There’s never been a better time to jumpstart your travel agent career. Before you get started, you’ll need to participate in travel agent training to equip yourself with the tools you need to build a thriving, fulfilling travel business. Below we break down the types of training you can enroll in, explain Fora’s approach to training and address frequently asked questions.
Travel agent training: an overview
As a travel agent — or travel advisor — you’ll work in a role centered on planning and booking travel for clients. You’ll need to learn things like the logistics of booking travel (and how to earn money), as well as customer service skills. You’ll also want a training program designed to help you scale and grow your business. And you’ll need to make sure the training you choose fits your desired host agency (more on that in a moment).
Travel agent training topics
Exact training varies from course to course, but most programs cover a similar set of topics, like how to book hotels and other travel-related services, how the travel industry at large works and perhaps basic marketing and customer service skills. You may also learn about specific destinations and offerings from major travel brands.
IATA number
Taking a step back from training: In order to sell travel and earn income, you must have access to an IATA number. This is a globally recognized ID that credits you whenever you book a hotel, rental car or other travel-related service on behalf of a client. While you can obtain an IATA number as an individual, it’s a long and arduous process that also requires a significant amount of capital. Most travel agents choose to partner with a travel agent host agency instead. This grants access to an IATA number — and in some cases (like at Fora), other tools and resources — in exchange for a commission split.
Formal travel agent education and schooling
Historically, it wasn’t out of the question to attend a travel agent school, either in person or online, prior to becoming a travel agent. At the very least, an agency may have chosen a candidate with specialized education or training over someone without it. Some universities still offer degrees in travel- or hospitality-related fields, and many vocational schools offer travel agent certification programs. But there’s no universal travel agent education system — it’s not like law or medicine, where a governing body has set regulations. A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as hospitality, tourism or business management may grant holders a useful perspective. But there’s no widely accepted “best” degree, nor is one even required to become a successful travel agent.
Some host agencies require prior education or travel agent training before you can sign; others, including Fora, offer their own training. You’ll have to decide which path makes the most sense for your travel business.
Certification: the goal of travel agent training
Certification should be the end-result of your travel agent training. While there’s no universally accepted license, certification of some type is widely recognized and encouraged. It adds legitimacy to your business, demonstrating to potential clients that you are equipped with the knowledge you need to effectively book and expertly plan their trips. There are different requirements to become certified as a travel agent, depending on the program you participate in.
How Fora’s travel agent training works
Fora's advisor training is about empowering the modern travel entrepreneur. We take great care to ensure our training is up-to-date and in line with current trends and demand. You'll never find us replaying stale YouTube videos from 2017 — we offer a mix of frequently updated existing and live interactive trainings.
"If I had to describe Fora's training program in one word, it would be robust," Fora Advisor Caroline Weilert said. "I love that Fora considers all angles related to training — business planning, destination overviews, hotel spotlights, mentorship programs, partner overviews — and that it provides webinars, live trainings, recordings and, best of all, access to the entire supplier community.”
Fora meets you where you're at
Our flexible approach to travel agent training allows you to take courses online and at your own pace. Full-time job? School drop-off duty? Last-minute grocery run? Not to worry: This training program is designed to fit your schedule.
"Fora's self-paced training program was a game-changer," Fora Advisor Timadge Berkhadley said. "Juggling other commitments, I could learn at my own speed, yet the content was rich and comprehensive. This empowered me to confidently navigate my client calls, feeling well equipped with the knowledge to succeed."
Fora is accessible to anyone willing to put in the work. We welcome career pivoters, five-to-niners, full-time caregivers, seasoned travel advisors and anyone wanting to combine their entrepreneurial spirit and love for travel.
A mix of existing and live courses, all online
Fora’s library of online travel agent training courses covers everything from the basics of booking hotels to more complex topics, such as how to find new clients. Our training is dynamic, and we're always updating our offerings. There are also Zoom-based interactive sessions led by members of Fora HQ. These sessions include multiple partner trainings each week, where you can learn directly from leading industry brands, as well as weekly destination debriefs that offer a comprehensive overview on a specific destination. Dozens of live training sessions occur over the course of any month. All of these training sessions are edited and stored in a searchable training portal. And there are no hidden fees; your growing library of training content is included in the cost of your membership. We're here to support you every step of the way as you master both technical and soft skills.
You can access this training from anywhere: at home, at work, on vacation. In other words, you can build the business you want, on your own terms. You can also access in-person learning opportunities through our annual summit, Live Forum, as well as through our local chapters.
Fora training tiers
Fora travel agent training puts you on the path toward certification. Getting certified helps you stand out from the crowd and enhances your skill set. Our Essentials course is required to achieve the first level of certification. It lays the groundwork for building a successful travel business and effectively book trips for clients. Our Advanced course helps you further develop your skills and covers more complicated topics, such as how to work with destination management companies to create amazing trips for your clients.
We also offer special statuses once our agents have surpassed certain booking thresholds and other milestones. Once these statuses have been achieved, they have access to a suite of additional benefits, like consideration for FAM trips, conference invites and more.
Fora keeps community top of mind
At Fora, everything comes back to community. When you join Fora, you join a group of like-minded individuals, all with a love of travel. We're constantly optimizing our training structure so that every advisor feels welcome, engaged, seen and heard. You'll learn among your peers. Forum, our community app, is a treasure trove of advice, collaboration, support and positive vibes. We're all about celebrating one another and helping each other succeed.
“Everyone at Fora is a learner and a trainer because we all have different types of knowledge to share with each other,” Fora Advisor Caroline Weilert said.
Fora’s community extends beyond our advisors, too. We have partnered with nearly 6,000 hotels and counting (plus tour companies, cruises, villa rental services, yacht charters and more) around the world. Our vast network opens the door for even more relationships and fulfilling collaborations. In other words, there's lots of support and knowledge to go around.
Ongoing support
Fora supports its advisors far beyond our training program. You’ll also get access to end-to-end tools that make the travel advisor role far more efficient and fun. We offer custom marketing resources and templates, and set up a personal profile on Fora’s website. From there, you can create visually appealing guides, itineraries and trip reports with the click of a button, complete with clear calls-to-action (CTAs) that encourage prospective clients to reach out and book their next trip with you. (Learn more about how Fora helps travel advisors build their clientele.)
Our integrated booking platform makes booking a breeze, and our extensive network of preferred partners ensures both advisors and their clients get treated like the VIPs they are. We take care of all the nitty gritty — like invoicing hotels and tracking commission payments — so you can focus on the fun stuff.
Apply to become a Fora Advisor and start our travel agent training program
The Sahara Desert
Fora’s training program is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of how to run a successful travel advisor business. You can become a certified travel agent and start your own business in the travel and tourism industry. Plus, you’ll get access to everything else you need to run your business, like tech, partnerships, commission tracking and more. You’ll be welcomed into a global, thriving, collaborative community of passionate travel lovers. Apply to become a travel advisor with Fora.
Travel agent training FAQs
Read on for a few answers to common questions about travel agent training and education.
Are there any state or local requirements to become a travel agent?
You need an IATA number in order to sell and book travel. If you join Fora, you obtain access to our IATA number.
Most places in the United States do not have additional legal requirements. But there are a few states that require a Seller of Travel registration, such as California, Florida and Washington. Fora has a Seller of Travel registration in each of these states. We also have a state-by-state guide to becoming a travel agent if you want to cross-check the state you live in (or you can also double check when you apply; our membership team would be happy to help you). If you are not based in the United States, you can typically still join Fora and operate under our licenses. Ask our membership team when you apply to learn more.
How many years of experience do you need to be a travel agent?
This varies by agency. Fora welcomes individuals who are passionate about travel, have a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and have a desire to learn and grow. We offer entry-level courses and advanced training alike.
Is it expensive to become a travel agent? How much does it cost to become a travel agent with Fora?
Each agency is different. Fora’s monthly membership costs $49. You can also opt for an annual membership for $299 (which saves you nearly 50 percent). Either choice is a far cry from what you’d pay to attend a traditional travel agent school, which can cost thousands of dollars. Fora sought to offer more accessible pricing than traditional schools. In addition to travel agent training, our membership includes access to our proprietary booking platform, community app Forum, marketing resources, one-on-one support and more.
Related article: How Much Does It Cost to Become a Travel Agent?
Are Fora Advisors free to establish their own niche? Is niche training offered?
Many Fora Advisors indeed specialize in a specific destination or type of travel. As a Fora Advisor, you’re free to choose your niche or lack thereof. Fora offers training courses for many niches (like cruises or group bookings, for instance) that require more nuanced booking protocols, as well as dozens of destination-specific courses. If you’re curious about how to become a cruise travel agent, for example, we’ve got your back. Or perhaps you’re more interested in how to become a Disney travel agent. We’ve got you there, too.
If not prior education, what do you need to become a travel agent?
You don’t need prior travel agent education to join Fora. While it’s not exactly mandatory, great interpersonal skills can really make a difference (and our training covers communication skills). It’s not just about putting on a friendly face. You need to be able to decipher what a client actually wants out of their vacation. This is a skill that takes practice to develop.
What’s the highest level of education available for travel agents?
Technically speaking, master’s degrees and doctorates in travel-related fields do exist (e.g., hospitality, tourism). But again, there’s no universal travel agent education system. Pursuing these degrees is completely optional — it’s not like law or medicine, where a governing body has set regulations. Instead, every travel agency has its own set of requirements. At Fora, our courses are split between foundational and advanced tiers. Unlike most schools and agencies, though, there’s no additional charge for higher tiers of education.
Historically, how long did it take to complete travel agent school? How long is Fora’s travel agent “school?”
The average travel agent school takes at least six weeks to complete; some international options take as long as two years. Fora Advisors typically finish their first tier of training within a few days to a couple weeks. Advanced Fora courses take longer, but they’re completely optional. Even better, all courses can be taken at your own pace.
Does certification affect how much money you make afterward? Does it alter your career outlook?
Participating in a robust travel agent training program equips you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully sell, book and plan travel. You get out what you put in. As you complete your training, you can also explore different types of travel agent jobs or niches. Perhaps you want to learn how to become a luxury travel agent, for example, or how to become a cruise travel agent. Establishing a niche may help you focus your efforts, but many of our advisors are exceptional generalists with an impressive book of business. It depends on how you like to work and what you’re interested in.
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