Why become a destination specialist?
Because today's travelers are looking for an
expert in the parts of the world they want to explore—a travel
professional who can provide the right itinerary for their lifestyles.
More consumers than ever before are researching travel opportunities on
the Internet, but to ensure success they need to talk to a specialist.
That specialist can be you.
The Travel Institute offers
several popular Destination Specialist
(DS) courses so that you find the right niche(s) for you and your clients.
Each course features destination highlights, sample itineraries, and
cultural insights and includes a comprehensive textbook with extensive
maps, a world atlas, practical study guide, and laminated desktop job aid.
Once you pass the test, The Travel Institute will provide you with a diploma that states
your specialization.
Following are the Destination Specialist
courses currently being offered:
- North America
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Caribbean
- Southern Europe
- European Culture & History
- East Asia
- France
- Spain
- South Pacific
- St. Lucia
- Mexico
- Northern and Central Europe
- Hong Kong Specialist (New)
Lifestyle
Specialist Courses
The rapid growth in niche travel planning and an ever-more educated
consumer is fundamentally changing the dynamic between client and
retailer. This demands that travel counselors possess even more knowledge
about a wider variety of travel niches to best serve specialized travel
needs. The Travel Institute now offers Lifestyle Specialist Programs to
develop your knowledge of a particular niche market. Following are courses
currently available:
- Honeymoons and Wedding Destinations
- Spas
- Golf
- Accessible Travel
- Gay and Lesbian Travel
- Adventure Travel
- Luxury Travel
- Skiing
The Travel Agent Training Center will be
developing online study options for these lifestyle courses. Coming
soon...Luxury Travel and Honeymoons and Wedding Destinations!
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Certified Travel Associate
The Travel Institute's first level of certification, the CTA
program, was introduced in 1997 to meet the needs of travel professionals
in the early stages of their careers. The CTA program focuses on the
knowledge and the sales skills necessary for effective practice in the
travel industry history and trends. It covers four core skill areas:
communication and technology, geography, sales and service, and travel
industry. CTAs must possess 18 months of full-time industry experience and
are required to earn ten continuing
education units each year to maintain their designation. The CTA
program represents 40 percent of the study necessary for the CTC program and many CTAs go on
to achieve their CTC designations. CTA candidates have 12 months to
complete the CTA program and test.
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Certified Travel Counselor
The CTC designation is the pinnacle of travel
industry professionalism. Over 30,000 travel professionals have earned the
CTC designation since The Travel Institute's inception. The CTC curriculum covers three
core skill areas: business development, contemporary issues, and
professional development. CTC candidates are required to complete 12
courses in which they learn how to negotiate effectively, make dynamic
presentations, analyze new business opportunities, implement technological
solutions, plan for the future, and more. The first level of The Travel
Institute
certification, the CTA, must be
successfully completed in order to earn the CTC designation. CTCs must
possess at least five years of full-time travel industry experience and
are required to earn ten continuing
education credits each year to maintain their designation.
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The TAP Test
The national TAP Test is a basic competency
test that measures the entry-level knowledge of travel professionals
within all aspects of the travel industry. The test was developed by The
Travel Institute, the American Society of
Travel Agents (ASTA), and other industry partners, to provide a national
standard of excellence for the travel industry. Since its inception in
December of 1997, over 6,200 candidates have taken the TAP Test.
By taking and passing the TAP Test you will:
-
Possess the national TAP credential, which
will increase your competitive
edge with prospective employers and
travel schools.
-
Reduce the work experience requirement for
the CTA designation by six
months providing you with the opportunity to
earn your professional
certification within one year.
-
Shorten the waiting period for your IATAN
Travel Agent ID card,
after meeting IATAN's requirements.
-
Enable prospective employers to find you
on The Travel Institute Web site,
increasing the scope of your job search at no
charge to you.
The Travel Agent Training
Center will proctor a few national TAP Test dates each year or we can
arrange a test date specific for your needs. Call for more
information on Tap Testing options if the national Tap Test dates are not
convenient.
For more information on The Travel Institute programs go to:
www.thetravelinstitute.com .
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