Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - (Page 45) NEWS IMPACT CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 DESPITE THE RECESSION, THE CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (CLIA) (www.cruising.org) plans major initiatives in 2009 that will assist cruise-selling travel agents and agencies to expand sales, increase professionalism and combat the effects of the economic downturn. In an interview with Travel Agent, Bob Sharak, CLIA’s executive vice president, distribution and marketing, said that the association would expand its education and training program to help agents increase their professional skills and customer service quality. Planned are 70,000 training events ranging from classroom training to online seminars and DVDs. travel agents a tremendous opportunity to intensify their commitment to cruise sales and to take advantage of CLIA membership and training programs that will build their book of business and deliver profitability,” Sharak says. “The cruise lines want to grow and will incentivize productive agencies and agents.” Admitting concerns with airline-capacity cuts and potential shortfalls in consumer demand, Sharak remains optimistic. “The cruise lines have made a $20 billion investment in new ships, with 35 coming online between now and 2012—15 ships in 2009 alone. The agency distribution channel will play a critical role in filling these ships.” Sharak, a 15-year veteran of CLIA, also sees expansion of CLIA’s Travel Agent Membership category, introduced this year, as a positive. More than 1,700 agents have signed on for the program, and he expects this to grow to 2,500 in 2009. The program targets hosted travel agents, outside sales agents, agency employees and cruise specialists. Sharak sees it as a fast track to CLIA certification. Professional Development Also new for 2009Georgeenis the Dooley hancement of CLIA’s professional development program with a training requirement. All CLIA identification card applicants will have to provide proof of completing a CLIA training seminar or a CLIA online training program and pass an exam. There are an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 CLIA cardholders. Sharak is especially proud of CLIA’s training program, and notes that on average, CLIA member agencies report a 261 percent increase in sales productivity after completing CLIA certification. He reports that 75 percent of travelers indicate a preference for using a certified travel agent. Currently, there are 15,000 CLIA-appointed agencies, and Sharak reports strong support for CLIA and its programs. “There is tremendous diversity in the types of agencies and, increasingly, hosted agents,” he said. “We listen to their needs and respond. More than 4,000 agent-sponsored events were held during October’s [World’s Largest] Cruise Night promotion.” Additionally for 2009 are CLIA’s own sponsored seminars at sea and new training modules that instruct agents on enhancing client services and how to measure and George Dooley A Positive Outlook “The economic downturn offers Bob Sharak, CLIA EVP Marketing & Distribution pursuing a favored pastime on an Alaskan cruise. track skill sets. A third unit is also planned on listening skills. CLIA is also on track for a record attendance at the cruise3sixty conference (www.cruise3sixty.com). CLIA will also translate DVDs to Spanish to tap into the growing Hispanic market. “How can agents cope with economic downturn?” Sharak asked rhetorically. “The key is to focus on and nurture the customers. Be alert to pricing changes and opportunities. Promote your agency and professional competency. Communicate to clients. The downturn will end, and when it does, agents and agencies should be prepared. “CLIA’s goal is to provide agents and agencies with outstanding tools that make them indispensable partners in the distribution system. Hopefully, we are succeeding. In fact, the entire industry, including tour operators, benefit from the professionalism of CLIAtrained agents and agencies.” —GEORGE DOOLEY CONNECTING YOU To learn more about what you can do to keep profits up, visit www.travelagent central.com/running-your-business January 5, 2009 TravelAgent | 45 http://www.cruising.org http://www.cruise3sixty.com http://www.travelcentral.com/running-your-business http://www.travelcentral.com/running-your-business
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Reality Check Online Now Contents From the Editor Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself Central & South America Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year Anguilla Has Numerous Properties Awaiting Visitors Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide Agenda CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 Hawaii's Luxury Offerings Clients Continue Demanding Exotic and Experiential Trips News from the Caribbean and Mexico Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Reality Check (Page 1) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 4) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 5) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 8) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 9) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 16) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 17) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 18) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 19) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast (Page 20) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast (Page 21) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 22) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 23) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 24) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 25) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself (Page 26) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself (Page 27) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Central & South America (Page 28) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Central & South America (Page 29) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 30) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 31) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 32) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 33) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Anguilla Has Numerous Properties Awaiting Visitors (Page 34) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 35) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 36) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 37) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 38) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 39) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 40) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 41) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 42) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 43) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agenda (Page 44) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 (Page 45) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Hawaii's Luxury Offerings (Page 46) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Clients Continue Demanding Exotic and Experiential Trips (Page 47) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Classified Marketplace (Page 48) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 49) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 50) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 51) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 52) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 53) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 54) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 55) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 56) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4)
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