Signature Travel Network has announced the launch of its 2024 Signature Educational Journeys program. There are 23 trips scheduled around the world this year, all designed to help Signature Travel Advisor members deepen their expertise in the destinations they travel to.
Of the 23 trips, 22 will include volunteer tourism activities that highlight the destination's preferred Signature Partner's service and sustainability efforts. For example, Cindy Chambers, owner of Beyond Group Travel in Houston, Texas, recently returned from a nine-night educational trip to Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia with AndBeyond. The nine-night adventure took advisors to destinations including Cape Town, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.
“AndBeyond is the perfect partner for our high-end luxury clientele,” Chambers said after the trip. “The properties they use in Africa truly represent our professionalism. We had a great experience [the destination]But a particularly memorable highlight was meeting recipients of the Travel Elevate Grant, which empowers communities through vegetable cultivation, an encounter that really touched our hearts. ”
Related: How to better understand and book sustainable travel
Approximately 190 advisors will be participating in educational trips over the next few months. The offer includes his six-night trip in Northern Ireland with Brendan Vacations. A 9 night adventure in Kenya and Tanzania with Abercrombie & Kent in East Africa. and a 6-night tour in Costa Rica with Memorable Travel Group. On every trip, advisors gain insight into local sustainability efforts around wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, and more.
Bursch Travel advisor David Zenchuk is gearing up to take the aforementioned trip to Costa Rica.
“I am really looking forward to the deep cultural experience of visiting local families in Los Tesoros,” said Zenchuk. “I am also an avid nature lover and have a strong interest in trees. [will be exciting]. And go a day early, hoping to book a food tour or city tour in San Jose to absorb more of the city's culture. ”
Signature hopes that once advisors have experienced the local landscape and culture, they will feel more confident in selling destinations. That's exactly how Laura Krugly, advisor for Well Traveled Texan, felt when she returned from her Signature Journey in Nepal with her management company, Dharma Adventures.
“Guiding clients about Nepal and Bhutan is a gift and a tool I can use again and again,” Klugley said. “From how to cope with high altitudes to the structure of religion and people's beliefs, we have a lot to share with our clients. It is our secret weapon to help our clients create successful and meaningful journeys.”
