The Family Travel Association (FTA) has launched a family
travel certification for agents.
The FTA Academy Certification course, supported by MSC
Cruises, is open to current FTA agent members. It has 23 video modules with
content appropriate for agents at any stage of their career, according to the
FTA. A 50-question test must be completed after viewing the modules to complete
certification.
Once the course is complete, agents will get a certification
document and a badge to use for marketing purposes.
"The goal of this certification is to provide travel
planners with the necessary insights and information to grow business and
achieve success in family travel sales," the FTA said in a statement. "This
training is based on relevant market research studies and real-life examples."
The course was created by Sally Black, the FTA's director of
travel agent initiatives. Black also owns an agency, Vacationkids.
"New agents, or agents new to the lucrative family
market, will gain a better appreciation of the challenges of planning memorable
travel experiences for families," Black said. "This training
addresses the skills needed to overcome these unique challenges. Experienced
agents will certainly appreciate new insights into this ever-evolving family
market thanks to the FTA's research partnership with NYU School of Professional
Studies, the Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism."
Black also said experienced agents could use the course to
more efficiently bring in new talent.
The FTA plans to introduce a Family Travel Resource Center
in the future with agent tools specific to the family market, including a
library of curated content and stock photos.