As more travelers make plans under evolving COVID protocols and restrictions, finding a skilled and knowledgeable travel agent is more important than ever. Confident that highly trained professionals are essential to traveler satisfaction, The Travel Institute launched its Certified Travel Agent Directory at a time when technology, specialization, and other industry dynamics make agent education and experience more critical than ever in serving consumers. “To be clear, there is a distinct difference between a novice and a professional agent,” asserted Diane Petras, CTIE, president of The Travel Institute. “In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, our CTA®, CTC®, and CTIE® certifications are the educational gold standard and the goal is to make sure consumers know how to find agents that have them,” Petras said. The Travel Institute’s Certified Travel Agent Directory lists those who have achieved certification and participate in ongoing professional development. Consumers can search by specialty or location to find a professional worthy of their time and money. “If you’re looking for someone who specializes in international travel or cruising or wellness travel, our Certified Travel Agent Directory is a leading industry option for finding a professional partner in the trip planning process,” Petras explained. “Our database is the only one of its kind, helping consumers identify and contact a certified graduate of the Travel Institute, giving them confidence that the person planning their ideal itinerary knows what they are doing and will do it well.” Recent surveys indicate travelers are turning to travel professionals in record numbers to help navigate an ever-changing array of booking rules, health and safety protocols, and cancellation policies since the COVID-19 pandemic. A professional travel agent takes the hassle out of travel planning by getting to know a traveler, making suggestions accordingly, and then taking care of the details—from hotel bookings to theme park tickets to dinner reservations—to ensure a seamless trip from beginning to end.  To find an agent certified by The Travel Institute:

Visit www.thetravelinstitute.com

Select Find a Certified Travel Agent. Search geographically using the State/Province pull-down menu. Search using the Biography field with keywords such as “wellness,” “cruises” or “Italy,” to identify agents by specialty. Search by agent name to confirm whether a particular agent is certified.

Directory listings have links to agent contact information and indicate their level of certification and continuing education activity.  “In today’s cyberage, consumers using our directory are able to find the right travel professional to meet their needs and ensure a healthy return on their travel investment,” Petras said. Learn more about The Travel Institute. MEDIA CONTACTShannon [email protected] +1-612-719-4784 Source: The Travel Institute