Travel and Tourism Courses Offer Balance of Theory and Practice
Did you know that respected companies such as Marlin Travel, Sears Travel, Thomas Cook Group, Carlson Wagonlit, Air Transat/Nolitours, Goway, Sunwing, Travel Corporation and Kensington Tours are seeking professionals who have attended one of Ontario’s Tourism and Travel programs and have the know-how to assist travellers who are increasingly visiting more exotic destinations that offer both fun and educational opportunities?
That’s where Centennial College’s Tourism and Travel program,
which takes just one year to complete, comes in. Designed to prepare students
for employment
in either retail or wholesale travel companies such as tour operations, retail
travel agencies, Internet booking agencies, tourist offices, and cruise and
airlines, it consists of both theory and practical application. “After
researching many colleges, I chose Centennial as it provided the most for the
course I was interested in,” says Hristiana
Dzhelbova, a 2011 graduate. “The Tourism and Travel program is a
fast-track course offering essential industry insight, industry certifications
and qualifications, and a placement at an established company. The instructors
are very helpful and always making sure the students fully comprehend the
lessons.”
Let’s
take a more detailed look at some of the benefits that Hristiana describes.
First and foremost, during their time in the program, students attend Tourism and
Travel courses that cover topics such as airline tariffs and ticketing,
accommodation and ground transportation and the cruise industry as well as
extensive world destination topics, including culture and heritage training,
passport and visa requirements, travel security, customer sales and service,
and more. Additionally, students receive Apollo and Sabre computerized airline
reservation system training, and cruise line training includes the Cruise Line
International Association (CLIA) two as well as a half-day “training fest”
conducted by CLIA-Trainers. There is also a chance
for optional CPR training is provided in the third semester.
To
round out training and to ensure that Tourism and Travel program students have
practical experience prior to graduation, they attend a third-semester
internship. The three-day-a-week experience sees students shadow professionals
in the field, network and gain new knowledge while applying what they have
learned. Taking the practical
component a step further is the fact that this Travel and Tourism program offers
students an international trip that provides practical exposure to all aspects
of travel. Lastly, they may volunteer at major events in and around Toronto
such as the Walk of Fame, Rendezvous Canada and various trade shows.
It is worth noting that CITC knowledge exam and Travel Industry
Council of Ontario (TICO) minimum standards exam are included as a part of the
Tourism and Travel program.
Tourism and Travel program
applicants must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma
(OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, students
should have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or
equivalent. Please note that possession of minimum admission requirements does
not guarantee admission into the program.
