Offering dramatic desert landscapes and unique cultural experiences, New Mexico is a rich travel destination.
The tourism industry generated over $8.8 billion a year in 2025 in direct visitor spending and supported more than 70,000 jobs.
If you want to sell travel in this state or in other national or remote destinations, a career as a travel agent may be the right fit for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in New Mexico earned $44,040 on average per year as of May 2023, 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 on-site or online course and becoming certified.
University and college programs are available at local community colleges or universities and online.
Another way to start a career in this field is by earning professional certifications through The Travel Institute or joining an agency that provides training.
Regardless of the format you choose, your training will typically prepare you for tasks such as:
- Arranging travel for clients
- 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 prospective travel agents in New Mexico.
#1New Mexico State University
About the School
New Mexico State University provides 21st-century degree programs and innovative research activities.
The university offers a School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management that prepares students for management positions in this rapidly growing industry.
The Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management degree program is taught by experienced faculty and emphasizes hands-on and experiential training.
The program is available fully online.
It includes 40 classes and awards 120 credit hours.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Hospitality and Travel Law
- Quantity Food Production and Service
- Introduction to Tourism
- Hotel Operations
Contact Information
- Address: Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Phone: (575) 646-0111
- Website: https://nmsu.edu
#2Central New Mexico Community College
About the School
Central New Mexico Community College offers a Hospitality and Tourism program that provides a strong foundation in hospitality management, preparing students for a variety of roles in this industry.
Students learn essential skills in hospitality operations, event planning, marketing, and food safety.
They gain hands-on experience in labs designed to simulate real-world settings.
Students have the option of choosing between the following degree options:
- Associate of Arts
- Associate of Applied Science
- Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism
Courses Offered
Those who want to earn a Hospitality and Tourism, Certificate of Completion take classes such as:
- Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems
- Introduction to Tourism
- Marketing Services or Principles of Marketing
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 716 University Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
- Phone: (505) 224-3000
- Website: https://www.cnm.edu
#3Northern New Mexico College
About the School
Northern New Mexico College offers a Hospitality, Tourism & Restaurant Management program that focuses on tourism, restaurant, and casino management.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers the following program requirements:
- Principles of Accounting
- Small Business Management
- Integrated Management
- Introduction to e-commerce
- And more
Students explore the principles and practices of tourism management, including destination marketing, event planning, and customer service.
In total, the program awards 24 credits.
Northern New Mexico College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 921 N. Paseo de Oñate, Española, NM 87532
- Phone: (505) 747-2100
- Website: https://nnmc.edu
#4Eastern New Mexico University
About the School
Eastern New Mexico University offers a variety of programs and a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
More than 60 majors and programs are available at a cost that is less than most four-year universities in the Southwest U.S.
Courses Offered
The B.B.A. in Hospitality Management prepares students for careers in hotel management, tourism management, event management, casino management, and more.
The fully online Hospitality Management program is designed for students who enjoy working with people, exploring new places, and creative problem-solving.
Grants, loans, and scholarships are available for qualifying students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 S Ave K, Portales, NM 88130
- Phone: 575.562.1011
- Website: https://www.enmu.edu
#5El Paso Community College
About the School
El Paso Community College offers a Travel and Tourism program that prepares students for entry-level positions in the travel and tourism industry.
Students learn about reservation systems, individual and group travel and tour planning, corporate and incentive travel, travel agency management, domestic and international tourism and tourist attraction, and more.
The program offers an exit Certificate of Completion in Travel Counselor/Airline Reservationist after the first year of learning.
The Capstone course for the Certificate of Completion is Practicum- Tourism and Travel Services Management.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Customer Sales and Service
- Introduction to Travel and Tourism
- Travel and Tourism Sales and Marketing Techniques
- Introduction to Hospitality Industry
- And more
The program includes 30 total credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 919 Hunter, El Paso, TX 79915
- Phone: (915) 831-3722
- Website: https://www.epcc.edu
#6Southeast New Mexico College
About the School
Southeast New Mexico College offers an Associate in Hospitality and Tourism with two emphasis areas:
- Food and Beverage
- Lodging and Tourism
The Lodging and Tourism program prepares students for an entry-level position in the industry.
Training is offered in supervision, communication, marketing, finance, and operations.
The program is designed for those who want to enter the field and for those who are already employed in the industry and want to upgrade their skills.
Courses Offered
Required courses include:
- Introduction to Hospitality Industry
- Hospitality Operations Cost Control
- Travel and Tourism Operations
- Hospitality Supervision
- Catering and Banquet Operations
- Safety, Security and Sanitation in Hospitality Operations
- And more
In total, the program includes 60-62 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220
- Phone: (575) 234-9200
- Website: https://senmc.edu
#7Institute of Culinary Education
About the School
The Institute of Culinary Education offers a Tourism, Travel & Hospitality Management program that leads to a diploma.
The program is offered on campus in New York City as well as online.
Students complete the program in eight to 12 months.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Tourism, Travel & Hospitality
- Guest Services & The Hospitality Mindset
- Financial Concepts in Tourism, Travel & Lodging
- Lodging Operations Management
- Food & Beverage Management
- Travel & Tourism Operations Management
- Promotion, Sales & Marketing
- Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality Law
- And more
The program includes case study simulations that enable students to create their own virtual world.
The simulations are a component of nearly every course within the curriculum.
Contact Information
- Address: 225 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10281
- Phone: (888) 354-CHEF
- Website: https://www.ice.edu
#8Liberty University
About the School
An online program is also available at Liberty University.
The curriculum 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 while studying 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 enrolled in this program 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.
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
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
- 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 New Mexico
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$26K
|
|
|
$41K
|
|
|
$48K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in New Mexico
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 90 | $41,720 | $20.06 | $48,630 | $26,290 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about traveling and you want to transform your passion into a rewarding career, becoming a travel agent may be the right fit for you.
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in New Mexico, it’s time to review your options and choose the program that best fits your lifestyle, schedule, budget, and career aspirations.
