The Australian Tourist Commission's (ATC) Aussie Specialist Online Training Program (ASOTP) has been recognised as the number one training program in the Asia Pacific region winning a 2002 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Grand Award.
The PATA Grand Award, presented for the Education and Training - Educational Program category, recognises exceptional achievement in the region as well as sets industry standards for excellence and innovation.
ATC Managing Director, Ken Boundy said the ASOTP was believed to be the first fully web based online national tourist office destination training program in the world.
"The enormous benefits of this program are that travel agents can be trained anywhere and anytime with a choice of online, classroom and manual learning styles," Mr Boundy said.
"As well, the training program serves as a live reference tool providing the latest information about Australia for travel agents.
"The technology has also allowed consistency of training across markets, increased efficiencies, provided cost savings and resulted in better skills online for travel agents.
"Destination information training time and resources for Australia have also been dramatically reduced assisting the ATC, State Tourist Offices (STO) and travel agents around the world."
The ASOTP is aimed at frontline counter staff and travel consultants of travel agencies who wish to be Aussie Specialists. It has been developed over several years to help the ATC establish a wider and better quality distribution network as well as increase consultant's knowledge on Australia as a destination.
The program leads candidates from an introduction of Australia and the different States and Territories to itinerary planning, the different product experiences available and acts as an up to date reference tool after training had been completed.
Candidates who successfully compete the course are provided with Aussie Specialist Certification for themselves as well their designated travel agency. Initial enrolment is by invitation to travel agencies but will be extended in about two years.
The program was piloted in Malaysia in 2000 before being formally introduced in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, China ,Thailand, Indonesia, and India in 2001. It is being extended to Korea, and possibly Japan this year.
The PATA Grand Award for ASOTP, will be presented on April 15 at the PATA Annual Conference in New Delhi and will be on display at the conference. |
