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Kissimmee offers TIPS program for agents
A new internet program for agents is only the latest example of how the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau continues to woo agents, says its sales director, John Weed.
“As far as I know, we’re the only CVB where agents can go on line and do the entire program just like Disney’s continuing education effort,” he said.
The Travel Industry Preferred Specialist (TIPS) program will be offered through September in conjunction with Recommend magazine.
With TIPS, agents earn special bonuses, discounts and other perks that include complimentary rooms and special accommodation rates.
The program also provides 2.0 Continuing Education Units for Certified Travel Professionals (CTA) or Certified Travel Counselors (CTC) as a condition of membership in the Travel Institute.
Mr Weed told TravelMole that the CVB has regular fam trips and also visits agents in locations throughout the US. Upwards of 350 US and UK agents yearly make fam trips here.
Target US markets regularly visited by the CVB include the northeast, states such as New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
“In the Midwest, we have Chicago with Indianapolis and Detroit becoming key markets. We also have two big locations in Texas, Dallas and Houston, where we have a large number of travel agents,” said Mr Weed.
In addition to promoting the local theme parks, the CVB sells the diversity of the Central Florida area which offers anything from premier golf courses to eco-tourism activities.
“We think we have a lot to offer, but we’re also a good value,” said Mr Weed.
One area of emphasis has been to cater to the repeat visitor.
“We strongly believe the major attractions bring visitors in, but when they return, they’re looking beyond the theme parks. We fill that niche by offering half-day attractions such as Gatorland, the Flying Tigers Museum, and air boat rides, which are very popular,” said Mr Weed.
For more information, agents can call the Kissimmee-St. Cloud CBV travel agent hotline at 800-831-1844, ext. 482
Report by David Wilkening
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