WINNIPEG — Travel Professionals International (TPI) has announced the launch of TPI STEP, an exclusive fam program that includes small-group educational trips.

According to TPI, which is known as Canada’s leading network of independent travel advisors and a Virtuoso member, TPI STEP (Specialized Travel Education Program) was developed to  “maximize the experiential learning of the travel advisor with the ultimate goal of bettering their customer’s in-destination experiences and the advisor’s travel sales and customer retention.”

TPI STEP trips, offered as part of the TPI Academy suite of programming, differ from current generic supplier fam offerings in that they are exclusive to hand-selected TPI travel advisors. This allows the unique opportunity for advisors to network exclusively with other TPI independent travel advisors and TPI head office support staff.

The inaugural STEP trip, in collaboration with Transat Holidays, took 18 TPI travel advisors and support staff to Punta Cana where they toured various resorts, networked and took part in a mock wedding.

“I’m pleased that our innovative segment leadership is once again proven by the fact that demand is currently outstripping supply for this new program,” said Morris Chia, TPI President & CEO. “We’re currently working with our preferred partners to ensure TPI advisors have many more opportunities to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity.”

Upcoming TPI STEP trips include those planned with AmaWaterways (June 2016), Collette Vacations (August 2016), Visit Orlando (November 2016) and Transat Holidays (December 2016).

TPI travel advisors are able to offset the cost of participation through the use of reward dollars as part of their membership in TPI’s exclusive Velocity recognition program, adding economic reasoning to the learning and sales benefits afforded by attending a TPI STEP trip. In addition to attending all TPI STEP events, accepted advisors are required to share their experience digitally across social media and in-person at TPI events.

For more information visit tpi.ca.