CLIA raises agent ID card requirements

Travel agent qualifications for the official Cruise Lines International Association ID Card in 2009 will include enrollment in, or achievement of CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification.

CLIA said the new requirement reflects its obligation to the industry to ensure that affiliated agents are actively selling travel and pursuing professional development to grow their businesses.

Since 2000, CLIA has provided agents the option of acquiring an official CLIA ID Card that signifies their affinity to a CLIA-affiliated agency.

Attainment of a starting level (ACC) Cruise Counsellor designation requires mandatory and elective training options as well personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and 25 cabin sales within the two-year enrollment period.

The owners and managers of CLIA member travel agencies who manage the business but are not necessarily front-line sellers are entitled to a limited management allocation of CLIA ID Cards for which the certification qualification is waived although annual CLIA recurrent training is necessary.