How does one become a travel advisor? This question poses a particular challenge to those wishing to enter the travel industry, as there is no required or standardized form of training.
But now, a new education program is aiming to provide an answer for beginner agents.
American Marketing Group, the parent company of Travelsavers and Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST), has created a comprehensive educational course designed to help new travel professionals earn accreditation and begin their path toward becoming a successful advisor.
The Kore New to Travel Industry Training was created in collaboration with the Travel Institute, Allianz Partners, travel advisors and legal counsel to cover a wide range of educational topics, business training and selling skills.
Kore is being beta tested with select Travelsavers and NEST advisors and is exclusive to AMG’s U.S. agency members — for the moment. In 2022, however, there are plans to make the training available industry-wide, as well as to develop additional educational components under the Kore brand.
Travel Agent Training for Beginners
The New to Travel Industry Training, which is 100% online, includes 16 modules, two digital textbooks and three correlated workbooks, plus videos focused on real work experience. The program is designed to take 14-18 weeks to complete, covering an overview of the travel industry and its segments; industry players; basic financials; world geography; sales training; customer service; client qualification; niche travel; social media and communication; industry compliance and fraud; travel insurance; and information on how to be a profitable business owner.
In addition to taking periodic quizzes, advisors will finish the course with a final Travel Agent Proficiency proctored exam. Successful graduates will be eligible for certification from the Travel Institute, as well as credits within the Kore education system.
“For many years, we saw a need in the industry to target new and younger demographics who were interested in travel, and we feel this program will be critical to creating strong professionals in this career path,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, chief sales officer at Travelsavers. “While this program was originally built for [those who are] new to industry, we have found a great interest from existing agencies who needed continuing education for their travel managers and even owners.”
For many years, we saw a need in the industry to target new and younger demographics who were interested in travel, and we feel this program will be critical to creating strong professionals in this career path.
Mazza-Burney and Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer for Travelsavers, also shared that the company has seen a lot of new people come into the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a noteworthy uptick in available advisor trainings. With the increased interest in the profession, however, they felt it was important to make sure new agents were getting the knowledge and skills they needed for the job — not only for their own success, but also to advance the travel advisor profession overall.
“We want to bring educated advisors into the industry,” Mazza-Burney said. “Doing that will help increase the value of the advisor.”
The Details
Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST)
Travelsavers
