Tuesday Newsletter
August 30, 2005
Tuesday Newsletter August 30, 2005
August 30, 2005: Volume 25; Issue 28
NTA Keeps You Informed on Katrina
Your association is working to provide information on Katrina by dedicating a specific section of NTA Online to help you stay current on the storm and its effects upon NTA members and our industry. This section of the Web site includes updates we receive from members, in addition to other Katrina-related items, and will be updated more often than "This Just In." We will post these updates on the member forums as well.
We ask for your assistance so that we may accurately convey updates to members, the media and the traveling public. Please send any information, comments or observations to NTA’s communications specialist Pat Henderson via e-mail at pat.henderson@ntastaff.com or call him at 800.682.8886, ext. 4425 (U.S and Canada) or 859.226.4425.
Member Update on Katrina from Steve Richer
Steve Richer, CTP, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB in Biloxi, Miss., called Courier editor Frances Figart today from the Fort Lauderdale area to provide an update on the devastation from Hurricane Katrina. With services out in the Gulf Coast area, Richer is getting most information from national media.
"NTA members in the region have suffered devastating loss, from Baton Rouge to Mobile, maybe even as far as Pensacola," said Richer, who is not yet certain all his staff is safe. "The No. 1 thing we need right away is money." He suggests that those who want to help can make a donation to the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/ or by calling 800-435-7669.
He said much of the tourism product in Biloxi has been lost, but that is secondary to the loss of life and shelter. "Whatever rooms there are will be filled up with insurance adjusters, emergency and construction workers for months," he said.
Richer shared his contact information with us, and you can reach him on his cell phone (228-596-7004) or via e-mail at stevep68@aol.com.
Familiarize Yourself with Detroit
Before you make your travel plans to join us in Detroit, be sure to sign up for one of the comprehensive Fam offerings that will showcase various parts of the state of Michigan.
Pre-Fam Tours, Oct. 31-Nov. 3:
Motoring Around Motown – Visit southeastern Michigan, including two Ford family estates, the Detroit Institute of Art and The Holocaust Memorial Center. Click here for more.
"B" in Michigan – See seven cities in three days as you sample fresh brewed beer and personalize your own teddy bear. Click here for more.
Post-Fam Tours, Nov. 9-Nov. 12:
Michigan’s Best Kept Secrets – Visit the North Pier Lighthouse, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Detroit Princess Riverboat. Click here for more.
Two Nation Vacation – See the best of both the United States and Canada on this tour showcasing the Detroit Zoo, the Chrysler Museum and the Canadian Club Brand Center. Click here for more.
Registered tour operators can participate in any of the Fams; suppliers and DMOs are welcome to participate in the Post-Fam tours. E-mail Nathan Hermiston at the Detroit Metro CVB with questions related to the tours.
Convention Flight Information Requested
NTA members are encouraged to provide Annual Convention arrival/departure information to help the Detroit Host Committee prepare for your arrival and enhance your airport shuttle experience. As an incentive, all Convention attendees responding with that information will be entered in a drawing for two fabulous prizes:
The two prizewinners will be selected from a random drawing of all NTA Convention attendees that respond to the survey by Oct. 3.
To submit your arrival/departure information and register for the drawing, click here.
Register for Meet the Candidates Web Seminars
Now is the time to get better acquainted with your 2006 NTA Board of Director and officer candidates. Your first stop should be the elections page of NTA Online, where you can read about each candidate’s qualifications, experience, views, etc., in addition to asking them a question (just look for the link in the first paragraph of the text).
After you’ve read their profile and engaged them on the Candidates Forum then get ready to participate in the Meet the Candidates Web seminars. These sessions will allow you to listen and view a five-minute presentation from each candidate. Once they finish their presentation you will have the opportunity to ask questions in real time. The Web seminars are scheduled as follows:
Tour Supplier Candidates – Sept. 12, 2 p.m. ET
To register for this seminar please click here.
Tour Operator Candidates – Sept. 15, 2 p.m., ET
To register for this seminar please click here.
DMO Candidates – Sept. 19, 2 p.m., ET
To register for this seminar please click here.
NTA Seeks Clarification of Parks Canada Proposal
Recently, Parks Canada sent information to the industry regarding the enforcement of the Commercial License Fee, which has existed since 1962 but has only been sporadically enforced. Beginning in April 2007, Parks Canada will charge a $200 (Canadian) per park Commercial License Fee for tours utilizing Parks Canada sites.
In a meeting with Parks Canada officials, NTA noted Parks Canada’s honoring of the 18-month advance notice of fee/pricing increases but felt that the enforcement of the license fee might give tour operators a reason to avoid Parks Canada sites, particularly if their volume to these parks is light. NTA also stressed that the current system could discourage small tour operators from utilizing Parks Canada sites. Your association is continuing to work with Parks Canada to gather feedback on the proposal and develop an equitable and affordable commercial license fee structure.
For more information on this, contact NTA Director of Industry & Government Relations Matt Grayson at 800-682-8886 ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or 859-226-4250.
Advanced Search Options Make Appointment Scheduling Easier
Are you looking for tour operators who use three-star hotels? Or are you a tour operator looking for mid-priced hotels with interior corridors?
If so, check out the Advanced Search option on the NTA Online Appointment Scheduling System. From hotel and restaurant ratings to tour package and customer types, the Advanced Search contains a wealth of criteria to help you target the companies that you would like to meet with at Convention.
Click here to learn more about how you can ensure quality appointments at Convention this year or call any member of the NTA Online team at 800-682-8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859-226-4444.
The September issue of Courier will soon arrive in your mailbox, previewing many of the sights and sounds you’re about to experience in Detroit in a special One Member’s Perspective on Michigan by Kathy LeTarte, CTP. The cover story explains how museums are becoming more hands-on and interactive. Find out how to provide students a total educational experience in the feature on student travel. Take AIM focuses on the Cultural and Life Enrichment AIM, surveying members across the country – and also from Britain – about the distinction between cultural and heritage tourism.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
December Issue – Ad Space: Sept. 28; Editorial: Past
Tour Operator Spring Meet Preview; Shopping; Blue Ridge Parkway (Appalachian & Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, Tennessee & Virginia); British Columbia; Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park; Alabama; Florida; Louisiana; Mississippi.
January Issue – Ad Space: Oct. 28; Editorial: Sept. 1
Post-Convention Issue featuring 2005 Convention Coverage; Cruising: Overnight/Daytrips; Deep South (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi & Tennessee); British Isles & Ireland; Alaska; British Columbia; California; Hawaii; Nevada; Oregon; Washington.
February Issue – Ad Space: Nov. 21; Editorial: Oct. 1
Casinos/Gaming; African American Heritage; Atlantic Coast (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina & Virginia); Continental Europe; Alberta; Manitoba & Saskatchewan; Idaho; Montana; North Dakota; South Dakota; Wyoming.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Autry Museum of Western Heritage – The Berkely Group (TPP) – Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn/Universal City – Greater Birmingham CVB – Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia VB – Carnival Cruise Lines – Detroit Metro CVB – Explore Chinatown New York City – Family Search Ctr/Library & Mormon Historic Sites – Hormel Foods Corporation – ITS Design & Printing Inc. – John G. Shedd Aquarium – Laredo CVB – MTR Western – Myrtle Beach Area CVB – Philadelphia Museum of Art – Tyler CVB
Please click here to view the 2006 Editorial Calendar online.
DATTCO Receives Operator of the Year Award
The International Motorcoach Group has selected NTA member DATTCO Coach and Tour as its 2005 Operator of the Year. This award is given annually to an operator who participates in industry leadership roles, promotes IMG standards regarding safety, customer service, driving training, etc., and practices sound business techniques.
DATTCO reaches out to its local communities by donating motorcoaches for charity auctions and producing an annual expo for travel-related companies to come together to promote their products and services to potential customers. It also played a major role in the development of the IMG Shareholder Insurance Program.
DATTCO, established in 1924 and headquartered in New Britain, Conn., is owned by the DeVivo family. In its 81-year history, the company has grown into a 1,200-employee operation with three main divisions – sales and service; school bus contracting; and the motorcoach and tour and travel group. The company has 19 facilities throughout the Northeast.
NTA Convention delegate’s favorite auctioneer, Shane Ratliff, will once again do his magic and get the crowd going with his "Sold it, Sold it, Sold it" call at the Live Auction that will benefit Tourism Cares for Tomorrow. You can see Ratliff in action on Nov. 7 at the All-Delegate Reception from 5:15-6 p.m.
The deadline for all auction donations is Sept. 10, so don’t miss your chance to donate and have your product or package displayed at the auction in Detroit and online before, during and after NTA’s Annual Convention.
For more information on Tourism Cares’ Convention activities, click here.