
Jaffa Receives NTA Santini Award
March 22, 2017
Owners Network Reaches 100% Participation in Advocacy Fund
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Mar. 8, 2017) — Thomas E. Jaffa, CTP, was honored with the National Tour Association’s James D. Santini Award in St. Louis last week at the Government Relations Breakfast Bistro during Travel Exchange, NTA’s annual convention.
Jaffa, owner of Seattle-based Jaffa Travel & Receptive Services, has been actively involved in the growth of NTA’s advocacy and government relations program for decades. Among his many contributions, he served as past chair of the NTA Government Relations Committee and currently serves on NTA’s Advocacy Advisory Group. Jaffa has also played a significant role in the association’s fundraising efforts.
The breakfast also featured an update from Donald Leadbetter, U.S. National Park Service national tourism program manager. Also announced at the event was news that the NTA Owners Network, which is composed of tour operator owners, reached their goal of 100 percent support of the association’s Government Issues Fund.
Members at the breakfast received an update on the legislative issues affecting the industry, along with news about legislation and programs critical for the tour and travel industry. Based on a recent member survey, NTA’s top legislative priorities are increasing National Park funding, modernizing airport infrastructure, expanding the Visa Waiver Program, strengthening TSA security programs, and ensuring surface transportation funding. NTA also will continue to monitor other issues that affect the industry, including Cuba and immigration.
The James D. Santini Award is named for Jim Santini, who served as NTA’s legislative council for more than 25 years after serving his home state of Nevada for four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the late 1970s, NTA played a role in the formation of travel and tourism caucuses in the House and Senate, and Santini was one of the founding members and chairman of the House Tourism Caucus. While representing the association, he fought unfair competitive practices, monitored industry regulations at federal and state levels and built a relationship between NTA and the National Park Service.
About the National Tour Association: Founded in 1951, NTA is a global association of packaged-travel professionals who serve customers traveling to, from and within North America. For more information, visit NTAonline.com.