Brand USA has launched an online training programme for travel agents which is integrated with Facebook and Twitter to allow users to share tips and advice.
The official marketing organisation for the US unveiled the new programme at the International Pow Wow trade show in Las Vegas.
The website, at USAdiscoveryprogram.co.uk, will be targeted at agents in the UK and Ireland, but Brand USA intends to use it as a template for other markets.
Chris Thompson, president and chief executive of Brand USA, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching this innovative and interactive online training course. We hope the USA Discovery Program will provide agents with the knowledge and skills needed to sell the USA more effectively to their customers.
“By creating a platform that allows Brand USA to speak directly to the agents we hope to give them a voice to deliver feedback on what they would find useful in future modules. This ever-evolving and developing programme has vast opportunities for both agents and U.S. partners to interact.”
Agents using the programme can take interactive quizzes to become USA Specialists, and receive award badges as a recognised qualification of expertise.
The course features five regional tests before specialist modules – Big City Buzz, the Great Outdoors and Winter Sports. Over the coming months further modules, including Food and Drink, Music/Heritage/Culture, Fly-Drive, Coastal Escapes and Family will be added.
Agents who sign up will also be able to attend live training events and webinars, in addition to interacting within a social community.