MEDIA RELEASE

The Travel Institute kicks off 60th Anniversary Year with Special Scholarship Fund for New Agents

Year-long Celebration to include New Curriculum and Much More

FRAMINGHAM, MA, January 16, 2024 – The Travel Institute is kicking off its year-long 60th Anniversary Celebration with a newly dedicated TRIPKITSM Scholarship Fund. Available during Q1 2024 while funds last, the scholarship offers tuition assistance on the education leader’s award-winning new agent training program. The year-long celebration will also include additional, new curriculum programs including webinars and other educational events, reflections from industry leaders, key milestones, a special gift for certified graduates, and more to be announced throughout 2024.

“60 years in the making, this anniversary signifies The Travel Institute’s long-standing, pivotal role in industry success as well as the staying power of the professional travel agent role,” reflected Diane Petras, CTIE, president of The Travel Institute. “Throughout 2024, our goal is to honor this milestone with past and current students, educators, partners, and industry leaders who have been part of our journey and to inspire even greater success.” 

The Travel Institute, originally the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA), was chartered in Washington, DC in 1964 as a collaborative effort between ASTA and other industry leaders whose goal was to form a non-profit, independent educational institution dedicated to developing agent professionalism in order to advance the industry. In 2003, to reflect its broadening scope, the name was changed to The Travel Institute. Throughout six decades, The Travel Institute has continuously evolved and adapted to maintain its role as the global leader in travel industry education and certification. Today, hundreds of thousands of agents have been educated through The Travel Institute’s curriculum, including new agent training, certification, destination and niche courses, webinars, online library content and more. 

Petras emphasized the collaborative aspect of The Travel Institute’s success, explaining the non-profit works with leaders and subject matter experts in and outside the industry to fund and create relevant, meaningful and rigorous coursework for students. “The Travel Institute is, more aptly, Everyone’s Travel Institute. Our anniversary also celebrates relationships and a broadly shared conviction that education drives industry success,” Petras explained.  

Throughout 2024, select industry leaders will be featured on The Travel Institute website, sharing their reflections on The Travel Institute’s enduring impact for themselves and others. A few, advance excerpts: 

• “…Being part of [The Travel Institute’s] first-ever virtual Executive Institute…I learned so many valuable and actionable insights that, without a doubt, have made me a better leader…”—David Chait, CTIE, founder and CEO, Travefy; supporter
• “…Creating professionalism [is] what the Travel Institute is about... It makes you better… It’s not only a good place to start, it’s a good place to continuously learn...” —Larry Pimentel, CTC, president and CEO of Mark Henry Cruise Holding Group; former chairman of the board, ICTA
• “…I can attest first-hand to the importance of education and what it can do for all facets of our industry…The Travel Institute provides huge value…” —Roger Block, CTC, president, Travel Leaders Network; former board member, The Travel Institute

While course titles and curriculum delivery continuously change, The Travel Institute’s non-profit mission has never wavered. “Our mission has always been travel professional success. We deliver on that through new and updated curriculum, a best-practice learning environment, and affordable tuition to maximize our reach,” shared Guida Botelho, CTIE, senior director of education at The Travel Institute. “Our founders clearly felt strongly about ensuring that and it’s still our guiding principle today.”

Also marking the 60th Anniversary Celebration early this year:

• In Q1, all-new courtesy webinars with guest CEO presenters sharing their insights along with soon to be announced new destination and niche travel curriculum.
• Throughout 2024, a special gift for agents certified through The Travel Institute available at industry events.
• A historic timeline looking back at key milestones from accreditation of the CTC course toward a Master’s degree to technology advancements, evolving curriculum, and more.

Looking ahead, Petras is inspired to keep inspiring, starting with a challenge to her industry peers. “Our longevity and our industry’s longevity is, in part, due to our constant willingness to evolve and adapt. Along with supporting team development, industry leaders today need to demonstrate that same commitment to their own continued learning,” Petras said, asserting industry leaders would benefit themselves and their organizations by earning their CTIE® through the online, self-paced option or the fast-tracked Virtual Executive Institute peer group option, as well as other timely learning opportunities. “After all, success often starts at the top. Why not tap into educational resources to evolve, adapt and ensure your own relevance for years to come?”

To stay informed about The Travel Institute’s 60th Anniversary events and opportunities, follow The Travel Institute on social media and visit the 60th Anniversary page. Applications for the TRIPKITSM Scholarship Fund are now being accepted; interested agents can also attend a new-to-the-industry webinar to learn more.