WASHINGTON, DC — CLIA has added five new online courses to its professional development program available to CLIA Travel Agency, Individual Agent Members and non-member travel professionals.

“At CLIA, we are proud to offer the industry’s leading professional development programs and courses to CLIA Travel Agency and Individual Agent Members as well as non-member travel professionals,” said Stephani McDow, director, Membership & Professional Development, CLIA.

“As the cruising industry changes and grows, our travel agent community continues to adapt and find new ways to contribute to cruise vacation sales, bringing in a large portion of cruise bookings year after year.”

Here’s a look at the five new courses:

Converting Prospects to Customers

CLIA says this course will help travel professionals close more bookings, and perfect their closing styles, whether travel agents are booking for the first time or are seasoned travel professionals

Personal Branding

Travel professionals will learn tips to help them standout and become the travel professional people know about, want to do business with, and trust. Having a personal brand can help to make or break a business.

The New Face of Luxury

During this quick-paced seminar, travel professionals will learn how the face of luxury cruising is changing, from cruisers to destinations to the ships themselves. CLIA says it wants to give agents the tools they need to tap into the fast-growing luxury cruise market by getting the inside knowledge that will make them successful luxury cruise agents.

Customer Relationship Management

Travel professionals can discover the 18 ways a CRM system can benefit their sales, service and marketing efforts. “At CLIA, we understand that success at selling travel has more to do with the one-on-one relationships travel professionals create with their clients. A CRM (Customer Relations Management) system has made it even more feasible to create these personal connections.”

Developing Your Marketing Strategy

Travel agents will learn how to develop an easy-to-use marketing plan and strategy, get details on a proven marketing model that will help differentiate them from everyone else, and learn how to implement promotions that best meet the needs of their businesses.

CLIA’s online courses are available to Individual Agent Members at the member rate of US$29/course and non-member travel professionals at $59/course. For more details or to enroll in one of CLIA’s Certification programs visit cruising.org/onlinelearning.