If you live in Kentucky and you want to become a travel agent, this page is for you.
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.
Across the nation, this profession is projected to grow 2 percent over the next decade.
People are expected to continue relying on travel agents, although the ability to use online resources to research vacations may limit the need for these types of services.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in Kentucky earned $42,610 on average per year, but salaries vary depending on experience, credibility, and a variety of other factors.
In order to improve your credibility and become equipped with the skills needed for this profession, you can begin a career in this field by completing an online course and becoming certified.
University and college programs are available at local community colleges or universities.
You can also start a career in this field by earning professional certifications through The Travel Institute or joining an agency that provides training.
Your training will typically prepare you for tasks such as:
- Arranging travel for business and vacations
- Determining clients’ schedules and budgets
- Advising clients regarding travel options
- Finding fare and schedule information
- Booking reservations
- Giving details on required travel documents
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 prospective travel agents in Kentucky.
#1Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
About the School
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College offers Travel Agent training that covers essential industry knowledge, including travel foundations and geography, 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
Contact Information
- Address: 100 College Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.southeast.kctcs.edu
#2George Mason University
About the School
George Mason University offers a travel agent training program designed to equip 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 in six months and costs $2,399.
The cost covers the exam fee.
Students are also introduced to Travefy and receive a 12-month subscription to the platform.
The program gives you the opportunity to review all international and domestic travel destinations that are most likely to be recommended and sold to clients.
After completing the program, students gain a deep understanding of both travel and tourism and the skills to help clients research, plan, and book their trips.
They also prepare for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
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
Contact Information
- Address: 3351 Fairfax Dr., MS 2G2, Arlington, VA 22201
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.cpe.gmu.edu
#3University of Kentucky
About the School
The University of Kentucky offers a Hospitality Revenue Management course that helps students prepare for the industry-recognized Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics exam.
Those who become certified on the CVENT Supplier Network gain a better understanding of technology used in the hospitality industry and real-world knowledge, as well as discussion points to use with prospective employers.
Hospitality Management and Tourism students are introduced to Google Sheets and learn how to create and edit spreadsheets directly in their web browser.
A Human Trafficking Awareness Certification is also available.
Students learn how to recognize signs of human trafficking in hotels and how to respond.
Contact Information
- Address: S123 Ag. Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- Phone: (859) 257-7191
- Website: https://rtm.mgcafe.uky.edu
#4Eastern Kentucky University
About the School
Eastern Kentucky University offers a fully online global hospitality and tourism program that provides students with a deep understanding of all aspects of this industry.
The program prepares culturally competent and technically advanced graduates.
The following two specialty concentrations are available:
- Gastronomic Tourism
- Sustainable Hospitality
Courses Offered
Gastronomic Tourism students take classes such as:
- Hospitality & Tourism essentials
- Be Our Guest
- Impact of Hospitality
- Global Hospitality Law
- Recreational Health
- Nature of Business
- Food Culture and Systems
- And more
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Contact Information
- Address: 521 Lancaster Ave. Richmond, KY 40475
- Phone: 859-622-1000
- Website: https://www.eku.edu
#5West Kentucky Community & Technical College
About the School
West Kentucky Community & Technical College covers travel foundations and geography, air travel, technology tools, and other essential industry knowledge.
The 100-hour program can be completed fully online and costs $2,299, exam fee included.
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.
The course is open enrollment, so students can start as soon as they can.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes topics such as:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Transportation, Accommodations and Vacations
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 7380, 4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, KY 42002
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.westkentucky.kctcs.edu
#6Kentucky Travel Industry Association
About the School
Kentucky Travel Industry Association offers a Certified Kentucky Tourism Professional program.
Participants are equipped with the tools to succeed in the competitive travel industry and demonstrate their commitment to excellence and professional development.
A minimum of 24 credits is required.
Students must earn a minimum of three credits of each core category:
- Information & Analysis
- Marketing
- Product & Service
- Business & Industry
Students also earn three credits for required participation in Kentucky Tourism Industry Orientation.
They also have to participate in at least two Certification Field visits and earn three credits per field visit.
Additional credit opportunities include:
- Webinar education sessions: one credit per session
- Destination Frankfort: three credits
- Regional Meet Ups: one credit
Contact Information
- Address: 931 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
- Phone: 502.223.8687
- Website: https://www.ktia.com
#7The Knowledge Academy
About the School
An online Travel Agent training program is available at the Knowledge Academy.
The academy has more than 10 years of experience in providing quality, instructor-led training and prepares students for the 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
#8Liberty University
About the School
Liberty University offers a Travel Agent training course designed to equip students with basic skills needed to become travel agents and prepare for the Travel Agent Proficiency exam.
Students gain a comprehensive overview of the travel industry and develop key professional skills, study basic, international, and destination geography, as well as the fundamentals of international and air travel.
This course also introduces students to Travefy, a leading platform for travel advisors.
They receive a 12-month subscription and learn how to begin creating and managing itineraries, proposals, and client communications effectively.
The course also covers current technologies and AI tools while guiding students through core transportation concepts, career development strategies, and sales and marketing principles.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic/International Geography
- Destination Geography
- Introduction to Air Travel
- Career Development
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515
- Phone: (434) 582-2000
- Website: https://www.liberty.edu
#9The 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 a North America: A Destination Specialist Course that costs $89.
This course covers the depth and variety of attractions and experiences in the United States and Canada.
The institute also offers a Hawaii: A Destination Specialist Course.
This course explains the uniqueness of the Hawaiian Islands by exploring major cities, attractions, culture, geography, transportation, and specialties 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
#10Travel Agent Academy
About the School
The 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
Course Catalog includes:
- AAT Kings A-Listers Program & Agent Academy
- Le Programme Spécialiste Air France et Film
- 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
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in Kentucky
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$34K
|
|
|
$46K
|
|
|
$56K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Kentucky
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 60 | $46,910 | $22.55 | $54,540 | $38,500 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 110 | $47,730 | $22.95 | $57,880 | $34,540 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best training programs for travel agents in Kentucky, it’s time to continue your research and apply for the program that best fits your lifestyle and career aspirations.
Take your time and choose wisely.
