Carnival Updates Agent Training Program

Carnival Revamps Online Training
Carnival Cruise Lines has updated its travel agent training program with the launch of Carnival Passport, a new learning management system that comprises all of the company’s training and education information in one area on GoCCL.com.

The new program replaces Carnival Cruise Lines University and allows agents to target more specific areas for study. Agents will receive credits for Carnival’s rewards program.

“Carnival Passport offers all of Carnival’s learning tools and activities in one easily accessible location and provides agents with the opportunity to earn credit by participating in those activities that make most sense for their particular business needs,” said Joni Rein, Carnival’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Carnival Passport reflects the feedback we’ve received from countless travel partners across the country in terms of expanding our training program to include greater customization and provide a more comprehensive and user-friendly platform.”

Carnival also launched a new social learning game for agents named Carnival Adventures, which lets agents explore three levels of training and compete for fun points against 100 other players in real-time. The fun points can later be converted to reward credits.

Travel Institute Sets New Online CTIE Study Group
The Travel Institute has scheduled a new online study group, beginning March 6 for six weeks, covering five topics in the CTIE program. The study group will be led by Mark McMullen, CTC, and is priced at $99. More information is available here.

The CTIE curriculum covers five core competencies — communication, leadership, management, sales and marketing, and customer service. Comparable to the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) certification, the CTIE program is designed for travel professionals in non-consumer-facing roles, including: host agency executives, consortia leaders, suppliers, marketers, Internet travel executives, back-office accountants and IT support staff.

“I think it is important to get serious about leading your organization and having a credible learning tool such as the CTIE certification helps hold me accountable for what I have learned,” said Randall S. Yaroch, CTIE, CTA, owner and managing director of The Travel Society in Denver, Colo.  “The CTIE program is the perfect brush-up education for anyone managing and leading in travel industry.”

Transat Distribution Canada Partners With Disney
Beginning in June 2013, Transat Distribution Canada will offer week-long academy training focused on Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Lines.

The TDC Disney academy will offer an overview of Disney Destinations and include classroom training, product experiences, workshops, site inspections and VIP events.

FAM Trip Scheduled for Ethiopia
ET African Journeys has partnered with the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa for an Ethiopia FAM trip from Feb.3 to 11, 2013.

The six-night trip will bring agents to Gondar, Laka Tana, Lalibela and Axum. Round-trip international air from Washington, D.C., is included on Ethiopian Airlines in addition to four inter-Ethiopia domestic flights. The trip is priced from $2,329. More information is available from ET African Journeys. 

Africa Travel Association Details World Congress
The 38th annual ATA World Congress in Cameroon will be held from May 29 to June 29, in the English-speaking Southwest portion of the country including Buea and Limbe.

Delegates should fly into Douala International Airport to attend. Further details on the event are posted here.