Travel Agent

Your at-home learning program includes nine Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career in Travel/Tourism. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

In order to complete this program, you'll need to have access to an IBM®-compatible PC with the following minimum system requirements: Pentium 233 MHz, or faster (Pentium® III, or better, recommended); Windows® XP operating system, or Windows®2000 with SP3; 128 MB RAM; 260 MB available hard disk space; CD-ROM or DVD Drive; Super VGA (800x600) or higher resolution monitor; mouse or compatible pointing device.

Instruction Set 1

• Learning Strategies
  • The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features
    of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
• The Travel Profession
  • Overview of travel and tourism industry; regulatory agencies; trade organizations; types of transportation companies; receptive travel services: lodging, food, local attractions;
    the future of the travel industry; employment opportunities.

Instruction Set 2

• North American Air Travel, Part 1
  • Basic terminology of air travel; computer reservation systems (CRS) codes; frequent-flyer programs; types of airlines and flights; classes of services; passenger services: meals, infant and child travel; health concerns; passenger’s rights.
• North American Air Travel, Part 2
  • Air fares, electronic rules, handling reservations over the phone; reservations terminology; flight services; flight schedule resources; fare-calculation principles; discounted fares; taxes and surcharges; airline ticketing; careers in the airline industry.

Instruction Set 3

• World Geography, Part 1
  • Overview of geography; continents and oceans; latitude
    and longitude; time zones; maps; climate and weather.
• World Geography, Part 2
  • Physical geography in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
• International Air Travel
  • Requirements for international travel: passports, visas, tourist cards, immunizations, International Driver’s Permit (IDP); customs regulations; money matters: market exchange rates, where to exchange, Value-Added Taxes (VAT); international arrival and departure procedures; international taxes and surcharges; international fare structures.
• Learning Aid:
  • World Atlas

Instruction Set 4

• Exploring the World, Part 1
  • Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers North America, Central America, and South America.
• Exploring the World, Part 2
  • Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Exploring the World, Part 3
  • Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers Asia and the South Pacific.
• Examination Booklet:
  • Hotels and Resorts/Tours Vacation Packages

Instruction Set 5

• Hotels and Resorts
  • Leisure and business travel accommodations; types of
    hotels and affiliations; qualifying the traveler for the best accommodation; sources of information; automated reservations procedures.
• Tours and Vacation Packages
  • Definitions of tour and vacation package components; who operates tours; types of tours; package benefits; selling tours; transmitting payments and documentation.
• Learning Aids:
  • Destination Video: Bermuda*
  • Destination Video: Vail Cascade Hotel and Club

Instruction Set 6

• Cruises
  • Cruise industry terminology; types of vessels;
    passenger markets; prices and discounts; on-board staff; accommodations and dining; services, activities, and excursions; resources; selling cruises.
• Rails and Cars
  • Car rentals; services and equipment; fee options; insurance; benefits of renting; qualifying clients; renting via computer; rail travel categories, seating and accommodations, client markets, booking, and documentation; rail services and requirements; major U.S. routes, fares, and schedules; rail lines in North America and throughout the world.
• Examination Booklet: Cruises/Rail Cars
• Reference:
  • Official Steamship Guide International

Instruction Set 7

• PC Basics
  • Hardware, software, and general PC capabilities.
• Understanding Software
  • Hands-on, in-depth introduction to commonly used Windows®-based productivity software packages, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database packages.
  • Supplement: Troubleshooting your PC

Instruction Set 8

• Computerized Reservations Systems (CRS)
  • Terminology; major players; selecting a CRS; communicating through CRS; required information and fields; passenger information and fares; automated ticketing.
• Travel and the Internet
  • Browsers; search engines; service providers; useful sites; Internet vs. intranet; how travel agents and customers
    use the Internet.
• Practical Exercise: Apollo
• Examination Booklet: Workbook/CD
• Learning Aid: Introduction to Apollo Workbook CD-ROM

Instruction Set 9

• Corporate and Group Travel
  • The corporate market: travel arrangements, meetings, and incentive events; corporate travel dynamics; corporate services provided by agency and suppliers; group business travel meetings and incentives; careers in corporate and group travel.
• Sales and Business Communications
  • Selling travel, including niche marketing, telephone sales, and direct and cross-selling techniques; identifying and qualifying clients, overcoming objections, closing the sale, follow-up; written and oral communication skills; presentation skills.
• Examination Booklet : Corporate and Group Travel/Business Communications

Graduation Set

• References:
  • Customer Relations and Rapport
  • Team Dynamics

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

Note: The graduation shipment will be sent when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met.

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AOL is a copyright of America Online Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.