies in Florida. Education and training are important to landing a job at the agency you have in mind. And if you want to start your own agency, you'll need even more training since you won't be able to fall back on your boss's expertise. Before jumping in head first, consider the following:

1. Take college courses to gain a strong background in tourism. Florida travel agencies will appreciate this on your resume.

2. Enroll in a vocational school designed specifically for Florida travel agents. FL travel agencies are familiar with these programs and know that they provide valuable training.

3. Take classes from Florida travel agency associations periodically. This will keep you at the forefront of the industry.

 

Take college courses designed specifically for FL travel agents

Enrolling in tourism classes will help you immensely when it comes to finding a job or opening your own travel agency. These classes teach the ins and outs of understanding fares, making reservations and putting together the best travel packages for clients.
Try: Find a school that fits your location and schedule on EdRef.com. Or consider the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism degree at the University of Florida.

Jumpstart your career as a Florida travel agent by enrolling in a vocational course

If you're not interested in a college degree, you can still take a tourism class through a specialty or vocational program. These programs are shorter and much less expensive than a college degree. Just make sure to do your research and find a reputable program for Florida travel agents.
Try: ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents, maintains a list of ASTA member schools in Florida and throughout the country. CityTownInfo.com has a school locator as well as employment statistics by Florida metro area. RWM offers a list of vocational travel schools both online and in Florida.

Take advantage of training offered by travel agency organizations in Florida

Local chapters of travel agent associations often host seminars and training for agents. These range from teaching business practices to focusing on popular travel destinations. Cruising is especially popular in Florida due to the fact that it's so close to the Caribbean islands that quite a few cruise lines operate from the state's many ports. Familiarizing yourself with different cruise lines will definitely come in handy.
Try: Beef up your business knowledge by participating in the training offered by the Central Florida Business Travel Association. If you're interested in offering some of the many cruises that leave out of Florida, check out the different training programs offered by the Cruise Lines International Association. You can request group training if you would prefer to obtain education for your entire agency.

 

  • Reading magazines geared toward travel agents in Florida is a good way to keep up-to-date with current industry trends. These have informative articles as well as advertisements for helpful classes.

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