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How to choose a travel school
Before you select a travel school, do the following
research. It is well worth the effort as selecting a travel school is a
critically important decision that will have a big influence on your
career.
Your choices include Distance Learning
and Full-time programs
endorsed by CITC.
About the School
- Is the school licensed by the
provincial government?
- How long has the school been in
existence?
- How long has the travel program
been in existence?
- Is the school a Better Business
Bureau member?
- Have complaints been registered
against the school?
About the Faculty
- Are the instructors certified?
- What designations do they hold?
- What travel industry experience do
they have?
- What previous teaching experience
do they have?
- How long have they been teaching
the program?
About the Travel
Program
- Is the program based on the Travel Industry-led CITC
Core Curriculum?
- What is the duration of the travel
program?
- Does this include a work
practicum? How long?
- What type of automation system is
being taught?
- How many computer terminals do
they have?
- What textbooks are being used?
- What is the placement record for
graduates?
- Where are graduates placed?
Recommended
Subject and Hours
Based on the Travel Industry recognized Core
Curriculum and occupational standards, CITC recommends that
travel training programs offer instruction in
the following subject areas:
- Promote Tourism
- Administer Client Bookings
- Exhibit Professionalism
- Office Administration
- Communication Skills
- Sales & Service Skills
- Identify Travel Destinations
- Research Travel Destinations
- Product Knowledge-Accommodation
- Product Knowledge-Air
- Product Knowledge-Cruise
- Product Knowledge-Ground (Rail and Cars)
- Product Knowledge-Insurance
- Product Knowledge-Tour
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In general, curriculum hours should be spent on
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Professionalism subjects |
5% |
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Administer Travel Bookings |
35% |
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Sales-Customer Service |
25% |
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Travel Products |
35% |
Many travel programs include non-travel services specific topics such as event planning, a second language, job search skills or computer skills that add to the overall value of the program.
Endorsement Criteria
Each level of endorsement must meet certain criteria in order to be endorsed.
Criteria |
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Approximate # of hours for travel services specific topics |
350 |
550 |
550 |
750 + |
Mandatory purchase of the core curriculum |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Required % match to recommended core curriculum |
70% |
75% |
80% |
90% |
Mandatory practicum |
No |
No |
No, but
Recommended |
Yes |
“Live” CRS/GDS training (versus a simulated system) |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Instructor(s) teaching 25% of core subjects CITC certified |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Two graduating classes of 5 or more students |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Program has been operating for a minimum of one year |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Educational institution must have students writing the Knowledge Exam (Minimum # of participants per year) |
No |
No |
Yes
Minimum of 6 |
Yes
Minimum of 12 |
Mandatory provision of travel agency references ** |
Yes |
Yes for Full Time/ Recommended for DL |
Yes |
Yes |
Provisional Endorsement
If a travel program does not meet all the criteria for Full
Endorsement then Provisional Endorsement may be granted for a maximum
of two years, while they work towards satisfying the additional
criteria. Examples of criteria that may need to be met include:
- the educational institution must have offered the
travel program for a minimum of two years or two graduating classes
- at least one faculty member shall hold a
designation at the CTC, ACTC or CTM level.
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