Travel Agent Training Program
The assigned Mentor begins the program with the following steps:
1. Access the trainee’s current knowledge of computers. Trainee should be brought to Level 2 by Mentor before beginning Stages of Training.
· Level 1: Beginner
· Level 2: Some Typing Skills with ability to navigate within windows
· Level 3: Good knowledge of basic windows programs such as Explorer, Outlook, Word, Excel
· Level 4: Level 3 with travel related computer booking skills
· Level 5: Knows ClientBase and most vendor booking engines
2. Assign Sine in Codes for ClientBase, Travel Zone first then for each Vendor Booking Engine as needed.
3. Begin Stages of Training once trainee is familiar with Basic Computer Skills.
Stages of Training
Stage One: Travel Zone
1. Sine On and set up profile
2. Navigating within the website and becoming Familiar with what it has to offer
3. Take the courses mandated within the site
Stage Two
Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, Vegas and U.S. City Stays
- Identify what type destination your client desires
· Most Beach Lovers=Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Florida, California, Texas
Learn documentation requirements, all inclusive versus EP and the pluses and minuses of each destination by visiting preferred suppliers and tourism websites as well as firsthand accounts from the Gulliver’s Travel Team. Be able to immediately suggest major resorts and be able to explain why you suggested them at each of the above destinations.
· Museum, Monuments and Shopping Lovers= Big City Stays like New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, etc. Learn the major museums, monuments and shopping industry in each city as well as the pluses and minus of each destination by visiting preferred suppliers websites and tourism sights as well as firsthand accounts from the Gulliver’s Travel Team. Be able to immediately suggest major hotels and be able to explain why you suggested them at each of the above destinations.
Live Shows, Gamblers and Party Folks=Vegas and other gambling and show Meccas. Learn the major hotels and familiarize yourself with transportation, show and restaurant reservations as well as nightspots. Learn the pluses and minus of each destination by visiting preferred suppliers and tourism as well as firsthand accounts from the Gulliver’s Travel Team. Be able to immediately suggest major resorts and be able to explain why you suggested them at each of the above destinations.
- Preferred Suppliers for above destinations:
- Northwest World Vacations
- Apple Vacations
- Funjet
- VAX
- GoGo Vacations
- Travel Impressions
- Booking and Invoicing
· Visit suppliers website for Agents as well as for vacationer’s and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for the supplier/vendor.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five vacations, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training.
Stage Three
Wonderful World of Disney
- Learn each Disney Product by visiting Disney’s Agent and vacationer’s websites as well as firsthand accounts from the Gulliver’s Travel Team.
· Walt Disney World:
o Learn the major hotels and resorts on Disney property. Be able to explain the advantage of each and why there is such a price differential.
o Learn general information regarding what each theme park has to offer as well as water parks and downtown Disney
o Learn theme park pricing and be able to quickly find out about current specials
o Learn to quickly find out about events going on at Walt Disney World
o Learn about the Transportation System
· Disneyland:
o Learn the major hotels and resorts on Disney property. Be able to explain the advantage of each and why there is such a price differential.
o Learn general information regarding what each theme park has to offer
o Learn general theme park pricing and be able to quickly find out about current specials
o Learn to quickly find out about events going on at Walt Disney World
o Learn about the Transportation System
· Disney Cruise
o Learn itineraries and when and where each ship travels
o Become familiar with each ship and what it has to offer
o Become familiar with pricing and cabin differences
o Become familiar with the children’s programs, family events as well as adult only programs
o Learn current documentation requirements
o Become familiar with tipping and other onboard etiquette
o Become familiar with dining and it’s time options
o Learn transfer options to Port Canaveral or other Disney ports
o Find out exactly what is the Disney Difference as it relates to Cruising
o Learn how to combine Disney cruise with a Disney land based vacation
· Disney Adventures
o Learn itineraries and when they are available
o Learn the difference in FIT and escorted
o Become familiar with documentation
o Become familiar with what is and is NOT included with the prepaid vacation
- Booking and Invoicing Disney
· Visit Disney’s website for Agents as well as for vacationers and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for Disney online as well as telephone bookings.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five vacations, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training.
Stage Four
Cruise Lines
- Visit cruise websites and learn from your mentor the answers to the following questions:
· Why cruise?
· What’s makes it special?
· Are there any advantages to cruising over land based vacations?
· Is it cost effective?
- Identify what type of cruise your client desires
· Short 3, 4, 5 day Caribbean Cruise= Carnival, Royal Caribbean
· 7 day or more Caribbean Cruises= Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America and Norwegian. Other Suppliers include Costa, MSC and more
· European Cruises= Royal Caribbean, Princess
· Upscale Cruises= Celebrity, Crystal, Seaborne
· European River Cruises= Viking, Uniworld, Peter Deilman
· USA River Cruises=Majestic America
- Learn how to suggest the right cruise line after obtaining the clients specific requirements by:
· Learn itineraries and when and where each ship travels
· Become familiar with each ship and what it has to offer
· Become familiar with pricing and cabin differences
· Become familiar with on board life. Is it great for families, children, Senior citizens, honeymooners, etc?
· Learn current documentation requirements
· Become familiar with tipping and other onboard etiquette
· Become familiar with dining and it’s time options
· Learn air and transfer options
· Learn general information regarding ports of call
· Find out exactly what is the Difference between ships and how it will relate to the clients specific needs.
· Visit each ships agent website to explore the cruise line and each ship and it’s itinerary
- Booking and Invoicing Cruise Lines
· Visit each cruise lines website for Agents as well as for vacationers and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for each cruise online in Sabre
· Learn to book in Cruise Line Websites for Cruise lines not participating in Sabre
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five cruises, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training
Stage Five
Europe and Asia
- Learn popular Destinations for Europe and Asia by visiting preferred suppliers website as well as tourism sites.
· Learn about documentation for each destination
· Learn reasons to visit
· Learn attractions and basic pricing
· Learn safety and travel tips
· Is the destination good for families, children, senior citizens, honeymooners, etc?
· Is the destination expensive or affordable?
· Learn how to quickly access exchange rates
· Learn the names and location of major resorts and hotels
· Is public transportation available and safe?
· Discover how long a client will need to visit destination to get a good overview
· Learn the difference between FIT or escorted travel
· Learn which of our preferred suppliers includes which popular destinations
- Preferred Suppliers for Europe
· Northwest World Vacations
· Globus Family of Brands
- Booking and Invoicing
· Visit suppliers website for Agents as well as for vacationer’s and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for the supplier/vendor.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five vacations, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training.
Stage Six
South and Central America
- Learn popular Destinations for South and Central America by visiting preferred suppliers website as well as tourism sites.
· Learn about documentation for each destination
· Learn reasons to visit
· Learn attractions and basic pricing
· Learn safety and travel tips
· Is the destination good for families, children, senior citizens, honeymooners, etc?
· Is the destination expensive or affordable?
· Learn how to quickly access exchange rates
· Learn the names and location of major resorts and hotels
· Is public transportation available and safe?
· Discover how long a client will need to visit destination to get a good overview
· Learn the difference between FIT or escorted travel
· Learn which of our preferred suppliers includes which popular destinations
- Preferred Suppliers for South and Central America
· General Tours
· Globus Family of Brands
- Booking and Invoicing
· Visit suppliers website for Agents as well as for vacationer’s and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for the supplier/vendor.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five vacations, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training.
Stage Seven
Middle East, Africa, South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and the World
- Learn popular Destinations for Middle East, Africa, South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and the World by visiting preferred suppliers website as well as tourism sites.
· Learn about documentation for each destination
· Learn reasons to visit
· Learn attractions and basic pricing
· Learn safety and travel tips
· Is the destination good for families, children, senior citizens, honeymooners, etc?
· Is the destination expensive or affordable?
· Learn how to quickly access exchange rates
· Learn the names and location of major resorts and hotels
· Is public transportation available and safe?
· Discover how long a client will need to visit destination to get a good overview
· Learn the difference between FIT or escorted travel
· Learn which of our preferred suppliers includes which popular destinations
- Preferred Suppliers for Middle East, Africa, South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and The World
· Globus Family of Brands
- Booking and Invoicing
· Visit suppliers website for Agents as well as for vacationer’s and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for the supplier/vendor.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five vacations, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training.
Stage Eight
Upscale Travel
- What is an upscale traveler? What do they expect?
- Learn upscale providers and what they offer by visiting upscale travel companies’ websites and exploring destinations and what sets them apart.
- Suppliers for Upscale Hawaii=Northwest World Vacations Luxury Collections, Classic Vacations
- Suppliers for Upscale Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond: Abercrombie and Kent
- Suppliers for Upscale Cruise=Seaborne, Crystal, Celebrity, Peter Deilman
- Booking and Invoicing
· Visit suppliers website for Agents as well as for vacationer’s and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for the supplier/vendor.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five vacations, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training.
Stage Nine
Air Consolidators
- What is an air consolidator and why would you use one?
- What destinations are good for air consolidators?
- Supplier for Air Consolidators=Consolidator Shopper
· Log on to Consolidator shopper
· Learn how to find destinations
· Learn how to find pricing
· Learn how to quote final price to client
· Compare price with real time airline prices
- Booking and Invoicing
· Visit supplier’s website for Agents as well as for vacationer’s and become familiar with what they sell and how to find the latest specials.
· Learn the booking procedure for the supplier/vendor.
· Learn to send booking to ClientBase
· Learn to run invoices for deposits, payments, final and full payments.
· Book five consolidator tickets, complete invoicing and review documents with all five clients to have successfully completed this stage of training
Stage Ten
Qualifying Customer and helping select just the right trip
- Identify Clients Budget Ideals and Vacation expectations
· Obtain clients complete contact information and enter into ClientBase
· Try to obtain clients likes and dislikes regarding travel including seat on the airplane, type of rental car desired as well as destination information. Try to find out what they like to do on vacation. All of this is entered into ClientBase for you future use.
· By asking questions and listening carefully to client’s comments, you can get a good idea of their budget and vacation expectations. Become comfortable asking if they have a budget in mind. No matter what the response learn to show the value in upgrading their vacation. Upon return from their trip, they will thank you for it.
· Be positive, honest and clear what clients will be getting for their hard earned vacation dollars. But also let them know clearly what it will take to get them close to their vacation dreams.
· Follow up, follow up, and follow up, even after they return from vacation. Be sure the client knows how important they are to you. Customer service comes first.
Gulliver’s Home Based Travel Trainee Program offers additional Two to Three Hour Classes on the following topics:
· In Depth Destinations and Geography
1. Europe
2. Asia, India, China, Thailand
3. Caribbean, Mexico
4. South America, Central America
5. Middle East
6. Africa
7. South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
· Preferred Suppliers (Land and Cruise)
· Selling Mass market and upscale travel
· Visas, Passports, Child Documentation
· Formation, securing and Marketing for Groups
· Marketing in General
· Qualify and Closing
· Web Design
· Sabre Cruise
· Policy and Procedures
· Use of Web to close sales
· Consolidators
These classes will be held for a minimum of four (4) students at a cost of $25 per Student.
Agent Training Program