Celebrity Cruises has become the first cruise line to introduce an innovative, full-scale online training program for travel agents, with the opportunity for agents to become certified Celebrity Cruises Consultants and to earn six continuing education credits - half of those required by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA) for the Certified Travel Consultant program.
Developed in conjunction with Travel Agent magazine, Celebrity`s new educational program is found on the “Travel Agent University” Web site. There, Celebrity offers three in-depth lessons and a final exam, which allow agents to become certified Celebrity Cruises Consultants, the benefits of which include a variety of tools designed to help them market and sell more effectively.
Each travel agent who passes the final exam also qualifies for a variety of other benefits, including the continuing education credits, as well as stateroom category upgrades on Celebrity ships.
“This is yet another illustration of Celebrity`s very strong alliance with the trade community,” said Celebrity Cruises President Rick Sasso. “Travel Agent University not only offers our trade partners the opportunity to further their education from the comfort of their homes, but also will help them increase their sales, by helping them match their clients with the perfect Celebrity cruise vacation.”
“As the chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), an organization which has always considered training the most important tool of the trade, this new program represents a valuable addition to the array of educational opportunities available to travel agents,” Sasso added. Celebrity`s Travel Agent University lessons focus on three core topics: the Celebrity brand, including its core values, product distinctions, target clients, and trends; the Celebrity experience, including its award-winning cuisine, revitalizing AquaSpa facilities and overall ambience; and the varied features of the line`s young, innovative fleet and destinations. Celebrity Cruises is the highest-rated premium cruise line in the industry and has the youngest fleet of any major cruise line. Celebrity`s eighth ship, Summit, launches this Fall, and an additional Millennium-class ship will make its maiden voyage in 2002.
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