Travel Agent - August 18, 2008 - (Page 108)

NEWS IMPACT Agents Win Big With New CLIA ID Card Rules TRAVEL AGENTS, CONSORTIA, HOST AGENCIES AND SUPPLIERS are welcoming the recent decision by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to tighten up travel agent qualifications for the official CLIA ID Card. Although the changes do not take effect until next year, the requirement to include enrollment in—or achievement of—CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification is a great step forward. This action will increase the value of CLIA certification. In its announcement, CLIA said that agents who achieve CLIA certification claim that their annual sales productivity grew an astounding 261 percent. In addition, the 2008 CLIA Market Profile Study of American travelers found that 65 percent of the general population and 75 percent of cruise vacationers state that professional designations, such as CLIA certification, is “very or extremely” important to them. Dale added that it makes perfect sense to enhance the value of the CLIA ID Card by making these new modifications. He said the latest evolution of CLIA ID Card qualification requirements reflects the growing sales power of CLIAaffiliated agents across the entire spectrum of travel and tourism. It also underscores CLIA’s obligation to the industry to ensure that its agents are both actively engaged in selling travel and are pursuing professional development in order to grow their businesses. “CLIA has an obligation to provide member benefits including the option of obtaining a CLIA ID Card,” Dale said. “We also have an obligation to provide member cruise lines and other industry partners [the] assurance that our agent partners are actively engaged in the sale of travel, and are committed to professional development. CLIA’s training programs are frequently acknowledged as the best in the travel industry, and we strongly believe that this evolution of ID Card requirements is a win/win/win situation for the CLIA agent, for the traveling consumer and for industry suppliers who recognize the value of CLIA agents.” For more information, visit www.cruising.org. —GEORGE DOOLEY George Dooley Likewise, 61 percent of the general population indicated that they would more likely use the services of a travel agent with a professional designation. Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO, said, “CLIA certification is proven to increase travel agent sales and enhances industry position and credibility. It also provides the traveling consumer a higher level of service and professionalism and demonstrates to the industry supplier that the CLIA agent is a dedicated professional.” The Facts Since 2000, CLIA said it has provided agents with the option of acquiring an official CLIA ID Card that signifies their affinity to that agency and that agency’s affiliation with CLIA. Active travel agency membership in CLIA and successfully completing a minimum of one annual CLIA live or online training seminar is a CLIA ID Card qualifying requirement. CONNECTING YOU For more on cruise industry offerings that benefit agents, visit www.travel agentcentral.com/cruises What’s Involved in the New 2009 Program? I I I The individual agent or agency management must be affiliated with an active CLIA travel agency holding 2009 membership. ID Card applicants will be required to complete and pass the exam for at least one annual recurrent CLIA live training seminar or CLIA online training program not previously submitted prior to applying for their 2009 ID Cards. 2009 ID Card applicants are required to be enrolled in, or to have achieved a designation (ACC, MCC, ECC, ECCS) in CLIA’s Cruise Counselor Certification Program. Attainment of an ACC designation requires a program of mandatory and elective training options, as well as personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and I I 25 cabin sales within the two-year enrollment period. Effective with new CLIA Certification enrollments/reenrollments occurring after January 1, 2009, if ACC designation is not attained within the two-year CLIA Certification enrollment period, CLIA ID Card privileges will be suspended for a minimum of one year with reinstatement contingent upon achieving ACC; or Certification re-enrollment and the pursuit of CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification. In recognition of the owners and managers of CLIA member travel agencies who manage the agency business but are not necessarily front-line sellers of travel, each CLIA Travel Agency is entitled to a management allocation of no more than four CLIA ID Cards. 108 | TravelAgent August 18, 2008 http://www.cruising.org http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises

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Travel Agent - April 18, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Pacific/Asia: Visitors to Ubud will Discover the Essence of Balinese Art and Culture Special Supplement: Malaysia Travel Planner New Zealand: There is Plenty to See and Do Throughout the West Coast of the Southern Alps Europe: Beauty, History and Culture Combine in Valencia, Spain Caribbean: Scrub Island is the BVI’s First Development in 15 years The Wyndham Rio Mar’s $40 Million Makeover is Well Underway in Puerto Rico The Latest on Grenada, a Caribbean Up-and-Comer Mexico: Big Hotel Plans are in the Works for the Riviera Nayarit Florida: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel turns Orlando into Italy Las Vegas: Dinner at these Restaurants Can Get your Clients into Vegas’ Hottest Nightclubs Cover Story: Medical Tourism Special Supplement: Destination Weddings Specialist 3.0 Hotels: Everything Old is New Again at New York’s Algonquin Cruise: Short Cruises Keep your Clients on the Move for Less Group Travel: Disney makes Exotic Locales Friendly for Family Travel Car Rentals: How Much Insurance Does your Client Need for a Rental Car? Agency Profile: Corporate Travel Sales are Rising at MTravel.com, a Division of Montrose Luxury Travel Expo Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Hyatt comes to Curaçao New Hotels and Resorts in Asia CLIA Tightens Qualifications for ID Tripology Links Agents to Clients In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - August 18, 2008

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