Cruise.com's host agency division launched a Certified
Travel Specialist Program designed for those with little to no experience
selling cruises or travel.
The program was designed in partnership with CLIA and
TravTech, a technology company that provides Cruise.com's booking engine and
other tools.
Those who complete the program will be designated as
Certified Cruise Counselors in cooperation with CLIA. The program includes an
individual CLIA membership, a certification from TravTech in booking engine
usage, a website and product training. It comes at a cost of $349 annually.
Cruise.com announced the program at Cruise360.
"Certification
in CLIA, intensive cruise product knowledge and cutting edge, broad-ranging technology
are the key elements of our program," Anthony Hamawy, president of
Cruise.com, said in a statement. "We are looking to bring properly trained
and supported cruise experts into the industry without the burden of excessive
franchise fees."
Cruise.com is owned by Omega World Travel, No. 17 on Travel
Weekly's 2016 Power List.