About the Program

STEP 1: BECOME AN AUSTRIA EXPERT

The new ONLINE Austria Expert Program allows travel professionals to learn more about Austria and earn the designation of Austria Expert. This FREE course is attractively presented, with engaging and fun interactive components and valuable marketing tips and support. The course is divided into five modules, each of which has to be completed with a short quiz on the content.

• Welcome to Austria - introduces participants to the travel destination Austria, covering geography, culture and history.
• Austria’s Destinations - gives an overview on Austria’s provinces and main cities and describes many destinations with great travel ideas.
• Getting there, getting around and resting your head – focuses on travel to and within Austria with all modes of transportation, different types of accommodations in Austria, as well as useful travel tips.
• Experience Austria - will feature themes and topics that make Austria the most charming travel destination in the world. A wide variety of cultural and experiential travel ideas and activities will be introduced in detail.
• How to effectively market Austria - will prepare agents to sell Austria effectively and will provide information about the marketing strategy of the Austrian Tourist Office including marketing tips and ideas that will allow you to sell Austria more successfully.

STEP 2: EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE

The Austria Expert Program does far more than just provide product and destination information. Upon graduation, for a mere $79 membership fee per year, Austria Experts may choose to sign up for the Austria Expert Benefits Package. This program provides: e-brochures, e-postcards, a travel industry resource center, event calendar, specials section, and other marketing tools, making the program an essential marketing platform for Austria.

STEP 3: EARN YOUR ADVANCED DEGREE: Austrian Certified Travel Specialist

Austria Experts may choose to continue their educational experience by becoming an Austrian Certified Travel Specialist. This certification requires an actual Austria travel experience, combined with structured testing. Your Austria travel experience can be achieved on your own, or by participating in the yearly ACTS study tour of the Austrian Tourist Office. Only Austria Expert members who have signed up for the Benefits Package will be eligible for this study tour. For more information on the ACTS program, please go to “Study Tour & ACTS” page upon login.

Additional Bonus: THE TRAVEL INSTITUTE CEUs

A Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) who completes this educational program earns up to 10 Continuing Education Unit (CEUs). CTAs and CTCs are required to obtain CEUs, to maintain certification in The Travel Institute. For more information visit www.thetravelinstitute.com.

CTAs and CTCs earn six CEUs for the Austria Expert Program, and for the advanced degree A.C.T.S. they earn an additional 4 CEUS, totaling to a maximum of ten CEUs for the entire program. For more information, please visit www.thetravelinsitute.com.