Check Out the Convention Chair Blog
May 27, 2009 / NTA News
Keep up with Convention ’09 as Chairman Suzanne Slavitter blogs about Reno. Visit the Convention blog for quick and fun highlights of the event, including information on the new format and the latest need-to-know tidbits. Everyone is encouraged make comments and ask questions.
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NTA President and Other Travel Professionals Star in Rock Video to Promote Britain
May 26, 2009 / NTA News
On May 12, VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales called on the best in the travel industry to write and record an original song all about the great value travelers will find in Great Britain. NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP, joined VisitBritain, Bob Whitley of USTOA, and 12 tour operators in recording a rock video at Legacy Recording Studios near Times Square in New York, where stars such as Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston have recorded.
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Parking Restrictions Take Effect Surrounding Smithsonian Institution
May 20, 2009 / NTA News
The Smithsonian Institution is reporting that effective May 20, there will be no vehicle or motorcoach parking in front of the National Museum of American History on the Mall side. All personal vehicles and motorcoach drop-offs should be on the Constitution Avenue side of the museum, between 14th and 12th Streets. This side is ramped and is fully accessible for disabled visitors.
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American Express Survey Reports Top Summer Travel Trends
May 19, 2009 / NTA News
A new American Express survey shows that Americans continue to book summer vacations and are being savvier when making their travel plans. According to the majority of travel agents polled, travelers are adjusting to the recession by making slight changes to help offset their summer vacation costs. Cashing in credit card rewards points and/or frequent flyer miles is a popular money-saving strategy according to 92 percent of agents.
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CDC, State Department Downgrade Travel Warning to Mexico
May 18, 2009 / NTA News
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its travel warning on Friday against nonessential travel to Mexico due to the H1N1 influenza outbreak. Following this announcement, the U.S. Department of State also lifted its travel alert. The CDC stated that the warning was downgraded to a “travel health precaution,” which is directed at those who are at high risk of complications due to any kind of influenza.
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NTA Updating its Database Management Software
May 13, 2009 / NTA News
Over the next couple of weeks, NTA is upgrading its software systems and during that time, the Member Services Team will be unable to make changes to member records. As of May 8, changes to your membership will be placed in a queue for updating after the transition is complete on May 19.
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Congressman Sam Farr to Address NTA Spring Meet Delegates
May 12, 2009 / NTA News
Representative Sam Farr, D-California, will be the keynote speaker at the Saturday breakfast during the 2009 NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet in Monterey, California, June 4-6. The California Congressman, who has served as co-chair of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus since 1997, is a long-time friend of the industry and NTA.
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National Rally Day Raises Awareness of Travel Today
May 12, 2009 / NTA News
Today, the U.S. Travel Association will hold the first U.S. Travel Rally Day to promote travel and meetings. More than 30 cities across the United States will participate in the event to gain support for travel and its importance to state and local economies.
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China Lifts Foreign Ownership Restrictions On Travel Agencies
May 7, 2009 / NTA News
According to a story in Business Travel News, Chinese tourism and travel agency regulation authorities have lifted restrictions on foreign ownership, capital startup investment and outbound bookings, enabling foreign travel management companies to own more than 51 percent of a Chinese travel agency, as well as to open up more branches. The new rules also reduce entry capital requirements to operate at the Chinese point of sale.
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A Victory for Nevada Tourism
May 6, 2009 / NTA News
In March, NTA sent a letter to the Nevada legislature in support of the Nevada Commission on Tourism. The letter was prominently featured on the “Save Nevada Tourism” Web site and placed in special packets prepared for every state legislator.
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