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Where is this? Aman Villas at Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia

"Any reputable host agency will provide travel agent certification."

You may wonder if there is a certification to be a travel agent, similar to a real estate agent certification. There isn't, but you still need a license to sell legally and an IATA to earn commissions. Let's break it down.

Apply to Join Our Team

Are your currently a travel agent?

Highlight relevant skills. Tell us how you plan to get your first clients. Share why you think you would be a good fit for our team. Failing to complete this field fully will cause your application to be automatically rejected. Helpful hint: "I love travel" is not enough of an answer.

Napasai-Belmond-Koh-Samui.avif

Where is this? Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond Hotel, San Miguelle de Allende, Mexico

Certification for Travel Agents

A host travel agency like ours provides travel agent certifications. There's no need for expensive schooling or hefty fees. Upon completion, we equip you with all the necessary certifications to sell travel legally.


A host travel agency designs the certification process to ensure you possess adequate knowledge about selling travel and can responsibly use the host agency's credentials. Each host may have a unique certification process, including elements such as training, background checks, or other benchmarks.


While training is often part of the certification process with a host travel agency, it's not synonymous with certification. For instance, completing a travel agent course at a local university doesn't automatically make you a fully licensed agent. You would still need to join a host agency and undergo their certification process unless you opt to establish your own host agency. This would involve securing your own seller of travel licenses and accreditations.


Additionally, certifications typically do not transfer between host agencies. If you start with one host agency and then switch to another, you will likely need to complete the new host's certification requirements.

Ready to join our team?

Our agency might just change your life. We will give you a new skill, new community and new way to earn serious income. Go ahead and apply and know within 48 hours whether you've made the cut. Remember, no travel agent experience required.

Belmond-Cap-Juluca-Anguilla-Boat.avif

Where is this? Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, Anguilla.

How it Works

Any reputable host agency will provide travel agent certification. However, it's crucial to ensure that the host agency is properly licensed. For instance, if you join a host agency without seller of travel licenses in California, Florida, Washington State, and Hawaii, you could be held liable for illegally selling travel in those states. If your host agency loses its IATA accreditation, you may be ineligible to receive commission made through their IATA. You can verify your host agency's standing by requesting this licensing information and independently verifying it.


After you join a host agency, you will follow their process to receive credentials. Timing and cost differ between the different host agencies. Be mindful when choosing a host: you probably don't want to join a host agency that gives you an IATA out of the gate. You will need training to succeed, no matter how much you've personally traveled. Having access to travel agent credentials carries serious liability.


Our program offers free certification, can be done remotely, and is typically completed within 4-7 weeks. However, we're aware that some hosts charge up to $6,000 for their training and may require trips for in-person sessions (adding an additional cost). Regrettably, a high price tag doesn't guarantee quality. We strongly advise thorough research before signing contracts or making payments. We have met agents from other hosts who had invested over $10,000 and hadn't made a sale yet. They were with a cruise-centric host agency and didn't know their value proposition at all. Many host agencies profit from enrolling new agents but offer minimal support in making actual sales. Certification through various host agency programs doesn't necessarily equip you with the skills to acquire clients or close deals. Choose wisely; don't fall for a scam.

Belmond-La-Residencia-Mallorca.avif

Where is this? Amanjiwo, Java, Indonesia

Four-Seasons-Safari-Lodge-Serengeti.jpg

Where is this? La Residencia, a Belmond Hotel, Mallorca, Spain

Other Travel Agent Certifications

There are additional certifications travel agents can get once they get access to their credentials. These certifications are offered through brands and tourism organizations. For example, a lot of our agents will complete cruise and brand certifications post-graduation. These certifications can unlock access to special perks with a brand.


If you want a travel agent certification that fully ensures you have knowledge of the industry, liability, sales, marketing, and other critical curriculum components, apply to join our host agency. Our training is free, so you have nothing to lose. We are confident that once you see our format, you won't stop. Our agents describe our training as a "good book that's hard to put down." Upon graduation, you'll have access to continued education directly through our agency and guidance on how to approach the certifications available from vendors and tourism organizations.

How to get a travel agent certification.

Last Updated:

01/17/2025

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