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.
January 17, 2011
The Travel Institute Adds New Courses in Communiversity
Framingham, MA – The Travel Institute has added all of its specialist courses to its online learning platform, Communiversity. These additional courses are part of their ongoing effort to continually add new content that is available on demand 24/7. Communiversity is the signature benefit for Premium members of The Institute and all of the content is included as part of their monthly membership fee.
Several other new courses have also recently been added including, Customer Service for Managers, Communication in the Workplace, Project Management, and several new or updated Microsoft courses. These courses join over 600 hundred others that are included to Premium members.
“We are excited to be able to offer all these new courses to our premium members, particularly all of The Travel Institute specialist courses. For just $19.99 a month, Premium members have unlimited access to courses that otherwise would cost them hundreds of dollars. The new Project Management course itself is valued at $99,” commented Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales.
In addition to access to the courses in Communiversity, Premium members can also attend monthly Study Hall sessions, plus have access to blogs, white papers and free webinars.
To learn more about The Travel Institute’s Communiversity or attend one of their free weekly webinars, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or email support@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.
January 10, 2012
The Travel Institute has announced that it now has the technology and resources to offer travel agency groups, consortia, and suppliers a robust online training solution for either their own staff, or customers. The new customized library solution, modeled after The Institute’s popular Communiversity, can be designed for any group size and branded to look like a company’s main website or Intranet.
The Travel Institute is currently building individualized online “universities,” powered by their powerful Learning Management Systems (LMS) for key industry partners. After assessing the training needs of each company, The Travel Institute can populate the LMS with a number of options for each group, including courses developed by their own training departments, as well as Travel Institute courses which include Destination Specialist, Lifestyle Specialist and over 1200 course options from Communiversity covering technology, personal development, business grown, human resources, finance and much more.
Other features of the LMS include online testing, downloadable certificates upon completion and personalized transcripts. Owners and trainers who take advantage of having The Travel Institute create this turn-key training solution for them will have access to reports and detailed data or analytics to monitor the training of their staff. Detailed training transcripts provide comprehensive data for awarding bonus incentives and annual performance reviews.
Chelle Honiker-Yarbrough, CTC, Director of Marketing & Technology, noted, “With the expansion and redesign of our website, including the upgrades to our Communiversity, we knew this was the right time to work with our partners to help them create a top-notch solution that allows them to upgrade their training capabilities overnight to include their own internally-produced training, coupled with the robust possibilities of Communiversity.”
For more information about how The Travel Institute can provide an end-to end training solution for companies, contact Patty Noonan, CTC.
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.
Last week, The Travel Institute and UK-based Britain expert, Paull Tickner, announced a new Education on Location (EOL) trip designed exclusively for travel professionals who have earned their CTA or CTC designation. In the past, Paull designed and escorted many other successful EOL trips for The Institute.
The Best of Britain and Ireland EOL trip will be held March 10-16, 2012. This program is designed to show people new creative and profitable ways to market and sell Britain to clients. Highlights of the 7 day/6 night program include: a special tour of the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley; a private walking tour in Oxford with a special visit to Christ Church College; a welcome to Stratford upon Avon in the Town Hall given by the Lord Mayor plus a backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre; and lunch at Blenheim Palace.
As an added bonus, participants will spend a full day at the Best of Britain and Ireland Trade Show, THE premier travel trade showcase where they will discover new ideas to help create imaginative tours to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The cost for this 7 day/6 night land program is $559. Space is limited and applicants must complete a short survey before acceptance. CTAs and CTCs should email Paull Tickner at pjtickner@yahoo.co.uk for more information and to apply.
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, Massachusetts – The Travel Institute announced that from now through December 31, travel professionals can purchase any Destination or Lifestyle Specialist course for $39. This price is valid on courses in print or PDF and includes testing. Travel Institute members save an additional 10%.
Destination Specialist (DS) courses provide key information travel professionals need to create the kinds of experiences clients expect. Destination courses include; Alaska, Caribbean, European Culture and Heritage, France, Hawaii, India, Mexico, North America, Northern and Central Europe, Southern Europe, Spain, and St. Lucia.
Lifestyle Specialist (LS) courses focus on the most popular niche markets and help travel professionals create action plans to grow their specialty business. Lifestyle courses include; Accessible Travel, Adventure Travel, Gay and Lesbian Travel, Golf Travel, Honeymoons and Destination Weddings, Luxury Travel, Skiing, Spas, Sustainable Travel, Villas.
“Our specialist courses have always been very popular and have helped agents enhance their knowledge and discover new marketing and selling techniques. We are launching our Specialist Spectacular program to make it more affordable for agents to take advantage of these comprehensive resources,” commented Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales.
For more information or to order visit http://bookstore.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.
Framingham, Massachusetts – The Travel Institute has announced that its next CTA online study group will start on February 2. Mark McMullen, CTC, travel industry expert, will facilitate these sessions which will take place every week for nine weeks.
The sessions will cover the eight core courses as well a test preparation session. The study group is designed for those enrolled in the CTA program or those thinking about enrolling soon.
The study group option was created to help CTA 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 in case people aren’t able to attend each one.
Former CTA study group attendee, Betsy Baumgart, Director, Travel Sales & Operations, AAA MountainWest, commented on her experience, “I found the weekly CTA online study group to be extremely valuable. Meeting on a weekly basis forced me to stay on task and move through the CTA certification program in a timely manner.”
The nine-week series is affordably priced at $99 and space is limited. For more information or to enroll click here.
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.
