The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has established a collaboration with Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management (FIU) to provide students with educational resources and career pathways in the travel industry.
The partnership grants FIU hospitality students access to ASTA's online educational programs as part of their curriculum. Students will complete the "Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor" and "Geocultural Guide for Travel Advisors" courses, which provide practical guidance for careers in travel advising and support academic and professional development.
The collaboration includes complimentary one-year ASTA membership at the Future Travel Professional level for participating students. The membership provides access to industry resources, including webinars hosted by travel suppliers, ASTA events, educational sessions and member activities designed to create industry engagement and mentorship opportunities.
ASTA worked with Dr. Michael Cheng, Dean of the Chaplin School, to integrate the initiative into the student experience. Courses offered through the FIU program undergo review and evaluation by a faculty panel to ensure required learning objectives and educational performance standards are met.
"Travel is at the core of hospitality and brings people together for memorable moments in their lives," Cheng said. "We are excited to partner with ASTA to offer this essential and unique opportunity to the future leaders of hospitality.
Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA, also emphasized the partnership's role in workforce development.
"We are proud to support FIU's outstanding hospitality students as they explore careers in travel advising," Kerby said. "By providing them with industry-relevant training and opportunities to engage directly with travel professionals, we are not only investing in their future success but also strengthening the pipeline of talent that will drive the future of our industry."
