The leading economic driver in Hawaii, the tourism industry generates more than $21 billion a year and supports more than 220,000 jobs.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in Hawaii earned $41,920 on average per year, but salaries vary depending on experience, credibility, and a variety of other factors.
If you want to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession and you also have good communication and organizational skills, becoming a travel agent may be the right fit for you.
In Hawaii, travel agents have to register for a Seller of Travel license through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
No formal degree is mandated by the state, but you can improve your credibility and learn the skills needed for this profession by completing an in-person or online course and becoming certified.
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 travel documents
- And more
Travel agents may also visit destinations to get first-hand experience with the destinations they recommend to clients.
We encourage you to read our list and find out more about the training options available to travel agents in Hawaii.
#1The University of Hawai'i- Hawai'i Community College
About the School
The University of Hawai’i- Hawai’i Community College offers an online travel agent course that equips students with essential industry knowledge.
The curriculum covers topics that range from travel foundations and geography to air travel, technology tools, and professional skills.
The 100-hour program can be completed fully online and costs $2,299.
The cost covers the exam fee.
Students are also introduced to Travefy and receive a 12-month subscription to the platform.
The program gives them the opportunity to review all international and domestic travel destinations that are most likely to be recommended and sold to clients.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Transportation, Accommodations and Vacations
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- And more
A Travel Agent Training with Workforce Development Kit included is also available and costs $3,900.
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono St, Continuing Education & Training, Hilo, HI 96720
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.hawaii.hawaii.edu
#2The Travel 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 advisors 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.
The institute also offers North America: A Destination Specialist Course that costs $89.
This course covers a variety of attractions and experiences in the United States and Canada.
The institute also offers Hawaii: A Destination Specialist Course.
This course explains the uniqueness of the Hawaiian Islands by exploring major cities, attractions, culture, geography, transportation, and specialities of each.
This course costs $89.
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
#3The Hawaiian Islands
About the School
The Hawaiian Islands offers Hawai’i Destination expert Training.
In Level One of this program, students complete two easy-to-follow online certifications:
- Certification One- an in-depth Introduction to the Hawaiian Islands.
- Certification Two- a roadmap to expertly selling vacations to Hawaii
After completing Level One, students receive a Hawaii Destination Specialist Certificate, a prerequisite to advancing to subsequent levels of the program.
Those who wish to expand their education online have the option of becoming a specialist for each individual island as well.
At level two, participants can select the islands they want to study further.
The individual island programs include detailed courses on Kauai, Oahu, Maui Nui, and the Island of Hawaii.
After completing this program, students receive an Island Specialist Certificate.
Contact Information
#4Hawai'i Pacific University
Hawai’i Pacific University gives students the opportunity to learn from professors who are at the top of their field in academics and applied industry knowledge.
Courses Offered
The Hawai’i Pacific University offers a Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration.
Students have the opportunity to experience a real-world laboratory for tourism administration.
The program offers internships and partnership projects with major hotels and travel providers.
The university also has affiliations with major global associations and membership in professional travel clubs.
This concentration offers more than just classroom experiences.
The courses combine theory and practice while offering students options to engage in internships, project-based learning, group initiatives, and field experiences.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Phone: 808 544-0200
- Website: https://www.hpu.edu
#5Brigham Young University–Hawaii
BYU Hawai’i offers a Center for Tourism & Hospitality.
This center was established in December 2015 to support the Hospitality & Tourism Management program’s growth and improvement goals.
The foundation’s contributions have helped empower students to become exceptional leaders in the hospitality and tourism industries.
Courses Offered
The Hospitality & Tourism Management program at Brigham Young University–Hawaii helps students turn their passion for travel into a rewarding career.
Students learn from a relevant, rigorous, and real-world curriculum.
They gain hands-on skills through meaningful internships, field trips, and real-world projects.
The following programs are available:
- Hospitality and Tourism Management- BS
- Hospitality and Tourism Management Minor
The Hospitality and Tourism Management Minor includes the following required courses:
- Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Practicum
Those who want to earn a Bachelor’s Degree also take classes such as:
- Economics of Global Tourism
- Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism
- Destination Management
- Lodging Operations
- Hospitality and Tourism Senior Seminar
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 55-220 Kulanui Street, Laie, Hawaii 96762-1293
- Phone: (808) 675-3211
- Website: https://catalog.byuh.edu
#6Harriett
About the School
Harriett covers career planning, tuition, fees, and books for an AS Degree in Hospitality & Tourism through a partnership with Kapi’Olani Community College.
The program includes the following levels:
- Certificate of Competence Principles of Sustainable Tourism- 9 credits
- Certificate of Competence Travel & Tourism Operations- 16 credits
- Certificate of Competence Hospitality Operations- 13 credits
- Certificate of Achievement Hospitality Operations Management 36-42 credits
In order to earn an Associate of Science with a specialization in Hospitality Operations Management, students need 62-67 credits.
Students prepare for employment in hotel and resort front office, concierge, reservations, housekeeping, and uniformed services positions.
Contact Information
- Address: 3049 Ualena Street, Suite 1100, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
- Phone: 808.380.6020
- Website: https://www.trainhawaii.org/bsh/course/467
#7Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association offers a number of training sessions that help students become familiar with the workforce in all industries.
Training curricula can be customized for all businesses or organizations.
Courses Offered
The following introductory courses are available:
- Building a Relationship with Hawai’i
- An Introduction to the Hawaiian Language
- Aloha- a course that teaches the foundational values that support aloha
- Ho’okipa- the Hawaiian value and model of hospitality
- Mahalo- students explore the many forms of gratitude
- And more
The courses take one hour or 1.5 hours to complete.
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 Kalākaua Ave. #A500, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96815
- Website: https://www.nahha.com
#8KHM Travel Group
About the School
KHM Travel Group gives students the opportunity to become travel agents from home.
The online education program is convenient, comprehensive, and flexible with students’ schedules.
Within 24-48 hours after enrollment, students receive access to an online office that houses their online travel agent courses in the LMS.
They learn the basics of selling travel, marketing their agency, and booking with their Preferred Suppliers.
Students can learn at their own time, from anywhere, at their own pace.
The membership fee covers all the education, tools, and technology that provide students with the help needed to start their own travel agency.
Contact Information
- Address: 50 Pearl Road Ste 300, Brunswick, OH 44212-2888
- Phone: 888-611-1220
- Website: https://khmtravel.com
#9Travel Agent Academy
About the School
Travel Agent Academy offers training designed to help students learn and retain information in fun and interactive ways.
Students earn Travel Institute CEU Credits.
The courses are compatible with an iOS tablet and allow students to learn from anywhere, on their own time, at their own pace.
Courses Offered
The course catalog includes classes such as:
- AAT Kings A-Listers Program & Agent Academy
- Become a Houston Travel Pro
- Lopesan Specialist Program
- Greece Specialist Program
- Visit Florida Rewards Program
- Air France and KLM Specialist Program
- Baja California Specialist Program
- Choice Hotels’ Masterclass
- Costa Rica Specialist Program
- Dominican Republic Specialist
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070
- Website: https://www.travelagentacademy.com
#10Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers a Travel Agent training program that can be completed online in just eight months.
Classes are flexible and teach students how to become a successful travel agent at their own pace.
This program costs $799 if paid in full.
Students prepare for entry-level jobs as travel agents in a variety of settings, including travel agencies and tour companies.
The training covers essential topics such as:
- How to arrange all modes of transportation for travel
- How to book hotels and resorts
- How to recommend popular tourist destinations
- And more
As part of the program, students sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.
The course includes 12 courses and 21 exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in Hawaii
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$29K
|
|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$49K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Hawaii
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 100 | $36,660 | $17.63 | $49,020 | $29,120 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 340 | $38,620 | $18.57 | $61,550 | $29,120 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
By working as a travel agent, you have the opportunity to turn your passion for traveling into a profitable business and become a part of the leading industry in Hawaii.
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
