Recognized Travel Advisor
(RTA) Program
Learn the necessary skills and strategies you need to become a successful Travel Advisor.
Enroll today in our Recognized Travel Advisor (RTA) program and accelerate your career in the travel industry.
The Recognized Travel Advisor (RTA) Program
You know you want to build a successful travel agency, but you have no clue where to begin. This program will provide the tools necessary to:
- Inform clients of why they should work with YOU!
- Identify and Select a Niche Market
- Target specific clients and match them with the right vacation
- Market and Sell effectively to your travel customers
Recognized by: IATA, CCRA, and several host agencies
Educator Biography
Check out some of our content below!
Here's what's inside:
13 Modules
Each lesson provides a general foundation to various aspects of the travel industry. Educated advisors can apply this knowledge in developing their business.
Videos & Presentations
Nothing beats traveling, but we offer different videos and presentations throughout this program to better immerse you in the client experience!
Online Delivery
The RTA program is web-based, allowing for convenience and flexibility. Our instructors are here to support you and check your results each step of the way.
Pricing
Get instant access to the Recognized Travel Advisor program for only $499!
The Recognized Travel Advisor Program Includes:
Worldwide Accessibility
TARC provides online resources that can be accessed worldwide. This gives customers control of their learning environment, which ultimately helps develop a deeper understanding of each program.
Self-Paced Learning
TARC offers self-paced resources to increase flexibility, efficiency, effectiveness, and convenience. With self-paced learning, you can work programs into your schedule whenever it works best for you.
Professional Support
TARC instructors are here to help you succeed. They will navigate you through the different courses and answer questions you may have. Mentoring programs are also available for an additional fee.
Course Instructors
CINO - Chief Innovation Officer
Steven Gould
“Travel has always been more than just a hobby – it is my BIGGEST passion. I learned early in my career that travel is not just a way to see another destination, it’s about creating immersive experiences that will change your life! There’s something about venturing to new destinations, learning about different cultures, and coming back with a piece of you that wasn’t there before you left. I always encourage advisors to learn, experience, and grow in this amazing industry. We are afforded so many opportunities and I hope TARC helps enrich and enhance those opportunities for years to come!”
Recognized Travel Advisor Certificate
After completion of this course, you will become a Recognized Travel Advisor!
Here is why you need to check out the Recognized Travel Advisor program today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Travel Advisor?
What is a Recognized Travel Advisor?
Will I receive a certification upon completion?
Is becoming a Travel Advisor a smart career move?
Why should I choose RTA over another travel industry certification?
There are several certification programs that teach advisors general business principles and practices, business ethics, writing skills, customer service, teamwork, communication, and managing customer needs. Advisors may also learn about accepting credit cards, planning itineraries, and itinerary creation. Feedback from new travel advisors has shown us they find these courses lacking in providing real world skills and knowledge they need to hit the ground running and be successful in their new career/business.
The Recognized Travel Advisor (RTA) program briefly covers each of the topics listed above to help advisors regulate their business, but it is not our primary focus. Our certification takes advisors to the next level by exploring the different facets of the industry and demonstrating how to be a successful travel advisor, more than just a business owner. This certification was created by actual Travel Advisors, not just a travel corporation. We created the RTA program to be the “Next Level” option. When advisors are ready to cultivate leads, create their brand, and align their business the right way, we give them the knowledge they need. We teach them about niche markets, why they are important, and how to choose them. We go into each market segment (cruises, tours, all-inclusives, and land packages), as well as different niches in our industry (romance, groups, and Disney) to help advisors become experts when trying to find the right clientele. Too many advisors ask all the wrong questions about these subjects, and it is not their fault. It is because they have not received proper education to know which questions to ask or where to look for their answers. That’s where the RTA program comes in.
After learning about niche markets, we provide a module on Air Travel, Travel Protection, and an introduction about Customer Service, Sales, and Marketing. Our final section helps advisors develop their business. We discuss why relationships are important in our industry – with suppliers and with clients. We discuss the different industry affiliations (IATA/TRUE/CLIA/ARC) and explain what consortia are, so advisors can be better equipped to handle their introduction to the industry and know the terminology and best practices that they may not have been expecting.
We provide our certification program to new and experienced advisors looking to elevate their knowledge of this industry.
Can I request changes on the email header/footer?
Definitely! You will get to request 1 round of revisions on your email designs before we implement them to your TERN account! You can also update your headers/footers personally in TERN. Our templates come with a custom pink or blue banner image to compliment your brand. If you would like to customize the banner images or if you have your own templates, we can add those for an additional fee.
Are templates customizable?
Yes! You can customize every template we provide right inside your TERN account! You will have full rights and access to all of the templates provided in your account.
How long will the entire process take?
We estimate an average of 3-5 weeks from the time of purchase until we deliver the final product. We work diligently to ensure that your system is customized to your business, and that takes time. If you need us to expedite the build out process, please let us know during our Discovery Call — additional fees may apply.
Resource Lessons
Comprehensive Curriculum Framework
Chapter 1 - Welcome!
Lesson 1.1 - Welcome to the Recognized Travel Advisor Program
FREE PREVIEW
Lesson 1.1 - Welcome to the Recognized Travel Advisor Program
FREE PREVIEWLesson 1.2 - How to use the Learning Platform
Lesson 1.3 - Why Clients Use A Travel Advisor?
FREE PREVIEW
Lesson 1.3 - Why Clients Use A Travel Advisor?
FREE PREVIEWChapter 1 Quiz
Join the Discussion!
Chapter 2 - Niche Markets & Geography
Lesson 2.1 - Discover a Niche
Lesson 2.2 - Travel Styles
Lesson 2.3 - Types of Clientele
Lesson 2.4 - Geography of the World
Lesson 2.5 - Geography of Africa
Lesson 2.6 - Geography of Antarctica
Lesson 2.7 - Geography of Asia
Lesson 2.8 - Geography of Australia
Lesson 2.9 - Geography of Europe
Lesson 2.10 - Geography of North America
Lesson 2.11 - Geography of South America
Lesson 2.12 - TARC Continents & Rivers Chapter 2 Quiz
Chapter 3 - Cruises
Lesson 3.1 - Introduction to Cruises
Lesson 3.2 - Cruise Itineraries
Lesson 3.8 - Carnival Vista Ship Tour
Lesson 3.9 - Norwegian Bliss Ship Tour
Knowledge Check 1
Lesson 3.3 - Onboard Experience
Knowledge Check 2
Lesson 3.4 - Selling Cruises
Lesson 3.5 - Cruise Add-Ons
Lesson 3.6 - Useful Tips & Tricks for Cruises
Lesson 3.7 - Cruise Terminology
Chapter 3 - Additional Cruise Training Resources
Chapter 3 Quiz
Chapter 4 - All-Inclusive Resorts
Lesson 4.1 - Introduction
Lesson 4.2 - Destinations and Inclusions
Lesson 4.3 - Resort Experiences Knowledge Check
Lesson 4.4 - How to Book
Lesson 4.5 - Selling Add-Ons
Lesson 4.6 - Useful Tips and tricks for All-Inclusives
Lesson 4.7 - All-Inclusive Terminology
Lesson 4.8 - Family Resort Tour - Generations Riviera Maya
Lesson 4.9 - Adults Only Resort Tour - El Dorado
Chapter 4 Quiz
Chapter 5 - Land Vacations
Lesson 5.1 - Land Vacations
Lesson 5.2 - Escorted Tours
Lesson 5.3 - Disney Vacations
Lesson 5.4 - Useful Tips for Land Vacations
Lesson 5.5 - Land Terminology
Chapter 5 Quiz
Chapter 6 - Groups
Lesson 6.1 - Groups
Lesson 6.2 - The quickest and best way to grow your travel agency business – Groups
Lesson 6.3 - Useful Tips & Tricks for Groups
Lesson 6.4 - Group Terminology
Chapter 6 Quiz
Chapter 7 - Air Travel
Lesson 7.1 - Introduction to Air
Lesson 7.2 - How to Book
Lesson 7.3 - Types of Airfare
Lesson 7.4 - Airfare Liabilities
Lesson 7.5 - Air Travel Extras Chapter 7 Quiz
Chapter 7 Quiz
Chapter 8 - Travel Protection
Lesson 8.1 - Introduction to Travel Protection
Lesson 8.2 - Why Travel Advisors should offer Travel Protection
Lesson 8.3 - What might be covered with Travel Protection?
Lesson 8.4 - Travel Advisor Liability
Lesson 8.5 - Offering Travel Protection
Lesson 8.6 - The Seven HIDDEN SECRETS You Didn't Know About Travel Protection
Chapter 8 Quiz
Chapter 9 - Customer Service
Lesson 9.1 - Customer Service
Lesson 9.2 - Tips for becoming the best service-focused travel advisor
Chapter 9 Quiz
Chapter 10 - Sales
Lesson 10.1 - Sales 101
Lesson 10.2 - The Sales Cycle
Lesson 10.3 - Qualifying Questions
Lesson 10.4 - Downloadable Qualifying Questions
Chapter 10 Quiz
Chapter 11 - Marketing
Lesson 11.1 - Introduction to Marketing
Lesson 11.2 - Setting up your Facebook and Instagram
Lesson 11.3 - Understanding and Effectively Using a Call-to-Action (CTA) in the Travel Industry
Lesson 11.4 - The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing for Travel Advisors
Lesson 11.5 - Tips for Using Paid Marketing
Lesson 11.6 - 10 Ways To Jump-Start Your Travel Agency and Reach New Customers
Lesson 11.7 - Creating an Engaging Biography
Chapter 11 Quiz
Chapter 12 - Developing Your Travel Business
Lesson 12.1 - Travel Industry Accreditations
Lesson 12.2 - Industry Affiliations
Lesson 12.3 - Relationships and Resources
Lesson 12.4 - How Commissions Work
Lesson 12.5 - Professionalism and Ethics
Lesson 12. 6 - Time Management
Lesson 12.7 - Cover Your Assets
Lesson 12.8 - Why Travel Agents Are Rebranding As Travel Advisors
Chapter 12 Quiz
Chapter 13 - Becoming a Recognized Travel Advisor
Lesson 13.1 - Final Exam Process
Lesson 13.2 - Customer Service Exercise
Lesson 13.3 - Sphere of Influence Exercise
Lesson 13.4 - Marketing Plan Exercise
Chapter 13 - Additional Resources
Lesson 13.5 - Final Exam Prep Notes and Sign-Up
Ready to launch your travel career?
Get instant access to the Recognized Travel Advisor program and start building the foundation of your successful travel business today.
*Please note that TARC does not endorse or recommend any specific travel related resources. Each agency, advisor, supplier, and/or user must do their own research and make a decision to access/purchase resources based on their own findings. All sales are final. TARC does not own or manage many of the resources provided on our site, so please look into them before signing up or purchasing them. Keep in mind that you are accessing and using these resources at your own risk.