If you want to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession, you should consider becoming a travel agent.
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 Washington earned $56,940 on average per year, higher than the national average for this profession.
Washington is one of the few states that strictly regulates this industry.
You don’t need a college degree or a formal travel agent certification, but you have to comply with specific business regulations and state rules:
- You need a Seller of Travel endorsement
- You must obtain a general state business license
- Provide proof of financial responsibility
- As a personal or independent travel agent, you may also need an IATA, CLIA, or ARC number to book directly with travel suppliers and earn commissions.
Although not a requirement, in order to improve your credibility and employment prospects, 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 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
We encourage you to read our list and find out more about the training options available to prospective travel agents in Washington.
#1Central Washington University
About the School
Central Washington University offers a Tourism Management program that helps students understand the environmental, social, and cultural impacts of tourism.
Courses Offered
The core curriculum includes:
- Management of Human Resources
- Introduction to Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management
- Hospitality Leadership
- Hospitality Law, Negotiation, and Risk Management
- And more
Tourism Management Specialization includes courses such as:
- Airline Operations
- Customer Service Operations
- Tour and Interpretive Program Development
- International Travel
- Sustainable Tourism
- Tourism essentials
- Destination Marketing
Contact Information
- Address: 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926
- Phone: (509) 963-1111
- Website: https://www.cwu.edu
#2Columbia Heights Education Campus
About the School
Columbia Heights Education Campus offers an Academy of Hospitality and Tourism program that prepares students to excel in college and compete in the global workforce.
CHEC’s AOHT is a member of the National Academy Foundation network, which is part of the national movement that teaches students the skills needed to become hotel owners, travel agents, general managers, marketing directors, and event planners.
The program uses Hospitality and Customer Service as a lens through which everyday problems are analyzed, approached, and solved.
During their training, students benefit from many work-based learning experiences, paid internships, industry-recognized certifications, and college credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 3101 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010
- Phone: (202) 939-7700
- Website: https://www.checdc.org
#3University of the District of Columbia
About the School
University of the District of Columbia offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to open up a world of career paths in the hospitality industry.
Students have access to learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Courses Offered
The 2+2 program consists of a specific combination of courses, including:
- Hospitality management
- Business management
- General education
To qualify for graduation, students must complete 60 credit hours, which consist of:
- 30 business courses
- Nine hospitality courses
- Nine hospitality practicum/internship
- Six general education courses
- Six foreign language courses
Contact Information
- Address: 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
- Phone: 202-274-5000
- Website: https://www.udc.edu
#4George Mason University
About the School
George Mason University offers a Tourism and Events Management program through its College of Education and Human Development.
The program not only teaches students about hospitality, tourism, and events but also equips them with the skills needed to shape these fields.
Students learn through applied learning, industry-driven coursework, and hands-on field experiences.
The college offers dedicated faculty, career-embedded internships, and partnerships across the region’s hotels, destination management organizations, event venues, and more.
The program is built on applied fieldwork and practical learning.
Students complete two fieldwork courses and graduate with strong professional competencies and real-world industry experience.
The university also offers the following hands-on specializations:
- Event Technical Production minor
- Food and Beverage Management certificate
- Wine and Craft Beverage Management minor
Contact Information
- Address: 4400 University Drive, Thompson Hall 2100, MSN 2F1, Fairfax, VA 22030
- Phone: (703) 993-2892
- Website: https://cehd.gmu.edu
#5Career Bridge Washington
About the School
Career Bridge Washington offers a variety of options to help students obtain the skills needed for a variety of careers.
Among other programs, Career Bridge offers the Hospitality and Tourism Business and Management Associate of Technical Arts Degree.
The program gives students a strong foundation in hospitality and tourism and equips them with business and management skills and techniques.
Total tuition for this program is $9,870.
Total required fees sum up to approximately $1,509.
The program is available in Lynnwood and online.
The program can be completed in two years and awards 90 credits.
Contact Information
- Phone: (877) 600-7701
- Website: https://careerbridge.wa.gov
#6Highline College
About the School
Highline College offers a Hospitality and Tourism Management program that leads to an associate degree with numerous emphasis areas.
The following degree options are also available:
- Shorter certificates- 19 credits or less with courses that apply to multiple certificates and can be stacked, allowing students to earn multiple certificates at the same time
- One-year certificate- 52 credits that prepare students to enter immediately into industry career pathways
- Associate of Applied Science degree- a credential that requires 92 credits
The AAS degree is transferable to many bachelor’s degree programs.
Courses Offered
Hospitality and Tourism courses include:
- Introduction to Hospitality/Tourism
- Sustainable Tourism and Development
- The Art of Negotiation
- Lodging Operations
- Cruise Line Operations
- Menu Design
- Customer Service Operations
- Budgeting and Revenue Management
- Managing Hospitality Technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198
- Phone: (206) 592-3710
- Website: https://www.highline.edu
#7University of the Potomac
About the School
University of the Potomac offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The program prepares students for leadership and managerial roles across the global hospitality and tourism sectors.
The curriculum integrates foundational business knowledge with industry-specific competencies.
Students engage with:
- Technology in service industries
- Revenue management
- Sustainability
- Tourism policy
- Global Market trends
- And other contemporary topics
Graduates are ready for employment or advancement in hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, tourism boards, and other related businesses.
Courses Offered
Hospitality Management concentration courses include:
- Hotel Property and Facilities Management
- Hotel Front Office Management
- Housekeeping Management
- Supervision & Leadership in Hospitality
- Hospitality and Tourism Law
Contact Information
- Address: 1401 H Street, N.W., Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20005
- Phone: (202) 274-2300
- Website: https://potomac.edu
#8Western Washington University
About the School
Western Washington University offers online travel agent certification training.
The course can be completed in six months and prepares students with the essential industry knowledge to help them become ready for a career in travel planning with an industry-recognized credential.
Students get a 12-month subscription to Travefy when they enroll in the program.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
The program also teaches how to use Travefy’s itinerary builder and CRM software with hands-on activities.
This program costs $2,299.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Exploring the World
- Types of Air Travel
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
Contact Information
- Address: 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.wwu.edu
#9Edmonds College
About the School
Edmonds College offers a Tourism program that provides students with the skills to jump into a career as travel consultants, cruise or tour agents, hotel front desk or reservation agents, and more.
The following degree options are available:
- Associate in Applied Science Transfer
- Associate of Technical Arts
- Certificate
The Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism awards 35 credits and can be completed in nine months.
The program costs, on average, approximately $4,075.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Tours
- Cruises
- Travel Technology
- Travel Sales
- Hospitality Marketing
- Hospitality employment
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 20000 68th Ave. W Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Phone: 425.640.1459
- Website: https://www.edmonds.edu
#10Pierce College
About the School
Pierce College 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 and learn how to use the itinerary builder and CRM software through hands-on activities.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,368, with exam cost included.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Types of Air Travel
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Continuing Education, Lakewood, WA 98498
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.pierce.ctc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in Washington
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$45K
|
|
|
$60K
|
|
|
$92K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Washington
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,320 | $62,210 | $29.91 | $96,470 | $47,230 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 40 | $53,550 | $25.74 | $82,670 | $37,930 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in Washington, the next step is to decide if this profession is a good fit for you and choose the school that will prepare you for entry-level employment.
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 your decision.
