Industry Newcomers’ Foundational Knowledge Remains Critical to Individual and Industry Success
FRAMINGHAM, MA, October 14, 2025 – The Travel Institute is offering $100USD, or nearly 23% savings, in tuition assistance for its TRIPKITSM new agent training program during its annual TRIP of a Lifetime fall drive to encourage unbiased and comprehensive foundational knowledge for industry newcomers.
“Starting a career in travel is rewarding but it can also be overwhelming,” shared Guida Botelho, CTIE, senior director of education for The Travel Institute. “With so much to know in our complex, ever-evolving industry and with so many training options available, TRIPKIT remains the go-to, trusted source for industry newcomers wanting to become truly job ready,” Botelho continued.
Self-paced, TRIPKIT augments student learning with support and engagement tools including expert-led insights from insider sessions with industry experts, online guided curriculum, on-demand coaching, recurring quizzes and automated “just-in-time” TRIPKIT Tracks communications based on individual progress and, ultimately, the industry-recognized TAP Test to evaluate career-readiness.
As the leading education provider in an industry without mandated education, The Travel Institute’s independent and non-profit mission is to provide easily accessed, high-quality, low- and no-cost education to all travel professionals at all stages of their careers, starting with TRIPKIT. In 2023, The Travel Institute’s Changing Face of Travel Agents survey signaled a potential lack of educated agents, reporting that 36% of travel agencies lost experienced staff during the pandemic and that 66% of advisors were planning near-term retirement. In 2024, a survey from TravelSavers1 reported that while 69% of agencies planned to hire, only 7% believed qualified candidates would be easy to find. Recent industry reports indicate the broader industry’s continued concern for developing new talent.
A 2023 Magellan gold award winner, TRIPKIT is also the industry’s longtime recognized gold standard for new agent education, utilized by individuals studying independently, agency owners and managers training new staff, and post-secondary vocational institutions teaching travel-related curriculum. Aligning with record numbers of industry newcomers in recent years, TRIPKIT enrollments peaked over the past two years with an average 51% growth while averaging about 20% growth more broadly year-over-year since 2021.
Scott Wismont, CTIE, founder of Rainbow Getaways Travel Network, says TRIPKIT has been an “incredible foundation” for ensuring his advisors feel equipped and confident as they support him in building a thriving business together.
“TRIPKIT gives new advisors not only the practical knowledge to succeed but also the confidence to serve clients with integrity and care,” Wismont said. “New advisors who complete TRIPKIT come to our travel trade better prepared and also reach success faster because they already have a solid understanding of the industry,” he explained.
TAP graduate Melanie Kautzman, who utilized TRIPKIT’s online and print material to launch her travel career, agrees, “highly recommending” the course as “a solid base to learn and grow from,” as she now provides travel services via Destinations by Melanie, LLC. Fellow graduate Jason Watson also endorses TRIPKIT, describing it as “a well-designed, organized, and valuable tool” that has provided him with the solid foundation he needs at Which Way Travel, LLC. Both are now pursuing their Certified Travel Associate,© or CTA, credentials, as part of The Travel Institute’s career path programming, which includes a 3-tier certification program for advanced professionals, as well as on-demand continued education resources and destination and niche specialization coursework, along with TRIPKIT new agent foundational training.
Recent TAP graduates are recognized on The Travel Institute website and those looking for employment are included at Hire Me in support of both new agents seeking employment and those agencies looking for educated new talent. TRIPKIT tuition assistance is available throughout October and is open to both industry newcomers and inexperienced agents. Visit TRIPKIT to learn more about new agent formal training and enroll during October to receive tuition assistance. Lastly, attend a new-to-the-industry webinar to learn more about careers in travel.
The Travel Institute relies on individuals and organizations to support its work to create relevant, meaningful, rigorous and affordable coursework for agents at all career stages. Donate or contact us to learn more about sponsorships in support of agent, traveler, and industry success.
ABOUT TRIPKITSM
With an emphasis on real-world experiences, TRIPKIT new agent training provides a comprehensive overview of air, ground transportation, accommodations, cruises, tours and packages, while also showcasing other nuances in travel planning such as technology, economics, geography, cultural events, and more for both U.S.- and Canadian-based agents. In addition, along with customer service, sales, marketing, and business skills, the course also addresses travel career development, destination knowledge, and how to establish and run a home-based agency. Packing the equivalent of one college semester into a 19-lesson, self-paced timeline, TRIPKIT is an affordable, 60- to 80-hour online program vetted by college professors while also including three online textbooks and workbooks and 13 hours of expert wisdom and practical advice from industry leaders. TRIPKIT can be purchased directly from The Travel Institute and is also available through colleges and various partner organizations. Utilized by organizations both as a standalone product and as integrated with internal, proprietary training, TRIPKIT is a turn-key, affordable and flexible educational tool, using an interactive learning platform and best-practice learning modules to ensure student support and engagement throughout, including via TRIPKIT TRACKS, a just-in-time learning tool aligned with individual progress. TRIPKIT students finish the course with the Travel Agent Proficiency Exam, or TAP®, which evaluates mastery of industry basics and is often the first step in travel professional recognition. Recent TAP graduates are recognized on The Travel Institute website, and those looking for employment are included at Hire Me.
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.