FRAMINGHAM, MA – Cruise Lines International (CLIA) and The Travel Institute have partnered up to increase promotional support of each other’s certification efforts, as well as provide a number of valuable new benefits to certified travel professionals.

These new benefits include three free months of basic membership with The Travel Institute for recent graduates of CLIA’s Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) and Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) programs. The membership offer will be communicated twice during the year.

Also, recent graduates of The Travel Institute’s Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) and Certified Industry Travel Executive (CITE) who enroll in CLIA’s ACC or MCC programs will receive 10 continuing education credits (CEUs) toward The Travel Institute’s annual CEU requirement, plus two free classes from CLIA offered twice per year.

Lastly, CLIA is offering 10 credits for CTA recent graduates toward CLIA’s ACC, as well as 10 credits toward MCC for CTC or CTIE recent graduates.

Recent graduates are defined as those who graduated from Jan. 1, 2015 to present.

“Partnering with The Travel Institute is a natural fit for our two organizations,” said Cindy D’Aoust, Acting CEO, CLIA. “As two of the leading professional development organizations in the travel industry, we share a common goal of supporting travel professionals by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. I’m looking forward to seeing the great work we can accomplish together in the future.”

In addition to the new benefits, the two organizations are developing other support initiatives for their respective certified graduations throughout the year. For example, ‘National Plan A Cruise Month’ reinforces using a CLIA Certified Travel Agent, and a Congressional Resolution designated October as ‘Cruise Travel Professional Month.’ Coming up second quarter at the Travel Institute is an all-new management webinar series, ‘Learn, Lead. Innovate.’ for travel professionals interested in developing their leadership skills.

For more information email training@cruising.org or visit thetravelinstitute.com.