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 you 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.
The mean annual wage reported by South Dakota travel agents was $44,710 as of May 2023.
South Dakota does not require a formal state license, certification, or “Seller of Travel” registration before being able to sell travel.
However, if you want to improve your credibility and learn the skills needed for this profession, 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 South Dakota.
#1Black Hills State University
About the School
Black Hills State University offers an online Travel Agent Training course that 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.
Students become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,299 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: 1200 University St. Unit 9511, Spearfish, SD 57799
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.bhsu.edu
#2South Dakota Tourism Industry
About the School
South Dakota Tourism Industry offers an online Hospitality Training program.
The training is primarily meant for front-line employees and provides the basic skills needed to be successful in welcoming guests to South Dakota.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers the following lessons:
- Dependability
- Courteous Communications
- Creating Exceptional Appearances
- Being a Good Listener
- Showing Customers You Care
- Taking Care of Yourself
- Health, Hygiene and Safety Protocols
- And more
The program also offers Forever 605 Training.
This module includes three modules, each lesson taking about 10 minutes to complete.
After completion, a separate certificate will be issued:
- Destination Stewardship
- Forever 605 Campaign
- Enhancing Visitor Experiences
Contact Information
- Address: 711 E. Wells Ave. – Pierre, South Dakota 57501
- Phone: 605-773-3301
- Website: https://sdvisit.com
#3South Dakota State University
About the School
South Dakota State University offers a Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management Program.
This leads to a specialized business degree and prepares students for leadership roles in the dynamic, service-oriented hospitality industry.
The program includes traditional business courses in accounting, economics, and law, as well as hospitality marketing, meeting/event management, lodging management, hospitality facilities management, food and beverage management, and international tourism.
Courses Offered
The following degrees are available:
Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management
Events and Facilities Administration Minor
The Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management program is designed to expose students to many aspects of the hospitality, tourism, and event industry.
Students complete two professional practicum experiences which provide introductory and supervisory-level industry experience.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Foodservice Sanitation
- International Tourism
- Hospitality Facilities Management and Design
- Hospitality Marketing
- Foundations of Leadership
- Food Principles
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Medary Ave., Brookings, SD 57007
- Phone: 800-952-3541
- Website: https://www.sdstate.edu
#4South Dakota Department of Education
About the School
South Dakota Department of Education offers an Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism program.
This pathway prepares students to participate in pathway courses in any of the Hospitality and Tourism pathways: restaurant and food/beverage services, nutrition, travel, tourism, lodging.
Courses Offered
Students learn how to:
- Identify career pathways within the hospitality and tourism industry
- Safety, security, and environmental issues
- Summarize concepts of customer service
- Investigate ethical and legal responsibilities of the hospitality and tourism industry
- Skills and practices required for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Governors Dr., Pierre, SD
- Phone: (605) 773-3134
- Website: https://doe.sd.gov
#5University of South Dakota
About the School
The University of South Dakota offers a Tourism & Hospitality program that provides students with knowledge and skills in the exciting tourism and hospitality industries.
Courses Offered
The Tourism & Hospitality Certificate curriculum includes:
- Social Media Marketing
- Event Marketing and Management
- Tourism Marketing & Promotion
The Social Media Marketing course covers fundamental concepts in social media and best practices in online community building.
The Event Marketing and Management course includes the development of events for public relations, news conference planning, as well as a background in balancing the needs and objectives of key stakeholders.
The Tourism Marketing & Promotion course awards three credits and explores the fundamental marketing strategies applied to the Tourism Industry.
The content includes:
- Client and customer relations
- Customer behavior
- Marketing research
- Ethical considerations
- Promotional strategies
Contact Information
- Address: 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069
- Phone: 877-COYOTES
- Website: https://www.usd.edu
#6South Dakota Center for Virtual Education
About the School
South Dakota Center for Virtual Education offers an Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism program that focuses on the four pathways of the Hospitality & Tourism cluster:
- Restaurant & Food/Beverages
- Lodging
- Travel & Tourism
- Recreation
- Amusement & Attractions
The program is open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12.
This program costs $325.
Students learn the skills and knowledge needed to be successful employees in the travel industry.
Contact Information
- Phone: (605) 773-3134
- Website: https://sdcve.k12.sd.us
#7South Dakota State University Extension
About the School
South Dakota State University Extension offers an AgritourismSD Program.
This intensive educational program is designed to provide farmers and ranchers with the opportunity to create an enterprise at the crossroads of tourism and agriculture.
Agritourism links agricultural production and processing with tourism in order to attract visitors to a farm or ranch.
Some examples include:
- On-Farm Direct Sales: u-pick, farm stands, wine & beer, and more
- Accommodations/Lodging: farm stays, guest ranches, camping, and more
- Entertainment/Events: corn mazes, farm dinners, weddings, campfires, stargazing
- Outdoor Recreation: hunting, fishing, photography, horseback riding
- Educational Activities: farm/ranch work experiences, tours and more
The program is a two-year commitment.
Students meet face-to-face a total of 11 times over that time period.
Up to 20 participants are selected based on the application and an interview.
Contact Information
- Address: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007
- Phone: 605.688.4792
- Website: https://extension.sdstate.edu
#8Travel Agent Academy
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 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
#9The Knowledge Academy
About the School
The Knowledge Academy offers online Travel Agent training programs.
The academy has more than 10 years of experience in quality, instructor-led training and prepares students for the roles, responsibilities, and skills needed to succeed in this 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
#10The 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.
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
Travel Agent Average Salary in South Dakota
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$47K
|
|
|
$61K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in South Dakota
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 30 | $44,780 | $21.53 | $61,950 | $36,700 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 70 | $47,650 | $22.91 | $62,010 | $38,100 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career as a travel agent in South Dakota, 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.
