Travel and Tourism

Your at-home learning program includes 10 Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career in Travel/Tourism. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

Computer Specifications
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer (or Mac equivalent) and high-speed Internet in order to complete your program with ICS Canada.

Instruction Set 1

• Learning Strategies
  • The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features
    of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
• The Travel Profession
  • Overview of travel and tourism industry; regulatory agencies; trade organizations; types of transportation companies; receptive travel services: lodging, food, local attractions;
    the future of the travel industry; employment opportunities.

Instruction Set 2

• North American Air Travel, Part 1
  • Basic terminology of air travel; computer reservation systems (CRS) codes; frequent-flyer programs; types of airlines and flights; classes of services; passenger services: meals, infant and child travel; health concerns; passenger’s rights.
• North American Air Travel, Part 2
  • Air fares, electronic rules, handling reservations over the phone; reservations terminology; flight services; flight schedule resources; fare-calculation principles; discounted fares; taxes and surcharges; airline ticketing; careers in the airline industry.

Instruction Set 3

• World Geography, Part 1
  • Overview of geography; continents and oceans; latitude
    and longitude; time zones; maps; climate and weather.
• World Geography, Part 2
  • Physical geography in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
• International Air Travel
  • Requirements for international travel: passports, visas, tourist cards, immunizations, International Driver’s Permit (IDP); customs regulations; money matters: market exchange rates, where to exchange, Value-Added Taxes (VAT); international arrival and departure procedures; international taxes and surcharges; international fare structures.
• Learning Aid:
  • World Atlas

Instruction Set 4

• Exploring the World, Part 1
  • Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers North America, Central America, and South America.
• Exploring the World, Part 2
  • Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Exploring the World, Part 3
  • Key tourist destinations throughout the world: cultural capitals, key resort areas, special-interest areas, unique geographical features; optimum travel times; planning an itinerary; covers Asia and the South Pacific.
• Examination Booklet:
  • Exploring the World

Instruction Set 5

• Hotels and Resorts
  • Leisure and business travel accommodations; types of
    hotels and affiliations; qualifying the traveler for the best accommodation; sources of information; automated reservations procedures.
• Tours and Vacation Packages
  • Definitions of tour and vacation package components; who operates tours; types of tours; package benefits; selling tours; transmitting payments and documentation.
• Examination Booklet :
  • Hotel and Resorts/Tours Vacation Packages

Instruction Set 6

• Cruises
  • Cruise industry terminology; types of vessels;
    passenger markets; prices and discounts; on-board staff; accommodations and dining; services, activities, and excursions; resources; selling cruises.
• Rails and Cars
  • Car rentals; services and equipment; fee options; insurance; benefits of renting; qualifying clients; renting via computer; rail travel categories, seating and accommodations, client markets, booking, and documentation; rail services and requirements; major U.S. routes, fares, and schedules; rail lines in North America and throughout the world.
• Examination Booklet: Cruises/Rail Cars
• Reference:
  • Official Steamship Guide International

Instruction Set 7

• PC Basics
  • Hardware, software, and general PC capabilities.
• Understanding Software
  • Hands-on, in-depth introduction to commonly used Windows®-based productivity software packages, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database packages.

Instruction Set 8

• Computerized Reservations Systems (CRS)
  • Terminology; major players; selecting a CRS; communicating through CRS; required information and fields; passenger information and fares; automated ticketing.
• Travel and the Internet
  • Browsers; search engines; service providers; useful sites; Internet vs. intranet; how travel agents and customers use the Internet.
• Examination Booklet:
  • Computer Reservations Systems/Travel and the Internet
• Reference Letter: Apollo® or Sabre® Training Component

Instruction Set 9

• CRS Apollo® or Sabre® Training
  • Complete training in the Apollo® or Sabre® system. You will use a live database-emulation product accessed via the Internet. Lessons covered include airline reservations, airline fares
    and ticketing, and car and hotel reservations.
• Study Guide:
  • CRS Apollo® or Sabre®
• Supplement:
  • CRS Apollo® or Sabre®

Instruction Set 10

• Corporate and Group Travel
  • The corporate market: travel arrangements, meetings, and incentive events; corporate travel dynamics; corporate services provided by agency and suppliers; group business travel meetings and incentives; careers in corporate and group travel.
• Sales and Business Communications
  • Selling travel, including niche marketing, telephone sales, and direct and cross-selling techniques; identifying and qualifying clients, overcoming objections, closing the sale, follow-up; written and oral communication skills; presentation skills.
• Examination Booklet: Corporate and Group Travel/Business Communications

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Apollo is a trademark  of Galileo International registered in the United States of America and/or other countries.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.