Chuck West Receives Inaugural NTA Pioneer Award

March 29, 2006

Chuck West Receives Inaugural NTA Pioneer Award
March 29, 2006 – The National Tour Association is pleased to announce the late Chuck West as the recipient of the inaugural NTA Pioneer Award. The honor was presented Saturday, March 25, during the 2006 NTA Spring Meet in Louisville, Ky.

 

West founded Alaska’s first tour company, Arctic Alaska Tours, in the late 1940s and was the pioneer of marketing North Country packages. Known as "Mr. Alaska" by his peers, West also founded Alaska’s first all-tourist hotel chain, motorcoach network and Inside Passage cruise line.

 

"Chuck West truly was a pioneer," said NTA Chairman and CEO Judith Thomas, CTP. "NTA is proud to recognize this innovator in the travel and tourism industry as the first-ever recipient of the NTA Pioneer Award. I can think of no one more deserving for this inaugural recognition, and we thank him for his outstanding contributions that have benefited the industry as a whole, NTA, and its members."

 

The NTA Board of Directors established the Pioneer Award during its November 2005 meeting in Detroit. The award honors individuals whose accomplishments have resulted in a significant change in the travel industry from which NTA and its members have benefited.

 

West’s son, Dick West, accepted the award on his father’s behalf during the Spring Meet.

 

"Travel was Dad’s life – as it is for many of us," noted West in his acceptance speech. "But few have had the challenges and opportunities that he had over his 60 years in the travel business. I know Dad would be – and is – truly honored to receive this recognition of his trailblazing efforts."

 

The National Tour Association has a global membership of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. Its membership includes more than 600 tour operator companies – group, independent, inbound and outbound – and the destinations and suppliers that partner with them. The association is committed to providing business results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative, caring environment in which to build relationships. For more information, please visit www.NTA.travel.

 

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* Photos available upon request