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