Holland America Line reached a milestone with the 13,000th graduation of the cruise line’s HAL Academy Training Program for travel agents. The complimentary HAL Academy curriculum was created by travel industry training expert Dr. Marc Mancini and began in May 2001.
HAL Academy is designed to support travel professionals in their quest for continuing knowledge about travel sales, the cruise industry and Holland America Line. The program certifies those who complete all of the Core Courses, enabling them to use this status and their new knowledge to become more effective in selling cruises. Utilizing video and interactive technology, the program is conducted completely on-line at the students’ own pace.
Subjects covered in the on-line course include an introduction to premium cruising, a sales primer, identifying Holland America Line and cruise prospects, an overview of destinations and available sales support. Two advanced strategy courses focus on building groups and writing a marketing plan.
All graduates receive a signed certificate with their name on it, a $50 shipboard credit for any time a graduate sails on a Travel Agent Appreciation fare and Access to a HAL Academy graduates-only area of the site where they can access HAL Academy tools such as an email signature tag. Graduates also are eligible for up to 15 Cruise Lines International Association continuing education credits, eight continuing education units from The Travel Institute (formerly ICTA) or 12 Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors education credits for Canadian graduates.
For more information, visit www.travelagentheadquarters.com.