The CATO Touring Academy has set a new industry benchmark in professional development, boasting over 3,500 course completions since its launch on July 1st. This groundbreaking initiative, designed to empower travel agents across Australia and New Zealand, redefines how agents learn and engage with the increasingly competitive touring sector.
With a robust curriculum tailored to address the current demands of the travel industry, the Academy offers an invaluable resource for agents seeking to boost their knowledge, sales strategies, and product management skills. In less than four months, the Academy has garnered a massive following, proving its critical role in shaping the future of travel.
Comprehensive Training to Drive Success
At the heart of the CATO Touring Academy is a meticulously structured course featuring mandatory and elective modules. These modules cover a broad spectrum of knowledge, from foundational principles such as “What, Why, Who, and How” of touring to specialized topics across 14 elective modules. In addition, over 25 CATO member brand training sessions are live, with plans to more than double that number by the end of the year.
This diverse and comprehensive training equips agents with the tools and insights required to excel in selling and managing land-focused touring products, a segment that continues to thrive in today’s market. By addressing a variety of touring styles and sales strategies, the Academy allows agents to personalize their learning experience and focus on areas most relevant to their client’s needs.
Agents Share Their Success Stories
The response from agents has been overwhelmingly positive. Rosemary Spiteri, from The Curated Traveller, shared her excitement about the Academy: “I’ve been in travel for more than 27 years, and I have learned so many things I didn’t know existed in the world of touring.” This sentiment was echoed by Sky Gander from Tewantin Travel, who added, “The course was very engaging, with fantastic visual content and easy-to-navigate tutorials. I certainly gained more product knowledge, and, importantly, it cemented what to sell to whom, which I know will increase my overall conversion rate.”
CATO’s Leadership Vision
CATO’s Managing Director, Brett Jardine, expressed his enthusiasm about the Academy’s early success: “The CATO Touring Academy has been a long time in the making, and it’s great to see the high level of engagement from the trade in such a short space of time. This demonstrates an exciting trajectory for the growth in interest and demand for modern-day touring.”
Jardine emphasized the growing value of touring sales for agents: “The high value agents will gain when focusing on touring sales is a game-changer for the sector. As the industry continues to gather momentum, those agents who are embracing the opportunity are already experiencing strong growth in bookings.”
Affordable and Accessible Learning
One of the Academy’s key advantages is its affordability. For an annual subscription of just $99 AUD, including GST, agents can access all current and future content, including sector-specific news and extensive product training from CATO member brands. This subscription model ensures that agents stay updated with the latest developments in the touring industry while providing ongoing learning opportunities.
The CATO Touring Academy is an indispensable tool for those eager to stay ahead in the fast-evolving travel industry. As the Academy continues to grow, it promises to play an even more pivotal role in shaping the future of travel agent training and professional development.
To learn more about the CATO Touring Academy and join a thriving community of travel professionals, visit CATO Touring Academy.
Written by: Karuna Johnson
