TRIPKIT and Certified Travel Associate (CTA®) programs recognized for helping advisors from industry entry to advanced professional development and certification.
The Travel Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the travel advisor profession through education and certification, has earned two Gold 2026 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for its education programs — the highest honor in the prestigious annual awards.
These awards recognize The Travel Institute’s training programs at two important stages of the travel advisor career journey: giving new, aspiring advisors a strong foundation for entering the industry and helping experienced advisors strengthen client relationships, sharpen sales skills and grow their businesses with greater confidence.
The Gold 2026 Magellan Award-winning Programs
- Certified Travel Associate (CTA®) 11th Edition: Advancing Professionals with Knowledge and Career-Building Benefits, recognized in the Travel Services — Marketing | Education Program category.
- TRIPKIT 6th Edition: New Agent Training — Reimagined for the Next Generation of Travel Professionals, recognized in the Travel Advisor Organizations — Overall | Training Program category.
Together, the awards underscore The Travel Institute’s career-long approach to professional education — from an aspiring advisor’s first steps into the industry to advanced education and professional certification.
Supporting Advisors Throughout Their Careers
TRIPKIT is designed for those entering the travel advisor profession, providing foundational training for new advisors to develop the knowledge and professional skills needed to begin their careers with confidence.
The CTA certification program is for travel advisors who are ready for the next step in their professional development and business growth. Earning the CTA credential demonstrates a commitment to expanding skills and delivering exceptional client experiences.
“Successful careers in travel are built through knowledge, experience and a commitment to professional excellence,” said Taylor Ruecking, president of The Travel Institute. “We are honored to have these two Gold Travel Weekly Magellan Awards recognize our work across that journey, from equipping new advisors with a strong foundation to helping experienced advisors expand their expertise and advance their careers through certification.”
Education That Strengthens the Industry
As the travel advisor profession evolves, ongoing education helps advisors build knowledge, enhance their professionalism and navigate the dynamic travel landscape.
The Travel Institute takes an independent, career-long approach to education, offering programs and professional credentials that will carry advisors throughout their careers.
Strong professional education benefits the broader travel industry by strengthening the expertise of advisors who connect travelers with travel suppliers and experiences.
About the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards
The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards recognize outstanding design, marketing and services across the travel industry. Winners are selected by a panel of top travel professionals. The awards attract hundreds of entries from the U.S. and around the world, honoring excellence across the travel industry.
About Travel Weekly
Travel Weekly is the most influential provider of news, research, opinion and analysis to the North American travel trade marketplace. It reaches a broad industry audience in print, online and with face- to-face events throughout the year. Travel Weekly is a part of Northstar Travel Group, the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstartravelgroup.com
About Northstar Travel Group
Northstar Travel Group is the leading business-to-business media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns fourteen media brands connecting 1.3M industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than one hundred events in thirteen countries. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at www.northstartravelgroup.com.
