International Sessions Educate Tour Operators on Overseas Product

March 29, 2003

International Sessions Educate Tour Operators on Overseas Product
Tourist boards from Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland and Great Britain spoke to Spring Meet attendees today about travel opportunities available within their countries and how to market overseas travel programs during a time when travelers may prefer to stay close to home.

Now in their fourth year, NTA’s Product Development Sessions give tour operators a venue to learn more about international destinations and travel packaging and meet one-on-one with destination representatives.

Steve Hoffman with Seniority Adventures based in Sugar Land, Texas, has been attending the International Product Development Sessions for a few years. "It’s a way to get ideas about foreign destinations," Hoffman said. "The ideas generated at Spring Meet give you ideas so you can work on product for your clients."

The sessions provide the tourist boards access to more than 200 tour operators whose main purpose for attending the event to is education and networking. During the presentations, representatives offered practical information about their respective destinations for future travel programs including: critical contacts; special laws or regulations; crisis management; and available marketing tools.

The British Tourist Authority, which has participated each year the sessions have been offered, believes the opportunity to meet with tour operators in this setting is invaluable. "As international affiliate members, we can see the value of NTA and the potential it has to help us build business, both inbound and outbound," said Nick Chavasse of BTA. "We are so pleased to have the opportunity to be here at Spring Meet and to be fully involved in NTA."

Click here to view full coverage of the 2003 Tour Operator Spring Meet.