DON'T TRUST YOUR VACATION DOLLARS TO ANYONE BUT THE BEST
How Consumers Can Find The Travel Industry's Top Professionals
By the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA)
When it comes to personal finances, a savvy consumer wouldn't entrust their money to an un-certified public accountant. And for health concerns, consumers would never consult with anyone but a certified medical physician. Therefore, when it comes to planning and spending money on a dream vacation, it makes sense that consumers work with a professionally certified travel agent.
Just as the accounting profession has the CPA certification that designates a high level of professional achievement, and medicine has its MD, the travel industry confers the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation upon its most highly trained and experienced travel professionals.
Certified Travel Counselors offer consumers peace of mind when spending their vacation dollars by providing them the most reputable and reliable service available. CTCs also offer unparalleled destination knowledge, have years of experience satisfying their customers and work with top travel wholesalers to pass along savings to consumers. And most importantly, unlike some "here today, gone tomorrow" travel scam operations, consumers know that their CTC is a seasoned industry professional someone they can trust now and in the future.
The Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA) grants the CTC certification to travel professionals who have attained at least five years of full-time travel industry experience, have completed a rigorous academic study program and exam, and follow a continuing education regimen to remain current on the latest travel trends.
CTCs are well recognized by their travel industry peers as the "best of the best" in the business. Since 1964, nearly 30,000 travel professionals have been granted CTC certification by ICTA.
When consumers are shopping around for a potential travel agent, it is important to ask the agent if they are professionally certified by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. Many travel agents will display their CTC certificate in their offices, or will print this information on their business cards, agency Web site, in the local Yellow Pages or on other advertisements. Consumers can also visit www.icta.com and click on "Find a Travel Professional" to find a Certified Travel Counselor in their area. These certified professionals are organized by state making it easy for consumers to identify agents locally and regionally.
Since its inception in 1964, ICTA's mission has been to increase professionalism within the travel industry and to create a national standard of excellence for travel professionals through its educational programs. ICTA is recognized as one of the travel industry's foremost authorities on consumer travel, industry trends and customer service.
