A luxury travel agency has launched a new training programme for aspiring advisors after noticing a “talent gap” in the market.

Founded by Alchemist Travel, Alchemist Academy will be Singapore’s first educational course ‘established to professionalise and future-proof careers in luxury travel.’

The virtual programme – which is open to people all over the world – will cover everything from sales and marketing fundamentals to designing bespoke itineraries. It will also teach participants how to navigate back-end systems, such as the GDS, as well as how to manage relationships with suppliers and meet the demands of high-net-worth clients.

Training will be mostly delivered by Stephen Wise of MRA Consulting, as well as Alchemist Travel co-founders Lauren Raps, Steph Wetherell and Jo Hendry-Prior. A number of other guest instructors will be announced in the next few weeks.

Alchemist Travel says the intensive course, which comes after a call for action over an influx of ‘non-professional’ agents, will equip industry newcomers with the tools to build a successful career in travel. 

“New advisors entering the industry, particularly those transitioning from other sectors, often lack confidence at the beginning, particularly around supplier knowledge, payment structures, industry jargon and how to build a client base,” Hendry-Prior told TTG Luxury. 

“Many bring strong transferable skills and often very strong previous sales experience, but may feel apprehensive about how to apply them within the luxury travel environment.”

The first of two cohorts for Alchemist Academy, which has received a grant from the Singapore Tourism Board, will begin on 24th February. Classes will take place twice a week over six consecutive weeks, and students can expect to complete group assessments and tests throughout the course. 

Though live attendance is encouraged, all sessions are recorded should a participant need to miss a lesson. The course fee is SGD 5,000 (£2900). 

Raps hopes that the academy will become “the launchpad for the next generation of exceptional advisors” in Asia, having made a career shift into travel herself through a similar structured programme. 

“It gave me the foundation to succeed,” she explained. “The Alchemist Academy is designed to offer that same opportunity here, professional, practical and grounded in how luxury travel is actually sold and delivered today.”