The CATA program is the Travel Industry’s 1st Certification designed to equip Travel Advisors with insight to better serve the special needs, mobility challenged and mature market segments. The program has positioned SNG as not only an industry leader, but also a leading advocate of these market segments as over 6,200 Travel Advisors have earned their CATA designation.
The certification program will provide the Professional Travel Advisor the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the accessible travel, mobility challenged and mature market segments which includes one of the world’s fastest demographic. The program will enable the Travel Advisor to provide greater service to present clients and potential prospects by heightening the guest’s experience. Furthermore, the Travel Professional will be aided in differentiating their sales skills, and in adding tangible value to their brand while expanding their client base.
Course Overview
The largest and fastest growing segment of the travel industry worldwide.
There are 63 million U.S. citizens with disabilities – 20% of the population.
The Accessible Travel/Special Needs market spends $13.6 billion a year on vacations.
This market has $220 billion in discretionary income.
Travelers with special needs take 32 million vacations a year.
Over 24 million Americans with disabilities would travel and travel more frequently if their special needs were better met.
Mature Americans take 340 million trips each year.
Become an SNG Certified Travel Advocate
The certification program is free to those registered as Professional Travel Advisors with Special Needs Group. The program is composed of three, easy online modules in the one course. The 65-minute, online certification course is designed for Travel Professionals to increase their knowledge, skill sets, and earning opportunities in the accessible travel/special needs market.
Upon successful completion of the training course, you will be provided with following:
Certification Package
Exclusive access to the CATA Resource Center – tools to help you build your business.
Earn the rights to utilize proprietary logo to assist in marketing yourself as an SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate.
Your agency will be listed as “Certified Accessible Travel Advocate” on the Special Needs Group website. Consumers will be able to find your agency using the following search feature: SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate Locator
Access Instructions
Not Registered with Special Needs Group?
All Travel Advisors must be registered as a Professional Travel Advisor with Special Needs Group in order to complete the certification program. If not yet registered, please click on the following link: Travel Advisor Registration Page.
Testimonials
Cathy Kusuma, Director of Field Sales, Holland America, praised SNG, “The CATA certification is all-encompassing course that gives travel agents the confidence they need to handle special needs requests and put their clients at ease when planning their vacations, plus provides instant credibility for the travel advisor.”
Mickey McBride, Director of Partnership Engagement and Development for Avoya Travel, remarked, “The certification program is valuable because it helps travel agents increase their knowledge and expertise to best serve their clients with special needs. It impacts our advisors because of their passion for helping clients and provides them with the resources to be successful.”
Debra Kerper, owner of Easy Access Travel affiliated with Cruise Planners, stated, “I was among the first travel agents to be certified by Special Needs Group Certified Accessible Travel Agent Program. I have personally specialized in travel for people with disabilities and special needs for almost 27 years. SNG’s certification program is an outstanding and necessary step in making the travel industry aware of the needs of travelers with physical challenges. Educating travel agents on what’s available for their clients who need to travel “differently” is essential in providing a great travel experience and ensuring that they will have repeat clients. The SNG Certification Program educates the travel agent while building a foundation of knowledge which enables the agents to enhance their client’s experiences. I work exclusively with SNG and rent a full line of products for my clients from scooters and wheelchairs to hospital beds, hoyer/patient lifts and more. The ability to do this for my clients has allowed them to travel when they truly thought they could not. Thank You SNG for making the world accessible!”
SNG CATA Program in the News
Two recent articles recognized SNG’s CATA program. Travel Market Report’s article entitled, “These Travel Agents and Wheelchairs Users are Challenging Perceptions and Inspiring Dreams”, focused on two SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocates, formely mentioned, Debra Kerper and Jamie Santillo. The piece, written by Richard D’Ambrosio, focuses on Debra’s and Jamie’s life experiences and turning their individual challenges into successful travel agent businesses. Each is able to provide their clients first-hand knowledge and answer questions honestly and in doing so give individuals confidence that they too can experience the ultimate freedom – travel.
Gwen Pratesi’s article for Cruise Critic, “How to Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair for Your Cruise”, focused on an interview with Andrew Garnett, President & CEO of Special Needs Group, in which he recommends “…using a Certified Accessible Travel Advocate to find and book a cruise. These Travel Advisors have been through a certification program and are familiar with the most accessible cruise itineraries, ships and ports of call. They can also assist in coordinating equipment rentals.”
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the SNG Certification Program email agents@specialneedsgroup.com or feel free to reach out directly to our Travel Industry Ambassor Team: Karen at 800.513.4515 extension 1012 or Jimmy at extension 1027.
Special Needs Group (SNG) is the leading global provider of mobility, oxygen, and other special needs equipment rentals for travelers. SNG is dedicated to serving the mobility challenged, mature and special needs market segments. Recommended by the major cruise lines for superior service and value, we also deliver to hotels, resorts, and convention centers. SNG is dedicated to fulling the requirements for persons who want to travel but may require special needs equipment. We make travel easy, comfortable and convenient. Our trained agents provided service last year worldwide to 215 metropolitan areas in 68 countries.