By working as a travel agent, you have the opportunity to turn your passion for traveling into a profitable business.
As a travel agent, you will find and arrange the best trip options for your clients by sorting through vast amounts of information.
You may also visit destinations to get firsthand experience with the destinations they recommend to clients.
This profession is projected to grow 2 percent across the nation over the next decade.
Although the ability to use online resources to research vacations may limit the need for travel agents, people are expected to continue to ask them for advice.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado is the second-highest-paying state for travel agents.
The mean annual wage reported by Colorado travel agents was $63,540 as of May 2023.
Colorado does not require a formal state license, certification, or “Seller of Travel” registration,
You must be at least 18 years of age to sign legal contracts and hold an industry credential like an IATA number to book travel.
Post-secondary training programs are available at many schools and community colleges.
Your training will typically prepare you for tasks such as:
- Arranging travel for business and vacations
- Determining clients’ schedules and budgets
- Finding fare and schedule information
- Booking reservations
- Giving details on required documents
- And more
Training programs are available on-site at several community colleges and universities and online.
To help you choose the format that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about the best travel agent schools in Colorado.
#1Colorado State University
About the School
Colorado State University offers an online Travel Agent Training course through its Professional Education division.
The program prepares students with the essential industry knowledge to help them become fully prepared for a career in travel planning with an industry-recognized credential.
The 100-hour program can be completed in six months.
Students get a 12-month subscription to Travefy when they enroll in the program.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,694- exam cost included.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Types of Air Travel
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2545 Research Blvd. Fort Collins, CO 80526, US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.online.colostate.edu
#2Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College offers students the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree in Hospitality Resort Management.
Students learn about hospitality management and operations in the Colorado resorts of Aspen, Steamboat Springs, and Vail.
They leave and work in Colorado resorts and hotels and learn hotel management and resort management skills.
During this time, they help with weddings, banquets, large meetings, and corporate events.
Courses Offered
The program teaches skills such as:
- Front Office Procedures
- Food & Beverage Management
- Hotel & Restaurant Accounting
- Hotel Sales and Marketing
- Cost Control
Contact Information
- Address: 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
- Phone: 970-945-8691
- Website: https://coloradomtn.edu
#3International Guide Academy
About the School
International Guide Academy helps students turn their passion for travel into a professional career.
The academy offers training for tour guides and tour directors.
The online Tour Guide certification course is self-paced and available in a video format.
Courses Offered
The beginning modules in this program include:
- Travel Industry Terminology and Tourism Industry Overview
- Types of Assignments for Tour Guides
- Conduct and Ethics, Dress Codes, Leadership
- Industry Relationships
- And more
This program costs $895 in total and includes tuition and a registration fee.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 S. Abilene Street, #441081, Aurora, CO 80014, USA
- Phone: 303.434.7557
- Website: https://bepaidtotravel.com
#4The Knowledge Academy
About the School
The Knowledge Academy offers online Travel Agent training in Colorado Springs.
The academy has more than 10 years of experience in quality, instructor-led training and prepares students for roles, responsibilities, and skills needed to succeed in the travel industry.
The curriculum covers itinerary planning, booking systems, customer service, travel regulations, destination knowledge, and professional travel planning practices.
Students learn strategies to provide exceptional customer service.
They acquire proficiency in using booking systems for efficient planning.
The program covers training in travel destinations, products, and services.
The following training options are available:
- Online Instructor-Led Learning
- Online Self-Paced Learning
- Onsite Learning
Courses Offered
Course outline includes:
- Travel Industry
- International Travel
- Domestic Air Travel
- Destination Geography
- Ground Transportation
- How to Market Yourself as a Travel Professional
- Offering Travel Agent Services
- Professional Skills
- Customer Service Skills
Contact Information
- Phone: 720.445.4674
- Website: https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com
#5Alison
About the School
Alison offers free online Travel Agent and Consultant Training.
The course examines the roles and duties of a travel agent in the tourism industry.
Students learn the foremost principles and practical techniques for building a professional career in travel retailing, travel agency, and travel consulting.
The course teaches:
- Travel and tourism
- The components of tourism products, services, and goals
- Describe travel agents and assess their significance in future travel retailing
- Types and models of customer relationship management
- Crisis management, sustainable development, and public awareness in tourism
Contact Information
- Website: https://alison.com
#6Daniels College of Business
About the School
The University of Denver offers a School of Hospitality Management through its Daniels College of Business.
The Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management provides a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a hospitality management major.
Students have four options of specialization that prepare them for leadership roles in a variety of hospitality sectors, from hotel and resort management to lodging real estate and more.
The program has received the highest mark of distinction in business education: accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Students have access to an innovative curriculum, world-class facilities, and a business-savvy faculty.
Contact Information
- Address: 2101 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80208-8921
- Phone: 303.871.3416
- Website: https://daniels.du.edu
#7Colorado Mesa University
About the School
A Hospitality Management program is also available at Colorado Mesa University.
This Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management equips students with business and technical skills for success in the hospitality industry.
The program covers marketing, management, accounting, and entrepreneurship while focusing on hospitality-specific challenges.
An Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management is also available and includes business courses in marketing, promotion, management, accounting, finance, small business management, and entrepreneurship.
Courses Offered
Students take courses such as:
- Travel Industry
- Travel and Tourism Marketing Techniques
- Independent Study
- Internship
- Travel and Tourism Marketing Techniques
- Hospitality Technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122
- Phone: 970.248.1020
- Website: https://catalog.coloradomesa.edu
#8Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver offers a School of Hospitality that prepares students for success in the diverse field of hospitality management.
Students become equipped with the technical, practical, and soft skills needed to excel.
The program emphasizes leadership, ethical practices, and offers opportunities for growth, travel, and diverse work environments.
Courses Offered
The following hospitality degrees and certificates are available:
- Brewery Operations Major
- Hotel Management Major, B.S.
- Airport Hospitality Management Certificate
- Master of Science in Hospitality Leadership- Online
- Master of Science in event and experience management- online
- And more
The degree programs at the School of Hospitality at MSU Denver are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122
- Phone: 303-556-5740
- Website: https://www.msudenver.edu
#9Udemy
Udemy offers a Host Agency 101: Travel Agent Bootcamp that helps students navigate their path to becoming a travel agent.
The course includes 40 minutes of on-demand video, eight articles, and six downloadable resources.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Host Agency 101
- Brainstorm Your Business Wants and Needs
- Research Host Agencies
- Interview Host Agencies
Students learn what host agencies are and why they are critical to their success as new travel agents.
The Brainstorm Your Business Wants and Needs provides students with the opportunity to clarify their career priorities and business requirements.
During the Research Host Agencies class, students are guided through effective methods for evaluating and comparing different host agencies.
The Interview Host Agencies class prepares students to engage with potential host agencies confidently.
Contact Information
- Website: https://www.udemy.com
#10Travel Institute
About the School
The Travel Institute offers a Certified Travel Associate program that is available completely online.
The program can be completed by students at their own pace.
The certification is designed for working travel advisors who want to build credibility, improve client relationships, strengthen sales skills, and grow their business.
Students gain foundational cruise knowledge to help clients understand cruise categories, itineraries, destinations, client matching, and positioning strategies.
The program explores new approaches to positioning and recommending today’s all-inclusive vacation experiences.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Business ethics
- Business writing skills
- Customer service
- The art of listening and communications
- Time management
- Understanding customer needs
- Planning itineraries
- Selling cruises
- Touring the world
- Selling special interest travel
- Travel insurance
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 945 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01701
- Phone: 800.542.4282
- Website: https://www.thetravelinstitute.com
Schools Summary Table
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Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career as a travel agent in Colorado, the schools included in our list can help you earn the professional credits that will provide you with more credibility as an entry-level worker in this profession.
We encourage you to complete thorough research and choose the program that best suits your lifestyle.
