Travel Advisors Train to Better Serve You

When it’s time to plan your next trip, you can count on the expertise of a travel advisor. They are professionals with the skills required to stay on top of an ever-changing world.

Travel advisors, of course, love to explore new places. They bring the firsthand experience that comes from visiting destinations near and far, from sailing on ships, staying in hotels and resorts and enjoying a range of special interests, from arts and culture to golf and wine country. They also nurture connections with the cruise and hotel suppliers and tour operators in order to best serve their clients.

The knowledge that travel advisors gain through travel is complemented by education and training. Wherever you want to go, and whatever you want to do, you can find a travel advisor who specializes in your trip. Travel Leaders has approximately 55,000 travel advisors in North America who have access to hundreds of training opportunities.

As members of Travel Leaders Network, advisors are encouraged to take advantage of the many training opportunities that the company provides. These include webinars and certification in specialties such as planning honeymoons and destination weddings, active and adventure trips, cruises and group travel. By becoming specialists, travel advisors can fill a client’s trip with unique, tailor-made moments. For example, they know which resorts afford the most stunning ocean views and which islands have the most exciting nightlife.

Organizations such as the American Society of Travel Advisors, the world’s largest association of travel professionals, are also an important resource for education and training.

Programs like ASTA’s Educational Journeys offer travel advisors specially designed itineraries in which they tour popular sites, as well as those off the beaten path, visit hotels and meet with local travel suppliers and tourism officials. It’s a chance to see what’s new and make personal connections that will, in turn, benefit clients. Past trips have included a river cruise along the Rhine with stops at Christmas markets, the landscapes and history of Turkey, and Ireland.

Both ASTA and Travel Leaders Network host webinars with the latest information from tourism authorities, as well as from suppliers like cruise lines. These resources help travel advisors stay on top of the happenings in their industry and become familiar with emerging trends. Online courses are tailored for on-the-go professionals. For example, through the England Originals course, which includes topics from ancient history to Harry Potter, travel advisors can help their clients plan routes to explore London and beyond.

In addition to undergoing training in specific types of vacations, many travel advisors are also certified destination specialists.

Becoming a destination specialist involves taking a deep dive into what makes a vacation spot unique. Alaska specialists will get an overview of the state’s vast regions, its glaciers, mountains and wildlife, as well as delve into major cities, culture and transportation. Florida specialists will learn about the latest family-friendly hotels, children’s activities and everything that’s new with the Sunshine State’s most popular tourist attractions.

For help navigating any travel plans, contact our travel advisors.