Several organizations offer educational opportunities for agents
interested in learning more about the adventure and nature travel
niches. Participation in either of the following two seminars
qualifies agents for continuing education credits through the
Institute of Certified Travel Agents.
The Adventure Travel Society is conducting a series of agent
seminars titled Selling Adventure Travel. The six-hour seminars
focus on how to sell adventure travel and cover topics such as how
to break into the market, how to increase revenues from this niche,
marketing to adventure travelers, and current and projected trends.
Breakout sessions address issues such as writing marketing plans
and press releases.
Dates and locations for upcoming Adventure Travel Society
seminars include: Houston, Oct. 14; Dallas, Oct. 15, and Chicago,
Oct. 16.
In 2000, Los Angeles, Feb. 23; San Francisco, Feb. 24; Atlanta,
March 1; Miami, March 2; Chicago, TBA; Denver, TBA, and Anchorage,
Sept. 14.
The cost of the Adventure Travel Society seminar is $75 for
early registrants, $95 for those who register within a month of the
seminar. For information, contact the Adventure Travel Society in
Englewood, Colo., at (303) 649-9016, fax (303) 649-9017.
Adventure travel expert Helen Nodland, CTC, presents a full-day
Adventure & Exotic Travel Educational Seminar for agents. The
motivational seminars address topics such as how to match clients
and adventure travel products and identifying cooperative marketing
opportunities.
The seminars also give agents a close look at innovative travel
companies and compare the products of adventure operators. Nodland
presents the seminars in conjunction with 17 top adventure
suppliers, including Butterfield & Robinson, Asia Transpacific
Journeys, International Expeditions and Eldertreks.
Dates and locations for upcoming seminars include: Cincinnati,
Oct. 13; Hartford, Oct. 26; Portsmouth, N.H., Oct. 28, and
Westchester County, N.Y., Nov. 3.
In 2000; Austin, Texas, Jan. 11; Houston, Jan. 13; Palm Beach,
Fla., Jan. 20; Orange County, Calif., Feb. 1; Palm Desert, Calif.,
Feb. 3; Woodland Hills (Los Angeles), Calif., Feb. 8; Tucson, Feb.
10; San Francisco, March 16; Portland, Ore., March 21, and Denver,
April 5.
Seminars run from 8:30 a.m. to 4: 45 p.m. and are priced at $50,
including lunch, coffee breaks and course materials. For
information, contact Nodland Travel Enterprises in Glenview, Ill.,
at (800) 554-3514, (773) 248-0818 or fax (773) 248-9421.