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Certified Tour Professional Program

Packaged travel professionals who obtain, and maintain, their CTP designation demonstrate to the industry that they are experienced, knowledgeable and motivated professionals who care about the industry and the colleagues with whom they work. The CTP is considered the hallmark of professional competency and excellence in the packaged travel industry.

With the CTP program, you’re doing more than taking a few courses. You’re learning from a program that was developed by and for packaged travel professionals. It’s customized to meet your specific needs. And it’s ongoing. With the program, professionals stay current with the industry through recertification of their CTP every five years.

NTA’s CTP was the first of its kind for packaged travel, established 30 years ago. Today, it’s still the industry’s most specialized and comprehensive program. Start along your path to continuing education by achieving the CTP designation.

Enroll - NTA Member Enroll - Non-member

  • CTP Prerequisites

    Prerequisites for beginning the certification require

    • Minimum of 18 months in hospitality and/or tourism
      OR
    • An associates or bachelor’s degree in hospitality and/or tourism

  • Course Information

    The certification program is an online, self-paced program. Each enrollee will have 12 months to complete. An outline of the curriculum is below:

    • Course One: Leadership, Management and Administration Focuses on being a leader in the industry, managing human resources and operations, and creating the total customer experience through quality service.
    • Course Two: Marketing and Sales Includes coursework on developing and marketing innovative products and services, maximizing sales and managing public relations efforts.
    • Course Three: Financial Management Provides an understanding of managing financial performance, forecasting business needs, establishing budgets, understanding payroll systems and ways to identify sources of funding.

  • Assignments, Quizzes and Comprehensive Final Exam

    Throughout each course you will be required to complete quizzes to progress to the next section. A score of 80% is required on all graded tests.

    • Course Quizzes (Graded)
      • Unit Quizzes (4 per course): 5 multiple-choice questions
      • Course Mastery Quiz (1 per course): 10 multiple-choice questions
    • Industry White Paper Assignment (Not graded)
      • You will be required to submit a white paper on a topic of your choosing but related to the travel industry using the knowledge you’ve learned through your coursework.
    • Proctored Final Exam (Graded)
      • Comprehensive exam covering all three courses: 25 multiple-choice questions

  • Benefits

    After completing the CTP program, graduates will enjoy a variety of benefits.

    • Use of the CTP designation
    • Graduation recognition at Travel Exchange
    • Discounts on registration rates for NTA events
    • Opportunities to sit with NTA board and leadership members at NTA event meal functions
    • First opportunity to volunteer at NTA events
    • First opportunity to participate on educational panels/sessions
    • Recognition in NTA publications and in the online member search
    • More to come…

  • Recertification

    In order to maintain your CTP certification, each graduate will be required to remain active in the industry by securing CEUs (Continuing Education Units) and re-certifying every five years. Ways to earn CEUs

    • Attend Travel Exchange
    • Attend Contact
    • Attend other industry shows
    • Participate in seminars/webinars
    • Speak at industry events
    • Volunteer at industry events
    • Author articles for industry publications
    • Earn other industry certifications

  • Pricing

    Pricing for the CTP Program is competitive with other industry certifications and NTA members can receive a $200 discount off the regular program rate. If you’re not an NTA member, consider joining today.

To learn more, contact:Todd Probus, CTP Lexington, KYtodd.probus@ntastaff.com+1.859.264.6578

  • I chose to be part of the charter class of the CTP program because I wanted to show our industry and our travelers the high value our company places on education. This, in turn, demonstrates a desire to better understand and serve our travelers. The revamped CTP should become the benchmark in continuing education in the travel industry.Rick Pharr, CTP, Charter Class Graduate CTN Travels, Midland, North Carolina