When you’re running your own travel agency, you must never stop learning. Luckily, there’s a vast array of free training programs at your fingertips. Virtually all suppliers offer online education, many through the Travel Agent Academy operated by travAlliancemedia, the publisher of Agent@Home, Vacation Agent, and TravelPulse.com.

It’s up to you to take advantage of it! Online training can be done at your convenience and at no cost.

But veteran travel agents warn that you must approach online training seriously, carving out time to concentrate with no distractions. “Keeping one’s focus may be more challenging as there will likely be more distractions when doing online training,” Chris Caulfield, a New York-based CruiseOne franchisee, said in our cover story on page 22. “Agents should approach online training much the same as classroom learning, giving it their full attention.”

Check out the story for more advice on how to make the most out of online training. Then, to see what’s available at Travel Agent Academy, turn to page 24 for an overview of the more than 50 online courses. These are offered by suppliers who are committed to travel agent education, so please consider supporting them in return.

We also highlight many of the online training courses offered by cruise lines (page 30), all-inclusive resort companies (page 32) and tour operators and vacation packagers (page 34).

These programs will undoubtedly benefit your business because many also offer certification designations, which you can then use to promote yourself as a specialist in a certain destination or with a travel supplier.

So, turn off the phone, ignore the doorbell and the dirty laundry, and take the time to really learn about a new destination or company.

Good luck!

—CONCENTRATE!

Online training still requires close attention and no distractions.

—FREE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

Check out TravelAgentAcademy.com for a wealth of online education programs.

—PROMOTE YOUR CERTIFICATION

Training often leads to specialist designations, which you can promote to clients and prospects.