The Travel Institute has announced its newly revised Luxury Travel Specialist course. The revamped online curriculum has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest statistics, products and trends of this lucrative niche market.

According to Unity Marketing’s report: Affluent Consumers & Their Travel Plans for 2013, 45 percent of affluent customers surveyed plan to spend more on their travels in 2013 as compared with 2012.

The four-part course features several new sections, including the latest research about the luxury traveler, success stories from luxury travel counselors and strategies to integrate social media into marketing. The online format also includes engaging images, audio and graphics and takes an average of one-hour to complete.

Lesson 1 introduces candidates to the luxury market, travel products and travel trends. Lesson 2 explores the characteristics of the luxury traveler to better understand how to sell to them. Luxury travel marketing is covered in Lesson 3 and presents ways to find and expand client lists. Lesson 4 concludes by offering an understanding of the luxury travel sales process.

“The new online format is extremely user friendly and perfect for time-strapped professionals,” says Patty Noonan, CTC, The Travel Institute’s director of sales. “From a content perspective, much thought went into what travel counselors really need to successfully sell to this lucrative market. We think we hit a homerun with this new version.”

Participants who enroll before October 15 will save 15 percent on the course fee of $49. Price includes course and final test. Successful test takers will earn a Luxury Specialist designation. Basic members save an additional 10 percent. All specialist courses are complimentary for premium members of The Travel Institute.

The Travel Institute, www.thetravelinstitute.com