Destination DC revitalises its agent training platform to enhance knowledge and skills.
- The platform is named the ‘Washington, DC, Special Agent Academy’ with three core modules.
- Participants can earn benefits such as discounts and prizes by completing missions.
- Plans to add four new modules by year-end will expand its educational scope.
- The aim is to position Washington, DC as a unique destination for global tourists.
Destination DC, the marketing organisation for Washington, DC, has significantly updated its training platform designed specifically for travel agents. Known as the ‘Washington, DC, Special Agent Academy’, this initiative currently encompasses three foundational modules intended to boost understanding and proficiency in selling the capital as a travel destination.
Agents engaging with the platform are not only educated but also incentivised, as they can attain ‘Special Agent’ status. This status comes with the perk of discounts and the potential to win various prizes. Such incentives are designed to encourage agents to delve deeper into the educational material, thereby enhancing their ability to market Washington, DC effectively.
Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC, highlighted the dual benefit of the programme, noting that it improves the skills of travel and hospitality professionals while simultaneously enriching the visitor experience in Washington, DC. This strategic enhancement reflects a broader objective to grow the city’s share of the global visitor market.
The platform is powered by LearnUpon, a new Learning Management System acclaimed for its user-friendly interface. Although presently available exclusively in English, there are strategic plans to expand the language offerings to include Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French, and German, thus broadening its accessibility.
Currently, the existing modules include ‘Mission Information’, ‘Mission 3M’s: Monuments, Memorials and Museums’, and ‘Mission There’s Only 1 DC’. By the year’s conclusion, additional modules covering ‘Sports & Festivals’, ‘Group Tour’, ‘Capital Region USA’, and ‘MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions)’ will further diversify the educational content.
Ferguson expressed a desire to communicate the distinctiveness of Washington, DC, stating, “We know there’s Only One Washington, DC, and we want to share that message with consumers and hospitality professionals.” His remarks highlight the wealth of cultural, culinary, and accommodation offerings that the city boasts, which are central to its appeal as a tourist destination.
The enhancements to the Special Agent Academy are poised to transform the landscape of Washington, DC’s tourism training.
