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Travel and Tourism Specialist

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Instruction Sets
Your program consists of 12 Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.

Here's how it works: Your first Instruction Set will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. You can earn your Career Diploma in as little as nine months. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:

You will need access to a computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following computer specifications: IBM® compatible PC, with Pentium IV or better processor, Microsoft® Windows® XP or later as the operating system with 512MB of Memory. You must also have access to Microsoft® Office® 2003, the internet, and have an email account.

Instruction Set 1

Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home, types of study materials, types of examinations, accessing and using the features of our website, determining what kind of learner you are, establishing a study schedule, using study tips, preparing for and taking examinations.

The Travel Professional
Overview of travel and tourism industry; regulatory agencies; trade organizations; types of transportation companies; repetitive travel services: lodging, food, local attractions; the future of the travel industry; employment opportunities.

North American Air Travel, Part 1
Basic terminology of air travel; computer reservation systems (CRS) codes;frequent-flyer programs; types of airlines and flights; classes of services; passenger services; meals; infant and child travel; health concerns; passenger's rights.

Supplement: Buying a Computer That's Right for You

Instruction Set 2

North American Air Travel, Part 2
Air fares, electronic rules, handling reservations over the phone; reservations terminology; flight services; flight schedule resources; fare-calculation principles; discounted fares; taxes and surcharges; airline ticketing; careers in the airline industry.

World Geography, Part 1
Overview of geography; continents and oceans; latitude and longitude; time zones; maps; climate and weather.

Learning Aid:
• Atlas (Scholastic)
• Time Zone Finder

Instruction Set 3

World Geography, Part 2
Physical geography in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

International Air Travel
Requirements for international travel: passports, visas, tourist cards, immunizations, International Driver's Permit (IDP); customs regulations; money matters: market exchange rates, where to exchange, Value-Added Taxes (VAT); international arrival and departure procedures; international taxes and surcharges; international fare structures.

Learning Aids: Berlitz Pocket Guides

Instruction Set 4

Exploring the World, Part 1
Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers North America, Central America, and South America.

Exploring the World, Part 2
Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Exploring the World, Part 3
Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers Asia and the South Pacific.

Learning Aids: Berlitz Pocket Guides

Instruction Set 5

Hotels and Resorts
Leisure and business travel accommodations; types of hotels and affiliations; qualifying the traveler for the best accommodation; sources of information; automated reservations procedures.

Tours and Vacation Packages
Definitions of tour and vacation package components; who operates tours; types of tours; package benefits; selling tours; transmitting payments and documentation.

Learning Aids: Berlitz Pocket Guides

Instruction Set 6

Cruises
Cruise industry terminology; types of vessels; passenger markets; prices and discounts; on-board staff; accommodations and dining; services, activities, and excursions; resources; selling cruises.

Rails and Cars
Car rentals, services and equipment; fee options; insurance; benefits of renting, qualifying clients; renting via computer; rail travel categories, seating and accommodations, client markets, booking, and documentation; rail services and requirements; major U.S. routes, fares, and schedules; rail lines in North America and throughout the world.

Learning Aids:
• Official Steamship Guide International
• Ford's Freighter Guide
• Deck Plans
• Berlitz Pocket Guides

Instruction Set 7

PC Basics
Hardware, software, and general PC capabilities.

Understanding Software
Hands-on, in-depth introduction to commonly used Windows®-based productivity software packages, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database packages.

Supplement: Troubleshooting your PC

Instruction Set 8

Computerized Reservations Systems (CRS)
Terminology; major players; selecting a CRS; communicating through CRS; required information and fields; passenger information and fares; automated ticketing.

Travel and the Internet
Browsers; search engines; service providers; useful sites; Internet vs. intranet; how Travel and Tourism Specialists and customers use the Internet.

Learning Aids:
• How to Choose an ISP
• Subscription to Travel Trade magazine

Instruction Set 9

At this point in your program, you will be able to choose CRS training in the Apollo or Sabre system.

CRS Training: Apollo or Sabre, Parts 1 and 2
Your choice of complete training in the Apollo or Sabre system. You will use a live database-emulation product accessed via the Internet. Lessons covered include airline reservations, airline fares and ticketing, and car and hotel reservations.

Learning Aid: Apollo Workbook and CD-ROM

Instruction Set 10

Corporate and Group Travel
The corporate market: travel arrangements, meeting, and incentive events; corporate travel dynamics; corporate services provided by agency and suppliers; group business travel meetings and incentives; careers in corporate and group travel.

Sales and Business Communications
Selling travel, including niche marketing, telephone sales, and direct and cross-selling techniques; identifying and qualifying clients, overcoming objections, closing the sale, follow-up; written and oral communication skills; presentation skills.

Supplement: Improve Your Communication Skills

Learning Aids:
• Berlitz Pocket Guide
• Audiotape: Voice and Diction

Instruction Set 11

Your Travel Career
Jump-start your travel career; travel outlook, where to look for opportunities, typical pay structures, preparing a winning resume and cover letter; working as an outside agent; continuing education; certification levels.

Starting a Travel Agency
Functions of the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC); the Industry Agent's Handbook, requirements for opening an agency, agency and airline identification plates; commission structure; area settlement plan.

Supplement: Preparing for the TAP Exam

Instruction Set 12

Travel Agency Proficiency (TAP) Certification Examination
Completion of the Travel and Tourism Specialist Proficiency (TAP) examination allows you to use the TAP designation. We will provide you with a certificate allowing you to sit for the nationally recognized Travel and Tourism Specialist Proficiency (TAP) certification examination. This examination was developed by the American Society of Travel and Tourism Specialists (ASTA) and The Travel Institute, and is administered independently. You must successfully complete this examination to graduate from this program.

Learning Aids :
• TAP Certificate
• IMS Proctor Sheet

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

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