The Power of Education Showcases Your Tenacity

Yesterday, we heard Linda Kaplan Thaler speak about grit and how it helped her achieve success in a highly competitive industry. Her topic was of particular interest to us, based on what we observed during the pandemic.

Our student activity and, more specifically, enrollments in our Certified Travel Associate (CTA®) program more than doubled compared to the same period in 2019. To us, that represented continued grit and determination on the part of agents everywhere, seeking to grow during a crisis by improving tactical skills, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity as they adapted to change and retooled for their future. Fast forward to today, those students are now graduating, marketing their new credentials and attracting discerning travelers who are seeking an educated professional to help them navigate the complexities of travel planning.

So how does this affect you? Well, if you are a CTA, CTC, or CTIE, you want to be certain you have everything in order on your digital credential because we are about to actively showcase you to consumers this year. We are proud of our certified graduates because of their commitment to education as well as their dedication to career and clients. If you do not have an active digital credential, contact us now, and we will help you get set up: Sconnor@thetravelinstitute.com

And, if you are not yet certified but qualified to enroll, you have access to our 8th Annual Promote Your Professionalism campaign during July when 50% scholarships are available—via an application process—for all certifications through The Travel Institute. Now is the time for you to join those who made that commitment to higher standards and to add your name to an elite group of travel professionals who now are marketing their achievement and showcasing their certification.

In addition, we are excited and proud to give you the ultimate marketing tool: our Certified Travel Agent Directory. It is a consumer-facing, free directory to help potential travel clients find YOU! To be listed, you must be certified and must fulfill your commitment to the industry high standards by earning 10 CEUs per year. Doing so will assure travelers that you are the resource they need to plan their trips of a lifetime.

We are passionate about our mission in this industry because we see how certification has helped individuals and, in turn, have helped our industry grow. We know this by hearing it directly from you. Here is what your peers have said:

CTA

I would highly recommend this program, even to seasoned travel professionals. The program is designed for practical and professional skills—both are needed in our industry. The material breaks down concepts and ideas so well and doesn’t rush or complicate things. It’s truly awesome. I felt valued, empowered, and confident being a professional in our industry.— Timothy York, CTA Certify, Inc.

When you invest in yourself by getting certified, you are showing your clients you are invested in your craft.—Stephanie Kilson-Thomas, CTA KT Travel & More

Completing this program shows I’m dedicated to the profession. Yes, I have my Master Cruise Counselor Certification, but the CTA makes me a well-rounded travel advisor.—Isaiah Banks, CTA Cruise Planners – Decatur

CTC

The CTC certification process was very in-depth and helped me to review many management processes we are using. I would definitely recommend this certification program to other travel professionals. It demonstrates a commitment to our profession and to our clients.—John Hendrick, CTC Deramus Travel Inc.

CTIE 

What I would suggest, for those who are entering into the industry or looking to grow their career, is to take the course. I wish I would have completed this when I was promoted into management years ago. While I’ve learned a lot over the years, it would have been valuable to build a strong foundation with these fundamentals and be able to leverage them along the way. The CTIE course would have taught me to think like a leader. This also would have been incredibly valuable as a sales representative in the field, looking to grow. It would have provided the tools to think strategically and be ready for my next steps into leadership. It’s an incredible feeling to have completed the course, and the pride of showing my credentials is an absolute joy!—Laurie Bohn-Isaure, CTIE Silversea Cruises Ltd.

Thank you to all the grads who provided feedback!

We admire all travel professionals everywhere who are taking on any new learning to create and prepare for the opportunities ahead.