Tourism New Zealand has revised and reworked its online trade training program and launches the new 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program. The 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program is a core part of Tourism New Zealand’s work with travel agents in the US and offers travel professionals the chance to build in-depth destination knowledge, get the latest product updates and in turn, grow their New Zealand sales.

Gregg Anderson, General Manager Western Markets says the enhanced program, combined with in market training, offers travel sellers the most effective and efficient training possible for improving their knowledge on New Zealand and the tourism product available. “The program has been run in different forms for a number of years and has evolved significantly over that time,” says Anderson.

“With this revision we have developed new interactive online training modules to make them more dynamic, visually engaging and easier to use.” The program also has a new name and logo – 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program, bringing it in line with Tourism New Zealand’s global marketing campaign.

Anderson says the new program has been shaped by industry feedback, after it was trialed by around 130 agents from across the world. “As such, we are really confident we have a program that will meet the needs of industry.

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The program’s launch comes on the back of one of the biggest trade familiarization trips ever to happen in New Zealand. Around 400 agents from Australia, the UK, Europe, North America and Mexico spent between 5-10 days in New Zealand travelling on one of 24 different itineraries.

In order to become a 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist, travel agents need to complete 10 of the new training modules, attend a Tourism New Zealand led training session and visit New Zealand.

Specialist status is then granted for two years. After two years, agents’ specialist status will automatically roll-over provided agents have completed a further two modules and attended an additional Tourism New Zealand training session since gaining specialist status.

Tourism New Zealand, www.newzealand.com