The Travel Institute reached a milestone in its 54-year history with the 25,000th graduate of its certification programs.

“Reaching that 25,000 mark is definitely a wow moment for The Travel Institute because it underscores the depth and breadth of our reach and our ongoing dedication to the job readiness of our graduates,” said Diane Petras, CTIE and chief operating officer of The Travel Institute.

The 25,000th graduate, Gena Garcia of the Automobile Club of Southern California, completed the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program in March. “Gena Garcia truly exemplifies today’s travel agent professional. She’s young, vibrant, and eager to be the best that she can be for her members,” Petras said.

In addition to the CTA program, The Travel Institute offers the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) and Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) programs.

Garcia, who formerly held a sales position at a telecommunications company before becoming an agent four years ago, said she enrolled in the CTA program to gain a better overall understanding of the travel industry. “Also, the fact that the Auto Club wanted to invest in my skills and abilities to further ensure my success was another key motivator,” she added.

Garcia was named the Auto Club’s Rookie of the Year in 2015 for the highest sales performance. She became a member of the company’s President’s Club, which comprises AAA’s top 10 percent of agents, in 2016.

Auto Club Vice President Pamela Shepherd noted that the company places a high premium on educating its agents. “The Auto Club and its affiliate clubs offer The Travel Institute destination specialist courses to our travel counselors as part of their ongoing education requirements,” she said.

“The CTA program is the next step in offering our agents opportunities to further develop their knowledge and skills, stand out among their peers, and provide legendary service to our members.”