| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 26/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 39 |
| Copyright: Other |
HKTA aims to create UK team of specialists
THE Hong Kong Tourist Association is trying to build up a pool of UK travel agencies with a specialist knowledge of the destination through a newly launched correspondence course.HKTA area director for Northern Europe Sue Whitehead said she was hoping at least 2,000 agents would join the Hong Kong Specialist programme, details of which have been sent to all travel agencies across the country.
To join the programme agents must complete the correspondence course, which consists of three lessons on Hong Kong and a final exam.
“The correspondence course is quite simple and how long it takes to complete will really depend on the agent and how much time they want to put into it,” said Whitehead.
All qualified Hong Kong Specialists will receive regular updates from the HKTA which will also organise agents’ competitions and they will have an opportunity to participate in educational trips to Hong Kong.
In some cases they will be offered subsidises for their own trips. They will also receive a personalised membership card, a certificate to show what they have achieved and a window sticker.
“We would like to think that this programme will appeal to a lot of agents, not just those who already specialise in the Far East,” added Whitehead.
She said the programme would not replace the HKTA’s existing programme of familiarisation trips, which will continue to operate as it has in the past.