Travel Professional Academy proposes to build for the American Society of Travel Advisors a three part course:
Geography for the Travel Professional
Understanding Travel and Tourism
Up and Running: A Plan for Growing your Travel Business
Geography for Travel Advisors: Curriculum
I. Geography: Introduction
Understanding Geography
Geography and Cultures
Geography and Tourism
Important Skills and Knowledge Points:
Latitude and Longitude
GPS
Reading a Map and Using a Compass
Calculating Time Zones and Travel Time
Sustainable Travel
II. The Continents, Oceans and Seas of the World Each continent will be broken out in an introductory fashion, with key demographic information, photography, video, and information relating to tourism infrastructure.
Asia
Africa
Antarctica
Australia
Europe
North America,
South America,
Europe
III. The Countries and their political divisions Each country will be broken out with key demographic information, information on cities and key tourism areas, photography, video, and information relating to tourism infrastructure including links to Tourism Authorities and other resources. The course would be online and would be intended as an ongoing reference source, continually updated. The Geography for Travel Advisors course could be presented in any of the following formats:
Powerpoint Video Courses;
Text;
Lectures; or,
Any combination of the three
Understanding Travel and Tourism
Tourism as an economic force
Air Travel
The Hotel Industry
Local Points of Interest
Tour Operators
Consolidators
The Cruise Industry
Tour Operators
Tourist Authorities and Destination Management Organizations
The Understanding Travel and Tourism course could be presented in any of the following formats:
Powerpoint Video Courses;
Text;
Lectures; or,
Any combination of the three
Up and Running: A Plan for Growing Your Career in Travel
Module 1: Basic Marketing and a Business Plan Overview
Introduction
Crucial Psychogical Shifts
Preparing Your Mission Statement for Authentic Marketing
Your Brand as a Travel Consultant
Branding: Building a Rapport and a Relationship
SWOT Analysis
Your Points of Contact
Your Marketing Funnels
Client Retention
A Business Plan Overview
A Tactical Overview
Competition Understood
Your Marketing Calendar
Next Steps
Module 2: Marketing Tactics
Advertising for Travel Professionals
Public Relations: Media
Public Relations: Networking
Public Relations: Speaking Opportunities
Public Relations: Events
Public Relations: Writing for Travel Professionals
Public Relations: Writing for Travel Professionals: Blogging
Cross Marketing
Word of Mouth Marketing
Implementing a Group Leader Program
Introduction: Expanding Your Digital Footprint
Digital Marketing: Websites
Digital Marketing: Newsletters
Digital Marketing: Social Media
Marketing Your Way
Module 3: The Marketing Mindset
Introduction
The Secret
Blue Ocean Strategies
Positioning Your Travel Practice
Niche Marketing
Guerilla Marketing
Learning from other businesses and professions
Prospecting for Travel Professionals
Eliminate What Stops You
Keep Learning Your Craft
Think Backwards
The Language Ladder
Knowing and Doing
Consistently Persistent and Different
Campaign Marketing
Staying Top of Mind
Module 4: The Sales Process
Deconstructing the Sales Process
Selling Like It's 1985
Speak to the Explorer
Tapping Into Walter Mitty
Client Knowledge and Asking the Right Questions
The Sales Environment
Visualization
Make a good first impression
Speaking to Benefits
Making Presentations to Clients
"Closing" the Sale
Dealing with Objections
Why Consumers Book Elsewhere
Sales to Family and Friends
Module 5 - Customer Service
The "Why" of Customer Service
The Extra Mile
Sweating the Details
Setting the Stage for Great Customer Service
After the Sale
How Accessible Are You?
Training Your Clients
Demystifying Travel for Your Clients
Active Listening
Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty
Problem Clients
Module 6 - Motivation and Essential Skills
Essential Skills: Persistence
Essential Skills: Enthusiasm and Confidence
Essential Skills: Empathy and Attitude
Essential Skills: Time Management
Essential Skills: Organization
Essential Skills: Supplier Relationships
Essential Skills: Pulling Out of a Slump
Essential Skills: Learning from Mistakes and Accepting Criticism
Essential Skills: Creative Thinking
The Role of the Travel Advisor
Module 7 - Your Career Path
Working in a storefront travel agency
Working for Yourself: Setting up your business
Independent Travel Advisor or Hosted Travel Advisor?
State Laws and Regulations
The Up and Running course could be presented in any of the following formats:
Powerpoint Video Courses;
Text;
Lectures; or,
Any combination of the three
Richard B. Earls and Anita Pagliasso
Richard and Anita will complete the composition and editing of all three sections of the program by March 31, 2019 for between $125,000 and $150,000 depending on the final scope and format of the project.
