CURRICULUM
The Travel Career Development Program has been designed to provide the skills needed for those seeking positions within the travel industry. The program includes 210 hours of comprehensive study of which approximately 50% is lecture and 50% is laboratory hands-on-training.
Orientation to the Travel Industry
3 Hours
This unit provides the student with an introduction to the school, the course and the travel industry. Topics include: Student responsibilities, history of the travel industry, travel agent job description, agent responsibilities and ethics, travel industry organizations and governing bodies, and travel on the internet.
Geography
15 Hours
An in-depth study of U.S. and international geography as it relates to travel. Major travel destinations and airports will be reviewed. An understanding of direction, distances and time will be developed. Topics include: City and airport codes, geography by region, international geography by area, time zones, and use of reference materials such as the Travel Planner.
Domestic Air
12 Hours
In this unit the student will learn how to determine logical itineraries. Reservation procedures will be covered and basic airline rules regarding passenger travel will be reviewed. Topics include: Determining schedules and routings, air travel terminology, Industry Agents' Handbook, and Airlines Reporting Corporation.
Hotels & Surface Transportation
12 Hours
Procedures for selecting and making hotel and car rental reservations are covered in this unit. Practical application is gained by the use of various hotel reference materials. Travel by rail is also reviewed. Topics include: Overview of the hotel industry, use of reference material such as the Hotel and Travel Index, overview of the car rental industry, and Amtrak Rail Service.
Customer Service
15 Hours
The emphasis in this unit is building customer satisfaction. An emphasis will be placed on the sales process and improving communication skills. Topics include: Effective listening, telephone techniques, controlling the conversation, overcoming objections, and dealing with a dissatisfied customer.
Fare Construction and Ticketing
30 Hours
This unit deals with the interpretation and application of the tariff, both with the fares and the rules. Determining the lowest logical airfare is stressed. Standard ticketing forms are covered in detail. Students practice writing manual tickets. Topics include: Tariff definitions, interpreting fare rules, regular vs. discount fares, transportation taxes, types of ticket stock, and ticketless transactions.
International Travel
12 Hours
Students learn international scheduling, routing, and ticketing in this unit. International documentation, customs, the European Travel Planner and other international reference materials are discussed. Topics include: Major international destinations, Worldwide Official Airline Guide, passports and Visas, and Worldwide Immigration Guide.
Cruises and Tours
12 Hours
Selecting, selling and booking cruises and tours are covered in this unit. The student will gain an understanding of cruise terminology, deck plans, documentation, and various types of tours. Topics include: Major cruise lines and cruise areas, cruise activities and shore excursions, tour operators, charters, meeting planning, groups and tour escorting.
Professional Development
3 Hours
This unit helps students develop professionalism with confidence and gain a better understanding of their potential within the travel industry. Effective interviewing techniques are reviewed. Topics covered include: Building a resume, getting and preparing for an interview, and professionalism.
Computer Reservation System Training
96 Hours
All aspects of using the computer reservation system will be covered in this unit. Students will be able to work with the system throughout the entire course. Topics include: Building passenger records, pricing and ticketing, queues and queue management, advanced seat selection/ boarding passes, and special functions.