(1888PressRelease)
May 04, 2009 - International Tour Management Institute (ITMI), founded in 1976 as America’s first certified tour directors and travel guides program. ITMI prepares graduates for full and part-time careers in the destination management, corporate incentive and national and international travel industries.
“Over the years, we have found that teachers looking for summer jobs, senior citizens seeking new adventures and people who love to travel and get paid for it, are among our most successful graduates,” says Ted Bravos, CEO and Co-Founder of ITMI. “Now that many people have lost their jobs and are seeking to re-invent themselves, considering a career as a tour director might be an appealing full or part-time option to consider,” Bravos added.
The demand for trained travel professionals continues. Despite the economic downturn, travel and tourism generate 17 million jobs and more than $740 billion in spending annually in the U.S. alone. (Source: U.S. Travel Association). "President Obama recognizes the power of travel to strengthen America's economy," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "The travel community has an ally in President Obama and we appreciate the leadership he intends to bring to increasing travel to, and within, the United States."
Because ITMI’s motto is “learn by doing,” approximately 60% of the instruction takes place in the field, providing students with hands-on experience in the operation of actual tours and tour procedures. ITMI maintains contact with many tour companies seeking individuals who are professionally trained in a tour director or tour guide career. The Institute also assists in arranging interviews for its graduates with these prospective employers.
What ITMI tour guides and tour directors are saying about their new careers:
Thank you again ITMI, for changing my life. I absolutely love tour directing and wear my pin proudly! Sara M. Pinehurst, NC
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for really doing all the hard work figuring it out for the past 30 years. I love the diversity. I will not die UN-FUN!! New life, new friends...I am really doing this!!! Candace T. Canada
The…information I learned while I was here... and the support from instructors helped me tremendously in such a short amount of time. I would do it all again in a minute...just give me a chance to compose my butterflies! Lyndsay O. Portland OR
ITMI’s class size is limited to 30 students and its programs are quickly sold out. Classes scheduled for the remainder of 2009 are as follows:
San Francisco, CA Two Weeks (15 Days) June 1 – 15 2009
San Francisco, CA Two Weeks (15 Days) July 13 - 27, 2009
San Francisco, CA Two Weeks (15 Days) August 17 - 31, 2009
San Francisco, CA Two Weeks (15 Days) November 30 - December 14, 2009
For more information or to schedule an interview contact RANDY HELLRUNG
(800) 442-4864 (415) 957-9489 email travel ( @ ) itmisf dot com or visit ITMI’s web site www.itmitourtraining.com.
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