The American
Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has announced a strategic collaboration with
Florida International University’s (FIU’s) Chaplin School of Hospitality &
Tourism Management.
The initiative aims to provide students with early exposure
to career opportunities in the travel industry and equip them with foundational
knowledge and professional support.
As part of the
collaboration, FIU hospitality students have access to ASTA’s online
educational programs which include ‘Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor’ and ‘Geocultural
Guide for Travel Advisors’, as part of their curriculum. The courses offer
in-depth, practical guidance for students exploring a career in travel advising
and are specifically tailored to support the academic and professional
development of aspiring travel professionals.
In addition to the coursework, students receive a complimentary
one-year ASTA membership at the Future Travel Professional level. This
membership offers access to exclusive industry resources, including webinars
hosted by travel suppliers, ASTA events, educational sessions and other
member-only activities designed to foster deeper industry engagement and
mentorship opportunities.
Dr. Michael Cheng, Dean of FIU's Chaplain School of Hospitality & Tourism (Photo Credit: ASTA)
ASTA worked closely with Dr. Michael Cheng, Dean of the
Chaplin School, to bring this initiative to life and ensure meaningful
integration into the student experience. Cheng said in a statement, “Travel is
at the core of hospitality and brings people together for memorable moments in
their lives. We are excited to partner with ASTA to offer this essential and
unique opportunity to the future leaders of hospitality.”
Further emphasizing the importance of preparing the next
generation of travel professionals, Zane Kerby, President and CEO of ASTA
added, “We are proud to support FIU’s outstanding hospitality students as they
explore careers in travel advising. By providing them with industry-relevant
training and opportunities to engage directly with travel professionals, we are
not only investing in their future success but also strengthening the pipeline
of talent that will drive the future of our industry."
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