Fort Lauderdale, FL – November 9, 2018 – On the 7th Anniversary of the Travel Industry’s 1st Certification program designed to equip Travel Professionals with insight and expertise to better serve Special Needs, Disability and Mature Market segments, Andrew Garnett, president & CEO of Special Needs Group (SNG) announced a Certification milestone prior to the Company’s 8th Inner Circle/Advisory Board gathering.
“I am pleased to announce that in 7 years over 5,100 Travel Professionals have earned their SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate® (CATA) designation by either successfully completing the online 3 module syllabus and meeting the mandated testing requirements, or successfully completing a live presentation and testing session. The Certification program contains no commercial content/advertising. The goal is to provide Travel Professionals with the essential and often critical knowledge required to effectively service the most frequent needs of those existing and potential Clientele who require mobility and other forms of special needs services.” Garnett remarked.
The SNG CATA Program is available at specialneedsgroup.com/advisors. The Certification is available, at no charge, to Travel Industry Professionals who possess a valid Industry Identifier (ARC, IATA, CLIA, TRUE, etc.) Additionally, certification ”jump-start” webinars can be scheduled and live/in-house training with onsite testing can be requested for large groups.
Travel Industry Professionals have recognized SNG’s commitment to educating the Travel Industry Distribution System. Cathy Kusuma, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and Agent Engagement, Cruise Planners, praised SNG with the following remarks, “Cruise Planners always believed in the power of training and education when it comes to achieving and exceeding sales goals. The CATA certification is an all-encompassing course that gives travel agents the confidence they need to handle special needs requests and put their clients at ease when planning their vacations, plus provides instant credibility for the travel advisor.”
Mickey McBride, Director of Sales Planning, Avoya Travel, commented on SNG’s recent achievement, “Congratulations on achieving the 5,000 number!” “The Certification program is valuable because it helps travel agents increase their knowledge and expertise to best serve their clients with special needs. It impacts our advisors because it their passion for helping clients and provides them with the resources to be successful.”
2018 SNG Power Partner
CELEBRITY CRUISES was recognized as the 2018 SNG Power Partner. The Organization was the 1st Travel Industry Supplier Team to have successfully completed the SNG CATA program. Celebrity Cruises has been at the forefront of awareness and significance of Special Needs Travel. “CELEBRITY CRUISES is to be recognized and applauded for embracing the special needs, mobility challenged and mature market segments,” observed Garnett. “They are deserving to be among those who have preceded them as true Power Partners”.
Garnett concluded: “In addition to the over 60 Million disabled Americans and millions more with acute &/or chronic Special Needs and Mobility Challenges, Travel Professionals have a powerful resource when it comes to meeting the most common needs of these markets, specifically mobility and oxygen related needs. The Certification program is designed to empower the Trade with the tools to be great Travel Advisors and provide a comprehensive value proposition”.
About Special Needs Group, Inc.
Special Needs Group, Inc. is the leading global provider of wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals, oxygen rentals and other special needs equipment rentals. It also offers a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase. Recommended by the world’s major cruise lines for superior service and value, Special Needs Group also services guests visiting hotels, resorts, theme parks and convention centers. Special Needs Group is the only mobility and oxygen equipment supplier that is approved to deliver to all major cruise lines.
Special Needs Group is the Travel Industry’s only total special needs travel solution. They are located at 302 NW 1st Street, Dania Beach, FL 33004. For more information, visit www.specialneedsgroup.com or call 1-800-513-4515.