Etihad and IATA to launch travel agent training

IATA has signed a deal with Etihad Airways for a training partnership to roll out training courses for the travel sector in the region.

The agreement took place at the IATA-AACO Aeropolitical Affairs Forum in Abu Dhabi. Courses will include the Airline Customer Service program, but will extend to fields in aviation, cargo, travel and tourism, including courses for travel agents.

Ismail Albaidhani, head of Global Partnership and Learning Innovation, IATA explained: “The travel and tourism training programme contains a wide range of courses, including fares and ticketing, tourism, geography and destination, and others. These courses are aimed at developing existing travel and tourism professionals (i.e. travel agents), as well as the next generation of students who are looking for a job in the travel, tourism, or hospitality industries.”

The IATA-Harvard Leadership & Management training program in collaboration with Harvard Business School Publishing will also be introduced.

“There is no more important resource for any organisation than its people,” said Etihad Airways, CEO James Hogan. “This joint initiative should provide access to opportunity as we build a talent pool across all facets of the aviation industry.”