Why select ABTAC?

Which level?

How is it tested?

What does it cost?

Where to study?

Introduction

The travel industry is becoming ever more competitive. Discount battles, more branch openings, wider choice of product - the need for professionalism has never been greater. The industry and its customers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and successful businesses depend more than ever on well trained, well qualified staff.

The ABTAC Travel Agents Certificate (ABTAC) is an examination-based qualification at two levels - Primary and Advanced - which correspond to NVQ/SVQ levels 2/3. It has been designed by ABTA to test the knowledge and skills needed by a sales or senior sales consultant in a travel agency and links with relevant parts of the travel services national occupational standards. it also links with ABTOC, the ABTA Tour Operators Certificate.

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Why select ABTAC?

Perhaps it is not surprising, therefore, that more than 6000 students, travel consultants and their managers, achieve the ABTA Travel Agents Certificate every year.

ABTAC has effectively become the standard examination based qualification for Travel Agents, accepted by large organisations and many independents as demonstration of the competence levels they expect from their frontline staff.

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Which level?

Primary

ABTAC Primary covers the basic knowledge needed by a competent Leisure Travel Agency Consultant.

Advanced

ABTAC Advanced then takes this level forward by a further year to encompass a wider range of skills and knowledge.

The Primary level syllabus covers:

Locational Geography
The Travel Industry
Package Holidays
Transportation
Accommodation
Insurance
Passports and Visas
Legislation
Foreign Exchange
Administration
Finance and Security

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The Advanced level syllabus covers:

Locational Geography
The Travel Industry
Specialist Package Holidays
Car Rental
Insurance
Tailor-made Holidays
Legislation
Cruising
Foreign Exchange
Administration
Finance and Security

How is it tested?

There are a number of centres which offer ABTAC examinations.

All ABTAC qualifications are jointly awarded by ABTA and City & Guilds and a certificate is awarded to successful candidates at either Pass, Merit or Distinction grades.

ABTAC Primary and Advanced Examinations take place in March, June and December. Both levels are held on the same date with the Primary in the morning from 0930-1245 and the Advanced in the afternoon from 1400-1715.

Primary and Advanced examination papers are divided into two sections.

At Primary Level:

Section One covers Locational Geography

The duration of this section is 45 minutes.

Section Two covers:

The duration of this section is 2 hours 15 minutes.

At Advanced Level:

Section One covers Locational Geography

The duration of this section is 45 minutes.

Section Two covers:

The duration of this section is 2 hours 15 minutes.

To obtain the ABTAC certificate at Primary or Advanced level, passes must be secured for Section One and Section Two, either at the same or at different sittings.

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What does it cost?

Prices for ABTAC Primary and ABTAC Advanced, including the examination, are only available from approved centres.

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Where to study?

ABTAC can be undertaken by enroling with one of City & Guilds/TTC Training approved partner centres, generally Colleges of Further Education. Full details are available from TTC Training.

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Many colleges use the highly acclaimed 'Explorer' learning modules, which guide candidates towards achieving their qualificaton. Explorer has been designed in an active learning style which is easy to follow.

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