What: The FTA’s New Certification Program Vets Family-Friendly Suppliers
This month, the Family Travel Association (FTA) launched a supplier certification program that is a first for the travel industry. The FTA Family-Friendly Certification Program enables all types of suppliers to go through an evaluation process with an independent auditor, based on guidelines created by the FTA, in order to verify their companies’ family-friendly offerings. Suppliers can also sign up for training and additional support, including marketing guidance, designed to improve their family-focused products, programs and amenities.
Why It Matters: Family Travelers and Travel Agents Can Make More Confident Bookings
For the first time, travel advisors and clients will be able to determine how family friendly a company is based on a set of independent criteria. The FTA seal of approval will give all parties more confidence in the companies they are booking with. Suppliers who have already gone through the certification — or are in the process — include Austin Adventures, Brendan Vacations, Celebrity Cruises, Coltur Peru, Frontiers North Adventures, Royal Caribbean International and Trafalgar.
Fast Facts: How the Family-Friendly Travel Certification Process Works
- The program’s standards and guidelines were created with input from FTA members — including FTA-certified travel advisors, family travel media specialists and travel industry experts — along with information from the annual FTA research study.
- Each segment of the industry (such as cruises, resorts, airlines, etc.) will have their own specific set of standards.
- To become certified, each supplier will go through an application process and audit of current practices. Once approved, they will participate in a training program during the certification phase. The standards and guidelines criteria include management processes, communications, booking, guest services, facilities, amenities, health and wellness, activities, accessibility and financial assistance.
What They Are Saying: This Certification Will Help Meet the Needs of Traveling Families
“Our ultimate goal with this program, and the association at large, is to help our industry better meet the needs and expectations of traveling families,” says Rainer Jenss, founder of the FTA. “By creating these industry guidelines, we are hoping to set the standards that will assist organizations when developing products and services for families, and help travel advisors choose who to work with when planning their clients’ vacations.”
