By Joseph Kornik
PITTSBURGH -- The Boyd School here unveiled a Certified Leisure
Specialist program to offer independent and frontline travel agents
training in leisure travel sales. "The idea is that independent
agents working from home were seeking a training program where they
could gain skills and credentials," said Nancy Kist, the school's
director of distance communication and contract training. The
home-study program stresses six areas of development:
* Developing a niche market.
* Networking.
* Qualifying the vacation client for tours and cruises.
* Using the Internet to research travel information.
* Understanding current air fare and ticketing regulations.
* Implementing a marketing plan and providing value-added
services.
Currently, the CLS designation carries no official weight, but
Kist said she hopes that the accreditation will be recognized in
the industry in time. On completion of each of the six areas of
study, the agent is required to take a final exam. Agents must
complete a U.S. and Canada research exam and then choose from any
four international destinations as an area of specialty. Students
must score a 75% or higher on each exam. The course costs $395;
individual segments cost $75 each. For more information on the
program, contact the Boyd School at (800) 245-6673.