NTA Temple University Partner for Continuing Education for Travel Professionals

November 6, 2006

NTA Temple University Partner for Continuing Education for Travel Professionals
Nov. 6, 2006 – The National Tour Association is pleased to announce a partnership with Temple University to revamp its Certified Tour Professional program. The program was first introduced 20 years ago at the 1986 NTA Annual Convention in Atlanta. Since that time, more than 600 travel professionals have achieved the CTP designation.

"For several years now, NTA has discussed an update for the program," said NTA Chairman and CEO Judith Thomas, CTP. "We wanted to make NTA’s certification the most relevant and best in the industry, and I am thrilled that NTA is able to join with one of the nation’s top universities, Temple, to develop a new CTP program. We hope to launch it by the fall of 2007."

The CTP designation was designed to enrich members’ knowledge of the industry and particularly the segment of packaged travel. Today, it is recognized as the measure of quality and dedication to travel and tourism and represents a proactive approach to the future.

Dr. Joe Goldblatt, a senior lecturer and executive director for Strategic Partnerships and Professional Development at Temple, holds a masters in tourism and an EdD in higher education administration. He also has an extensive background in the development of certification programs for associations. Goldblatt will be working with NTA to develop the new CTP program, building a curriculum targeted to tours and packaged travel.

"The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the National Laboratory for Tourism and eCommerce and Temple University look forward to the opportunity to partner with the National Tour Association to continually improve education and research for the tourism industry," said Goldblatt. "We greatly respect NTA’s commitment to high quality education and research and welcome the opportunity to help advance these important areas to benefit the global tourism industry."

Temple plans to conduct focus groups comprised of various NTA member categories and use a trained facilitator to identify the duties and tasks associated with the many professions at NTA. They will then develop courses, course materials and other support materials to provide the proper training for what NTA members need.

The National Tour Association has a global membership of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. Its membership includes more than 600 tour operator companies – group, independent, inbound and outbound – and the destinations and suppliers that partner with them. The association is committed to providing business results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative, caring environment in which to build relationships. For more information, please visit http://www.nta.travel/.