Kristin Small, owner/operator of Cruise Planners of Greeneville, recently attended certification training at the Sandals Resort, The Grande Riviera, in Jamaica.
The training was hosted by American Express Vacations and Sandal Resorts to provide travel agents with the knowledge and tools that they need to be informed about the Sandals travel products.
Small is a full service travel agent in Greeneville and may be contacted for more information concerning any of the Sandals Resorts at 423-525-7287.
The training covered two-and-a-half days of class work and resort visits.
Small visited Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Grande Riviera and Sandals Golf and Country Club -- all located in the Ocho Rio region of Jamaica.
Small stated in a news release that the classroom presenter discussed the various characteristics of the 18 Sandals resorts in the company's "family."
"I was very impressed that there are so many different options that the Sandals Resorts have to offer, from a relaxed secluded experience to those who want to be on the go," she said.
Sandals Resorts are not just for couples. The Beaches brand is an all-inclusive experience for families, the news release said.
Diving is offered at the Grande Riviera for both the first-time novice and the certified diver. Small said she thought that was a value for divers who could complete up to two dives a day. The dive costs are part of Sandals' all-inclusive offering.
Sandals' luxury all-inclusive resorts are located in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas.
During the training, Small said the Sandals staff set up a wedding reception dinner as part of the training.
"It was fabulous. Exotic flowers decorated the tables, the staff was professional and the food was prepared with great care," she said in the release.
"I learned so much," Small said. "The certification experience was very educational and will help me assist those in our area in planning a vacation, an anniversary or a wedding to any of the Sandals Resort properties.
Small is married to Jim Small, who is Chief of Operations at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.
