Alexandria, VA; April 4, 2025 – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is excited to announce that its Proud Partners have committed a historic level of support for member advisors who complete the Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification.
Support ranges from project sponsorship, incentives including bonus commissions, FAM trips and more along with project underwriting from host and consortia partners.
Bonus Commissions and Other Special Incentives
Silversea Cruises was the first ASTA Proud Partner to provide bonus commissions to ASTA VTAs, stepping up in late 2024 with bonuses on classic and expedition sailings.
“Silversea continually supports its travel partners, and I couldn’t be prouder of our new partnership with the VTA Program” said Kelly Bigel, Sr. Director, Field Sales, Silversea and Co-Chair of ASTA’s Proud Partner Committee.
Along with Silversea, current participating suppliers include Globus family of brands, AmaWaterways, Collette, Amadeus River Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Riviera Travel and Scenic & Emerald Cruises—each offering meaningful rewards to verified professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to ongoing education and excellence in client service.
Highlights of the 2025 bonus commission offers include:
- • Silversea Cruises – $100 one-time bonus commission on Classic Sailings or a $200 one-time bonus commission on Expedition Sailings
- • Globus family of brands – $100 bonus commission per booking
- • AmaWaterways – $100 bonus commission per booking
- • Collette – The opportunity to travel on a select Collette tour for $100/night after completing Collette University, and VTAs will receive a 10% discount per client for their first booking
- • Amadeus River Cruises – $140 bonus commission per booking, plus a curated selection of welcome amenities to choose from, and a highlight dinner included for your clients on group bookings
- • Windstar Cruises –$150 bonus commission per booking
- • Riviera Travel– $100 bonus commission per cabin on any new booking
- • Scenic & Emerald Cruises – $100 one-time bonus commission on any new booking made in 2025
“We have invested in an all-new training and certification program to help advisors both understand and sell the Globus family of brands,” said Camille Olivere, Chief Sales Officer for Globus. “These complimentary programs, along with ASTA VTA, create a well-rounded advisor that consumers can rely on.”
ASTA Proud Partners are also stepping up with special opportunities solely for VTAs. Scenic Cruises and AmaWaterways are hosting special VTA FAM trips in 2025. This is in addition to VTAs having early access to all ASTA events like Travel Advisor Conference and River Cruise Expo.
“At AmaWaterways, we are deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of travel advisors,” said Kristin Karst, Chief Brand Officer for AmaWaterways. “By investing in their own continued education and growth through the VTA program, travel advisors gain the confidence and expertise needed to deliver world-class service to their clients.”
These benefits are available exclusively to ASTA member advisors who have earned ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor certification.
Sponsorships and Project Underwriting
The VTA program is generously sponsored by Collette and Virgin Voyages.
It isn’t just supplier partners stepping up with support for VTAs. Host and consortia partners are as well. Signature Travel Network announced in 2024 that it was fully underwriting ASTA's VTA certification costs for their Embark Level 2 program members and heavily subsidizing the program for all others in their network.
Nexion Travel Group, and MAST Travel Network are also providing underwriting support for those in their networks interested in becoming VTAs.
For Host, Consortia, or Agency owners interested in providing VTA underwriting support for their advisors, please contact Michael Schottey, ASTA’s Vice President of Marketing, Membership and Communications at [email protected].
Travel suppliers interested in partnering with ASTA on this initiative or creating their own VTA bonus incentive can reach out to Erin Hulscher, ASTA's Director of Business Development, at [email protected].
To learn more about the VTA certification, its contents and requirements along with these bonus offers, visit ASTA.org/VTA.
