The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) and The Travel Institute (formerly the Institute of Certified Travel Agents--ICTA), have joined forces to expand access to professional development content on both sides of the border. The Travel Institute is the U.S.-based travel industry training and certification organization. Both organizations share the same goal, to promote professionalism and provide access to necessary content for the travel professional community.

CITC and The Travel Institute have arrived at a point in our existence where it is realistic, practical and good common sense to share each other`s educational programs for the betterment of the travel industry on both sides of the border, said Steve Gillick CTM, President and C.O.O. of CITC. Gillick attended the last two Travel Institute National Forums in Orlando and Phoenix and through a series of meetings with The Travel Institute executive team, the two organizations have forged an agreement. CITC will continue to market the popular CITC courses in Canada, but will also introduce the market to the well-known programs of The Travel Institute. Canadian agents will now be able to purchase select courses developed by The Travel Institute through CITC. The courses will be available at a CITC negotiated discount and will be available for purchase in Canadian dollars. This arrangement is valid for all agents with a Canadian address.

The agreement will include many of The Travel Institute Destination Specialist Programs, the new Lifestyle Specialist courses (Gay & Lesbian Travel, Golf, Accessible Travel, Spas, Honeymoon and Destination Weddings, Luxury Travel, and Adventure Travel) and select business skill programs such as Human Resources Management, Business Writing Skills, and Employee Training and Development. In addition, The Travel Institute SkillMap(r) Assessments will be made available. These online assessments allow individuals to increase their effectiveness by identifying those exact skills and behaviours needed for refinement.

Both The Travel Institute and CITC are dedicated to professional development of members of the travel industry. As our industry continues to evolve, we all need information and training at our disposal. This new arrangement enables both of our organizations to provide the best content available to members of both of our organizations, said Maureen Kennedy executive vice president and general manager for The Travel Institute.