Travel Agent Training Plays Critical Role in Recovery

As the cruise industry works hard to forge a responsible resumption of operations, CLIA is taking steps to support travel agents and other industry stakeholders to ensure they are a key part of the recovery.

In addition to CLIA Australasia’s lobbying efforts for all those businesses impacted by the ongoing cruise suspension, including for extended government support, CLIA has also recently launched an important new education tool. Called Cruise Dynamics, it is part of CLIA’s Learning Academy for Australasian travel agents and this year focuses on the extensive new health measures cruise lines have committed to globally in response to the pandemic.

Even as CLIA continues to outline these health measures to governments and health authorities, travel agents can now gain a thorough understanding of how cruise lines will operate in the future and the lengths they are going to in order to uphold the health and safety of their guests.

“Cruise Dynamics will be a key resource for agents as they prepare for the resumption of cruising and learn how to give reassurance to their clients,” said CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz. “It explains important initiatives including the rigorous screening, testing, distancing, and sanitation measures that CLIA cruise lines have committed to worldwide.”

As CLIA’s recertification elective, Cruise Dynamics is an annual initiative that must be completed by travel agents who hold any level of CLIA accreditation in order to renew their certificate. Each year the course focuses on important new developments in the cruise industry, but this year’s is considered more important than ever given the focus on health, safety and recovery.

Among aspects covered in the course is the cruise industry’s commitment to 100% testing of all passengers and crew before embarkation, with a negative COVID-19 result required for boarding.

It also provides detailed information on the specific screening, sanitation and medical protocols that will be in place through the entire cruise experience, from time of booking through to a passenger’s return home.

“Cruise dynamics is always essential for CLIA accredited travel agents, but in this critical time for our industry the 2021 course is highly recommended for any CLIA travel agent, regardless of accreditation,” Mr. Katz said.

“Among the many layers that make up CLIA’s future strategy is an emphasis on restoring confidence in the cruise industry. This means earning the confidence of our travel agent partners, the confidence of governments, and the confidence of the travelling public.

Nothing is more fundamental to that confidence than the new health measures cruise lines have committed to around the world, and Cruise Dynamics will be a key vehicle for us to inform travel agents and other stakeholders about the importance of these measures.”

Cruise Dynamics is being offered online for CLIA Australasia and Asia member travel agents.