VIRGIN HOLIDAYS SIGNS UP TO ATP
Date published: 26 June 2009Virgin Holidays has launched the Accredited Travel Professional (ATP) Scheme to its staff this week, with 100 employees pre-registering on the scheme which will ensure their qualifications and experience are professionally recognised.
By providing free sign up for up to 400 staff, Virgin Holidays has joined a growing band of companies who are committed to high professional standards within the travel industry. The companies who are already part of ATP include the Midlands Co-operative Society, the Co-operative Travel Group, Knock Travel, Sunvil, Hoseasons, Oasis Travel, Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), Open University, Training for Travel, Intraining, Travel Uni and Online Travel Training.
The ATP scheme has been developed by ABTA, in association with ITT and People 1st, and charts an individual’s career progress in the travel industry by recognising qualifications and experience. Once membership is gained, progress is recognised through a points scheme. Qualifications attained and seminars attended are all awarded ‘ATP points’, which can take individuals onto the next level of membership, currently bracketed as bronze, silver and gold. Virgin Holiday staff will be able to earn points for their in-house training, all of which has been mapped and accredited to national occupational standards by ATP.
“In these hard economic times, we are more committed than ever to training,” said Angel Conley, Learning and Development Team Leader. “If we invest in our staff, then they will look after our customers. Staff have greeted the ATP scheme with enthusiasm as it provides an easy system for recognising and rewarding career developments.”
Vicki Wolf, ABTA’s Education Liaison Executive said: “We are thrilled to have Virgin Holidays on board with ATP, as they really understand the benefits training brings to all parts of their business.”
For more information on ATP go to www.travelprofessional.co.uk or email administrator@travelprofessional.co.uk.
For further information
Sean Tipton, Communications Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514
Mobile 07850 712325, Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 07912 248904
Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
Notes to editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,415 members with 5,900 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators.
In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.
