Chair Gemma Antrobus announced the Excellence Accreditation Scheme at the association’s domestic conference in January, telling members it would enable the organisation to take a “360-degree view” of agents’ commitment to being part of Aito.

The new scheme, which will run alongside Aito’s existing All Stars programme, will reward agents with points for their engagement with the association, from attending events to boosting sales made through Aito tour operators.

Antrobus, who owns Haslemere Travel in Surrey, said the scheme would help to “future-proof” agents’ businesses, adding that the points-scoring system had been designed to accommodate firms of all sizes and resources.

“As an association, we are really trying to help everyone evolve as times change and the market develops,” she said.

“The scheme will run alongside our already-successful All Stars programme, so there are a great many opportunities for all Aito Agents’ members to excel.”

There are currently 17 activities for which members can gain credit, including informing customers about the work of Aito Agents and using its logo on their websites; sending a representative to its domestic conference; and sending at least one employee to take part in regional training events.

Taking part in at least one headquarters training event per membership year and increasing the percentage of business booked through Aito tour operators will also gain agents points.

The results of the accreditation scheme, and the firms which have scored highly, will be announced during the Aito Agents’ Gala Awards ceremony at its domestic conference, due to be held in January 2018.

“We recognise that those agents who use the association and its facilities to the fullest are also the highest-performing, and most successful, agents,” Antrobus continued.

“We want to ensure that all Aito Agents are aware of the vast array of services that can be utilised and which will help them to grow and to improve their businesses.”