FAQ
Do you have housing available for travel school students?
The Travel Academy is located 4 to 5 blocks from the Mall of America. We rent 2 bedroom apartments located ½ block from the Mall and 5 blocks from our facility. These apartments are completely furnished, including full kitchens with dishes, dining rooms and living rooms with basic cable TV. The 2 bedrooms are furnished with 2 single beds in each bedroom, including pillows and linens. The bathroom has a separate dressing area.
Apartments rent by the week with all utilities included; $150 with 1 or 2 students, $100 for 3 students and $75 for 4 students in the apartment (prices subject to change if student numbers change in your apartment at any time). The Travel Academy will do all we can to meet your accommodation requests but cannot guarantee the number of students in each apartment at any time. All roommates will be of the same sex if requested. Our students have found that having a roommate has been enjoyable and helpful.
You can view the apartments we rent by going to www.villagegreen.com. Be sure to view the Photo Slide Show and the Virtual Tours.
The Mall of America has a Light Rail Train (Metro Transit); the 2nd stop “Bloomington” is a ½ block from The Travel Academy. It also goes to the Airport and Downtown Minneapolis. Minneapolis/St. Paul also has an excellent bus system. In addition, many times students have cars and share rides with shared expenses. Transportation is usually not a problem.
If you have a car at any time YOU MUST HAVE A PARKING PERMIT, which you will receive from The Travel Academy upon notification. No cars are allowed between 6pm and 9am daily with our parking permit except in specially designated areas.
Are there jobs while in school?
The Travel Academy has numerous employment opportunities for its students, if needed, while you are going to school. We have many basic entry level travel jobs that do not require our training. In addition, we also work with the Mall of America, and they have over 500 retail stores, usually with numerous jobs available. We will help you get these jobs, so you have money coming in while going to school. Then when you are 3/4 of the way through training to become a travel agent, flight attendant or other travel industry professional, we will start working with you to place you in your exciting new travel career.
Is it true that travel agents are still in high demand even though people can book their own travel online?
Although the Internet has allowed people to book their own basic travel arrangements, travel agents are still in demand for vacation packages, honeymoon trips, tours, and cruises. Furthermore, the advent of online booking has created a need for a new kind of travel agent...one who backs up the website. Each Internet booking site has live agents available to help customers with any challenges and assist in travel reservations. These sites use the Worldspan Computer Reservation system (which is taught at the Travel Academy) for making all travel arrangements. And remember, if you become a travel agent, there are a variety of opportunities in the travel industry besides travel agencies.
What is the future of the travel industry?
It is a myth that the travel industry is no longer a thriving, viable business. In most states and countries, it is the #1 source of revenue and employment. In the state of Minnesota alone, travel and tourism generates $9.8 billion annually and is projected to add more than 40,000 jobs in the next several years; a growth rate of 19.2%.
