Becoming a member of one or two tourism organizations or travel associations is an invaluable way to grow your agency or expand your volume and clientele. As an added bonus, making the most of membership in travel and tourism organizations can enhance your reputation with your clients. They will recognize you are well-learned in industry essentials and connected as a result of these affiliations.

Whether your interest lies in overseas travel and you join international tourism organizations, or you are looking for something more specific to travel in your area and join local councils for travel, membership in these organizations can serve you throughout your career. Still not sure that membership in a travel and tourism organization is right for you? Consider the three ways below to make the most of your affiliation:

1. Learn more about a specific region or a niche tourism market via travel organizations membership.

2. Network with industry peers and potential mentors at events sponsored by travel industry organizations.

3. Learn shared sales and marketing strategies to enhance your business via travel association newsletters.

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Join international tourism organizations to help create a niche for yourself as an area expert

Want to become a niche expert for travel to a specific part of the globe? Would you like to be considered a go-to person for arranging travel of a certain kind, whether it be adventure tours or all-inclusive resorts? Then join a travel association that can help you do just that.

I recommend: According to their website, members of the Pacific Asia Travel Organization benefit from "strategic marketing intelligence" as well as brand promotion. By joining the Cruise Line International Association, agents get access to promotional materials, discount accommodations and membership discounts with other vendors.

Attend events sponsored by tourism organizations to network with peers and potential mentors

The value of meeting others in the industry to share ideas with, or to learn from, cannot be overestimated. Attending events sponsored by the organizations you have joined offers you the opportunity to learn about segments of your industry while networking with others.

I recommend: Members of the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) can take part in a variety of sponsored events listed on their site's event calendar. World Travel & Tourism Council members can attend a variety of industry specific events, including its Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Brazil

Sign up for newsletters authored by travel organizations to learn new marketing and sales strategies

Many travel organizations include as a membership benefit a subscription to online and print newsletters. These contain a wealth of industry specific news as well as information about trends and trade buzz.

I recommend: Members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) get free access to their online "Adventure Travel News." Association of Special Fares Agents (ASFA) members have access to regularly published e-news articles at the bottom right of their home page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to advertise your membership with travel and tourism organizations on any business cards, websites or literature you or your agency produce. These affiliations can work to enhance your reputation as an expert in the field and as someone that is connected in the industry.

Travel associations are a collaboration of passionate professionals who want to share their experiences and knowledge. In your city or town, it’s difficult to find peers from the travel industry who aren’t direct competitors. Tourism organizations offer you the networking and professional relationships that you can’t find in your area.

Members of travel and tourism organizations share their sales strategies and success stories. The organization itself is a wealth of information, representation and leadership with one goal: to grow the travel industry. Professional development and partnerships are encouraged. Consider:

1. Using travel associations to forge relationships and grow as an individual.

2. Paying annual dues to tourism organizations to cover the resources offered.

3. Membership benefits to range from events and conferences to job banks and newsletters.

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Use statewide and international tourism organizations to further your career

Travel organizations offer an opportunity for individual and professional growth. They promote partnerships and offer resources to make you a more successful tourism professional.

I recommend: Travel Industry Association (TIA) is a national organization with more than 2,100 members from all areas of the travel industry. TIA welcomes small or large companies in the travel and tourism industry to join the organization. Access a schedule of events and become a member. The Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) is a travel and tourism organization that connects you to sources of information when you’re doing research. TTRA focuses on developing your planning, marketing and research skills by offering conferences, publications and networking. Sign up for chapter conferences and for information on an awards program that recognizes marketing and research excellence and promotes professional development.

Pay annual dues to join tourism organizations

Travel organizations usually have several different membership levels, ranging in price and benefits. You have the option to choose which level matches your company's needs and goals.

I recommend: South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is one of a few international tourism organizations. It helps any group involved in South Pacific travel and tourism. The SPTO’s purpose is to strengthen travel to the region and market and manage the development of the tourism industry. Benefits give members a competitive edge over other tourism groups, including regional branding. Maine Tourism Association charges different membership rates for lodging facilities, restaurants and campgrounds, along with a general membership of about $200.

Travel and tourism organizations offer members a number of professional benefits

Organizations for tourism help professionals develop connections through educational events and programs. You get the chance to benefit from travel research and marketing opportunities, as well as keep up to date on the recent developments in the travel industry.

I recommend: National Tour Association (NTA) is a tourism organization with thousands of members. It’s made up of tour operator companies, tour suppliers and destination marketing companies. Benefits include access to online NTA membership directories, government and industry information and research, member forums and special programs and zone fares. You can also attend the annual NTA Convention, a huge opportunity for networking. New York State Travel and Vacation Association (NYSTVA) members receive a quarterly newsletter and links to tourism industry websites to use for research and networking. They can also attend board meetings, tourism programs at local colleges and committee activities and conferences. Download a printable membership application.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take time to become familiar with all the benefits offered by your association for the travel industry. This way, you can be sure to take advantage of everything the organization offers.

If you love to travel and entertain, you could find yourself quite at home working for hospitality and tourism organizations. Areas where you may want to seek employment are with councils for travel, travel agencies, travel associations and tour operators.

While starting a career with a travel association only requires a high school diploma, the field can be very competitive. The following types of training will help you get to where you want to go faster:

1. Obtaining a bachelor's degree or certificate in hospitality or tourism management;

2. Taking additional courses in a specific area of travel, such as ecotourism;

3. Traveling extensively, especially if you wish to work for international tourism organizations.

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Look for schools that offer travel and tourism organizations education and training

Enrolling in a degree program can help you discover if travel association employment is really your calling. You can spend four years on a bachelor's degree or start working in the field sooner with a certificate program that takes two years or less.

I recommend: Consider travel agent training through Gatlin Education Services. This company provides online training on how to use computerized booking systems for travel and tours, which will be useful no matter where you work. If you'd like to go the bachelor's degree route, check out Degree Directory's page on hospitality management for a list of recommended schools.

Research travel and tour organizations and choose a specialty

Instead of targeting all travel and tourism organizations to obtain employment, specialize to make yourself more marketable. You can do this by taking more targeted travel courses through travel association training centers.

I recommend: Visit the Vocational Information Center's website for a huge listing of tourism specialties. Once you've chosen one, find a program to supplement your degree or certificate. For example, look at Tallahassee Community College in Florida if your interests lie in ecotourism; for example leading diving trips and planning adventure travel.

Book a few trips through travel organizations to learn how the process works

One of the best ways to become a well-rounded travel professional is, of course, to travel. Booking your trips through a travel organization will teach you about the customer experience and also help you get an idea of what you would change once you start working.

I recommend: Attend the Travel and Tourism Research Association's annual conference. That way you can experience the kind of trips it organizes and learn more about tourism research at the same time. Also, take a vacation through STA Travel while you're in school. This premiere student travel association handles hundreds of arrangements for students, young adults and teachers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you decide to train to work for travel organizations, keep in mind that most positions entail an extensive amount of time away from home. Though it may sound exciting at first, it can become difficult if you wish to settle down and start a family.

If your business books travel for its employees, it may do so through a travel agency or it may book directly with the airlines and hotels. No matter which route your company chooses to go, knowing some industry-specific terms makes it easier for you to know what you're getting from the travel agency, airline, or hotel.

Some terms, like rack rate, may sound confusing. However, if you spend some time learning travel-related terminology, you'll be able to make better choices when booking business travel.

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Trip cancellation insurance, travel insurance, tour protection

The insurance industry offers a bevy of policies to insure against baggage loss and a host of other contingencies. Trip cancellation insurance and travel insurance offer some form of financial protection, if a traveler has to cancel a trip. Typically, the traveler purchases trip cancellation insurance, although travel insurance, sold by both private companies and some tour operators, may include some form of trip cancellation insurance. Tour protection plans protect travelers, if the tour operator goes out of business.

I recommend: The Insurance Information Institute explains how some popular types of travel insurance work.

Tour operator

A tour operator combines several facets of travel to build tours. These facets often include air transport, lodging, attractions, and ground transportation.

I recommend: The United States Tour Operators Association explains what a tour operator does and what to expect from a tour operator.

Rack rate

Rack rates are a hotel's published rates. The rack rate is the highest rate for a room that a hotel will charge. Hotels rarely charge the rack rate.

I recommend: VideoJug defines rack rate and also has a videotaped segment with a travel industry professional explaining how rack rates work.

Certified travel counselor (CTC)

A certified travel counselor has met certain experience requirements set by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. A certified travel counselor will also have completed certain study and course requirements.

I recommend: The Travel Institute explains what requirements a certified travel counselor must meet to receive that designation.

Corporate agency

If an agency calls itself a corporate agency, it's letting its clients know that it caters to businesses.

I recommend: Corporate Travel Service explains what it does for its clients. In doing so, it explains what a corporate agency should do for its business clients.

MICE

MICE stands for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, which four types of business travel. MICE tours and destinations cater to the corporate traveling group.

I recommend: To learn more about MICE programs, check out Best Incentive Tours.com.