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Allyson Freedland, Development Counsellors International; Sara Borjanini, ProExport Colombia; Jaime Echavarria, ProExport Colombia; Amalia Meliti, Development Counsellors International and Camilo Duque, ProExport Colombia at recent event in New York City to launch TRIP |
The Colombian Tourism Board and Travel Agent University launched Colombia’s first Travel Rewards and Incentives Program (TRIP). This initiative aims to reward agents who learn about the destination, sell packages to Colombia, and refer colleagues to join.
The platform includes a free online curriculum that will provide agents with the knowledge necessary to sell Colombia travel to leisure and corporate clients, while rewarding them with “miles,” which are redeemable for complimentary airfare and hotel stays in Colombia.
The courses will introduce agents to Colombia’s main tourism regions, highlighting the cultural, historic, ecotourism, adventure and culinary experiences and tours available.
Varying levels of hotel product will also be profiled. Agents catering to the corporate market will find a chapter on planning meetings and conferences or brokering incentive programs in the destination. General information on air service, ground transportation, weather, and visa requirements will also be reviewed. Whether it is a trek through the Coffee Triangle or a corporate meeting in Bogotá, agents who complete the course will be fully prepared to sell Colombia. Graduates of the program receive Colombia Specialist Certification and become Colombia Travel Partners.
The rewards program offers the opportunity to accumulate “miles,” similar to a frequent flyer program. These “miles” can be redeemed for gift cards at select online stores or cashed-in for a trip to Colombia. “Miles” will accrue based on nights booked, corporate events booked and number of agent referrals. Agents booking their first Colombia trip will receive double miles.
Additional resources and benefits to theTRIP include: priority invitations to fam trips and seminars hosted by the Colombian Tourism Board and supporting suppliers; exclusive use of the Colombia Travel Partner logo; listing as a Colombia Specialist travel agent on the official Colombia tourism and Travel Agent University websites; and free promotional materials and updates on Colombia’s regions, products and offers.
U.S travel agents will be able to register at www.tauniv.com and www.colombia.travel/TRIP.
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Sara Borjanini, ProExport Colombia; Camilo Duque, ProExport Colombia and Shirley Ucros, GTA America at TRIP launch event |