Nominations Open for 5th Annual Educational Excellence Award

The Travel Institute accepting applications through March for 2026

 

FRAMINGHAM, MA, January 12, 2026 –The Travel Institute’s award nomination process is again underway for its annual Educational Excellence Award with applications accepted through March 31, 2026.

 

Established in 2022, the award recognizes “those organizations and individuals demonstrating a significant, ongoing commitment to quality education for travel advisors and making a substantial, meaningful investment to ensure delivery of education to the ultimate benefit of travelers and the industry.” Judging is based on the utilization of quality educational content/programming, ongoing investment, and overall impact. The evaluation process includes external judges and excludes identifying information for nominees. Additionally:

• Any contributor to education in the North American retail travel industry is eligible
• Nominators may submit on behalf of colleagues, peers and/or may self-nominate
• A nominator may be asked for a brief interview to provide additional, relevant information

 

The Travel Institute’s Educational Excellence Award represents the critical and positive impact of education ongoing for the travel industry community, including for front-line travel advisors, management, and executive leaders, while also aspiring to further professionalism for individual organizations and the industry alike. Now in its fifth year, previous winners include: The Auto Club Group (ACG); Leah Diele, CTIE, vice president of education for Travel Leaders Network; Canada’s The Travel Agent Next Door, or TTAND; and ACE, the largest group of AAA Clubs.

 

Learn more and submit your nomination here. The 2026 winner will be announced later in 2026. 

ABOUT THE TRAVEL INSTITUTE

A collaborative industry effort created in 1964, The Travel Institute has continuously evolved to maintain its role as the global leader and industry’s recognized gold standard in travel industry education and certification. Dedicated solely to advancing the professionalism of both agents and industry leaders in support of individual and industry success, The Travel Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent organization operating exclusively for educational purposes to meet the ever-changing needs of travel agents. Working with leaders throughout the industry to create and deliver relevant and rigorous coursework and proctored, closed-book testing to ensure graduates demonstrate the highest standards of expertise and service, The Travel Institute has more than 31,000 Certified Travel Associate, CTA©; Certified Travel Counselor, CTC©; and Certified Travel Industry Executive, CTIE© graduates. It also administers the Travel Agent Proficiency, or TAP©, exam to confirm students new to the industry demonstrate a mastery of travel industry basics. Countless individuals, agency owners and managers, and educational institutions utilize The Travel Institute’s award-winning TRIPKITSM  introductory program and CTA© as their learning tools of choice. A trusted partner to industry suppliers and educational institutions, The Travel Institute is also the approved provider of travel industry civilian occupation training for U.S. military and has trained hundreds of thousands through various courses, webinars, and other online content through its Education Hub. Throughout North America, many successful agents and high-profile leaders credit their success to The Travel Institute’s affordable and accessible educational resources. Learn more.