The Travel Institute team is often asked about requirements for success in the travel business. One of the first things someone new to the travel industry encounters is the overwhelming number of acronyms and accreditations available. To be successful, it’s important to ramp up and learn these acronyms and accreditations—and much more—very quickly.
As a non-profit, industry-wide educational organization dedicated to advancing travel professionals, The Travel Institute provides an unbiased, in-depth overview of these accreditations in our Travel Career Development textbook. This essential knowledge is part of TRIPKIT, our award-winning, comprehensive course designed both for new agents and for experienced advisors who want a stronger foundation in industry basics.
And this month, we’re celebrating the idea that a career in travel is more than a job—it’s truly a TRIP of a Lifetime. To help you take that first step, we’re offering $100 tuition assistance toward enrollment in TRIPKIT.
Here are a few travel ABCs:
Before you can be recognized by suppliers as an appropriate agency to book travel, earn certain commissions and access other travel incentives, you must meet the qualifications established by the accrediting entities. Here are the most common from which to choose:
- IATA: The International Air Transport Association is an association of airlines whose goal is to create stability in international aviation. The International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN)—an IATA subsidiary—uses a screening program to appoint U.S. travel agencies to sell tickets for its member international airlines serving the United States. IATAN also sponsors the IATAN ID Card.
- CCRA: CCRA Travel Commerce Network is a network that facilitates commerce between travel professionals and suppliers. CCRA uses a Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration (TRUE) code that was designed for independent agents who wanted a way to receive payments directly from some suppliers without sharing commissions. Because travel suppliers accept and recognize this universal code, the travel agent or agency can book travel products and services directly with thousands of suppliers.
- ARC: The Airlines Reporting Corporation is a group owned by major U.S. airlines that regulates the distribution of airline tickets. It accredits agencies that sell tickets; supplies documents used in selling airline tickets, rail transportation, and related services; and provides a central sales-processing system. Any non-airline company that issues airline tickets must have ARC accreditation.
- ASTA: American Society of Travel Advisors is a trade association that lobbies governments, presents educational programs and speaks to the public on behalf of its members, including travel counselors and others in the travel industry.
- CLIA: Cruise Lines International Association is an association that promotes cruising to the selling agents and the buying public. It offers membership to both travel agencies and to individual agents. Travel sellers or departments of a travel seller actively engaged in the business of selling cruise travel can be CLIA agency members if they attest that they are meeting all federal, state, and local ordinances relative to conducting such sales.
- Host Agencies: It is important to note that independent contractors can choose not to seek their own accreditations. Many travel professionals work with host agencies that already are accredited, saving independent contractors the time and money of becoming accredited. To help you choose a host agency, you can find a list of host agencies and other tools and resources at The Travel Institute’s website. You also may seek out other resources, such as FindaHostTravelAgency.com or HostAgencyReviews.com.
Clearly, there is much to learn in this industry. The Travel Institute’s goal is to support your learning at all phases of your career, and we believe TRIPKIT gives a critical foundation of knowledge to those who are just starting out. It also is a resource that will remain with you and be referenced throughout your profession.
