Customized Educational Curriculum

"What Will I Learn?"

The Certified Tourism Ambassador^TM Program is designed to give you - as a front-line hospitality employee or volunteer - learning experiences that will build upon your knowledge of the region and your performance in serving your customers.  It will help you answer the wide variety of questions you get from visitors and will increase your awareness of, and your ability to use, available information resources.  And, it gives you a chance to meet one another, learn from one another's experiences and celebrate together! 

Program Curriculum

Comprised of four modules, the Body of Knowledge is defined through extensive research.  Highly customized for each destination, the learning material covers the important elements of tourism, regional attributes/attractions and customer service, as follows:

Module 1:  The Power of Tourism
Module 2:  Discovering Your Region
Module 3:  Knowing, Finding, Using Resources
Module 4:  Exceeding Customer Expectations

The curriculum is delivered through pre-class reading assignments and in-class participation. The interactive classroom setting makes it an interesting, fun way to expand your knowledge and your ability and confidence to answer visitor questions.  And, the Pre-Class Reading & Resource document becomes a valuable, handy tool to use to help visitors!

"The pre-class reading was very interesting.  There's so much I didn't know and I've lived here 25 years!"

                                        Ami Taubenfeld, CTA
Director of Sales & Marketing
Spirit Cruises Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

"I was born and raised in Baltimore - I didn't realize how much history I didn't know.  Very impressive and informative.  Great reference tool, as well."

Bill Butler, CTA
Project Coordinator & Facilitator
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD

Program Requirements

Every certification program requires successful completion of a core curriculum.  The following recaps the requirements to earn and maintain the CTA designation:

• Complete required pre-class reading and learning assignments
• Attend half-day, interactive classroom session
• Complete open-book examination
• Complete annual renewal of certification (50 points per year by visiting attractions, attending networking events, reading, etc.)

Upon successful completion, participants will earn the Certified Tourism Ambassador^TM designation and receive a CTA certificate and lapel pin.  An annual renewal process of certification is also necessary to maintain your certification.

 

"The pre-reading and classroom material was well organized and informative.  There's a lot more to it than I expected.  I was also surprised to learn of the many opportunities to continue my learning." 

Nancy Kelly, CTA
Airport Liaison for Traveler Aid Desk
General Mitchell Airport
Milwaukee, WI

"I walk into hotels and resorts and see other CTAs.  They know you have a certain level of expertise.  There is a confidence that they know you know about the area."

Tim Osborne, CTA, Driver
AAA Full Transportation
Tucson, AZ