Tourism Fiji has released a more interactive and visually powerful version of its online travel agent training program, Matai. The rollout of ‘Matai 2.0’, as it is being referred, was exclusively foreshadowed by LATTE in December.
The relaunched Matai features a three-tier system and enables agents to reacquaint themselves with the destination following the reopening of Fiji’s international borders on 1 December 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The completely new program provides a better user interface experience for enhanced functionality, with additional courses and modules still to be introduced offering tips for selling Fiji.
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Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism said: “We’re excited about this brand-new course that will deliver updated and engaging content covering all our key pillars and niche tourism products across Fiji’s twelve regions.
“After 20 months of border closures, the travel industry has changed, and we felt it was important to update and change our training programme, to help new agents coming into the industry learn the destination or allow previously registered agents to relearn and get updates on the destination again in a new and refreshed way,” Hill said.
The Matai 2.0 program will be equipped with creative interactive maps, new fact sheets and product videos, all intricately designed with rewards and benefits that will include free flights, exclusive invites, places on familiarisation trips and invitations to marketing activities and events, among others.
“It is an incredible destination, and we have some incredible products for visitors, we hope this course helps educate and empower agents to better sell Fiji!” Hill continued.
The new three-tier system means training and learning won’t stop once agents have become a Fiji Matai Specialist (BRONZE level), with agents now having the ability to reach SILVER and GOLD levels, unlocking additional benefits as they go through the tiers. Agents will be able to discover all the tourism products and experiences Fiji currently has to offer and learn how to help their clients select a region that is perfect for them, including understanding the best resorts for luxury, romance, diving, adventure, and other niche experiences as well as MICE and business events.
Among the perks, BRONZE Fiji Matai Specialists will be able to download a certificate with the logo to share in their communication with clients. SILVER Specialists will have access to airline benefits and are provided with a listing on Tourism Fiji’s consumer-facing website. While GOLD Specialists will earn an invitation to Tourism Fiji’s Global Matai annual Conference in Fiji, and can take advantage of coop-marketing funds to promote the destination.
Jason Sacriz, Tourism Fiji’s Trade Partnerships Manager for Australia, said “Having almost two years without international visitors in Fiji has allowed our team to work with new content creators and shoot new imagery and videos which we know will keep inspiring agents to sell Fiji, bringing Fiji to life as they learn, and ultimately bringing more Australians to Fiji when they sell.”
Registration is now open to travel advisors from 14 key markets, including Australia and New Zealand. Agents can sign up at specialist.fiji.travel/ – agents who sign up and achieve bronze level before 31 May will be in with a chance to win prizes including return tickets to Fiji, famil spots and Pure Fiji gift packs.