TORONTO — Contiki has updated its travel agent eLearning program ContikiU to include a more simplified way to earn Contiki Rewards.

Contiki says the program will now feature two levels toward graduation, each boasting “snack size” training modules, ranging from five to 15 minutes each, to be completed at the agent’s leisure. The incentive program offers agents of all ages access to exclusive Contiki rewards based on the number of bookings they make.

Agents can register for ContikiU by visiting contiki.com/agents.

Agents who complete Level 1, consisting of the mandatory ‘Introduction to Contiki’ and ‘Europe with Contiki’ modules, will now be eligible to earn ‘Contiki Rewards’.

Those who also complete Level 2, consisting of the mandatory ‘Asia with Contiki’, ‘The New Contiki Agent Site’ and ‘How to Sell Contiki to Millennials’ courses, will not only be able to redeem for rewards, they will also be qualified to join any of the upcoming four fam trips planned for 2018.

“We know millennials and have seen more and more that are willing to seek the expertise of travel agents,” says Sheralyn Berry, Vice President of Sales for Contiki Canada. “This year, we updated our ContikiU program to allow agents of all ages to enrol and earn rewards – in the form of Contiki trips or cash rewards. We want to help them understand the millennial audience and ensure that they are knowledgeable of our products. ContikiU will further enhance our commitment to our valued travel agent partners and provide them with the insight and expertise they need to be successful. Not to mention, the incentive of accessing our amazing Contiki Rewards program!”

Upon completion of the two mandatory modules in Level 1, agents will graduate to become a ‘Contiki Champion’ and will be eligible for exclusive ‘Contiki Rewards’ that includes something for everyone from Contiki travel bags, free Contiki trips, and cash rewards (for those over the age of 35 or who simply want the money). The updated rewards program will be based on the amount of bookings made by the graduate. Champions who book:

• 2 Contiki trips will receive a Contiki Parkland lunch kit
• 5 Contiki trips will receive a $50 Contiki Store gift card (redeemable for Contiki branded merchandise), and Contiki swag
• 7 Contiki trips will receive a $200 Visa gift card
• 10 Contiki trips will receive a free Contiki trip (valued at $2,000) or $500 cash
• 15 Contiki trips will receive a free Contiki trip (valued at $2,500) or $750 cash
• 20 Contiki trips will receive one of the following: a free Contiki trip (valued at $3,000) or Travel with a friend or $1,000 cash
• 50 Contiki trips will receive one of the following: a free Contiki trip (valued at $5,000) or Travel with a friend or $2,500 cash

Crystal Cruises has also revamped its agent learning centre, debuting its newly renamed Partner Resource Center and also relaunching its updated Travel Agent University.

Formerly the Travel Agent Center, the Partner Resource Center now has an updated platform, improved functionality and a comprehensive collection of materials and tools, says the cruise line.

“We greatly value our relationships with our travel partners, and appreciate the extensive time and effort they put into growing their business,” says Carmen Roig, Crystal’s Senior VP of Marketing and Sales.

Aimed at retail partners looking to expand their Crystal business, the new platform provides access to:

• Training videos and webinars
• Sales and marketing kit
• Crystal news and media center
• Cruise Guidebooks
• CruiseBuilder 3.0
• Personalized URL services
• Travel documents and forms portal
• Crystal sales team bios and backgrounds
• Special offers
• Travel partner fares

Crystal says agents can also increase their Crystal product knowledge through enhanced training modules with the cruise line’s Travel Agent University. The modules have been redeveloped to represent the key selling points of each brand experience across Crystal’s luxury portfolio, including Ocean, River, Yacht Expedition and Air.

The first three modules – Crystal’s Multi-Brand experience (billed as a high-level review of All Things Crystal), Crystal Ocean and Crystal River – are scheduled to launch next week. The Yacht Expedition and Private Jet Journeys modules will launch in the weeks to come.