Convention Chair Shares Insider Secrets; U.S. DOT Proposes Motorcoach Seatbelt Rule
August 24, 2010
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TODAY’S ARTICLES
Convention Chair and Others Share Insider Secrets
U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes Motorcoach Seatbelt Rule
Mixed European Travel Market Statistics Due to Early 2010 Ash Cloud, Economy
Give U.S. Leaders Your Input on the Future of Travel and Tourism Data
CTP Offers Competitive Edge and Professional Development
Don’t Miss Out! Tourism Cares for America Volunteer Day Is Sept. 10
Exhibit Space Available at Convention—Secure by Sept. 10 and Get Free Ad
New Development in Social Media: Facebook Places
Industry News and Updates
Convention Chair and Others Share Insider Secrets 
Whether this is your first time at NTA or your 31st, Convention Chair Dawn Rueckl wants you to have your most successful Convention ever. So, she’s hosting a Convention Insider Webinar Sept. 7 and 9 at 2 p.m. EST.
Join Dawn to get the inside scoop on:
- how to get the most out of the Destination Pavilion using the direct request system
- how to sign up for the Buyer-to-Buyer session
- and more
Click here to sign up!
Follow Dawn’s blog for even more Convention success tips from Dawn and other NTA members. And thank you, Dené Sinclair from Travel Manitoba, for this video on the key role DMOs play at Convention:
Do you have a Convention tip to share with other members? Send it to us and we’ll share it!
Take advantage of all Convention ’10 has to offer. More partners. More contacts. More Business. Remember, appointment scheduling opens August 31st (just 7 days away!).
U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes Motorcoach Seatbelt Rule
The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a rule that would require new motorcoaches to be equipped with shoulder/lap seatbelts for every seat within three years.
"NTA supports the new rule proposed by Secretary LaHood for lap/shoulder seatbelts on new equipment manufactured starting in three years," said NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP. "We will consider making comments on ancilliary issues, such as consistent state standards, economic and technical feasibilty of retrofitting existing equipment and the ability of the manufacturers to meet this deadline, as well as encouraging any interested NTA members to do so."
The DOT proposal is the latest in a series of initiatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve motorcoach safety. Earlier this year, the department released a Motorcoach Safety Action Plan offering concrete steps for addressing driver fatigue or inattention and improving operator maintenance. Research for improving motorcoach structure, fire safety protection and emergency egress is also under way, which could lead to recommendations for new federal standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking public comment on the proposal for the next 90 days. Click here to see the full proposal.
Mixed European Travel Market Statistics Due to Early 2010 Ash Cloud, Economy
According to the second quarter 2010 European Travel Commission report, of the 28 countries reporting results for tourist arrivals in 2010, only 15 are posting growth over last year. Part of the mixed performance is related to travel disruptions as a result of the Icelandic ash cloud in mid-April through early May, which affected 6 million travelers and cost European airlines and destinations €1.7 billion in net sales.
Tourism growth this year is expected to be modest in Europe. After a 6 percent decline in visits last year, travel will grow roughly 3 percent from the lower base in 2010. The ETC predicts that growth will accelerate in 2011, when 2008 visitor levels will finally be regained. Still, lower room rates combined with generally weaker currencies make Europe a particularly attractive destination in the near term, posing upside growth potential beyond the baseline forecasts.
Fiscal conditions in European economies have necessitated strict spending in a number of countries, dampening the prospects during an already weak recovery. Both the euro and sterling have weakened significantly against the dollar, raising prospects for global visits to parts of Europe and increased the incentive for intra-European travel. The latest available industry surveys show continued optimism over the very near term.
Globally, economic recovery remains underway with emerging economies in Asia and the Americas exhibiting growth. However, growth in the second half of the year is expected to moderate as the rebound in manufacturing subsides and stimulus spending is removed. To see the full report from the European Travel Commission, click here.
Give U.S. Leaders Your Input on the Future of Travel and Tourism Data
Want to be involved in the dialog between the travel industry and U.S. government to discuss the data needs of the industry? Participate in the Department of Commerce Services and Data Conference to do just that.
During the Sept. 14 conference, speakers from the Travel & Tourism Advisory Board, which advises the Secretary of Commerce on travel and tourism related issues, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries will discuss the available data, information needs of the industry and possible innovative solutions to obtaining data not currently collected. For only $75, you can attend the Department of Commerce Services Data Conference in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Visit the Web site to learn more and to register for this event. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Rawdon.
CTP Offers Competitive Edge and Professional Development
Everyone is looking for a competitive edge, as well as cost-effective opportunities for professional development that can help you in your business. NTA offers a solution with its Certified Tour Professional program, a worthy investment and valuable asset in enhancing your knowledge and credibility.
"You have to know your business and with the help of my CTP I got to better understand how a business strategy works-transforming short-term business into long-term business. I encourage each and every one to take advantage of this opportunity NTA is offering to us as members," said Juan Romani, CTP, Mohegan Sun. "Having your CTP is a good way to go in this market that changes all the time."
The CTP program focuses on three distinct subject areas: leadership, sales and marketing and financial management. The curriculum was created by Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management along with input of NTA members.
Through this program, which was designed for busy professionals, you can earn your designation within a year. All materials needed are available online.
Enroll today and you’re on the way to professional growth that can make a difference in your day-to-day business.
Don’t Miss Out! Tourism Cares for America Volunteer Day Is Sept. 10
Join your travel colleagues, friends and family at the Tourism Cares for America Volunteer Day, Friday, Sept. 10, at the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. This event gives volunteers a chance to help maintain a site of great importance to the tourism industry and the country.
Tourism Cares is following the lead of President Obama, who signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in April 2009 to expand the mission of national community service and recognize September 11 as a national day of service and remembrance. As travel and tourism industry professionals, you’re encouraged to bring your friends and family to visit Washington, D.C., to perform a needed service at the U.S. capital. Register now on the Tourism Cares Web site.
Exhibit Space Available at Convention—Secure by Sept. 10 and Get Free Ad
The best way for tour operators (and WRTA travel agents) to find you among the 2,000+ Convention attendees is to have an exhibit booth in NTA’s Convention Mall. For US$5,000, you will receive the following great benefits to showcase your company/destination:
- 10×10 exhibit booth from Nov. 13-17, 2010
- Promotional listing in October and December issues of Courier magazine
- Promotional listing NTA’s Convention Publications and NTAonline.com.
- Electronic database of delegates
Additionally, if you book your space by Sept. 10, you’ll receive a full-page ad in the Convention Catalog. Distributed to all NTA and WRTA delegates, this handy reference contains the schedule and delegate registry.
For more information, contact Karla DiNardo at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4232.
New Development in Social Media: Facebook Places 
Last week, social media giant Facebook announced the newest feature to its platform: Facebook Places. This location-based uses GPS so people can "check in" on their mobile phones, letting friends know where they are and what they’re up to, much like Foursquare or Gowalla. It is only available in the U.S. right now, but Facebook is working on making it available in more countries soon.
According to the official Facebook blog, to get started you need the most recent version of the Facebook application for iPhone. You also can access Places from touch.facebook.com if your mobile browser supports HTML 5 and geolocation. Go to Places on the iPhone application or touch.facebook.com site and then tap the "Check In" button. You’ll see a list of places near you. Choose the place that matches where you are. If it’s not on the list, search for it or add it. After checking in, your check-in will create a story in your friends’ News Feeds and show up in the Recent Activity section on the page for that place. Click here for more information on how to use Facebook Places or see the official Places page.
These three blogs that will keep you on-top of the Facebook happenings: The official Facebook blog, Inside Facebook and All Facebook (the unofficial Facebook blog).
Here’s a look at recent research, statistics and news that may apply to you and your business:
- According to U.S. officials, the Obama administration is planning to expand opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba, the latest step aimed at encouraging more contact between people in both countries, while leaving intact the decades-old embargo against the island’s Communist government. Read more.
- Update on Britain’s planned High Speed Rail network, which will feature 250mph trains that the government hopes will phase out domestic air travel within the UK.
- Of the 30 million international visitors to the UK last year, over a third made a trip to a leading cultural institution, generating £1 billion in revenue from overseas visitors in 2009, according to a new report by VisitBritain. French tourists paid the most visits to museums, while travelers from the United States favored art galleries. Read more.
The links in this article are not monitored by NTA staff. Any bad links, expired pages, etc. are due to the constantly changing nature of Web sites.
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