 |
| Photo by Freeimages.com/Mary Gober |
The Travel Institute reports that more individuals are preparing themselves for a career in the travel industry and that there is a renewed interest across all experience levels in travel certification and specialization, based on an analysis of the organization's enrollment levels in several of its flagship curriculums and programs.
The analysis included enrollment trends in the TRIPKit, Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), and Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE).
TRIPKit, The Travel Institute’s entry-level training program, reported a 60 percent increase in enrollments through the first eight months of 2015 (August) compared to all of 2014, and the highest level since the non-profit organization launched the program in 2005, The Travel Institute said.
The training is built around a free "getting started" webinar, two college-level textbooks, and two supporting workbooks to prepare a newcomer for a career in the travel business. Upon completion of the studies, a Travel Agent Proficiency test is available and students can earn their first industry-recognized designation with a passing grade. A complimentary six-month membership to The Travel Institute is also part of the experience.
Driving much of TRIPKit’s popularity are the complimentary webinars that are offered on a regular basis as well as a variety of activities that were featured in The Travel Institute’s inaugural “New to the Industry” themed month in February 2015, The Travel Institute said. More than 625 people participated in just the webinars that month. Webinar attendees who purchase TRIPKit receive a complimentary destination specialist course.
In the certification arena, since 2014, The Travel Institute has welcomed:
- More than 2,000 enrollees in the CTA program
- More than 400 enrollees in the CTC program
- More than 170 enrollees in the CTIE program
“Those strong numbers not only have to do with a renewed interest in travel as a viable career, but also because we’re constantly evolving our training content and new learning platforms to ensure that all travel professionals receive the highest quality college-level training to help them – and our industry – achieve excellence," said The Travel Institute COO Diane Petras.