Travel Industry Partners Unite to Support ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor Program

2 weeks ago 7

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has announced a groundbreaking level of support from its Proud Partners for travel advisors who achieve Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification. This backing includes financial sponsorships, exclusive incentives such as bonus commissions, familiarization (FAM) trips and more, as well as underwriting initiatives led by host agencies and consortia.

Bonus Commissions and Special Perks

Among the first to step up was Silversea Cruises, which introduced bonus commissions on classic and expedition sailings for ASTA VTAs in late 2024. “Silversea continually supports its travel partners, and I couldn’t be prouder of our new partnership with the VTA Program,” said Kelly Bigel, Senior Director of Field Sales at Silversea and Co-Chair of ASTA’s Proud Partner Committee.

Additional travel suppliers have since joined the initiative, offering a range of rewards to certified VTAs who demonstrate ongoing dedication to professional education and exceptional client service. Participating brands include the Globus family of brands, AmaWaterways, Collette, Amadeus River Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Riviera Travel, and Scenic and Emerald Cruises.

Highlights of the 2025 bonus commission offers include:

Silversea Cruises – $100 one-time bonus commission for Classic Sailings or $200 for Expedition Sailings
Globus family of brands – $100 bonus commission per booking
AmaWaterways – $100 bonus commission per booking
Collette – Access to select tours for $100 per night after completing Collette University, plus a 10 percent discount per client for their first booking
Amadeus River Cruises – $140 bonus commission per booking, plus exclusive welcome amenities and a special highlight dinner for clients’ group bookings
Windstar Cruises – $150 bonus commission per booking
Riviera Travel – $100 bonus commission per cabin on new bookings
Scenic and Emerald Cruises – $100 one-time bonus commission for new 2025 bookings

“We have invested in an all-new training and certification program to help advisors both understand and sell the Globus family of brands,” said Camille Olivere, Chief Sales Officer for Globus. “These complimentary programs, along with ASTA VTA, create a well-rounded advisor that consumers can rely on.”

Exclusive Opportunities for VTAs

Beyond financial incentives, ASTA Proud Partners are offering VTAs unique professional opportunities. Scenic Cruises and AmaWaterways will host exclusive FAM trips in 2025, providing firsthand product experiences to certified advisors. VTAs will also receive early access to ASTA’s key industry events, such as the Travel Advisor Conference and River Cruise Expo.

“At AmaWaterways, we are deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of travel advisors,” said Kristin Karst, Chief Brand Officer for AmaWaterways. “By investing in their own continued education and growth through the VTA program, travel advisors gain the confidence and expertise needed to deliver world-class service to their clients.”

Sponsorships and Underwriting

Travel suppliers aren’t the only ones stepping up to support travel advisors in earning their VTA certification. Host and consortia groups are investing in this education their member advisors. Signature Travel Network has fully underwritten the VTA certification costs for Embark Level 2 program members and is also offering subsidies for other network participants. Nexion Travel Group and MAST Travel Network are also providing underwriting support.

For more details on the Verified Travel Advisor certification, requirements and associated benefits, visit ASTA.org/VTA.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.