March 2025


www.nitravelnews.com


TRAVEL TRADE NEWS | 51


TRAVEL training provider Talent Vista has launched a new Elite Travel Academy to help travel businesses across Northern Ireland upskill their sales teams. Talent Vista’s


industry-focused Elite


Academy is open to employees of travel agencies and tour operators,


Travel self-


employed homeworkers and those who are new-to-travel. The Elite Travel Academy programme is offered in two streams, one of which leads to a formal qualification. Individuals can register for the Elite Travel Academy as an off-the-shelf product; whilst travel companies can access a bespoke version as a white-label product, to incorporate into their in-house training programmes. To support smaller travel businesses and those who are self-employed, the courses are available on a pay monthly basis, with a special offer of a waived Admission Fee for pre-payment of the course up front. Talent Vista and its Elite Travel Academy


has received endorsement from the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT), after going through ITT’s accreditation process, reviewed by a panel of academics and industry experts. Commenting on the launch of the Elite


Talent Vista Launches New Elite Travel Academy to Support Travel Businesses Across NI


Travel Academy, Danny Waine, Travel Lead at Talent Vista said, “We’re excited to be launching a product, for travel professionals by travel professionals. travel


salespeople


Those super-experienced can now upskill and


receive the recognition their many years of travel experience deserves.


Whilst those


who are newer to the industry but have excelled as salespeople in other sectors, now have the opportunity to gain a formal travel qualification that fits around their work schedule and growing business.” Course content includes the UK travel and tourism industry, customer service in travel and tourism,


destinations, visitor


attractions, tour operations, travel agency operations, marketing for travel and tourism, the cruise industry, responsible tourism, specialist tourism, business travel, amongst other units. A Talent Vista coach is assigned to each learner and monthly industry masterclasses will be hosted by Talent Vista to support learner


masterclasses will include a mix of product training (from


development. cruise,


The Advantage Travel Partnership Announces Travel Money Partnership


THE Partnership,


Advantage has


chosen


Travel No1


Currency to provide travel money to its members.


The partnership with No1 Currency, which is one of the UK’s


largest and most trusted foreign exchange


providers, will allow


Advantage members to sell travel money alongside flight and hotel bookings to both new and existing customers.


Silversea MD Peter Shanks to Retire After 45 Years in Travel


SILVERSEA has announced the promotion of Andreas “Andy” Nuessel to Managing Director, U.K. and EMEA.


With more than 25 years of experience in the cruise industry and an in-depth knowledge of the luxury segment, Nuessel is a very well-respected travel executive. The German national first joined Silversea in 2012 and returned to the brand in the position of Managing Director, Europe, in 2020. Under his leadership, Silversea has significantly increased its market share and presence in the territory. Continuing to report to Barbara Biffi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Nuessel will lead the strategy for Silversea in the U.K., Ireland, Middle East, and Africa, in addition to his current remit in Europe. Given the importance of the markets, Nuessel will be recruiting a dedicated regional Managing Director in the U.K. and Ireland - reporting to him - to ensure that these markets get the attention they require.


Peter Shanks, Managing Director, U.K., Ireland, Middle East, and Africa, is set to retire after a successful 45-year career in the travel industry. A respected leader, Shanks has led Silversea’s significant growth in the U.K. and Ireland for the last seven years, including transformational growth with the two new Nova-class ships, Silver Nova and Silver Ray. Actively involved with CLIA, Peter was recently inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame and received the Travel Weekly 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award. Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea, congratulated Nuessel on his new role and Shanks on his invaluable contributions to the brand and the travel industry.


The transition will be completed by the end


of Q2, and for the next few months, Peter and Andy will be working together for a smooth handover.


to air and land arrangements), through to business training The industry


(including social media, cash-flow and marketing). Industry training, e-learning certificates, fam trips and attendance at events including The Big Event and NITN On Tour Roadshows can all be used as evidence to upload to the Talent Vista portal, enhancing a learner’s portfolio. Upon successful completion of the programme, each learner will receive a complimentary 12-month introductory membership of the ITT. Whilst those who qualify, with the relevant travel industry experience, will have the option to upgrade to the ITT’s new “ITT Travel Professional” membership category, receiving a special ITT Travel Professional logo, enabling the salesperson to set themselves apart. Jo Roche, Managing Director of Talent


Vista, added: “We are thrilled to launch the Elite


Travel Academy, a game-changer for travel professionals. It provides a structured pathway to enhance their expertise and gain industry-recognised credentials. Our mission is to elevate standards in the travel sector, ensuring that both


individuals and


businesses have the skills to thrive in a competitive market.”


Ambassador Cruise Line Invites Group Tour Organisers Onboard


AMBASSADOR Cruise Line has opened registration for a 2025 UK ship visit programme


designed Group Tour Organisers.


These visits will be in addition to its ongoing agent programme, which has seen the traditionally British cruise line


exclusively for


welcome several hundred agents onboard its fleet of small-to-midsize ships over the last three years. In May, July and September this year, ship


each visit will offer GTOs the


opportunity to immerse themselves in the ‘Ambassador experience’ onboard both Ambience and her sister ship, Ambition at three regional ports in the UK: London Tilbury, Liverpool and Bristol.


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