Sustainable Travel Intl Launches Certification Program

New Sustainable Tourism Certificate Debuts for Travel Pros
Sustainable Travel International has launched a series of online courses for tourism professionals to help develop the skills and knowledge relating to sustainable travel. The Sustainable Tourism Professionals Certificate uses content developed by the International Institute of Tourism Studies at George Washington University, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development.

The course costs $450 per person, and includes one core course and three 8-12 hour online courses, each ending with a final exam. Applicants for the certificate must have worked in sustainable tourism for at least two years, and must actively engage in sustainable tourism practices. Groups of 20 or more individuals can receive a discount on the program; Royal Caribbean Cruises has already enrolled 75 employees in the program. Course topics include projected management, investment and finance, workforce development and energy and conservation.

“With interest and demand for sustainable tourism on the rise, an educational offering of this nature is timely,” said Dr. Don Hawkins, Eisenhower Professor of Tourism Policy at the George Washington University School of Business. “Sustainable Travel International is addressing this growing need by leveraging some of the most relevant, cutting-edge educational content available in the marketplace, and making its Sustainable Tourism Professionals Certificate accessible and affordable.”

Online Seminar Set for IATA’S New Distribution Capability
ASTA and the Business Travel Coalition are holding a free online webinar on April 26 from noon EST to 1:15 p.m. to explore IATA’s Resolution 787 and the included New Distribution Capability. The webinar is intended for travel managers, TMC executives and other travel industry members. Paul M. Ruden, SVP of legal and industry affairs for ASTA, and Kevin P. Mitchell, Chairman of BTC, will lead the webinar. Agents can sign up here.

New Ship Accessibility Portal Launched
Special Needs Group updated its web portal and launched a ship accessibility portal in conjunction with Norwegian Cruise Line. Accessibility information for Norwegian’s entire fleet is available, and additional cruise lines will be added later in the year.

Earlier in 2013, SNG introduced three other assets to help agents better serve disabled and special needs Americans. “We have dedicated 2013 as the year to equip travel agents and those with disabilities and special needs with relevant informational resources that enable/facilitate the experience and joy of travel,” said SNG president Andrew Garnett.

Travel Impressions Expands Dimensions Series
Travel Impressions has further fleshed out its Dimensions Series agent education tool with 12 new interactive presentations along with a new web platform for enhanced online functionality. The Dimensions Series features 30 targeted destinations including Cancun, New Zealand, Riviera Maya, St. Lucia and Jamaica. The service is optimized for tablets and other smart devices. Travel Impressions is also rewarding agents with its “Quest for Clues” program, which allows agents to earn one of three $100 American Express Gift Cheques or an iPad Mini while using the company’s educational materials.