HISTORY, PURPOSE, AND PROGRAMS
For more than 60 years, The Travel Institute has advanced professional standards through travel advisor education, certification, and continuing learning.
The organization’s story began in 1963, when a cross-section of travel industry leaders recommended creating a nonprofit institute to establish higher educational and professional standards, administer formal training, and promote ethical professional conduct.
Incorporated in 1964 as the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, or ICTA, the organization partnered with Michigan State University to develop its original curriculum. Today, The Travel Institute continues that founding purpose as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering knowledgeable, ethical, and passionate travel professionals.
A collaborative industry effort, the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, ICTA, is formed as a dedicated educational institution to advance agent and industry professionalism.
Washington, DC
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes ICTA as a non-profit and declares its gifts tax-deductible.
The first Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) study group is formed in Pittsburgh.
ICTA enrolls its 1000th CTC candidate.
CTC course earns accreditation toward Master’s Degree in Travel and Tourism.
Attendees discuss deregulation.
Entry-level textbook launches, eventually becomes an industry staple used by hundreds of colleges, universities, and travel schools.
Destination and niche market learning becomes widely popular as many agents begin to specialize.
Travel Counselor magazine launched to report on timely topics for agents, including salary survey results.
Recognizing CTC as a “professional development” program, ICTA announces continuing education requirement for active CTCs.
Certified Travel Associate designation created, adding second level of recognition.
Travel Agent Proficiency, or TAP, test, a nationally recognized test to measure basic travel agent skills, created by ICTA, ASTA and other industry partners.
Executive Institute program attracts many high-ranking and influential industry leaders to participate in ICTA educational processes and programming.
ICTA launches CTA and CTC online for just in time, anytime, anywhere learning.
The popular geography resource debuts, bringing together the “facts” of geography with the “why” it’s important.
In response to the September 11 attacks, ICTA launches its “Moving Forward” teleconference series to help travel professionals refocus, adapt and recover.
ICTA changes its name to The Travel Institute “... to move beyond the role of establishing proficiency standards for travel agents and become an educational resource serving all industry professionals.”
Certified Travel Industry Executive, CTIE, program launched for industry leaders.
The first in a series of commissioned surveys explores the changing travel advisor landscape and evolving industry dynamics.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, The Travel Institute launches the annual Promote Your Professionalism scholarship campaign to encourage professional education and increase awareness of its value.
The Travel Institute declares 2016 “The Year of the Travel Professional.” All major print and digital communications are tied to the year-long promotion.
The Certified Travel Advisor Directory launches, helping consumers find and connect with certified travel professionals.
Certified Travel Advisor Directory, matches consumers with certified agents.
Custom training technology launched to support partnership organizations looking to combine TRIPKIT with their proprietary learning material.
The Travel Institute establishes Educational Excellence Award to recognize organizations and individuals who demonstrate a significant, ongoing commitment to quality education and a substantial, meaningful investment in its delivery.
The Travel Institute celebrates 30,000 certified agents.
The Travel Institute receives a prestigious Magellan Award for TRIPKIT℠, its introductory education program for new travel professionals.
The Education Hub is redefining travel training—delivering specialization, strategy, and confidence for today’s professionals.
Knowledge Bridge™ launches, enabling The Travel Institute’s education to be delivered through partner learning management systems and expanding access to travel professionals worldwide.
The Travel Institute’s CTA®, CTC®, and CTIE® credentials recognize progressive levels of professional experience and expertise. Graduates maintain active certification by earning at least 10 Continuing Education Units annually, and those with current CEUs may be eligible for inclusion in the public Certified Travel Advisor Directory.
TRIPKIT is The Travel Institute’s comprehensive introductory program for new and aspiring travel professionals. First developed from the organization’s foundational travel-industry textbooks, the program has continuously evolved to reflect changes in travel products, technology, customer service, sales and career opportunities.
Today, TRIPKIT 6th Edition combines Travel Career Development, Exploring the World, an interactive 19-lesson study plan, TRIPKIT Tracks, Insider Insights from working professionals and preparation for the Travel Agent Proficiency, or TAP®, test. Most students complete approximately 40–60 hours of self-paced learning during their 12 months of program access.
TRIPKIT is used by independent students, agencies, educational institutions and organizations seeking structured foundational travel-industry education.
Upon completion of the introductory/new agent training course (TRIPKIT), students take a proctored Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP®) examination. Passing the TAP exam demonstrates that the individual has mastered the basic skills of travel services, including selling, basic geography, terminology, and products sold by travel agents, and also qualifies the individual for advanced courses of study.
This test is also provided to colleges and employers to allow them to measure and assess the travel knowledge and skills of an individual, for placement and employment purposes.
The Travel Institute has staff who coach and mentor those who are starting a career in travel by offering live and recorded sessions that cover:
Work environment options: A traditional office vs working from home.
Career choices: Finding a travel job that suits your strengths and interests.
Networking for success: Understanding where to go to meet the right people and research your career.
Continuing education: Learning how to build the skills needed to succeed.
Developing a specialty: Exploring niche markets to better understand how to focus talents and energy.
TAP Test Preparation: Live and recorded seminars that outline study tips.
The Travel Institute researches, prepares, and updates various industry lists for the public that are available on its website at no cost to the public, for those seeking more information about the retail travel industry. Such lists include:
These courses are designed to provide the student with the skills and knowledge needed to specialize in a specific destination or travel niche. They are delivered in an online format and available to the student on a 24/7 basis. An optional online exam can be taken, and a grade of 70 or higher is considered passing.
Our Destination (DS) courses focus on the geography, culture, essential sites, and attractions, travel tips, and sample itineraries that help the student learn how to create vacation itineraries. Each DS curriculum serves as a helpful resource for our students, long after the student has completed the course.
Our Lifestyle/Niche (LS) courses focus on a particular travel segment, the kinds of travelers attracted to that segment, the destinations that cater to it, and action plans to grow the student’s specialty in this segment.
Our DS and LS Courses are sold to independent study students, career schools, and colleges in North America.
The Education Hub represents the continued evolution of The Travel Institute’s commitment to lifelong professional development. It provides travel professionals with access to destination and niche-market specialization, business and management education, webinars, industry insights and opportunities to earn Continuing Education Units.
The Gold Standard in Travel Industry Education
Today, The Travel Institute supports travel professionals at every stage of their careers, from foundational TRIPKIT℠ education and the TAP® exam to advanced certification, specialization, continuing education, and leadership development.
Through the Education Hub, digital credentials, the Certified Travel Advisor Directory, and Knowledge Bridge™, The Travel Institute continues to expand access to rigorous education while helping qualified professionals demonstrate their expertise to employers, partners, and travelers.
More than 60 years after its founding, its purpose remains clear: strengthening individual careers while raising professional standards across the travel industry.
How to Become a Travel Agent
Here’s everything you should know before becoming a travel agent
“… take classes with a company like The Travel Institute to earn your certification. Not only will they teach you the basics of planning itineraries, but they’ll also make sure you’re learning about new cultures, world geography, and experiences you can have all over the world. “
Travel agents are changing. Here’s how to choose the right one.
“… look for certifications and association memberships. For example, The Travel Institute’s Certified Travel Associate (CTA) and Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designations mean an agent has taken the time to study and understand travel.”
