Tuesday Newsletter
July 31, 2007
Tuesday Newsletter July 31, 2007
Volume 27: Issue 31
This issue of Tuesday is sponsored by VisitBritain. For everything you need to know about developing tours to Britain, and to find out about all the British partners who will be joining us at the NTA Convention this year, go to www.visitbritain.com/operators. See you there!. | |
Interested in becoming a Tuesday sponsor? E-mail Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTA.travel. |
NTA EVENTS
There’s No Place Like … Kansas
Want to Host the 2010 Spring Meet or the 2012 Annual Convention?
See if Your State/Provincial Tab is Available in the Profile Form Notebook
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Still Time to Run for the NTA Board of Directors
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
NTA Joins Coalition Opposing D.C. Motorcoach Fees
INDUSTRY NEWS
European Union Takes Aim at Access for Elderly, Disabled Flyer
MEMBER BENEFITS
A Powerful Partnership – NTA and Staples Business Advantage
Voluntourism Travel is Growing; Tell Us What You’re Doing
Last Call for Tickets to Tourism Cares Hall of Fame Gala Dinner
NTA Partnership Provides Discounts at THETRADESHOW
August Courier Preview
NTA EVENTS
There’s No Place Like … Kansas
It is sure to be "A Legendary Night" at The Legends in Village West in Kansas City, Kansas, during the 2007 NTA Annual Convention. The Legends, site of the Sunday evening event at Convention, is one of the hottest new outdoor entertainment and shopping locations in the Midwest.
Buses will depart from the host hotels beginning at 6:30 p.m. for "A Legendary Night," which is sponsored by Tour Kansas and the Kansas Department of Travel and Tourism. Upon arrival attendees will enjoy food, drinks and entertainment that focus on the true character of Kansas and its many well-known sons and daughters.
Highlights of the night will include a meet-and-greet with an official munchkin from "The Wizard of Oz," Boot Hill Western Legends, re-enactors, musical acts, historical costumed figures, magicians, interactive activities and strolling entertainers. There also will be several themed food and signature drink locations that will showcase Kansas.
Join us for the 2007 NTA Annual Convention Nov. 2-6, and experience for yourself all that this premier industry event has to offer.
Want to Host the 2010 Spring Meet or the 2012 Annual Convention?
Looking for a way to bring your fellow NTA members to your city en masse? Hoping to gain valuable exposure and reap economic benefits for your area? Then put in your bid to host the 2010 Tour Operator Spring Meet or the 2012 NTA Annual Convention.
These events provide host cities/destinations tremendous exposure within the travel industry. The economic impact (both immediate and residual), media coverage, relationship development and ultimate increase in tourism are just a few of the accrued benefits you receive by hosting either of these NTA gatherings.
Copies of the bid specifications and the hotel contract requirements for Convention and Spring Meet are available at http://www.nta.travel/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=21&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=3495&change_well_id=2. If you have any questions about hosting these events, contact NTA Vice President of Operations Tonya Littlefield Cummings.
The deadline to submit bids to host these events is Aug. 15.
See if Your State/Provincial Tab is Available in the Profile Form Notebook
One of the ways you can maximize your exposure at the 2007 Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, and ensure your presence in front of all attending tour operators is through the Profile Form Notebook.
This three-ring notebook, which is divided into state/provincial and international sections, is placed at every tour operator’s booth on the Convention Mall floor. This yearlong planning tool for NTA tour operators was created to be their one resource for housing all of the information/profiles/business cards they gather from their Tour & Travel Exchange appointments.
There are two opportunities available to your company:
- Premium space is available on a first come, first served basis to place your company’s full-page, four-color advertisement on many state/provincial tabs. To see the list of available state/provincial tabs, click here.
- Your company also can have its 8.5" by 11", double-sided profile sheet inserted behind your state/provincial tab so that every tour operator taking appointments will receive a copy. This eliminates the need for you to ship boxes of profile sheets to Kansas City and also places your message in the binders of tour operators that you may not have appointments with during Convention.
Even if you are unable to attend Convention, your message can still be passed along to delegates if you take advantage of one or both of the Profile Form Notebook options. The space deadline is Aug. 15, so book your space today. To reach your account executive call 800.682.8886, ext. 4232, or 859.226.4232 or e-mail advertising@NTA.travel for more information.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Still Time to Run for the NTA Board of Directors
The deadline for running for the NTA Board of Directors as a nominee from the floor is quickly approaching.
Floor nominees must contact Nominating Committee Chair Ann Thomas, CTP, in writing Aug. 8 by 5 p.m. ET to be considered. Floor nominees must meet all the qualifications for nomination as established in the NTA bylaws and floor nominees must be nominated by an eligible voter.
If you are interested, e-mail Thomas at ann@westerndiscovery.com.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
NTA Joins Coalition Opposing D.C. Motorcoach Fees
NTA joined the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association to fight a recently implemented $50 permit fee that is now required for every motorcoach visiting Washington, D.C.
The coalition filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., Superior Court to stop the city from collecting $50 trip "permit fees" every six days from each motorcoach entering the city. For each "trip permit" fee (commonly known as a tax) operators must surrender $50 per coach for each six-day period, or up to $2,200 per year for each bus.
"The effects of the new motorcoach permit fee will be felt throughout the region’s tourist-centered services," said Lisa Simon, NTA president. "And the money lost to D.C. tourism will never be fully quantified, because we’ll never know who decided not to visit D.C. because of this regressive tax."
INDUSTRY NEWS
European Union Takes Aim at Access for Elderly, Disabled Flyers
A new measure from the European Union that took effect last week focuses on offering improved access to air transportation for the disabled and the elderly. The plan is part of an EU regulation that was adopted last year to consider the needs of Europe’s aging population and assure they are not discriminated against when flying from airports in the European Union.
The program has three components – equal treatment of persons with reduced mobility; free assistance in all EU airports; and assistance on board all flights. The equal treatment requirement is already in effect, while the other two provisions won’t take effect until July 2008.
This initiative is particularly timely given that the European Commission declared 2007 the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. The resolution also is in keeping with the Commission’s anti-discrimination policy and its determination to integrate this into all of its internal and external policies.
To learn more, go to the EU’s Web site.
MEMBER BENEFITS
A Powerful Partnership – NTA and Staples Business Advantage
As part of its corporate partnership with NTA, Staples offers discounts on office supplies and special services to association members. The discounts can add up to big savings on the everyday items that members in Canada and the United States need to run their businesses.
The Staples program offers NTA members the following:
- Discounts averaging 60 percent off more than 4,000 items in the pre-priced catalog
- Discounts averaging 40 percent off large stock catalog
- Multiple ordering channels: online, fax or phone
- A 10 percent credit on copy services provided at 1,100 retail stores in America
- Computer and technology supplies, furniture and more
- Access to more than 30,000 items with free next day delivery
Canadian members and U.S.-based members can learn more about the Staples Rewards Program at www.NTA.travel. Additionally, you can contact Karla DiNardo, NTA’s vice president of sales and publishing, at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232, or 859.226.4232 for more information.
Voluntourism Travel is Growing; Tell Us What You’re Doing
As the demand for voluntourism grows, NTA tour operators are increasingly creating these types of packages. More charitable outreach continues to be included in people’s travel in recent years and both travelers and the media have taken notice.
NTA Chairman and CEO Randy Julian, as well as several other NTA members, were recently mentioned in Delta Airlines’ Sky magazine, speaking about travel that inspires. Other outlets such as USA Today, SmartMoney Magazine and freelancer writers also have contacted NTA about this growing trend.
Make sure that NTA is aware of voluntourism tour product your company is developing. E-mail NTA Public Relations Manager Sara Morton to let her know what you’re up to so that NTA can remain the media’s "go-to" source on this popular and meaningful way to travel.
Last Call for Tickets to Tourism Cares Hall of Fame Gala Dinner
The Hall of Fame Gala Dinner to benefit Tourism Cares will be held Aug. 8 at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino. This year the achievements of Dan Sullivan Jr., president and CEO of Collette Vacations, and the late Dan Sullivan Sr., past president and chairman of the board of Collette Vacations, will be honored as they are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Make plans now to join the more than 400 people who are expected to attend this truly special event. A limited amount of tickets for this dinner are still available and can be purchased by contacting Caitlin Bell by calling 781.821.5990, ext. 206, or via e-mail.
NTA Partnership Provides Discounts at THETRADESHOW
NTA is entering its second year as a strategic partner in THETRADESHOW. As such, your association is looking forward to promoting its tour operators and their diverse product options to both home-based and brick-and-mortar travel agents from America and Canada. In addition to having a booth at ASTA’s event, NTA and USTOA will present an educational session to spread the word about how the combination of travel agents and tour operators spells profitability for everyone.
NTA tour operators who are interested in reaching this market can register for THETRADESHOW and be eligible for a rebate on booth costs. Use the special NTA registration form and if at least six NTA tour operators attend, each will receive a 10 percent rebate. Based on total attendance, the rebate could go as high as 20 percent.
THETRADESHOW will be held in Las Vegas, Sept. 9-11. If you’re interested in the 2007 event or have questions about registration, visit www.THETRADESHOW.org or e-mail Lisa Thompson, NTA’s vice president of marketing.
The August issue of Courier takes a peak at two of the most enduring travel market segments, theaters and fall foliage. The Trip Planners will take you to water-based options in the Pacific Northwest and provide insight on what’s new in Orlando, Florida. You also can get updates on Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin in the August Travel Guides. Business section stories take a look at the Product Development Trip to Poland, the National City Bank Travel Funds Protection Plan and how to utilize the enthusiasm within your organization to improve your company.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
November Issue – Ad Space: Aug. 24; Editorial: Past
Dining; Shopping; Chicago; America’s Historic East (Colonial Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania); Delaware; New Brunswick; Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec; New Jersey; New York.
December Issue – Ad Space: Sept. 26; Editorial: Aug. 1
2007 Convention Coverage; Artisan and Factory Tours; The Rockies (Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah); Smoky Mountains (Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge); Alabama; Florida; Louisiana; Mississippi.
January Issue – Ad Space: Oct. 29; Editorial: Sept. 4
Tour Operator Spring Meet Preview; Sightseeing Cruises; Cruise Ships; Antebellum South (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee); British Isles and Ireland; Alaska; British Columbia; California; Hawaii; Nevada; Oregon; Washington.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Anderson Vacations – Autry National Center – The Berkely Group (TPP) – Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn/Universal City – Coach America – Detroit Metro CVB – ITS Design & Printing – John G. Shedd Aquarium – Maid of the Mist Corporation – Menopause The Musical – Mesa CVB – MotorCity Casino – Niagara Parks, Restaurants & Attractions – Pirate’s Dinner Adventure – Sears Tower Skydeck – Walt Disney Theatrical Productions – Yankee Candle Company Inc.
More information on the 2007 NTA Editorial Calendar and 2008 NTA Editorial Calendar is available.