Signature Travel Network backs ASTA Verified Travel Advisor™ Certification Program
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) announced today that Signature Travel Network has renewed its commitment to ASTA and industry professionalism by investing in the first bulk purchase of ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor certification program. Separately, ASTA also announced that Lisa Stenfort of Dreams Delivered Travel has become the first advisor to successfully complete and achieve certification in the program.
Under the purchase agreement, 80 Signature travel consultants may enroll in the Verified Travel Advisor program, which is designed to let the travel industry and the consumer know that the advisor possesses unparalleled knowledge, the highest degree of professionalism and ethical standards beyond reproach.
"Signature understands intuitively the need for a strong national trade association for our industry and that ASTA is the pre-eminent brand in travel, the brand that is synonymous with trust,” said Zane Kerby, ASTA President & CEO. “It’s because of the support of our consortia partners that we’re able to offer these critical resources to travel advisors. We thank Alex Sharpe and his team at Signature for once again showing their commitment to the ASTA standard of excellence.”
"We are committed to a long-term partnership with ASTA as we simply won't survive in this business without the work that ASTA does on our behalf,” said Alex Sharpe, Signature President & CEO. “Aligning with ASTA on the Verified Travel Advisor program was a no-brainer. We want to make sure our travel advisors have access to the best industry, legal and government affairs resources available, and this partnership is a great way to make that happen.”
Late last month, Lisa Stenfort of Dreams Delivered Travel in San Jose, California, a Signature-affiliated independent agent, officially became the first “graduate” of the ASTA Verified Travel Certification Program after successfully completing the nine courses covering subjects ranging from public speaking to ethics to regulatory compliance.
ABOUT ASTA
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally based members, it is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public. ASTA’s history of travel industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information, visit ASTA.org.
ASTA’s sister association, The National Association of Career Travel Agents, represents a professional community of independent travel agents ready to assist the traveling public.
