Signature Travel Expert Continuing Education Course

Transcription

1 Signature Travel Expert Continuing Education Course Revised: 5/25/16 Introduction In the travel industry things change quickly and often. As a travel consultant your clients depend on you to stay on top of those changes and to continually upgrade your skills. SigNet is just one way that Signature can help. Our technology solutions and proprietary tools are considered the best and most sophisticated in the industry. The Signature Travel Expert course was created to help you make the most of SigNet. However, like travel itself, things change, with new features, upgraded tools, and helpful enhancements being added all the time. This course was introduced to make it easy to keep your SigNet knowledge current. Rather than require you to take the entire STE course over, you ll simply need to take this short Continuing Education Course at least once a year to maintain your certification status. It s the perfect way to achieve the goal of staying the best in the industry. This course covers the following enhancements: Updates to Module 1: SigNet Overview Signature Blog Bookmarks Bar New Bulletin Board section of the Dashboard New CRUISES menu selection Updates to Module 2: Cruise Program New preferred cruise suppliers The new Cruise Finder search Classic Vacations pre/post hotel options available on cruise offers Changes to the AmaWaterways block space program Updates to Module 3: Land Program New preferred land suppliers The new Land Vacation Search

2 Updates to Module 5: Hotels and Resorts Program Hotel Profiles Updates to Module 9: Business Services Re-categorized suppliers Updates to Module 10: Destinations Pocket Travel Guides Updates to Module 11: Offers & Promotions New Customize, Print & Agency Branding options Updates to Module 12: Marketing The Travel Magazine Online Updates to Module 14: Client Reach Classic Vacations pre/post links in Client Reach Messages Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 2

3 Updates to STE Module 1: SigNet Overview Lesson 2: My Dashboard - Enhancement: Signature Blog Due to the success of Ignacio s blog entitled Ignacio s Travel Scoop, Signature has expanded it to include posts from other Signature associates, covering a range of different subjects and areas of interest. Accessible from the SigNet Dashboard and the COMMUNICATIONS menu, the Signature blog contains posts from Signature staff members regarding important news about the industry, suppliers, destinations, marketing and more! The blog allows you to just read through the posts at any time, or get automatic updates of new posts by subscribing. The choice is yours! To subscribe to ALL staff blog posts, click SUBSCRIBE ALL (see image below). To subscribe to posts from individuals, click SUBSCRIBE next to his or her name (see image below). Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 3

4 Lesson 2: My Dashboard - Enhancement: Bookmarks Bar A helpful new tool found on the SigNet Dashboard is the Bookmarks Bar. You can tag almost any page on SigNet for quick, one-click access to that page again in the future. Think of this as your Favorite My Favorite pages. Currently, to access the links in your My Favorites section, you have to go back to the Dashboard. The Bookmarks Bar is visible along the top of your main SigNet page at all times as you navigate throughout the site. The Bookmark Bar is located across the top of SigNet and currently picks up your preferences, which have been set in your My Favorites section of the Dashboard. You may have as few or as many links as you wish in the Bookmark Bar. To change your bookmarked pages, click on the link labeled Manage Bookmarks to the far right. The Bookmark Manager will open and default to the My Bookmarks tab, which is your list of currently bookmarked pages. You may Re-Order Bookmarks; Edit the Bookmark label (name) or Delete the Bookmark from your list. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 4

5 To add new bookmarks, click on Bookmarks Directory. The directory lists each major section of SigNet across the top, with the respective Left Menu Links listed first (these are the items listed in the actual left hand menu underneath the section header). As you scroll through the page, you ll see any items which can be found on the Home/Admin page for the section in question. Click on the Bookmark button to add the page to the Bookmark bar. Current bookmarks show as green. Do you frequently search for the same thing via the Keyword Search bar at the top of SigNet? Click on the star at the top of the page to bookmark your search results. Keep in mind, content on the page may update as time passes (promotions, offers and articles expire and will drop out of the results). Lesson 2: My Dashboard - Enhancement: Bulletin Board Section The Bulletin Board is the area of SigNet where you can post questions and provide suggestions to other Signature consultants. The Bulletin Board is a great resource when seeking the opinions of your fellow travel consultants. The new Bulletin Board located on the Dashboard contains the 10 most recently added questions to the main Bulletin Board page. Here you can easily view posts, add your questions and comments or click the link to view the full Bulletin Board page. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 5

6 Lesson 4: Main Menu: New CRUISES Menu Selection There is a NEW section of SigNet titled CRUISES. You will see it in the left side main menu. Depending on your chosen default, it will appear in alphabetic order, or just below MY DASHBOARD. As with all other menu items, you can drag and drop it wherever you wish within the SigNet menu. The first menu drop-down is always Home/Admin, where all options related to the section will appear. Other sub-menu selections include: Advanced Cruise Search Used for detailed searching of Signature s database of ALL cruise offers Agency Offers The page displaying your agency s specific cruise offers (if any). Cruise Finder Used for searching Signature s database of ALL cruise offers. Cruise Suppliers Preferred cruise supplier profiles. Cruise Track Quick access to view, edit or remove all cruises you are currently tracking. Microsites Links to the various cruise microsites available for you to to clients. Signature Collection Search Cruises with Signature exclusive amenities (Hosted Sailings, Private Car & Driver, AmaWaterways Block Space dates, and more) Signature Promotions One click access to Signature s time sensitive supplier promotions. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 6

7 Updates to STE Module 2: Cruise Program Lesson 1: Cruise Suppliers / Market Categories - Enhancement: New Preferred Cruise Suppliers Signature has preferred partnerships with most of the major cruise lines. Below is the list of NEW preferred cruise suppliers added in NEW Preferred Cruise Lines RIVER Crystal Cruises NICHE/SPECIALTY Fathom Hurtigruten Quark Expeditions Un-Cruise Adventures Zegrahm Expeditions Lesson 3: Cruise Finder - Enhancement: Redesign of the Cruise Finder Search Tool Signature s Cruise Finder is a search tool located under the Offers menu and also in the new CRUISES menu. It helps consultants search the online database for available cruise Offers from our preferred cruise supplier partners. The redesign of SigNet's CruiseFinder provides a fresh new look with all of the familiar features from the previous design still available. Some notable changes (aside from the new layout) include: Custom Search - The ability to do a search for: 1. One or more Suppliers 2. One or more Destinations 3. Set a specific FROM and TO date range Advanced Search now has its own section on the CruiseFinder page (previously a small link within the Custom Search section) Select more than one cruise line just by clicking its name Select more than one Destination. If you choose a date or destination that are not served by a selected cruise line, they will be automatically removed from the search to avoid confusion. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 7

8 Additional search criteria have been added including the Port, Theme, Deluxe Cruising or Small Ships & Expedition Cruising. Lesson 4: Cruise Offers and Promotions Enhancement: Classic Vacations Booking Links from Signature Cruise Offers Signature implemented Classic Vacations booking links for clients to book from Signature cruise offers with applicable ports and also in the Customize, Print and ed version of Signature cruise offers. From within the itinerary, look for the Classic Vacations Book Hotel link to determine if there are pre/post hotels available. A Classic Affiliate ID must be entered in the agency profile or SigNet agent profile for these options to show. The best part is your clients can book the pre/post hotels themselves! Simply click the link in the consultant admin box to customize, print and the offer to send booking links to your clients from Signature cruise offers that contain the Classic Vacations Book Hotel links. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 8

9 Lesson 9: AmaWaterways Block Space Program - Enhancement: AmaWaterways Block Space Program now combinable with most promotional offers The Signature Block Space program with AmaWaterways provides a compelling earnings opportunity to earn 25% commission. Signature has taken an inventory position on a range of river cruise itineraries. Each date is enhanced with a shipboard credit offer. Changes to the Program Effective January 1, 2016: The SigBlock commission and shipboard credit is now combinable with most promotional offers including Early Booking Discount, Future Cruise Benefit program, and Privilege Rewards program. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 9

10 Updates to STE Module 3: Land/Tour Program Lesson 1: Land Tour Suppliers - Enhancement: New Preferred Land Suppliers Signature has preferred partnerships with many Land and Specialty Suppliers. Below is the list of new preferred land suppliers added in LAND/SPECIALTY NEW Preferred Land/Specialty Suppliers Cosmos Globus Monograms Natural Habitat Adventures onefinestay Lesson 3: Land Vacation Search - Enhancement: Redesign of the Land Vacation Search Tool Signature s Land Vacation Search is a search tool located under the Offers menu on SigNet. It helps consultants search the online database for available land Offers from our preferred land/tour supplier partners. It provides consultants with two easy ways to search: General Search and Advanced Search. While the appearance of the Land Vacation Search has been enhanced, it functions the same as before. General Search: used for basic criteria including Destination, Rating and Travel Dates. Example: Africa, July 2017 SigNet How To 1) Select Search criteria: Destination Rating Valid Travel Dates (Month/Year) 2) Click SEARCH! Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 10

11 Updates to STE Module 5: Hotel and Resorts Program Lesson 3: Hotel Profiles - Enhancement: Redesign of the Hotel Profiles page SigNet offers in-depth Profiles for each Hotel. The newly designed hotel profile has made it easier than ever to find comprehensive details for each of Signature s over 900 hotels. Highlights of the new profiles include: Instant access to the AMENITY FORM in the top menu Instant access to CONTACT HOTEL in the top menu One click access to the Book Now link in the top menu (only visible for those agencies who have been activated to use Signature s HotelConnection booking engine) The AGENT TOOLS menu provides access to all agent activities, including HotelConnection, Customize and , Reservation Requests and more. Directly below the hotel name are links for accommodations, facilities & services, dining and maps. We ve added many beautiful images for each property and of course details regarding the Signature Exclusive Amenities Below the hotel images and amenities, you will find the amenity policy, price point, commission, affiliation, chain code and GDS codes, as well as the hotel address, description and check in and check out times. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 11

12 Updates to STE Module 9: Business Services Lesson 1: Business Service - Enhancement: Suppliers re-categorized As with all preferred partners, SigNet offers in-depth Profiles for each Business Service provider. The full list can be accessed from the Suppliers menu by clicking on Business Services. From the alphabetical listing of services displayed, click on a name to display the Profile. There you ll find comprehensive details about the services provided by each company, any enrollment instructions and contact information. To the right of the company name is a brief description of the type of services the company provides. Many of these services are geared towards the agency owner. Among the many companies in the Business Services category, there were some whose services were more directly related to helping you serve your clients and even close more sales. Signature decided these should be under the category of Specialty Suppliers and moved them to the Land/Specialty Supplier page. These include the following: Company Name CIBT Visas Leisure Connect Luggage Free Details of Services Provided Visa and Passport Services. As a Signature member you and your clients are eligible for preferred pricing and priority service. Theatre ticket service expressly established to service the retail travel consultant for Broadway, London's West End and Las Vegas. Specialty service offering travelers the option to send luggage and sports equipment ahead to nearly any destination worldwide, to avoid the inconvenience of carrying, checking and claiming items even going through customs. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 12

13 Updates to STE Module 10: Destinations Lesson 5: Pocket Travel Consultant - Enhancement: Rebranded to Pocket Travel Guides Same great destination content with a new name! Pocket Travel Guides (PTG) formerly known as Pocket Travel Consultant is Signature s proprietary mobile app designed to deliver key destination content from travel42 to clients through their mobile device (Android, Apple, Kindle Fire). PTG allows clients to carry all of the destination information they need while traveling, right in their pocket! Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 13

14 Updates to STE Module 11: Offers & Promotions Lesson 2: Sharing Offers - Enhancement: Customize, Print & Branding Options Signature has added new functionality to the Customize, Print & process (known as CPE) for consultants working for agencies with multiple locations to be logged into one location but brand the CPE using a different Branch/DBA/IC profile affiliated with the primary agency. This feature is available in all SigNet areas where the CPE form is used: All Signature Cruise offers (including multi-offers) All Signature Land offers (including multi-offers) Hot Deals All Signature microsites Signature Hotel content (microsites and profiles) Destination microsites *The Pocket Travel Guide is NOT included in this update. Clicking on the drop down from Send as Agency provides the list of branches associated with that agency. Select the one you want the message to come from. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 14

15 Updates to STE Module 12: Marketing Lesson 6: The Travel Experience - Enhancement: Re-named The Travel Magazine Online Located under the Marketing Menu by clicking the link to Digital Publications, The Travel Magazine Online is Signature s digital magazine filled with Engaging destination information, Preferred supplier and destination spotlights, links to sample itineraries and products, Videos and stunning professional photography all branded to you! The Travel Magazine Online is compatible with mobile technology and looks great on an ipad! Plus, it s all sharable by you and your clients via and social media. Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 15

16 Updates to STE Module 14: Client Reach Lesson 6: Classic Vacations pre/post links in Client Reach Messages Signature implemented consumer-facing Classic Vacations booking links in the 'Thank you for booking' and 'Pre/post hotel' Client Reach s for clients booked on cruise vacations. Consultants must participate in Client Reach to utilize this feature and have access to customize Client Reach to manage these options. For complete details on Client Reach, please review the How-To Guides in that section. Settings & Tools > Customize Message Text > both Initial Thank You & Pre/Post Hotel Messages > Edit Navigate to the Pre/Post section to select your display options: Options are: Hide the section entirely (in the Thank you for Booking ) Hide links to hotels (this will just leave the text) Classic booking link options: Show Only Classic link Show Only Signature Hotel/Resorts link Show Both Classic links & Hotel/Resorts links Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 16

17 Sample Client Reach containing both Classic and Signature Hotel/Resorts links: Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 17

18 Summary After completing this module you should have a good understanding of the following enhancements: Signature Blog Bookmarks Bar New preferred cruise suppliers The new Cruise Finder search Changes to the AmaWaterways block space program The new Land Vacation Search Hotel Profiles Business Services Pocket Travel Guides The Travel Magazine Online Classic Vacations pre/post links in Client Reach Messages Resources The following links direct you to additional training resources available on SigNet: Bookmarks Bar Signature Blog Cruise Finder Search AmaWaterways Block Space Program Land Vacation Search Hotels and Resorts Program Pocket Travel Guides The Travel Magazine Online Classic Vacations pre/post links Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 18

19 Learning Instructions This handout provides a general overview of the key objectives of this module and is designed to support the learning process of participants taking the online course. It is highly recommended that all learners complete the online version of this module as it provides more in-depth details and practical applications related to these topics. All quizzes must be completed online to fulfill certificate requirements. Questions If you have questions, please contact the Signature training team: training@signaturetravelnetwork.com Signature Travel Expert Re-Certification Course 19