Tauck Earns Kudos For In-Depth Training Academy

Tauck has earned high marks from two groups of travel advisors who recently attended in-depth, invitation-only training programs to become Tauck Certified Advisors.

The two Tauck Academy programs – one in Alberta, one in Jordan — were held recently and combined intensive classroom instruction with first-hand opportunities to experience unique activities, cultural discoveries, hotel properties and more featured on Tauck’s land tours that operate in those destinations.

In Jordan, for example, the 37 attending advisors made their way to the stunning Treasury at Petra on camels, explored the ancient Roman city of Jerash, and enjoyed an authentic outdoor dinner at a Bedouin camp.

During the Alberta Tauck Academy, a group of 29 travel advisors enjoyed Tauck on-tour experiences including traveling the scenic Icefields Parkway, learning about First Nations culture and history from a member of the local Cree Nation, and taking in panoramic views from both the Jasper SkyTram and Banff Gondola.

Interspersed with the on-tour components were a series of intensive classroom sessions hosted by Tauck Vice President of Global Sales & Reservations Steve Spivak and other members of the company’s sales team.

Topics covered ranged from Tauck’s history to its present day product portfolio which includes classic land tours, European river cruises, small ship ocean cruises, and Tauck Bridges family journeys.

Other sessions focused on effective techniques for selling Tauck, sales and marketing resources available to advisors, and insights into “the Tauck Difference” – the qualities that separate Tauck travel experiences from those offered by others. The educational sessions provided the basis for a final exam that advisors had to pass in order to attain Tauck Certified status at the conclusion of the week-long programs.

Advisors from the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia attended the Tauck Academy events, and they had high praise for the experience. LuAnn Haygood from Watercolor Boutique Travel in Wilmington, North Carolina, attended the Tauck Academy in Alberta and called the experience “by far the greatest industry training I’ve had,” adding that “the content was spectacular.”

Advisor Elliott Rouse from Travel Counsellors in the UK, attended the latter Tauck Academy, saying he “personally loved every aspect of the week in Jordan,” and adding that he’s “very excited to promote and sell Tauck going forward.” Australian travel advisor Jenny Reeves from Phil Hoffman Travel also attended the Jordan event and described it as “very well organized,” noting “the content was well thought through.” She also “loved meeting the other advisors and the Tauck staff, as well as learning more about Tauck.”

Even Canadian advisors attending the Tauck Academy on their home soil were impressed, as Monique Auzoux from Vision Travel Services in Vancouver had this to say: “What a wonderful tour of my own backyard. I’m a ‘believer’ in Tauck and look forward to building our mutual business.”

The Tauck Academy in Jordan was offered in partnership with Visit Jordan, while the Alberta program was co-hosted by Travel Alberta.

Tauck has operated 32 Tauck Academy programs since their inception in 2013, with participating advisors chosen by Tauck based on performance and other factors. Tauck Academy graduates represent an elite group that comprises less than 1% of all Tauck advisors. Plans for 2023 Tauck Academy programs are currently being finalized.

Go to www.tauck.ca for more.