Trinidad & Tobago help agents prep for winter

Although it may still technically be summer, the arrival of September means that Canadians, especially those dreading the coming cold, will begin making their winter getaway plans.

And while there’s no shortage of sunny warm destinations to choose from, having a wealth of options can leave travellers feeling overwhelmed, when all they really want is an experience. This is where travel consultants get to shine; they have the power to hold all the answers, and to know all the best products inside and out.

The islands of Trinidad & Tobago know this, and recently took the time to promote its Agent Specialist Program in an effort to prepare travel experts for the coming sun season.

“To most of the agents in Canada, Trinidad & Tobago is a new destination for them,” Allison Ferguson, marketing & PR director for AVIAREPS Canada said. “So we think it’s important to provide an education opportunity because once they’re familiar with the product, they can help their clients get to know it as well.”

The Trinidad & Tobago Travel Agent Specialist Program is a strategic initiative by the destination to increase product presence  in the Canadian market, and includes an educational platform geared toward promoting awareness and visibility of the island product to travel professionals. The program includes information about accommodation, culture, festivals, cuisine and eco adventures available in Trinidad & Tobago, as well as specialized product offerings for niche markets.

This is yet another step in Trinidad & Tobago’s efforts to increase awareness of its destination in Canada; the islands have hosted events throughout the past few years promoting themselves both together and separately, and have been represented in Canadian festivals as well, showcasing attractions and cultural offerings to travel professionals across the country. PAX was on location in Trinidad & Tobago recently, and reported on the unique experiences the islands have to offer travellers.

Travel experts interested in becoming a Trinidad & Tobago specialist can register online, become familiar with the product material, and then take a quiz to complete the course. Agents who complete the course will receive a personalized certificate and accreditation, and have their choice of continuing education credits from the Travel Institute and ACTA.

Travel consultants who complete the program are encouraged to record their bookings on the website to become eligible for prizes, such as gift cards or FAM trips, and all site activity will be monitored in real time.

Travel experts interested in becoming a Trinidad & Tobago specialist can click here to take the course.

PHOTO: Ian Grant, sales director, Alitours; Nazie Mohammed, sales executive, Canada, Caribbean Airlines; Dr. Vidhya Gyan Tota-Maharaj, Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago & Allison Ferguson, marketing & PR director for AVIAREPS Canada.