Testimonials  

I have found Cherie Andersons' Tour Director Training Course to be very informative and helpful. I am new to the World of Tour Directing and did not realize the expanse of the field. Cherie's course has provided me a wealth of resources and a thorough overview of the Travel industry. I highly recommend Cherie Andersons' Tour Directing Training course to anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with the opportunities in tourism and wanting the information they need to know in order to get hired. Thank you Cherie! 

Cheryl Papin

Cherie, first I want to thank you for allowing me to take the Living Your Dream Job Beta course. I have never worked in the industry, but I am hoping to enter the industry after I leave teaching in June of this year. I have learned so much from the videos, the industry terms, the exercises, and from the office recorded meetings. Even though I was unable to attend the office hours, listening to them later gave me a lot of insight into the travel industry as well as helpful tips from other class members. I could tell you worked hard on the course and enjoy what you do, therefore, I worked hard on each lesson, taking extensive notes and trying to be as complete as I could. All the modules were presented in a hierarchical sequence. Most were easy to access and after some searching on various websites, I could find the information needed. Looking at the websites you gave us I realized how much information about the industry is out there. I also realized all the different careers and how different each one is. There are so many opportunities and learning about so many different jobs helps me to focus on one I would be interested in. I know I still have a lot to learn, but coming from the field of education and having planned and taken many, many trips with my students I know I can do this, be successful, and have fun! Your course and words of encouragement gave me that confidence. So again, thank you so much for this course and I know I am not finished learning from you.

Sincerely,

Judi Caliendo

Blessings of Abundance -- And thank you for being our Teacher into this Whole New World! 

--Becky

Since I have no experience at all as a tour director, I am learning so many things that could be so valuable once I start to apply for a tour director job. I am so thankful for being able to do this beta course and completing all the assessments. By giving us all the links to the right websites, where we can find tons of information, it saves us a lot of time. Finding all this information would be time consuming. So far module 1 was excellent. Eager to learn more. Thank you Cherie 

Marina Schiettecatte 

I just want to say that I think this course is remarkable and having the book and some experience and what I have learned, I am so grateful!!

Cherie, with her decades of experience and real world stories, is right there with you every step of the way, available by video, email, Face Book, and within the course itself….is patient, energetic, and always positive with her students and covers all the areas someone new to tour directing and tour management will need to start their career in the exciting field of travel and tourism….actively works in travel and tourism and is up to date with the expectations of tour operators and companies working in Conventions, Meetings and Incentives…offers many ideas for preparing and breaking into these businesses wherever you live: locally, domestically or internationally….has done it all - from working on cruise ships, to leading domestic and international tours, to working with Incentive Companies and Destination Management Companies - and she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with new students and veteran tour directors and managers. 

Joe Bordonaro

Cherie,

Thank you so very much for everything that you have done to contribute towards launching my career as a tour director. Your book, Tour Director Training Guide, get paid to travel, is like a bible to me for working in the tourism industry. In addition to reading your book, earning a Certificate of Completion for Professional Tour Management Training made me think about my life and experiences and focus on why I want to be a tour director and taught me how to achieve my goal. I just got off the phone with you, where you spent an extraordinary amount of time giving me positive feedback and tips and suggestions for my future. I think that talking with you, reading your book and taking your class have been one of the best educational and instructional experiences in my life. I will remember information that I learned from you and carry notes with me for the rest of my career. You've helped me with education and training for working in the tourism industry to specific comments about my resume and how to prepare for job interviews.

Everything was fantastic!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and the soles of my tour director shoes.

Claes Elfving

2018

Dear Cherie,

I want to express my deepest appreciation to you and to your excellent classes in tour management.  I can truly say that you have changed my life!!

Through your all-encompassing  resources, I received the names of tour companies and cruise lines and learned the best approach to apply for a variety of tour-related jobs. 

Once I was hired as a Tour Director with a superior tour company, I had all of the skills necessary to perform my new job, thanks to the thorough instruction I had received from you. You gave top-notch training, good advice for all situations and I received a wealth of information from your classes.

I can thank you for the 17 successful years I have had as a Tour Director, along with the 18 exciting years I have spent at sea in my cruise line job.  Neither job would have been possible without you.

Not only did you provide detailed instruction and resources, you also provided a personal touch.  Through the years you have been available to your students, helping as necessary and rejoicing in our successes.  You have put in a good word when it was needed and you have provided new information.  You have even provided extra work assignments, such as the privilege to work the Super Bowl, the Rose Bowl and help out with shore work for cruise lines in port and in airports.  This has been outside the scope of your classes and you have gone over and above!

As I continue in my two rewarding jobs, your expertise and your relationships in the travel community has now provided me with a new and exciting challenge in an additional job onboard cruise ships, combining the skills and passions I have.  I look forward to this new addition and challenge to my career.  The last 18 years have been the most amazing, exciting and adventurous of my life and I have you and your classes to thank for that. 

If there is anyone thinking about embarking on a travel  career, I would say “Go for it”.  With Cherie as your unique teacher, you will have a fantastic journey! 

Heidi L

Hi Cherie,

I just want to update you on my job hunting progress so that you can feel like a proud teacher.

Well, just days after I finished your class (Dec '07), I sent out 8 resumes. I've been contacted by 4 companies already (3 in less than a week); have done 2 phone interviews and passed the first rounds. EF Smithsonian has invited me to their January 08 TD orientation. And, I will be meeting with Peak Performance Tours' Ops Manager at the end of January for her final review of me. I will be meeting the other 2 companies (Directors Choice Tour & Travel and One If By Land Tours) within the next 3 weeks. These companies are looking for TDs for the NY, Boston and DC area. Boy, I knew I had to move fast to get in for the Spring season and it paid off.

I'm so excited that I had to share it with you. Thanks for all your guidance, it really paid off. Hope you have a Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!

Take care,
Diana Tobias

Cherie Anderson is a vivacious, detail-oriented, multi-cultural, superior tour director who eagerly shares her passion for travel and her vast knowledge of our world. Not only is Cherie a tireless champion of the travel and tourism industry but also an approachable, sincere teacher always generous with her time and expertise.  Her "Tour Director Training Guide: Get Paid to Travel" should be on every travel agent's, tour operator's, and prospective tour director's/guide's book shelf. It was a real treat for us and our listeners to have Cherie on our radio show

"Travel Talk: Escapes."” February 28, 2009

Hi Cherie,

Thought I would drop you a quick line. It's been almost a full year since I completed your on-line course (end of September). I have completed a full season with EF Explore America and am in full throttle with Paragon Tours.

I have passed my year end review with flying colors at EF and have been invited back for next season with a "not so bad" raise. This has all worked out well. I leave tomorrow AM for a Maine Booth bay Harbor tour which at this time of the year will be beautiful.

I do have to tell you that your course has opened the doors and the information learned is as good as anywhere else. I constantly get asked by other TD's what year I went to … and really knock their socks off when I told them where I was trained. Most, after paying big bucks, the very expensive travel school … are amazed and some are "really put off" because I got the same job as they did without paying thousands of dollars. I can stand my ground with the best of them. Of course, the knowledge is one thing, but once learned, it's the personality that makes the tour (and tips :-)).

Anyway, that’s it for now and thanks again!!!!!!!

Tom Robert

Hello Cherie,

I hope this email finds you in good health and in good spirits. I wanted to let you know how helpful your course has been for me. I paid attention to your advice and was very persistent and followed through using your methods.

I am now working in San Diego for 4 DMC's as a guide/field staff and as a tour director for a motor coach tour operator guiding day trips in So. Cal and into Baja. I will do my first 7 day motor coach tour in May! I am still guiding my own wine tours in Baja for Carnival.

Anyway, thanks again for your wisdom and excellent instruction.

Su amigo, Steve Dryden

sbdryden@hotmail.com

http://bajawineandcuisine.com/newsite/

Update 2010: “Steve Dryden: “Looking back over the last six years in the tourism business, your program put me light years ahead of my competition.”

Hi Cherie,
 

I want to tell you how wonderful your class was if it weren’t for your class I would not have been offered the three jobs that I have accepted this week.
 

Last week I was offered a job with a Destination Management Company to start training with them the first week of April and I accepted it. At the beginning of the interview the company interviewer asked ,”so you are Cherie Anderson trained?,” and I said, “Yes.” His comment:“That is good enough for me!”

Thanks; for a job well done!!
Myrna Orr

Hello,

I sent out about 10 resumes in early December and applied to a couple of cruise lines' Alaska programs.  I received one call for an interview in mid-December and had a phone interview just before X-mas.  The 35-minute interview, which consisted of questions, scenario and discussion was pretty intense, but I made it through, although I was a little nervous. The interviewer started out by asking what I thought the responsibilities were and my corresponding qualifications.  I was prepared with my list because of Cherie's outline in Lesson 12. This lesson was invaluable, especially Chapter 4. This was followed by the typical interview questions, some follow-up about the specifics of the position and then scenarios.  The scenarios were almost identical to what Cherie had prepared for us.  Anyway, last week I received an invitation to the TD training later this month.  I can't wait!

A special thanks Cherie for making it possible for us to break into this new career and get our first assignments. 

Take Care Randy

Hi Cherie:
 

Thank you once again for all your help and sending me the pdf files of your book. It is an amazing product and I congratulate you on it.
For your information, I purchased the book for my "God son" as a graduation gift for his receiving his Master's Degree from Kings College in London. He is now beginning his studies for his Ph.D. I'm not sure what the correct title of his degree is but it is in the Tour and Travel Industry and deals with eco-travel and such. He is currently in Gran Canaria prior to beginning his continuing studies. He has already read your book and wanted me to tell you the following:
 

"I want her to know that I'm finding the textbook EXTREMELY helpful!"

I'd also like for you to know that he is an AMAZINGLY talented young man and has a very promising future in the tour and travel industry. I was hoping he could enroll in your classes, but his studies abroad prevent that at this time, thus the reason for sending him your book and pdf files. And, as a result, he will escort his first international tour in March 2013 for a company based in Florida.
 

Again, I am so thankful for your help as it has given me great joy to give your book to him to assist him in the beginning of his travels. I know he will be a blessing to all who travel with him.

Cordially,
Jerry Burks
Palm Springs, CA 92264

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