Visit Seattle has launched new travel agent training — as it acknowledges the huge role the Kiwi trade play in selling travel to the US.
Speaking to Travel Today, Visit Seattle’s manager for tourism development Caitlyn Shearer says roughly 50% of Kiwis like to book their travel to the US via an agent, highlighting the need for tourism boards, like Visit Seattle, to ensure training platforms are available to better enable agents to support their clients, as well as ensure easy access to destination research. As such, Visit Seattle has launched Seattle Destination Training. The program covers Seattle’s diverse attractions, culture, and natural beauty, with those who complete it earning ‘Seattle Certified’ designation. It also provides free resources such as destination news, trends and must-visit spots.
. . . City & Countryside
Shearer highlights the destination’s coffee and wine offerings as one example of its training resources. “The wine scene specifically is so diverse: you can be sipping wine in the industrial part of the city, at the north end of Boeing Field and next up, you can sip in the country amongst lavender fields,” she says. The city’s culture, especially the music scene here, is a big draw as well says Shearer, alongside its outdoor recreation.
“Visitors can explore any of the state’s three national parks, on your own or with a tour,” she says. “Or if [clients] prefer to stay in the city, there is easy access to kayaks, biking, hiking, even hot tub boating.”
And, of course, there’s cruise, with 50% of Alaska-bound cruise ships sailing from Seattle. “Cruising Kiwis can find any major cruise line here and the city is an excellent spot to explore for a couple days pre- and post-cruise.”
