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(SEATTLE, WASHINGTON) – JULY 28, 2005 –
The Travel Institute and the Adventure Travel Trade Association
(ATTA) today formed a strategic alliance, which in its first
collaborative initiative to network travel agent consultants with
adventure tour operators and suppliers, will deliver an introductory
Adventure Travel Specialist workshop during the October 16-18, 2005,
Adventure Travel World Summit in Seattle.
Helen Nodland, CTC, Founder/Principal
of Nodland Travel Enterprises and the North American Strategic
Development Director for explora of Chile, will present the workshop
on behalf of The Travel Institute at the Adventure Travel World
Summit. Industry professionals aspiring to secure their adventure
travel specialist designation, as part of their Summit registration
fees, will receive from the ATTA a complimentary Adventure Travel
Specialist Course, which includes both the content and the test.
According to Maureen Kennedy, Executive
Vice President and General Manager of The Travel Institute, "We urge
all travel professionals to take advantage of ATTA's generous offer
to provide our Adventure Travel specialist course at no charge to
Summit attendees. The Travel Institute and the ATTA are each
dedicated to providing travel professionals the tools to grow their
adventure travel business. We look forward to announcing more
partnering initiatives in the future."
Introduced this year by The Travel
Institute, the Adventure Travel Specialist course was modeled after
Virtuoso’s Adventure Travel Consultant (ATC) certification program.
Both the Virtuoso and The Institute’s adventure courses were
authored by Nodland.
“The 21st century travel
consultant specializes,” says Nodland. “For those considering the
adventure travel niche, they’re ahead of the game because they will
arrive as the baby boomers’ interest in adventurous, multi
generational and exotic travel continues to strengthen.
Specialization has proven to give consultants profitable
advantages.”
By preparing for and passing a
standardized test, travel professionals will earn a Specialist
designation for that niche. Those Specialists then have an
opportunity to become a Certified Specialist by demonstrating
advanced knowledge through relevant experience in that segment.
Nodland will deliver the workshop
during the Summit. The workshop offers travel consultants the
opportunity to review the course and interact with professionals
from various areas of the adventure travel industry. The facilitated
session will include a course overview, expert guidance from the
course developer, and networking opportunities with fellow
candidates striving for the same professional designation. The
Summit also offers travel consultants unprecedented opportunities to
network with the leaders of the adventure travel industry.
“The Summit offers a marvelous context
for learning more about adventure specialization,” said Nodland.
“The full tapestry of this industry’s real influencers will be
present. And, to be successful, you must fully understand the niche,
know who you’re working with, talk with the experts about the
marketing issues, get to know who the customer is, and then learn
from other Summit sessions about what’s in store for the future of
adventure travel.”
About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute based in Wellesley, Mass.,
serves, as a community of knowledge and standards for all travel
professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional
certifications, and customized learning solutions, The Travel
Institute fulfills its ecumenical non-profit mission to promote a
standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information
about The Travel Institute, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call
(800) 542-4282.
About the Adventure Travel Trade
Association
Established in 1990, the
Seattle-based ATTA (www.adventuretravel.biz)
is a strategic membership organization dedicated to raising the
profile of adventure travel globally. Established in 1990, the ATTA
provides services, knowledge, and connections that help its members
succeed in their businesses and contribute to overall industry
growth.
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