I feel that any veteran who has a love for travel, enjoys leading, educating, and enhancing the lives of others should consider travel as a career because they already have 90% of what is needed to be successful.
Nexion Veterans in Travel Participant Amber Spells
In first year, 90 veterans have been awarded scholarships to become a professional travel advisor; Program recently extended to Canada
IRVING, TX (May 31, 2019) – Nexion Travel Group, the travel industry’s premier host agency for independent travel advisors, is celebrating the first anniversary of its Nexion Veterans in Travel program and recently announced an expansion of the program to Canada. Launched in May 2018, the program is designed to give military veterans an entry into the world of travel entrepreneurship by teaching them the skills needed to own their own travel agency. Ninety veterans have been awarded scholarships to participate in the training program during its first year.
Nexion Veterans in Travel provides scholarships for qualified recipients to participate in Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, a leading travel agent training program. Travel Leaders of Tomorrow offers a Virtual Campus where participants meet for lectures from industry experts, study halls, tests, and business planning classes. For their final project, participants prepare a presentation covering the goals and objectives for their travel agency business.
“It has been truly gratifying to watch this program unfold,” said Jackie Friedman, CTC, CTIE, President of Nexion Travel Group. “Our veterans deserve professional opportunities and it is extremely rewarding to create a path for them that can lead to a career in the travel industry and business ownership.”
Forty-five participants are actively enrolled in the program at present with 30 having completed the training and another 15 registered for summer classes. The recently launched Canadian version of the program introduced by Nexion Travel Group-Canada is currently accepting applications.
After Nexion Veterans in Travel participants have completed Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, they are eligible to join Nexion Travel Group as members. All Nexion Veterans in Travel alumni will have their membership fees waived for the first 24 months. Additionally, they also have access to specialized career coaching for military veterans. Travel Leaders of Tomorrow is grateful to The Travel Institute for generously donating their course Launching a Travel Business: The Entrepreneur’s Checklist to those who have participated in Nexion Veterans in Travel.
Amber Spells, who served nine years in the Pennsylvania National Guard as a Fire Control Repair Specialist, was a participant in the Nexion Veterans in Travel program. “After nearly a decade in the military, including a deployment to Germany during Operation Enduring Freedom, I wanted to follow my passions. I had been working as a tax accountant since leaving the Army and wanted to find a career that would combine what I had learned during my service with my love for travel and business. Running a travel agency sounded interesting, but I had no idea how to actually go about it. Some online searching led me to Nexion Veterans in Travel, and to the Travel Leaders of Tomorrow course. The curriculum and instructors really opened my eyes to seeing that becoming a travel advisor was something I could do as a career. It also taught me the complexity of travel and gave me skills to serve my clients. I believe my military training has made me a courageous and purposeful traveler. I feel that any veteran who has a love for travel, enjoys leading, educating, and enhancing the lives of others should consider travel as a career because they already have 90% of what is needed to be successful,” said Spells.
Military veterans interested in applying to Nexion Veterans in Travel should visit www.VeteransInTravel.com.
All travel professionals interested in learning how to succeed as a professional business owner, backed by Nexion Travel Group’s many great benefits, are encouraged to call 800-747-6813 or email sales@nexion.com.
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Nexion® Travel Group is a fully accredited host agency, offering membership to independent travel professionals since 1995. As part of Travel Leaders Group, Nexion Travel Group provides ticketing, operations and fulfillment support to independent travel professionals coupled with best-in-class tools, technology, marketing, education and support. Nexion Travel Group is the complete host agency for multi-agent agencies, corporate agencies, experienced agents and those new to the industry. Travelers also have access to The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group, a selection of travel offers and discounts available at no additional cost to holders of select American Express® cards. For more information visit www.TheTravelCollection.com.