Retail Travel Is Here To Stay
After investing a significant amount of time and energy with industry experts to update course content and curriculum, Conestoga College – a participating BSAP school this year – has created a state-of-the-art Travel Consulting Program.
Open to all new, existing, and aspiring travel agents, Conestoga faculty will host an information night on Dec. 5 in Kitchener/Waterloo to:
- Detail the new program and courses
- Explain the benefits of formal training
- Emphasize that retail travel trade is here to stay
“We are continually working to dispel the myth that retail travel is dying,” explains Earla Smith, Special Projects Assistant, School of Business, Conestoga College. “We want to make folks aware that this can be a very lucrative and exciting career!”
In fact, industry experts and associations foresee a travel agent shortage in the coming years as many current agents are set to retire, creating a potentially detrimental employment gap. However, there has been a notable shift in the traditional travel agent role to an independent contractor or home-based agent. This is an exciting development for the retail travel industry that will create new opportunities for sales-focused individuals, increase diversity, and propel overall growth. And while many of these independents will already have their TICO license, some may lack a formal education in travel consulting. Conestoga’s part-time, continuing education courses with updated curriculum is an ideal option to pursue certification, increase industry knowledge, and network.
Conestoga has invited career counsellors and service providers from various travel agencies to share their career insights.
The panel includes Anas Rana, Off the Map Travel; Nellie Follings, Vision Travel; Lorie Hough, Vision Travel and Conestoga Instructor; Kevin Quin, Trip Central; Louise Gardiner, Carlson Wagonlit; and Nicole Bursey, Transat Holidays.
Each member of the panel will speak to their organization and provide information about career opportunities.
ACTA will also be on-hand at the event to provide information on their new CTC designation program, it’s relevance and importance in the industry, and how students can get certified to further enhance their professionalism as a travel agent.
Satisfy your adventurous side and prepare for a dynamic career in the travel industry at Conestoga’s Travel Consulting Program Information Night.
The session is free, open to the public, and begins at 6pm on Wed., Dec. 5 in Room WC103 at the Doon Campus Welcome Centre at 299 Doon Valley Drive in Kitchener.
Register early by emailing Earla Smith at esmith@conestogac.on.ca
For full details on Conestoga’s Travel Consulting Program, visit www.conestogac.on.ca/parttime/travel-consulting .
