by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:36 AM ET, Fri September 9, 2022
The Family Travel Association (FTA) announced the launch of a new initiative, dubbed The FTA Family-Friendly Certification Program.
The program was designed with the input of FTA members and leading experts to develop industry standards and guidelines that define what it means to be family-friendly and identify what suppliers need to do to earn the designation.
"Our ultimate goal with this program and the Association at large is to help our industry better meet the needs and expectations of traveling families," FTA founder Rainer Jenss said.
The FTA created a series of guidelines for each segment of the travel industry-including cruises, resorts, airlines and more-specific to their products and services. Certification requires suppliers to go through an application process and an audit of their current practices.
Once approved, suppliers will participate in a training program and receive guidance on creating marketing packages. The standards and guidelines criteria include management processes, communications, booking, guest services, facilities, amenities, health & wellness, activities, accessibility and financial assistance.
"By creating these industry guidelines, we are hoping to set the standards that will assist organizations when developing products and services for families and help travel advisors choose who to work with when planning their clients' vacations," Jenss continued.
Several suppliers have already qualified or are in the final stages of certification, including Austin Adventures, Celebrity Cruises, Coltur Peru, Frontiers North Adventures, Brendan Tours, Trafalgar and Royal Caribbean.
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