Choosing a Travel School
Endorsed Travel Programs | Travel Careers | Full Time Programs |
Online Learning | Choosing a Travel School | |
Make a Choice
How to choose a travel school
Before you select a travel school, do the following research. It is well worth the effort as selecting a travel school is a critically important decision that will have a big influence on your career.
Your choices include Distance Learning and
About the School
- Is the school licensed by the provincial government?
- How long has the school been in existence?
- How long has the travel program been in existence?
- Is the school a Better Business Bureau member?
- Have complaints been registered against the school?
About the Faculty
- Are the instructors certified?
- What designations do they hold?
- What travel industry experience do they have?
- What previous teaching experience do they have?
- How long have they been teaching the program?
About the Travel Program
- Is the program based on the Travel Industry-led ACTA Core Curriculum?
- What is the duration of the travel program?
- Does this include a work practicum? How long?
- What type of automation system is being taught?
- How many computer terminals do they have?
- What textbooks are being used?
- What is the placement record for graduates?
- Where are graduates placed?
Recommended Subject and Hours
Based on the Travel Industry recognized Core Curriculum and occupational standards, ACTA recommends that travel training programs offer instruction in the following subject areas:
- Promote Tourism
- Administer Client Bookings
- Exhibit Professionalism
- Office Administration
- Communication Skills
- Sales & Service Skills
- Identify Travel Destinations
- Research Travel Destinations
- Product Knowledge-Accommodation
- Product Knowledge-Air
- Product Knowledge-Cruise
- Product Knowledge-Ground (Rail and Cars)
- Product Knowledge-Insurance
- Product Knowledge-Tour
In general, curriculum hours should be spent on
Professionalism subjects | 5% | |
Administer Travel Bookings | 35% | |
Sales-Customer Service | 25% | |
Travel Products | 35% |
Many travel programs include non-travel services specific topics such as event planning, a second language, job search skills or computer skills that add to the overall value of the program.
Each level of endorsement must meet certain criteria in order to be endorsed.
Criteria |
|
|
|
|
Approximate # of hours for travel services specific topics |
350 |
450 |
550 |
750 + |
Mandatory purchase of the core curriculum |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Required % match to recommended core curriculum |
70% |
75% |
80% |
90% |
Mandatory practicum |
No |
No |
No, but |
Yes |
“Live” CRS/GDS training (versus a simulated system) |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Instructor(s) teaching 25% of core subjects CITC certified |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Two graduating classes of 5 or more students |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Program has been operating for a minimum of one year |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Educational institution must have students writing the Knowledge Exam (Minimum # of participants per year) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Mandatory provision of travel agency references ** |
Yes |
Yes for Full Time/ Recommended for DL
|
Yes |
Yes |
Provisional Endorsement
If a travel program does not meet all the criteria for Full Endorsement then Provisional Endorsement may be granted for a maximum of two years, while they work towards satisfying the additional criteria. Examples of criteria that may need to be met include:
- the educational institution must have offered the travel program for a minimum of two years or two graduating classes
- at least one faculty member shall hold a designation at the CTC or CTM level.