NTA Announces Pilot Program with GE Consumer Finance
August 1, 2006
NTA Announces Pilot Program with GE Consumer Finance
August 1, 2006 – The National Tour Association is pleased to introduce a one-year pilot program with GE Consumer Finance’s Retail Sales Finance unit to provide consumer credit to its tour operator members. This new member benefit enables NTA tour operators to offer promotional credit to travelers.
"This innovative financing program makes it easier for travelers to take their dream vacations and for NTA tour operators to give their clients a great deal with deferred interest credit products," said Judith Thomas, CTP, NTA chairman and CEO. "We look forward to working with GE to offer NTA members such a unique and valuable sales tool."
The program offers a menu of products and promotions to fit tour operators’ market. GE will provide participating operators with point-of-sale and other promotional materials, the equipment necessary to process applications, as well as training on how to effectively use this financing program.
"GE is very excited about this pilot program and opportunity to introduce a new service in the travel industry," said Mike Friguletto, senior vice president of sales for GE Consumer Finance’s Retail Sales Finance unit. "Our goal is to provide a competitive advantage to NTA members, and we are confident that results will open the door to launch a permanent program for the association in the future."
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 http://www.nta.travel/.
GE Retail Sales Finance, based in Kettering, Ohio, is part of GE Consumer Finance and provides private label credit card programs, marketing, installment lending and financial services for national and regional retailers in key industries: home improvement, powersports, outdoor equipment, automotive/recreational vehicles, consumer electronics and appliances, furniture, floor covering, music, jewelry, and health care. With $163 billion in assets, GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE – News), is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in approximately 50 countries around the world. GE Consumer Finance, based in Stamford, Conn., offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation and home equity loans and credit insurance. More information can be found online at http://www.geconsumerfinance.com/.
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