Domestic and international travelers highly prize New York travel agents due to the popularity of the state and NYC proper.
As New York is one of the most popular cities in the US and worldwide to visit, your job as a NY travel agent can be quite busy.
Prepare for a career in this field with a list of NY travel agent duties and programs where you can train in selling travel services.
Table of Contents
Travel Agent Duties in New York
As a New York travel agent, your typical day will be focused on all aspects of organizing travel plans.
Whether you are renewing passports, buying train tickets, or consulting about tour possibilities, these are part and parcel of your job duties.
- Book transportation tickets for buses, airplanes, etc.
- Provide meal options and pre-order meals
- Supply rentable equipment, such as watercraft or bicycles
- Identify any safety issues at the destination
You should have a good travel background to understand the world of travel.
Otherwise, you cannot organize travel for others based on a lack of personal experience.
You can gain travel agent experience by attending school to prepare for job duties.
You can study many subjects in New York to become a travel agent, such as world geography and finance.
However, programs will prepare you to plan travel itineraries, work with customs agents, and handle emergencies.
Expect to work with tour companies, ticketing agencies, and money exchange vendors as you become acquainted with work as a travel agent in NY.
Licensing Requirements to Become a NY Travel Agent
New York has no licensing requirements to become a travel agent.
You do not have to follow any preset formula to start your career selling travel services and products.
In addition, you will not have to get certified.
If you have experience and passion for helping people travel, and your resources are strong for finding information, you can be a travel agent in NY.
This might sound surprising since the city is so populated and has many visitors yearly.
However, travel agents only need to show their capabilities and offer services.
Travel Agent Program
New York Institute of Career Development
The New York Institute of Career Development has a completely online program to train travel agents.
The travel agent course leads to certification, an option for working as a travel agent in the field.
The program is offered through Penn and Foster as NYICD no longer accepts new students.
However, this is the only official program for travel agent training in New York state.
Travel Agent Representative Schools in New York – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| New York Institute of Career Development | 41 E 11th St 11th floor, New York, NY 10003, United States |
Salary
The national average salary for travel agents is $40,287 a year.
In New York, the cost of living in most cities is higher than most cities throughout the US.
The cost of living in New York City is nearly 17 percent more than that in Los Angeles, for comparison, and these are two of the most expensive cities in the world.
Therefore, expect to earn more money as a travel agent in New York, particularly if you work in New York City.
If you are a Bronx travel agent in NYC, the annual salary is $47,337, which is $7,000 more than the national average.
If you are an NYC travel agent, the salary is the same as in the Bronx.
This is because the Bronx is a borough of New York City.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $43,134 |
| Buffalo | $35,841 |
| Rochester | $36,188 |
| Yonkers | $42,314 |
| Syracuse | $36,510 |
| Albany | $37,253 |
| New Rochelle | $41,856 |
| Mount Vernon | $42,296 |
| Schenectady | $37,163 |
| Utica | $35,741 |
Regional Salary in New York
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 60 | $45,100 | $21.68 | $58,380 | $37,220 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 130 | $41,930 | $20.16 | $57,780 | $28,210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 2,800 | $51,740 | $24.88 | $64,780 | $36,170 |
| Rochester, NY | 50 | $42,010 | $20.2 | $51,730 | $31,990 |
| Syracuse, NY | 40 | $42,280 | $20.33 | $53,090 | $33,360 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I Required to Get a License as a Travel Agent in New York?
No, you are not required by law in the state to get licensed as a travel agent for New Yorkers.
The state board of employment does not have a system to license or certify travel agents.
As a result, there is no centralized way to find out who is a licensed travel agent in NY.
The best option is to train and certify to become a travel agent and then get a business license to bond your business.
Does New York Require Certification for Travel Agents Selling Travel?
No, you will not need to have certification as a travel agent to work in NY.
The certification aims to verify that you know the industry to employers and those hiring you for travel services.
Plus, by learning the information you need to pass a board certification exam in New York, you can ensure clients that you know the latest information about the industry.
Be prepared to provide clients with optimal services with proper training and certification at the right price point.
Is Working in New York City a Good Idea for a New Travel Agent?
Unless you live in New York City or the state and know the area, you may need help working in NYC as a new travel agent.
The city is large and very populated, and the cost of living is higher than in most places, including travel costs.
Therefore, start locally and spread your wings with experiences built up working as a travel agent in New York.
Travel Agent Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
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- Hawaii
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- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
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- Maine
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- New York
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- Ohio
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- Virginia
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- West Virginia
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