Travel agents attending World Travel Market (WTM) 2009 can further their careers by earning Accredited Travel Professional (ATP) points for the first time.
WTM has joined forces with the ATP organisers – ABTA, Institute for Travel and Tourism (ITT) and People 1st – to offer ATP points to agents that attend the event.
ATP is the travel and tourism industry’s continued professional development programme, which allows agents to demonstrate their commitment to their profession.
Agents gain two ATP points for attending WTM and a further one ATP point for every conference seminar they are present at.
WTM 2009 will hold around 70 seminars across the three days from November 10-12.
Furthermore, agents can earn a further six ATP points by attending the ITT Skills Zone Programme, which takes place on Thursday November 12.
The Skill Zone Programme sessions are:
- Selling During A Recession: two ATP Points
- Maximising Earnings: two ATP Points
- Dealing With Customers: two ATP Points
WTM chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “WTM is delighted travel agents will be able to earn ATP points at the event for the first time this year.
“For the past three decades travel agents have been attending WTM to gain valuable product and destination knowledge to help them further their careers and create the perfect holidays for their customers.
“It’s right that this commitment is recognised and rewarded with the awarding of ATP points.”
ABTA education liaison executive Vicki Wolf said: “WTM is a fantastic opportunity for agents to learn about new products, destinations and industry issues.
“The seminars will be accredited by the Accredited Travel Professional Scheme so that travel professionals can gain recognition and rewards for their commitment to ongoing professional development.”
ITT chairman Steven Freudmann said: “We are delighted travel agents can now earn ATP points at WTM. WTM is a fountain of knowledge for agents and it’s great they are now rewarded for attending the event.
“We look forward to welcoming a host of travel agents to WTM 2009, especially to the ITT Skills Zone sessions, which offer practical tips to help them in their jobs.”