If you live in Tennessee and you want to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession, you should consider becoming a travel agent.
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 relying on their services for advice on popular and unique travel destinations.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in Tennessee earned $46,400 on average per year, with salaries ranging from less than $30,000 to more than $60,000.
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 for those who want to earn a degree.
You can also earn professional certifications through The Travel Institute or by 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
- Finding fare and schedule information
- Booking reservations
- Giving details on required documents
- And more
Travel agents may also visit destinations to get firsthand experience of 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 Tennessee.
#1Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology
About the School
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology 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.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,299.
Multiple payment options are available.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- About airline and ground transportation, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, specialty travel, and more.
- International and domestic travel destinations
- Customer service and marketing skills
- How to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software through hands-on activities
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, TN 37919
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://onlinetraining.tcatknoxville.edu
#2TCAT Northwest
About the School
TCAT Northwest offers a Hospitality and Tourism program that can be completed in 12 months.
The program includes 1,296 clock hours.
Total tuition and fees sum up to $4,623.
The main focus in this program is developing students’ technical skills via hands-on and problem-based learning.
IC3 Digital Literacy, the National Retail Federation, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association training.
The following program options are available:
- Retail Professional- a 432-hour Certificate
- Hospitality and Tourism Professional- a 432-hour Certificate
- Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Professional- an 1,296-hour Diploma
Courses Offered
The program curriculum includes:
- Technology Foundations
- Retail Industry Fundamentals
- Hospitality and Tourism Fundamentals
- Hospitality and Tourism Operations
- Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Concepts
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 340 Washington St, Newbern, TN 38059
- Phone: 731-627-2511
- Website: https://tcatnorthwest.edu
#3The University of Tennessee
About the School
The University of Tennessee 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 self-paced 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.
Learners become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,299.
Multiple payment options are available.
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 most likely to be recommended to be sold to clients
- Gain customer service and marketing skills
- Learn how to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software with hands-on activities
Contact Information
- Address: 112 Gooch Hall, Martin, TN 38238
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.utm.edu
#4Henry Harvin Education
About the School
Henry Harvin Education offers a Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management Course in Tennessee.
Students have the opportunity to understand the operational aspects of the international hotel industry.
They build knowledge of key business and management principles and a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality industry.
The training focuses specifically on the management and operation of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other related establishments.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Spanish Language
- Hospitality Management Studies
- Internships in enterprise
- Complementary Module 1: Soft Skills Development
- Complementary Module 2: Resume Writing
The program includes skills such as customer service, communication, public relations, cultural awareness, problem-solving, tourism, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 8 The Green, # 19614 Dover, DE 19901
- Phone: 209 382 3469
- Website: https://www.henryharvin.com
#5East Tennessee State University
About the School
East Tennessee State University offers a B.B.A. in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
This program prepares students for dynamic careers by blending business fundamentals with real-world hospitality experience.
Students gain expertise in customer experience and operations, along with business core principles like finance, analytics, marketing, and human resources.
The program includes hands-on coursework with real hospitality partners, including visits to hotels, venues, destinations, and festivals.
Courses Offered
Students have the option of choosing between the following concentrations:
- Appalachian Craft Beverage and Culture
- Event Management
- Hospitality Leadership
- Hospitality Marketing
- Talent Management
Contact Information
- Address: 1276 Gilbreath Dr., Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614-1700
- Phone: (423) 439-1000
- Website: https://www.etsu.edu
#6Southwest Tennessee Community College
About the School
Southwest Tennessee Community College offers an online Travel Agent Training course that prepares students with the essential industry knowledge and helps them become fully prepared for a career in travel planning with an industry-recognized credential.
The 100-hour self-paced 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 credential helps you improve credibility and get the attention of potential hiring managers.
This program costs $2,495, with course materials and exam fees included.
Multiple payment options are available.
Courses Offered
Students learn about:
- Airline and ground transportation, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, specialty travel, and more.
- International and domestic travel destinations most likely to be recommended and sold to clients
- Gain customer service and marketing skills
- Learn how to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software with hands-on activities
Contact Information
- Address: 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134 US
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.southwest.tn.edu
#7Travel 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:
- 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
#8The 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 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
The 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
#9Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers a Travel Agent training program that can be completed online in 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
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
#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 Tennessee
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$42K
|
|
|
$55K
|
|
|
$69K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Tennessee
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | 50 | $51,370 | $24.70 | $62,880 | $39,840 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 260 | $57,670 | $27.73 | $70,090 | $46,150 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in Tennessee, the next step is to decide if this profession is a good fit for you.
Before deciding where to start your training, we encourage you to complete thorough research and gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you.
