Travel Industry Training FAQ
Straight answers before you sign up for your next course.
Start Your Travel CareerShort answers to the questions people ask before they spend time on travel industry training.
Travel Industry Training FAQ
Is travel agent training free?
It varies. Tourism-board specialist programs and supplier academies are built as sales tools and are open to registered travel professionals, while designations from independent bodies such as The Travel Institute are sold as study programs. Each provider sets its own terms, so check before you enroll.
What is the difference between a destination specialist and a certified travel agent?
A destination specialist has completed a tourism board’s course on one place. A certified agent has earned a broad designation, such as the CTA, covering the whole business.
Do suppliers check my training?
Some do. Wyndham, for example, limits its personal agent rate to graduates of its Wyndham Wise course, and Marriott links benefits to its Hotel Excellence! program. Others ask only for an industry ID.
Does this site offer courses?
No. Travel Industry Training is an independent guide. We link to the official program pages and never sell or grade courses.
Where can I learn cruise selling?
Our sister site Cruise Agent University covers cruise line academies and CLIA designations.
How many destination courses should I take?
Take as many as your clients justify. Two or three programs you actually use, kept current, are worth more than a long list of lapsed titles. Add a new destination when inquiries for it start to repeat.
Can I list specialist titles on my website?
Yes, while they are current and in the exact wording the program uses. If a program renames itself or a title expires, update your website and email signature at the same time.
Do supplier courses count toward a designation?
Sometimes. The Jamaica Travel Specialist Program, for example, says it carries Travel Institute CEUs. Ask the designation body which outside courses it recognizes before you rely on them.
What should I study if I want to sell air?
Start with IATA Training’s Foundation in Travel and Tourism Diploma, ideally the version tied to the reservation system you will use, and learn how accreditation and the IATA/IATAN ID card work.
I already work in a hotel or for a tour company. Does that help?
A great deal. Product and service experience transfers directly; what you usually need to add is the selling side, the legal basics and a broader view of destinations and suppliers.
How do I keep up with industry changes after training?
Follow the trade press. Our sister site Travel Industry Daily explains which publications and reports advisors read.
Keep Learning
Training is a habit, not a single course. Follow the trade news through Travel Industry Daily, see who wins the industry’s honors on Travel Industry Awards, and browse suppliers in the Official Travel Industry Directory.
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