The Travel Institute has completely redesigned its Travel Agency Business Planning course to address the changing landscape of the travel industry, where independent contractors have grown from 29% of agents in 2008 to 71% in 2023.
The updated curriculum targets both new and experienced travel agency owners, including independent contractors, with tools to enhance their business models through stronger foundations and strategic growth frameworks.
"This course is about ICs and agency owners being business owners first and travel experts second," said Guida Botelho, senior director of education for The Travel Institute. "Being a great advisor is critical, of course, but it is second to being a great business professional. This course gives travel experts the guidance they need to develop a business framework that includes marketing, operations, technology gaps, government regulations and other everyday business challenges."
The North American-focused course incorporates interactive exercises and templates to help students establish operational foundations, conduct gap analyses, and create long-term success roadmaps. Course topics include goal setting, sales and marketing planning, financial projections, risk management, payment systems, customer relationship management tools and business processes.
The course features insights from industry experts, including sponsor Sheila Folk, CEO and founder of Travel Industry Solutions.
"Travel Agency Business Planning focuses on the inner workings of running a successful business, filling a critically important learning void for today's up and coming travel business owners," Folk said. "Through this course, travel agency owners will gain critical context and guidance specific to operating a travel business — a must-have for serious agencies and ICs."
According to Botelho, most students will complete the initial course content in about three hours, with additional time needed to implement the learning. The course serves as an ongoing reference resource for business owners.
The course is included as a module in The Travel Institute's Certified Travel Counselor and Certified Travel Industry Executive programs. The self-paced online course is available at no additional cost for Premium Access online library subscribers and awards two continuing education units to previously certified graduates.
This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by The Travel Institute. It was reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
