Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia will welcome a new intake of Masters candidates this month as it hosts its elite Masters Program in a new online format.
The education program allows travel advisor members to advance their sales and marketing skills and provides CLIA’s highest qualification for cruise specialists. It was previously offered at sea in an annual on-board conference but has been redesigned for 2021 to provide a six-week online course.
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Beginning 20 September, this month’s Masters Program has a limited number of places still available for CLIA member agents who have achieved Ambassador status. It follows an initial online program held in July.
CLIA Head of Training & Development Peter Kollar said the Masters Program aimed to give cruise specialists the ability to develop new revenue streams and create a unique brand differentiation.
“The Masters Program is all about helping agents move into an environment beyond mainstream selling,” Kollar said. “It provides the skills needed to forge a unique position in a competitive retail landscape.”
The program’s new content and online format has met with an enthusiastic response since its launch earlier this year, with 93% of participants rating it good to excellent.
Masters July participant Leanne Kuntze of I Love Cruising said the new online course had made a big contribution to her professional development.
“It blows my mind what a powerful tool this Masters course is,” she said. “It has really made me think and work on my passion, my business, in a whole new way. It wasn’t comfortable, but I loved it.”
The 2021 Masters Program includes new content including education on data, technology and the evolving online retail environment. Other aspects of the program include personal strength assessments, digital and neuromarketing tips, business strategy and planning skills, and understanding how to become integral to clients’ online environment.
After completing the Masters course and assignment, agents will receive 100 accreditation points and enter the prestigious CLIA Cruise Masters ranks, with a higher search ranking on the CLIA Australasia website.
To take part, member agents can register their interest via the CLIA website.