Becoming a travel agent gives you the opportunity to turn your good communication skills and passion for traveling into a profitable business.
Travel agents find and arrange the best trip options for their clients by sorting through vast amounts of information and taking into account their preferences, schedules, and budget restrictions.
During their training, travel agents 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 book 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, Pennsylvania travel agents make approximately $40,100 per year (as of May 2023).
Although Pennsylvania does not require a college degree or formal registration for entry into this profession, you can improve your credibility by earning professional credentials.
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 Pennsylvania.
#1Central Pennsylvania Community College
About the School
Central Pennsylvania Community College offers an online Travel Agent Certification Training.
The fully online curriculum covers essential industry knowledge and 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 $2,368, with exam cost included.
Students are also introduced to Travefy and receive a 12-month subscription to the platform.
They learn how to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software with hands-on activities.
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.
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: One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.hacc.edu
#2Community College of Philadelphia
About the School
Community College of Philadelphia offers a Tourism and Hospitality Management program for those interested in beginning a career in a thriving industry.
This program awards 60 credits and leads to an Associate in Arts.
After completing the program, students will have earned ServSafe and TIPS training certifications, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market.
The following related programs are also available:
- Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate
- Culinary Arts II Proficiency Certificate
- Culinary Arts
- Tourism and Hospitality Management Proficiency Certificate
The Tourism and Hospitality Management Proficiency Certificate includes courses such as:
- Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
- Introduction to Tourism
- Hotel Management
- Human Resource Management
- Food and Beverage Management
- Hospitality Management
Contact Information
- Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Phone: 215.751.8000
- Website: https://www.ccp.edu
#3Pennsylvania College of Technology
About the School
Pennsylvania College of Technology offers an online Travel Agent Training course with a Workforce Development Kit.
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.
During this time, they will learn how to begin creating and managing itineraries, proposals, and client communication effectively.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $3,900 with materials and exam fees included.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- About airline and ground transportation, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, specialty travel, and more.
- Review all international and domestic travel destinations
- Gain customer service and marketing skills
- Learn how to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software with hands-on activities
Contact Information
- Address: 1127 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://onlinetraining.pct.edu
#4Temple University
About the School
Temple University offers a School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management that provides education that goes beyond the classroom in Philadelphia.
Courses Offered
The following undergraduate programs are available at the school:
- Sport and Entertainment Management
- Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management
- Multidisciplinary Studies in Sport, Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management
The Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management program includes individualized professional development, career counseling, and internships with five-star hotels and events like the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Contact Information
- Address: 1810 N. 13th Street, Speakman Hall 106, Philadelphia, PA 19122
- Phone: 215.204.8701
- Website: https://sthm.temple.edu
#5York College of Pennsylvania
About the School
York College of Pennsylvania offers a Hospitality and Tourism Management program that leads to a B.S.
The program takes approximately four years to complete.
Students prepare for work in hotels, cruise lines, food and beverage, theme parks, travel, and many other related settings.
Courses Offered
The program includes foundational courses in general business skills, economics, human resources, and the legal environment of business.
The curriculum includes hospitality electives and free electives to enrich students’ education, with a selection of courses such as:
- Entrepreneurship
- Sports management
- Event planning
- Marketing
- Recreation
- Technical Theater
Hospitality and Tourism Management courses include:
- Leadership in the Hospitality Industry
- Food and Beverage Management
- Current Issues in Global Tourism
- International Cuisine and Culture
- Revenue Management and Hospitality/Tourism Technology
- Hospitality and Tourism Project-Based Learning
Contact Information
- Address: 441 Country Club Rd, York, PA 17403-3651
- Phone: 717.846.7788
- Website: https://www.ycp.edu
#6Messiah University
About the School
Messiah University offers a Hospitality and Tourism Management program perfect for students passionate about creating memorable experiences.
The program teaches students about the scope and impact of the hospitality and tourism industry in the U.S. and internationally.
Students gain practical work experiences through opportunities in Messiah’s Dining Services, Campus events, Conference and event services, or with a hospitality entity outside of Messiah.
The program offers a strong understanding of the main segments of the hospitality and tourism industry, including hotels, cruises, restaurants and beverage, theme parks, conventions, and special events.
A Hospitality and Tourism certificate is also available at the university to help current students obtain knowledge of in-demand hospitality and tourism skills.
Contact Information
- Address: One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
- Phone: 717-766-2511
- Website: https://www.messiah.edu
#7Indiana University of Pennsylvania
About the School
Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers an undergraduate program in Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management.
The following majors and minors are available:
- Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management, BS
- Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management, AS
- Hospitality Management, Minor
- Hotel and Lodging Management Minor
- Restaurant and Food Service Management Minor
- Special event/Tourism Management Minor
Students who want to obtain a Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management, AS take classes in:
- Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
- Principles of Hospitality Management
- Food Service Operations
- Hospitality Purchasing
- Hotel Operations Management
- Hospitality Marketing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1011 South Drive, Indiana, PA 15705
- Phone: 724-357-2100
- Website: https://www.iup.edu
#8Penn State
About the School
Penn State offers a Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Bachelor of Science.
The program prepares students for supervisory and administrative positions with park systems, environmental centers, commercial recreation, and other related fields.
The program helps students gain the theoretical, managerial, technical, and experiential skills they need to become the next generation of leaders in the field.
Students also obtain real-world experience through internships.
The curriculum combines a broad educational foundation with specific courses designed to accommodate career interests in recreation, park, and tourism management.
Four options are offered:
- Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management Option
- Community Recreation Management Option
- Professional Golf Management Option
- Outdoor Recreation Management Option
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802
- Phone: 814-865-4700
- Website: https://www.psu.edu
#9Cedar Crest College
About the School
Cedar Crest College offers a Hospitality & Tourism, Business, Management & Economics Minor.
This minor helps students understand the key components in this field.
Courses Offered
The Hospitality & Tourism, Business, Management & Economics curriculum includes the following courses:
- Principles of Tourism- three credits
- Tourism Planning and Development- three credits
- Hospitality Operations and Management- three credits
- Tourism and Hospitality Marketing- three credits
- Topics in Tourism and Hospitality- three credits
- Applied Internship in Hospitality or Leisure- three credits
Contact Information
- Address: 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: 610-740-3770
- Website: https://www.cedarcrest.edu
#10Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
About the School
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers an online Travel Agent Certification Training that covers essential industry knowledge and 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 $2,299.
Students are also introduced to Travefy and receive a 12-month subscription to the platform.
They learn how to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software with hands-on activities.
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.
The program leads to a certificate of completion.
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: 101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904 US
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://ed2go.pennhighlands.edu
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in Pennsylvania
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$27K
|
|
|
$53K
|
|
|
$78K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 80 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 50 | $51,040 | $24.54 | $75,050 | $26,080 |
| Lancaster, PA | 30 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 820 | $57,350 | $27.57 | $83,320 | $32,220 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 240 | $52,220 | $25.11 | $64,390 | $32,970 |
| Reading, PA | 80 | $57,410 | $27.60 | $76,490 | $39,690 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | 80 | $46,840 | $22.52 | $79,360 | $29,120 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in Pennsylvania, it’s time to continue your research and apply for the program that best fits your budget, learning style, and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
