April 19, 2012
The Travel Institute Presents Educational Seminar at MAST Travel Network Conference
The Travel Institute will be participating in the annual MAST Travel Network conference taking place at the Tremont Plaza Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, April 26-29. During the conference, Anna Fesmire, CTC, will be presenting a session entitled, Follow The Money. How To Sell Luxury Travel and Get The Money To Follow You.
The sessions will be presented twice during the conference and content will be based on The Travel Institute’s Luxury Travel Specialist course. Participants who enroll in the course will have an opportunity to test and go on to earn the Luxury Travel Specialist designation.
“MAST Travel Network has a strong community of travel professionals as well as a proven and long-standing brand in the industry. The Travel Institute is looking forward to providing attendees with a small sample of what we have to offer. Our Luxury Travel Specialist course is just one of many high-quality, specialist programs that we offer in addition to our certifications and other training courses,” commented Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales.
Other featured speakers at the event include the following members of The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators’ Program: Sophie Bujold, social media coach, and Mike Marchev, CTC, travel industry trainer.
For more information about MAST Travel Network, visit www.mvptravel.com. If you would like details about The Travel Institute’s training and certifications, please visit www.thetravelinstitute.com.
About MAST Travel Network
MAST Travel Network is the premier travel agency consortium and marketing group in the Midwest with over 165 agency members in eight states and in Canada. For additional information, contact John Werner, CTC, President and COO at 630-889-9817 or email johnw@mvptravel.com.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call 800-542-4282.
Framingham, MA – Betty Maclean Travel Inc., proud member of Virtuoso located in Naples, FL has just completed an intense Travel Institute Destination Specialist India study group facilitated by president, Mary Ann Ramsey, CTC, DS, ASA.
Mary Ann hosted the study group in the office along with nine of her staff members and also invited Merritt Howerton of Cox & Kings to join via Skype. Each week was a fun and interactive experience which included Indian cuisine and multimedia presentations. Mary Ann commented, “I reached out to the sponsors of the Destination Specialist India course, Greaves Tours, and they provided each of us with fantastic maps! Merritt Howerton of Cox & Kings also offered the graduates a booking incentive with the opportunity to travel to India! We appreciated and enjoyed their support!”
Betty Maclean Travel Inc. has conducted several in-house study groups over the years including destinations such as France, Europe, South Pacific, Africa as well as the CTA and CTC certifications. They have a CTA study group that will begin in April for their staff.
“As a former Travel Institute board member, I recognize the depth of research used to produce these programs. The Destination Specialist courses provide an excellent base in travel planning and itinerary building, while the CTA and CTC certifications encourage and assist our travel advisors in career building,” shared Mary Ann.
Cassie McMillion, a Virtuoso Rising Star Nominee commented, “By participating in the DS India study group with other Betty Maclean Travel Inc. staff members, not only did I gain confidence and knowledge on selling India, it was an amazing team building experience.”
Linda Walker commented, “This was my first DS course and I was impressed at the depth of knowledge gained in not only the geography, but in the culture and itinerary planning. It has prepared me to offer the best experience to our clients on their travels to India.”
The DS India course, written and reviewed by travel industry experts, was sponsored by India Tourism, Oberoi Hotels, Greaves Tours, Cox & Kings, Singapore Airlines, Make My Trip – India Ahoy, and Govan Travels. It covers the most visited tourist sites, routes and major cities as well as the most popular niche markets.
“In many ways, India is still an undiscovered destination for many travelers and travel counselors,” says Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales at The Travel Institute. “Enrolling in this course will help give counselors the confidence to sell this destination which is poised for discovery. Premium members have free access to this course and all of our DS and LS courses in Communiversity.”
The course is available in print, PDF on disk, or as a downloadable link. All options also include testing and Travel Institute members save an additional 10%. To learn more about all the Travel Institute’s Destination Specialist courses, please visit www.thetravelinstitute.com.
March 22, 2012
The Travel Institute Offers Exclusive Facebook Timeline for Business Webinar
Framingham, MA – In preparation of the mandatory Facebook layout changes coming March 30, The Travel Institute is offering Travel Institute members a free educational webinar entitled “Facebook Timeline for Business” which will be hosted at 1:00pm eastern on March 28 by Chelle Honiker-Yarbrough, CTC, The Travel Institute’s Director of Technology and Marketing and Catherine J. Heeg, International Speaker, Customized Management Solutions.
Catherine has recently written an article specifically for travel professionals to upgrade their Facebook presence to the new Timeline format. She looks forward to joining Chelle on this relevant, up to the minute webinar to demystify the newest changes you’ll see on your Facebook business page.
The Travel Institute recognizes that many travel professionals will have questions as to how they can optimally use the Facebook’s new Timeline layout. This webinar will address all these questions and more. Businesses have much to gain from the new Timeline layout, such as the ability to highlight historical posts and attract new fans with compelling cover photos. However, the new Facebook layout has some very specific guidelines that need to be followed so it is important for businesses to be properly prepared for the changes.
During the webinar, The Travel Institute will walk travel professionals through the basics of the Timeline layout, new ads, and milestones. We’ll explore topics such as what a business can and cannot have as a cover photo, and how to monitor and analyze their success.
Travel Institute members are encouraged to register as soon as possible as participation is limited to the first 100 registrants and space is filling up fast! Non members are invited to join for $19.99 and must register online at www.thetravelinstitute.com.
This is just another Travel Institute webinar that is very timely and relevant for travel professionals. In only a few months, The Institute has offered over 15 hour-long expert webinars, presented by members of their Professional Educators’ Program (PEP). Attendees are offered handouts and workbooks for most sessions and are invited to listen to the recorded webinar if they are members. For more information and to browse a list of PEP members visit http://thetravelinstitute.com/our-professional-educators-program-contributors/.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call 800-542-4282.
March 13, 2012
The Travel Institute Introduces New Payment Plan Option for CTA and CTC Certification
Framingham, MA – The Travel Institute has created a new convenient interest-free payment plan for those travel professionals looking to earn their Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) certification.
The CTA and CTC program currently offers flexible enrollment options where candidates can customize their training needs. Both programs are available in PDF or print format. Travel professionals can also choose to purchase the test-only option and simply test out of the program with no materials.
The new affordable interest-free 12-month payment plan gives candidates the opportunity to earn their CTA designation for as little as $24.58 a month for one year. CTC candidates have the chance to earn CTC designation for as little as $41.25 a month for one year.
“Many travel professionals make a goal each year to achieve their certification. We introduced this new interest-free payment plan option to make achieving a professional certification fit most training budgets and help them out financially. It provides them with a timeline to help them achieve their certification goals,” says Patty Noonan, CTC, The Travel Institute’s director of sales. “This is a great opportunity for people or companies to stretch their training dollars and help their 2012 budgets.”
For more information about the CTA and CTC certification programs, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
February 28, 2012
Framingham, MA – The Travel Institute today announced the appointment of two new industry veterans to its board of trustees: Jack D. Anderson, CTC, of Crystal Cruises and Sheila K. Heustess of American Express.
“We’re delighted to welcome Jack and Sheila to our board,” says Chairman Jack E. Mannix, CTC, of Jack E. Mannix & Associates. “Not only do they know the industry inside and out, they’re experienced innovators. Their expertise will go a long way in keeping The Travel Institute at the forefront of the travel industry learning community.”
Anderson joined Crystal Cruises as senior vice president, marketing and sales, in July 2011 and oversees the luxury line’s marketing, sales and public relations efforts worldwide. “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to rejoin The Travel Institute’s board. I continue to believe that supporting education and professionalism in an evolving distribution system remains of critical importance,” says Anderson.
Heustess is the vice president, travel industry, Merchant Services Americas for American Express. In her position, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s relationships with key partners in the travel industry in the U.S. She joined American Express in 1994 and has held a variety of executive positions since joining the company.
Anderson and Heustess will join the other Travel Institute board members: Scott Ahlsmith, CTC, 23Touch Points, Inc.; Jeffrey G. Drew, CTC, the Great American Steamboat Company; Gary Pollard, CTC, Ambassador Tours; Brian D. Robb, The Mark Travel Corporation; Horst H. Schulze, The West Paces Hotel Group, LLC; and Jack E. Mannix, CTC, Jack E. Mannix & Associates.
To learn more about The Travel Institute board of trustees, visit http://thetravelinstitute.com/about/board
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
February 22, 2011
The Travel Institute Announces First CTC/CTIE Study Group in 2012
Framingham, Massachusetts – The Travel Institute has scheduled its next online study group for CTCs (Certified Travel Counselors) and CTIEs (Certified Travel Industry Executives). The study group, facilitated by Mark McMullen, CTC, travel industry expert and trainer, will start on April 12 and will meet for nine weeks.
The courses covered will include Financial and Business Planning, Negotiating, Marketing Strategies, Goal Setting, Managing Change and Managing Conflict, plus a test preparation session.
The CTC certification is designed for owners and managers who will learn how to analyze new business opportunities and develop marketing strategies. The CTIE certification is designed for travel professionals in a non-counseling management position.
The study group option was created to help CTC and CTIE candidates stay motivated and set a goal for completion. Candidates also benefit from the interaction of fellow candidates from different areas of the industry. Each session will be recorded and available to attendees.
The nine-week series is affordably priced at $99 and space is limited. For more information or to enroll in the online study group please visit www.thetravelinstitute.com.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
February 21, 2012
The Travel Institute Introduces New Destination Specialist Alaska Study Group
Framingham, MA – The Travel Institute is starting an online study group on March 1 based on its Destination Specialist Alaska course. The study group, facilitated by Steven Coy, CTC, will be free and available to anyone enrolled in the course as well as all Premium members.
Participants will first meet in The Travel Institute’s new online discussion forum, followed by five 30-minute sessions that will cover the following topics: Selling Alaska, Inside Passage, Anchorage and South Central Alaska, and Exotic Alaska.
Each 30-minute coaching session will be an opportunity for participants to share what they have learned and trade suggestions about how to promote and increase sales to Alaska.
“We have had great success with facilitating CTA and CTC online study groups and many agents have requested that we hold similar study groups based on our specialist courses. This will also be a good way to help people prepare for the Alaska specialist test and earn their designation,” says Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales for The Travel
Institute.
Anyone interested in signing up should visit http://thetravelinstitute.com/study-along-with-steven. If you would like to learn more about our complete offering of Destination Specialist courses, please visit www.thetravelinstitute.com/specialist/ds.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
January 31, 2012
The Travel Institute Introduces New Member Benefit: Friday Five Blogs
Framingham, MA – The Travel Institute has introduced a new membership benefit for 2012 – Friday Five Blogs. Written by experts from their popular Professional Educators’ Program, each blog will include five tip or tools that are designed to help travel professionals work smarter and be more successful. The Professional Educators’ Program was launched back in December 2011 and has brought together some of the brightest minds in the travel industry to deliver training on the latest trends and best practices.
The Friday Five Blogs are one of the many new member benefits that The Travel Institute is introducing in 2012. Travel Institute members will be opting in to receive the new weekly blog. Members will also have access to all of the archived blogs in the member-only area of the website.
“The Travel Institute is fortunate to have trainers, authors, educators, and speakers contributing their time and expertise to educate our members. Their ongoing blogs are just another way to reach out and help our members stay on top of industry news and trends,” says Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales for The Travel Institute.
If you are interested in becoming a Travel Institute member, please visit www.thetravelinstitute.com for more information.
About The Travel Institute Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
January 25, 2012
In response to the recent news relating to cruise safety, The Travel Institute has scheduled a webinar on February 3 entitled Expecting the Unexpected – Travel Safety 101 for Travel Agents. This timely 60-minute webinar is being created and delivered by author and trainer, Steve Crowhurst, CTC, and is being offered exclusively through The Travel Institute.
The webinar will focus on agents’ obligations and liabilities and how they can quickly embed a safety program into their customer service model. He will also explain how to prepare a handout to include basic distress signals a traveler should know as well as list survival apps available for iPhones and Smart Phones. Attendees will receive a Travel Safety workbook prior to the webinar that will serve as their guide.
“Steve Crowhurst is a valued member of our Professional Educators’ Program and we’re pleased that he chose to offer this special webinar exclusively through The Travel Institute. This is an especially important time for travel agents to know how to prepare their customers for all eventualities when making their travel plans as well as to be informed about their own liabilities,” says Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales for The Travel Institute.
Travel Institute members can register for $25 and non members pay $45. Participation in this webinar will be limited to the first 100 registrants. The webinar will be recorded and available for purchase after the event. Click here for more information and to register.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
January 20, 2012
Framingham, MA – Edward Stepp, CTA, of Stepp Into Paradise Travel, LLC based in FL, was recently awarded a 3-night stay in a Private Trade Winds villa following a drawing held after a Travel Institute webinar held on January 18. The webinar was hosted by The Travel Institute and Judy Sweetland, Director of Marketing, Private Trade Winds, the course sponsor. Participants toured Villa Properties virtually and discussed selling this profitable product to high-end luxury travelers.
“I am really excited and look forward to going to one of their villas in California. This is a part of my niche that I look forward to expanding in my business” commented Edward.
The Villa Specialist course explains the differences between villas and vacation home rentals and how agents can find and educate potential luxury villa customers. After agents complete the course and make their first Private Trade Winds booking, they will be eligible for many great incentives including a free stay at one of Private Trade Winds select villas.
To learn more about The Travel Institute’s Villa specialist course, sponsored by Private Trade Winds, visit the bookstore at www.thetravelinstitute.com. The cost to enroll is only $49 and includes the course and online test. Travel Institute members save an additional 10%.
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.
