Career opportunities in travel will get a needed boost with Travel Leaders Group's announcement that registration is officially open for the first training module of its new Travel Leaders of Tomorrow (www.travelleadersoftomorrow.com) initiative. The first training module will be offered in April.
The goal of Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is to attract and train new talent into the flourishing travel industry, as well as to place qualified participants into an increasing number of travel agencies now needing knowledgeable and skilled travel agent professionals, the Group reports.
“A travel agent career is suddenly fashionable once again,” said Heather Kindred, Program Director for Travel Leaders of Tomorrow. “According to a recent study by IBISWorld – a leading market research firm respected for its long-range forecasting of industries – travel agencies are among the eight hottest industries for 2013. Their research indicated that travel agencies provide entrepreneurs with some of the best opportunities of any industry. As entrepreneurs carefully contemplate careers as travel agents, we want them to know that Travel Leaders of Tomorrow can make it a reality.”
Participants who successfully complete the Travel Leaders of Tomorrow program and who are placed into one of the more than 6,000 Travel Leaders Group wholly-owned, franchised or member agencies throughout the United States may qualify to earn back part of their tuition – up to $1,000 – as well as a cruise on Azamara Club Cruises.
Azamara Club Cruises and Marriott are the latest travel supplier partners committed to collaborating with Travel Leaders of Tomorrow in the development of new talent for the travel industry. Other partners include Celebrity Cruises, Delta Air Lines, Funjet Vacations, Globus Family of Brands, Hertz, MLT Vacations, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Sabre Travel Network, Travel Guard and Travel Insured International.
“Thanks to our highly collaborative approach with industry leaders like The Travel Institute and 13 leading suppliers covering every major travel segment, we will develop both the hard and soft skills required of individuals to succeed and thrive in this business,” noted Kindred.
“Devoted to the professionalism of our participants, Travel Leaders of Tomorrow offers prospective travel agents a multi-dimensional approach to learning that will all be available online, teaching them everything from geography and how to book appropriate products for their clients to the essentials in marketing, selling and servicing the individual needs of customers. In turn, we look forward to placing qualified participants in one of the thousands of travel agencies that are under Travel Leaders Group’s growing umbrella," Kindred said.
With over $18 billion in travel sales through its diverse travel agency businesses, Travel Leaders Group now rivals the annual sales volume of the travel industry’s mega-agencies and online travel agencies, Kindred notes.
“We recognize that each unique travel experience begins with one of our more than 40,000 travel agent professionals operating through a variety of diversified divisions and brands within the Travel Leaders Group enterprise,” Kindred explained. “Our goal is to dramatically increase those travel agent numbers by focusing on the enormous opportunity that a career in our industry can offer. But it all starts with the training that Travel Leaders of Tomorrow will provide.”
Using a “virtual campus” solution, Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is comprised of four major components:
• Self-Paced E-Learning Modules - The curriculum for the Travel Leaders of Tomorrow program consists of four core modules in addition to a fifth module that includes resume tips, mentoring and guidance on finalizing participants’ career paths. Participants will also be provided access to supplier partners’ training platforms. Each core module is $450; textbooks and the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) testing fee are an additional $225 and may be purchased during registration or directly from The Travel Institute.
• Guest Lecturers - Some of the travel industry’s foremost experts will provide participants with insights and perspectives to better understand the industry.
• Individual Self-Study Assignments
• Group Projects
Culmination of the program will include the opportunity for participants to complete The Travel Institute’s highly regarded Travel Agency Proficiency (TAP) test.
Kindred also stated that while Travel Leaders of Tomorrow has been built to infuse the travel industry with new talent, the program is not limited to new travel agents. “Whether they’re new to the industry or need a kick-start to their careers, our accepted candidates will receive career counseling to determine the best fit for them, ideally within our organization, and connect them with an industry mentor,” she said.
Prospective applicants for Travel Leaders of Tomorrow are invited to visit www.travelleadersoftomorrow.com for full details of the program and access to online applications. Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TravelLeadersOfTomorrow.
Visit www.travelleadersgroup.com