Atas reveals details of inaugural training week

The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas) has released more details about its inaugural training week, which will take place from December 6-10.

The sessions will be available to all Atas agent members, with no registration needed.

The training week was among a host of new initiatives unveiled last month by Atas account director Claire Brighton at the association’s conference in Birmingham.

She said: “Our first dedicated training week is timed to help agents prepare for the busy peaks sales period over January and February.

“We are hearing from operators and tourist boards that bookings are already picking up as travel restrictions ease and more countries open their borders to holidaymakers.

“Our training week will help agents take advantage of this surging demand and convert the widespread interest in tours and adventure holidays into lucrative sales.”

The week will feature tour operator webinars to update agents about what is new from each of Atas’ supplier members.

There will also be fresh training modules on the Atas website so agents can learn more about popular touring and adventure destinations, tour operators and different types of holidays.

The virtual format offers great flexibility to agents as they can watch the webinars when they are free, rather than having to commit to a specific time.

They can also pause the training modules and return to them when they can.

Furthermore, there is a competition which will see two agents win a seat at the Atas table at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards evening, including one night’s accommodation in London.

Taking place on January 13, 2022, the event marks the return of the industry’s most prestigious award ceremony following its postponement in 2021.

More than 1,200 guests will be at the Grosvenor House Hotel for an evening of entertainment, surprises and award presentations.

Everyone who completes a training module will get one entry into the draw, and everyone who watches each of the webinars and answers a question at the end will also get an entry into the draw.

There will be some bonus entries available in the Atas Facebook group throughout the month.

Brighton commented: “Training has always been a key element of the Atas offering to agents, so we’re very excited to build on that legacy to launch this dedicated training week.

“It will support agents with the knowledge and inspiration they need to turbo-charge their sales over the coming months.

“And I’m looking forward to hosting two winners on our table at the Globes in January, which is a highlight of the travel trade calendar.

“Don’t forget to cast your vote for your favourite suppliers – and you could be at the awards in person to see them collect their honour.”

For more details about the Globe Awards, click here, and for details of the training week, click here.