The Travel Institute Kicks Off New Year with Scholarship Fund

The Travel Institute is once again starting the new year with its TRIPKIT Scholarship Fund, a tuition assistance program, available through Q1 while funds last.

The $150 USD scholarships, approximately 30% of program costs, are open to both inexperienced advisors, as well as individuals outside the industry who complete the required application. 

“Bringing new talent—not simply new people—into the travel profession is incredibly important to our mission, which is the industry’s collective success,” said Diane Petras, CTIE, president of The Travel Institute. “As an independent organization, The Travel Institute is uniquely positioned to provide the broad and unbiased foundation of critical industry and business knowledge that newcomers need.”

Petras added that the course also helps new agents weigh important decisions about employee vs. independent contractor roles, host agency considerations, and potential specialization to help start their career on solid footing.

The designated fund, initially launched last year, has contributed to The Travel Institute’s average 51% growth in enrollments over the past two years as the industry continues to attract newcomers seeking a career in travel. At the same time, The Travel Institute’s certification programming for advancing experienced, seasoned travel professionals also continues at a record pace with more than 600 newly certified graduates in 2024 alone. 

Applications for the TRIPKITSM Scholarship Fund are now being accepted; interested advisors can also attend a courtesy new-to-the-industry webinar to learn more.

In 2025, along with curriculum updates to TRIPKIT and its three-tier certification program for seasoned professionals, The Travel Institute also anticipates new and updated content throughout the year for specialist courses as well as on other timely industry topics. 

Other 2025 key priorities for The Travel Institute include:

• A robust schedule for “PEP Talks” live online lectures: The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators Program, or PEP, members are top trainers, educators and speakers in their field of expertise from both inside and outside the industry who share their insight and tips through complimentary live presentations online, along with blogs, research, white papers, interviews and more. The Travel Institute’s certified graduates earn two continuing education units, or CEUs, toward annual ongoing education requirements for attendance. The complete Q1 schedule for PEP Talks will be released in mid-January. 

• Enhanced functionality for The Travel Institute’s Premium Access online, on-demand library with new cataloging and user capabilities expected to improve search results and enable easier access to its more than 400 hours of recently vetted expert content. The library’s content covers all levels of learning—including timely single-subject resources, key certification modules, and destination and niche market specialization courses—and is created by The Travel Institute, its PEP members, partners, and other expert resources. Subscribers utilize the library for on-demand learning and to meet the continuing education unit, or CEU, requirements. Release date for the new functionality is to be announced.