TORONTO — The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) has launched a new Industry Recognition Pathway Program that gives experienced travel professionals a new route to earning nationally recognized certification.
The program is designed for travel professionals with 10 or more years of industry experience, allowing eligible candidates to obtain the Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designation by demonstrating their professional experience rather than completing ACTA’s traditional certification process.
According to ACTA, a CTC or CTM designation formally recognizes the knowledge, expertise and contributions of long-serving travel professionals while validating their skills against national industry standards.
The Industry Recognition Pathway Program complements ACTA’s existing Equivalency to CTC/CTM Conversion Pathway Program, which remains available for travel professionals who already hold an eligible industry designation and wish to convert it to a CTC or CTM designation.
Together, the two pathways provide experienced travel professionals with multiple options for earning nationally recognized certification, either through equivalent credentials or by demonstrating extensive industry experience.
THE BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION
ACTA says the CTC and CTM designations are recognized across Canada as benchmarks of professionalism and expertise within the travel industry. They help validate industry knowledge, strengthen credibility with clients and industry partners, and distinguish advisors in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
More than 30,000 Canadians work as travel advisors, and ACTA says those who earn a CTC or CTM designation are recognized among the industry’s most qualified professionals.
Certified travel advisors enjoy the following benefits:
- Official ACTA CTC or CTM Certificate: Receive an official ACTA Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) certificate recognizing an advisor’s expertise, professional experience and commitment to excellence
- Enhanced Professional Credibility: Strengthen an advisor’s reputation with clients, employers and industry partners through a nationally recognized professional designation
- Career Advancement Opportunities: Differentiate an advisor in a competitive marketplace and support their long-term professional growth and earning potential
- Dedicated ACTA Support: Access ACTA’s education and certification team for guidance, ongoing professional development and continued recognition of the CTC and CTM designations
- Priority Learning Opportunities: Receive priority access to ACTA’s best-in-class Immersive Destination Learning Experiences, International Conferences and other professional development opportunities
- Official ACTA Certification Pin: Display CTC or CTM designation with an official certification pin that reflects an advisor’s professional achievement and commitment to excellence
- National Consumer Recognition: Be featured in ACTA’s ‘Find a Travel Advisor’ directory at www.bookwithatraveladvisor.ca, helping consumers identify certified travel professionals.
To learn more about ACTA’s certification pathways, review the eligibility requirement and apply, click here.
