03 March 2009

Online training to be created for GTMC members

Travel training portal Online Travel Training has become an associate member of the Guild of Travel Management Companies.

An in-house online training platform to be called ‘The Business Channel’ is to be developed for members as part of the tie-up.

Guild partners and associates will be able to make their product training available via the web-based channel for members, who will be able to access generic training modules at no cost.

OTT has drafted plans to develop the ‘Business Channel’ into a multi-layered site. GTMC members would be able to receive training and promotional content online from their own preferred suppliers on a 'private view' basis.

This would allow suppliers to host tailored content and promotional messages for individual members, which only their own staff can see, turning the 'Business Channel' into a rich trade support tool for suppliers, as well as a training and staff development tool for members.

GTMC chief executive Philip Carlisle said: "We are particularly keen to encourage high levels of professionalism amongst TMCs and one way of achieving this is to ensure that the best standards of training and qualification are available to all.

"The Online Travel Training ‘Business Channel’ complements the GTMC training programmes we have already established in partnership with City and Guilds."

Online Travel Training chairman Simon Beeching said: "Some 15 member companies of all sizes have already expressed positive interest in using the new 'Business Channel' when it is launched this summer.

"It met with huge support from GTMC partner and associate suppliers exhibiting at the Business Travel Show, confirming the appeal of this new channel for getting product and trade promotional training modules to booking staff at their desktops.

"Early feedback indicates that what is particularly appealing is the idea of emphasising training messages with online quizzes at the end of each training module so that product knowledge is re-inforced and the effectiveness can be measured."

*Pictured are Philip Carlisle (left) and Simon Beeching.

by Phil Davies