Suppliers can tap into numerous sponsorship opportunities for extended brand exposure.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Travel Institute is wrapping up its 50th anniversary celebration in 2014 with the October release of two updated Destination Specialist (DS) courses for travel professionals: Alaska and Saint Lucia. The refreshed courses bring the total number of DS and Niche Specialist courses updated this year to four – in addition to The Travel Institute’s overhauling of its two cornerstone certifications – CTC and CTIE – during first quarter 2014.
“It’s been a busy year for us, but the number of travel advisors we’ve assisted reaches into the thousands, and that makes it all worthwhile,” says Pat Gagnon, CTC, The Travel Institute’s director of program development. “Our value proposition just keeps getting stronger as we offer the industry the very latest teachings, statistics, and tips to help professionals grow their business.”
In addition to Alaska and Saint Lucia, the organization launched a revised Caribbean DS course earlier in the year. The new enhancements include new high resolution imagery, up-to-date information about attractions and niche markets, plus expanded tips on selling.
Earlier in the year, a major update was rolled out in the Honeymoons and Destination Weddings course, which now features the latest statistics and research to help build a successful travel specialty, important new trends in destination weddings, updated information about the most popular wedding destinations and legal requirements for marriage, and new tips on how to use social media most effectively to promote your honeymoon business. In addition, two new bonus offers are part of the package: a one-year subscription to Brides magazine and a 50 percent discount off the annual membership dues to the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA).
The three updated DS courses (Caribbean, Alaska, and Saint Lucia) bring The Travel Institute’s total destination offerings to 11 – France, Hawaii, India, Mexico, North America, Northern and Central Europe, Southern Europe, and Spain. The revised Honeymoons and Destination Weddings curriculum bumps the total Niche Specialist courses to eight – Adventure, Golf, Luxury Travel, Skiing, Sustainable Travel, Villa Travel, and Well-Being Travel. Options for study materials and testing of these courses include traditional books, ebooks, or online courses. Prices for specialist courses start as low as $49 and vary depending on the selected format.
According to Patty Noonan, CTC, The Travel Institute sales director, the increased number of professionals enrolling in the specialist programs make the courses effective vehicles for industry sponsors to connect with this valued audience. “We’ve developed a very attractive package for sponsors to get their brand front and center to this core distribution channel,” said Noonan.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
