WHY IT RATES: The innovative Travel Leaders of Tomorrow program, with a curriculum offered solely online, was created a decade ago with the aim of training new travel advisors looking for entrepreneurial or agency opportunities. Providing both Independent Learner and Virtual Campus tracks, the program gives today’s busy adult students the freedom to start or switch careers on their own terms. — Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer
Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, the award-winning training program for new travel advisors, is celebrating its first decade in business. Started on April 13, 2013, Travel Leaders of Tomorrow represented a solution to the growing problem of bringing fresh talent into the industry with the absence of the traditional travel school.
As a completely virtual program, Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is uniquely designed for today's busy adults who frequently have work and family obligations. Participants can choose between an Independent Learner track, which is completely self-paced, and a Virtual Campus, which includes a study cohort, guest lectures and a final business presentation.
"As we looked around the landscape of the industry in the 2010s, it became clear that we desperately needed the ideas and perspectives that new travel advisors bring," said Heather Kindred, Program Director of Travel Leaders of Tomorrow. "The entire travel advisor profession benefits from that, but despite the allure of a career in travel, interested people didn't know how to actually get going. We developed Travel Leaders of Tomorrow to teach not only the basics of travel, but how to sell effectively and how to be a true partner to clients. Our curriculum has allowed people to start their career as they see fit, whether that is full-time, part-time, as an agency owner or as an independent contractor. Over the last decade, our team has watched thousands of travel advisors dive into entrepreneurship and develop lucrative, thriving businesses. We are excited to watch what our participants do in the next decade."
Since its first student, Travel Leaders of Tomorrow has had more than 2,200 people go through its programs. Although the program is an initiative of Internova Travel Group, one of the largest travel services companies in the industry, participants are free to choose to join any host or consortia after they complete their studies.
Travel Leaders of Tomorrow has also opened its curriculum to American and Canadian military veterans and spouses with the Nexion Veterans in Travel scholarship program. Participants go through the Virtual Campus track and then join premier host travel agency Nexion Travel Group as members.
Savannah Hill completed Travel Leaders of Tomorrow in 2016. Since that time, she has been named to her host agency's top producer award numerous times and was awarded the Rising Star Award very early in her career. "Travel Leaders of Tomorrow has led me to an incredible career," Hill said. "Owning my own travel agency is a dream come true, and without Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, it wouldn't have happened. The program worked with me to develop my skills so that I could be confident in my new career. Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is where it all started and I am so grateful I found it."
As part of the celebration of its first decade, Travel Leaders of Tomorrow will be revamping its curriculum in 2023, including a new focus on corporate travel.
"The best is yet to come for Travel Leaders of Tomorrow," Kindred said. "Travel advisors are thriving, our cohorts are consistently full, and our industry is strong. And we'll be there every step of the way, continuing to improve and refine Travel Leaders of Tomorrow to serve tomorrow's advisors."
To learn more about becoming a travel advisor, visit travelleadersoftomorrow.com.
SOURCE: Travel Leaders of Tomorrow press release.
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