ASTA introduces agent certification program
ASTA is launching a travel agent certification program called Verified Travel Advisor (VTA).
The VTA program is made up of nine required courses which agents must complete within 12 months, each consisting of a manual, online video and exam.
Each will take up to 90 minutes to complete, it said.
Once all have been successfully completed a VTA certificate will be awarded.
"Through our consumer research we discovered that Americans are more likely to use an advisor when they believe that advisor will put their clients’ interests first. The program is a tool that will allow ASTA members to further enhance their professional development and credibility with consumers, suppliers and even the government," ASTA said in a release.
The courses include Advanced Public Speaking, Ethics for Travel Advisors, The Art and Science of Negotiation, Agency Relationships and the Law, and U.S. Travel Agency Regulatory Compliance.
The program is $399 per person for ASTA members.
Standards required of agents for maintaining the certification are still being developed, ASTA said.
Travel agents can enroll in the program at ASTA.org/VTA
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season