travel industry professional

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The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the world's leading association of travel professionals, is the global advocate for travel agencies, the travel industry and the traveling public. We champion ethical and traveler-friendly practices and policies at every level of government and throughout the travel and hospitality industry. Our members are all bound by a shared code of ethics.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

ASTA's specialized courses range from legal issues and marketing to artificial intelligence. There’s also a wide array of travel advisor fam trips, training and certifications with significant ASTA member discounts on all programs.   

USING A TRAVEL ADVISOR

Planning a trip today can be complicated and time confusing. Travel advisors are here to help. If you’re ready to pack your bags and you know where you want to go, submit our form to connect directly with a travel advisor.

A TRAVEL ADVISOR

Are you looking for a career with high growth potential? The pandemic has made consumers increasingly appreciative and aware of the benefits of working with a travel advisor so their services are more in demand than ever.

Featured News

From travel tips and trends to hands-on advice from ASTA members and media coverage of the industry, here are some of our favorite stories.

Final FAA Reauthorization Bill Presents Both Drawbacks and Notable Victories for Travel Advisors

The American Society of Travel Advisors is Disappointed by DOT’s Lack of Understanding of Travel Agencies and the Role They Play in Selling Airline Tickets

A Travel Advisor Day Gift from IATA!

IATA is giving ASTA members 50% off its industry-trusted IATA/IATAN ID Cards' annual fee

American Airlines Postpones NDC & AAdvantage Changes

Global Travel Advisor Groups Raise Concerns around American Airlines’ Anti-Competitive Actions

American Society of Travel Advisors Takes Aim at American Airlines, Launches Save My Miles Campaign.

Accepting Nominations for "Travel Advisor of the year"

The American Society of Travel Advisors Expands Travel Advisor Mentorship Opportunities

ASTA Applauds Congressional Funding of Travel and Tourism Office

Five Things for Travel Advisors to Love About Puerto Rico

Upcoming events.

ASTA events bring together the best minds in the industry. It is where Travel Agency Professionals, convene for inspiration, education, and entertainment. Browse through the series of upcoming events below and register now to start expanding your knowledge.

Join us May 2024 for The ASTA Travel Advisor Conference

Experience all things Caribbean with ASTA in Curaçao

Join us on Capitol Hill for the most important advocacy event of the year

Experience this exclusive event for ASTA Premium Members on the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady.

Join us in Vienna to experience more than a dozen river cruise ships. WAIT LIST ONLY

Proud Partners

We are grateful to our most supportive partners, ASTA Proud Partners. Recognizing how important travel advisors are to their success, these companies invest their time and resources to support ASTA’s mission and ensure a healthy and robust travel agency distribution channel.

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Travel Agent Certifications

Explore the top Travel Agent certifications that are important to a successful career.

Getting Started as a Travel Agent

• What is a Travel Agent
• How To Become
• Certifications
• Tools & Software
• LinkedIn Guide
• Interview Questions
• Work-Life Balance
• Professional Goals
• Resume Examples
• Cover Letter Examples

Getting Certified as a Travel Agent

Top travel agent certifications, best travel agent certifications, certified travel associate (cta).

• At least 18 months of travel industry work experience.
• Completion of the CTA coursework provided by The Travel Institute.
• Passing the CTA certification exam.
• Agreement to adhere to The Travel Institute's Code of Ethics.
• Commitment to earning 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) each year to maintain certification.
• Payment of applicable enrollment and exam fees.

Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)

• Minimum of five years of full-time industry experience.
• Completion of the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program or equivalent experience and education.
• Submission of an enrollment form along with the appropriate fee.
• Completion of a series of leadership and management courses provided by The Travel Institute.
• Passing of a comprehensive exam that tests knowledge and application of advanced travel industry concepts.
• Submission of a white paper or case study project that demonstrates the application of skills and knowledge gained during the coursework.

Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE)

• A minimum of five years of travel industry experience.
• Current employment in the travel industry at the time of application.
• Completion of a self-paced study program provided by The Travel Institute.
• Submission of a white paper or case study project, which demonstrates the application of leadership principles within the travel industry.
• Passing the CTIE exam, which assesses knowledge and application of leadership and management principles.

Travel and Tourism Professional (TTP)

• High school diploma or equivalent educational qualification
• Understanding of basic English language to comprehend the training material and instruction
• Completion of the IATA Travel and Tourism Consultant course or relevant work experience in the travel industry may be recommended
• Access to a computer and the internet to take the course if opting for online training
• Payment of the applicable fees for the TTP certification exam
• Agreement to abide by the professional standards and code of conduct set by IATA

Certified Destination Specialist (CDS)

• Membership with The Travel Institute is recommended but not required.
• Completion of a destination specialist course for a specific region or country offered by The Travel Institute.
• Passing the final exam for the chosen destination specialist course with a score of 70% or higher.
• At least 12 months of travel industry experience is recommended.
• Commitment to continuing education by earning 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every year to maintain certification.
• Payment of applicable fees for the course and examination.

Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS)

• Membership with the American Bus Association (ABA) is required.
• Current employment in the travel and tourism industry.
• Completion of a series of educational courses provided by the ABA.
• Engagement in a self-paced study program that may take 1-2 years to complete.
• Passing the final certification exam to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development to maintain certification status.

Travel Marketing Professional (TMP)

• Employment in the tourism industry, preferably in a marketing-related role
• Membership with the Southeast Tourism Society or employment with a member organization
• Completion of the three-year Marketing College program offered by the Southeast Tourism Society
• Attendance at all required courses and workshops over the three-year period
• Submission and approval of a final project or capstone presentation demonstrating the application of learned marketing strategies
• Commitment to continuing education in tourism marketing as required for certification maintenance

Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC)

• Membership in the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as an individual agent member.
• Completion of the Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC) certification, which is a prerequisite for the MCC program.
• Completion of a specified number of CLIA training courses and elective courses related to the cruise industry.
• Personal experience sailing on a set number of cruises of varying lengths and cruise lines.
• Conducting a number of ship inspections to gain firsthand knowledge of different cruise products.
• Achievement of a minimum amount of verifiable cruise sales within a certain time frame.

Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC)

• Membership in the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is required to enroll in the certification program.
• Completion of CLIA's online training courses, which include Introduction to the Cruise Industry, Geography of Cruise Travel, and Customer Service.
• Successful completion of elective training courses offered by CLIA to accumulate a required number of credits.
• Personal cruise experience, which includes conducting a certain number of cabin inspections and going on a specified number of cruises of varying lengths.
• Proof of cruise sales experience, demonstrating practical application of the knowledge gained through the certification training.
• Submission of a completed application for the ACC certification, including documentation of completed requirements and payment of any associated fees.

Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC)

• A minimum of 1800 hours of travel industry experience
• Completion of the ACTA Travel Studies Program or an equivalent recognized by ACTA
• Passing the Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) exam
• Adherence to ACTA's Code of Ethics
• Membership in good standing with ACTA
• Continuing education credits to maintain certification status

A Better Way to Present Certifications

Benefits of having a travel agent certification, how to choose the best travel agent certification.

• Identify Your Specialization: Determine the niche or area within the travel industry where you want to excel, such as luxury travel, cruises, adventure tourism, or corporate travel management. Choose a certification that enhances your expertise in that particular area, ensuring that you become a go-to specialist whom clients and employers can trust.
• Consider Market Demand: Research the market to understand what skills are in high demand. Certifications that cover emerging trends such as sustainable travel, digital nomad lifestyles, or wellness tourism can set you apart in a competitive market. Aligning your certification with these demands can make you more attractive to potential clients and employers.
• Evaluate Educational Content: Scrutinize the curriculum of the certification programs. Look for comprehensive content that covers a broad range of topics, including travel regulations, destination knowledge, customer service excellence, and technology use in the travel industry. A well-rounded certification can provide a solid foundation for your career.
• Assess Flexibility and Support: Consider the format and duration of the certification program. If you are currently working, you may need a program that offers flexible scheduling or online learning options. Additionally, check for support resources such as mentorship, career services, or access to industry tools and software.
• Review Success Outcomes: Investigate the track record of the certification program. Look for success stories, testimonials, and the career progression of past participants. Certifications that have a proven record of helping travel agents advance in their careers can be more valuable investments for your future.

Preparing for Your Travel Agent Certification

Certification faqs for travel agents, is getting a travel agent certification worth it, do you need a certification to get a job as a travel agent, can travel agent certifications help pivoters make the transition into customer service from another career path.

Travel Agent Tools & Software

Related Certification Lists

Creating memorable guest experiences, driving service excellence in the hospitality sector

Driving customer satisfaction, resolving issues with empathy and efficiency

Fostering customer loyalty and business growth through personalized relationship management

Driving customer satisfaction and loyalty through proactive relationship management

Ensuring passenger safety and comfort, creating memorable travel experiences

Crafting unforgettable journeys, tailoring travel experiences to individual desires

Start Your Travel Agent Career with Teal

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Dangerous FAA Amendment Would Undermine Aviation Security and Delay Millions

Every day, we are pursuing our unique mission to increase travel to and within the united states., featured news.

THE ITINERARY A Conversation with TSA on Biometric Screening Technology

PRESS RELEASE Global Meetings Industry Day on April 11 Champions Value, Benefits of Business Events and Meetings

PRESS RELEASE Congress Threatening to Create Chaos at Airports this Summer and Beyond

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TRAVEL: POWERING THE ECONOMY. CONNECTING AMERICA.

Learn more about the impact of the travel industry, american jobs.

In 2023, the travel industry directly employed 8 million Americans and supported nearly 15 million jobs .

National GDP

The travel industry represents 2.5% of our national GDP. Travel is a top services export for our nation and has the unique ability to generate a trade surplus for the U.S. economy.

Economic Output

$2.8 trillion.

Travel accounted for $1.3 trillion in direct spending in 2023—which produced an economic footprint of $2.8 trillion .

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Travel Industry Personnel was established in 1984 and has grown to become the largest company committed to staffing within the Canadian travel industry. We have helped travel agencies, tour wholesalers, airlines, hotels, and car rental firms with their staffing needs across Canada.

At Travel Industry Personnel, customer service leads our list of priorities. Our company is exclusively committed to the travel industry. We have the contacts, industry experience and knowledge to offer reliable, professional and effective service.

We can save you an incredible amount of work. We can reduce the time you and your staff spend in placing advertisements, screening, the arranging of interviews and salary negotiations.

TIP’s ability to match proven travel professionals with organizations seeking to fill travel positions, has made us the number one recruiting firm within the travel industry. We are firm believers in industry participation through associations such as ACTA.

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What Our Clients Say...

Travel Industry Personnel consistently provide us with highly qualified, dedicated staff. Whenever we are in a position to hire for any travel related skill, our first call is TIP! We continue to rely on them. TIP provides professional services at highly competitive rates.

Travel Industry Personnel has been a long standing travel recruitment partner. They are professional, thorough, and really understand our business and position requirements. Often we present positions that we need to fill within a very tight timeline. TIP rarely disappoints and more often than not, presents solid candidates to meet such deadlines. Thank you to all the team members at TIP for making my job that much easier.

Our company has had a long and successful relationship with Travel Industry Personnel. When we need to recruit experienced travel professionals, they are the company that delivers results.

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We serve our travel industry partners in the most efficient way by providing superb quality service, competitive rates and a constantly expanding range of services.

leading consulting group

Leading Consulting Group (LCG) is a sales and marketing company specializing in luxury hotels, premium lifestyle services and exclusive brands. Launched in 2007 by Viktor Dimitrov, it offers a prestigious portfolio of clients strategic direction and a comprehensive range of personalized marketing and sales representation services across the Eastern European region.

We represent exceptional luxury hotels, service providers and lifestyle brands.

We hand pick just the right ones for the portfolio to ensure a consistent level of excellence.

They know they are special and unique and want a team of experts that share the same values and goals. A visionary team that can open the right doors and move market share one company at a time. Our clients represent luxury beyond the traditional understanding of this notion.

Leading Consulting Group offers bespoke comprehensive solutions to build a long-term relationships with our clients.

We grow revenue for our clients by creating awareness, educating the travel trade and generating sales by positioning ourselves as an extension of our client's sales & marketing team.

• Outsource Sales and Marketing services
• GSA Representation
• Strategic planning and communication
• Brand strategy
• Destination Management
• Media relations
• Public Relations
• Lobbying and Public affairs
• Media planning and buying
• Content creation
• Press clipping services
• Crisis Management
• Corporate Reputation Management
• Sales Calls
• Sales Solicitation
• Corporate and Leisure Business
• Call Center & Room Reservations
• Newsletter and Mailing Creation
• Business Pairing
• Trade and Consumer Events
• Event management
• Trade and Media Fams
• Client relations management (CRM)
• Annual rate contracting and negotiations
• Educating training programs for travel professionals
• Printed Materials Handling

About Karlson Tourism

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