It would be an understatement to say the global coronavirus pandemic is morphing the entire travel and cruise industry landscape at the moment. The business downturn continues to exacerbate as tens of thousands of travel and tourism jobs are paused in an effort to ride out this storm.
Social distancing and gathering restrictions do, however, present an opportunity for travel advisors to use this time during the business downturn to their advantage and brush-up on their product knowledge, or finalise modules of an e-learning travel partner program they may have set aside for a quieter time.
Starting with the cruise industry, LATTE has compiled a list of some of the online learning courses and modules readily accessible for luxury cruise lines, offering travel advisors the chance to enhance or refresh their knowledge and skills. We’ve also asked the local executives from some of the top cruise lines for their feedback.
We started with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia.
CLIA Australasia
CLIA Members Hub
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia is preparing to launch its new online education platform that will bring new features, new content and streamlined services, all designed to make travel agents’ work easier and boost their cruise education.
A key change will be the introduction of dedicated areas for individual cruise lines, allowing agents to access information such as BDM contact lists, view webinars, download brochures, find news and promotions, and take up cruise line training.
Peter Kollar, Head of International Training & Development for CLIA Australasia said:
“Combining the existing CLIA Learning Academy and CLIA Member Hub, the new system will create a better and more cohesive experience for travel agent users.
“For CLIA travel agents using the existing Learning Academy, those currently working on electives or Oceans of Opportunity will need to complete them by the end of April, as partially complete work cannot be transferred to the new system. New education opportunities will then be available via the new platform when it is launched.”
Travel agent members now have a chance to be involved in its early launch phase. CLIA members who would like to take part in beta-testing the system ahead of its debut should email training-aus@cruising.org and add to their subject line, “Opt-In B-Test” along with their CLIA ID number.
