Travel experts keen to build their knowledge and best service their clients are well served by the Vancouver Specialist Program (VSP). The VSP offers free education on the city, and the surrounding area, to interested parties.

Prior to logging in, site visitors are introduced to the program, made aware of the value of participating, and assured of its legitimacy. From there, they are able to login easily by providing some basic information. (Registered members can login with just an email address and password.)

Upon logging in, a Tourism Vancouver representative welcomes them, and explains the program in a little more detail. They are then presented with a series of modules they can complete at their own pace. Their progress is stored for each time they return to the site.

Sections are marked with scenic images of the city and clear explanations on what to expect ahead. Doing so helps pace the self-learning experience, and serves as a nice reminder that one is making progress.

Throughout the training program visuals relating to the city—ranging from spectacular environments to souvenirs and high-energy activities—help create a rapport with those who will soon be representing Vancouver to prospective travelers.

In order to fully engage program participants, the site is relatively diverse from a visual standpoint. Images are peppered liberally throughout the program, and layouts vary to accommodate changing content types.

Pictured (from top left, clockwise): ticket stubs and notebook treatments connote notions of travel and exploration; the navigation system helps situate the participant in their journey; many pages wrap with a quick quiz to ensure retention; integration with Google Maps and StreetView allows users to get a better sense of particular neighborhoods.