Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
THE PULSE: Travel Leaders of Tomorrow's First Two Sets of Enrollees Complete Virtual Campus Program
WHY IT RATES: One of the challenges for the travel agency business going forward is finding young talent. Travel Leaders is remedying the situation by attracting new talent through its virtual education program. - Claudette Covey, TravelPulse travel agents editor
Inaugural students from Travel Leaders Group's Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, along with those from the virtual educational program's second set of enrollees, will be celebrated this month on their successful completion of all four required Modules, it was announced today. All totaled, nine students have triumphed in achieving each of the qualifications necessary to formally receive Travel Leaders of Tomorrow's mark of approval. Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is Travel Leaders Group's proprietary four-module virtual campus designed not only to attract and train new talent into the growing travel industry, but place top achievers into Travel Leaders Group's 6,000+ wholly-owned, franchised and member travel agencies throughout North America.
"We have been thrilled by the enthusiastic initial response we've received from students, agents and key supplier partners. But today, we're especially proud that our shared objective - bringing new talent into our industry through education - is culminating in the virtual celebration of our first two classes' successful completion," said Heather Kindred, program director for Travel Leaders of Tomorrow. "As the trade media repeatedly reports, the only real imminent threat to the travel agency industry is the shortage of good, knowledgeable people. Thanks to our concerted efforts, we're not only attracting - and training - great people into this exciting industry, but we're placing a substantial number of both current and now former students in our agencies and thus filling the void."
"Travel Leaders of Tomorrow was ideal because it offers small, intimate classes where you're a name and a voice, not a number - with a supportive instructor who is personally there to assist and with whom you have direct contact," said Dawn Myer, who recently completed Travel Leaders of Tomorrow and has been placed into Vacation.com member Wings Travel in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. "Plus, I like the convenience of studying on your own time, but not alone."
"I came into Travel Leaders of Tomorrow with no prior knowledge of the travel industry, but since completing the extensive modules, I feel I have the education and tools needed to be successful," said Dawn Coke, who also completed the program and is now weighing her options. "Travel Leaders of Tomorrow has helped guide me to become a confident travel consultant. Whether I choose to start my own business or work for an affiliated travel company, I know I have the knowledge and resources to succeed."
Travel Leaders Group's Travel Leaders of Tomorrow officially launched module one in April 2013. Module two followed in August 2013, module three launched in December 2013 and module four began in March 2014. Participants who successfully complete the Travel Leaders of Tomorrow program and who are placed in a Travel Leaders Group wholly-owned, franchised or member-based agency as either an employee or independent contractor may qualify to earn back up to $1,000 of tuition and a cruise on Azamara Club Cruises.
"This month's celebration could not have been possible without the validation and ongoing support that Travel Leaders of Tomorrow has received from the travel trade media and travel industry partners," noted Kindred. "We'd specifically like to thank Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Delta Air Lines, Delta Vacations, Funjet Vacations, Globus family of brands, Hertz, Marriott, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Sabre Travel Network, Travel Guard, Travel Insured International, Manulife Financial and Viking Cruises for their fundamental cornerstone support. Each of these organizations is thoroughly committed to infusing the travel agency industry with new talent that in turn can sell their products from a point of knowledge and expertise. Travel Leaders of Tomorrow could never have achieved its success without them."
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. 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.
SOURCE: Travel Leaders of Tomorrow press release
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
