Tuesday Newsletter
December 12, 2006
Tuesday Newsletter December 12, 2006
Volume 26: Issue 49
 |
This issue of Tuesday is sponsored by Tourism Montréal.
Millions of destinations. One city.
|
| Interested in becoming a sponsor for Tuesday? Contact Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTA.travel. | |
| NOTE – Everyone flying to the United States will need a passport, starting Jan. 23, 2007, including U.S. citizens. To learn more, click here. |
Study Says U.S. National Parks a Good Return on Investment
The nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has released a new economic analysis that shows the U.S. National Park System generates at least $4 for state and local economies in return for every one tax dollar invested in the national parks’ annual budget.
The report, "U.S. National Park System: An Economic Asset at Risk," provides a new, overall view of the significance of national parks to national, regional and local stakeholders. Produced for NPCA by independent economists Hardner & Gullison Associates LLC, the report relies on economic impact and growth analysis and uses a cost-benefit analysis methodology developed by the federal government.
Through system-wide analysis and the study of 12 individual parks across America, the report shows that the National Park System plays a major role in attracting and sustaining local businesses and communities in areas near parks. According to the report some park sites, including Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine) and Point Reyes National Seashore (Point Reyes Station, California), generate economic benefits that exceed the government investment in their annual budgets by as much as 14 times.
To see the full report, click here.
Update on WHTI Passport Requirements and Resources
The implementation date for the air portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is just five weeks away. By Jan. 23, 2007, all passengers arriving via air transportation must have a passport to enter the United States, while the land and sea portions of the initiative will take effect not before Jan. 1, 2008, and no later than June 1, 2009.
As a resource for those who are seeking more details regarding acquiring passports to meet the upcoming air provision, a new Web site, http://www.getapassportnow.com/, launched recently. In addition to providing an overview of the WHTI requirements, the site gives extensive information on what people from the United States, Canada and Mexico need to do to apply for passports.
U.S. residents who need to expedite getting a passport can visit one of the 13 regional passport agencies or the one Gateway City Agency (Washington, D.C.), which serve customers who are traveling within two weeks and those in need of foreign visas for travel. This must be done in person and appointments are required in such cases. To see a list of these 14 locations, click here.
As a reminder, all U.S.-based members flying directly to Canada for the 2007 Tour Operator Spring Meet in Kelowna, British Columbia, will need a passport. NTA will continue to provide further updates regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in Tuesday and on "This Just In."
Recap from Annual Convention Business Meetings
Each year during the Convention, NTA conducts business meetings for each membership category. The current chairman and CEO, as well as the incoming chair and the respective board representatives for the DMO and tour supplier categories, share news from the year and highlight what to expect for the coming year.
If you didn’t attend the Convention or missed your annual business meeting in Salt Lake City, click here for highlights of the information shared with members.
What Will 2007 Bring for Your Company?
As we get ready to set aside the 2006 calendar in exchange for the blank slate that is 2007, we’d like to hear your thoughts about the new year. Please take a few seconds to answer the following two questions:
- What is one thing you are planning on doing differently in 2007 from a business standpoint?
- Are you optimistic or pessimistic about business in the year ahead?
Please send your responses to Courier Editor in Chief Penny Mullinix via e-mail at penny.mullinix@hostcommunications.com. Your thoughts may be used in upcoming articles in Courier or Tuesday.
Can’t Attend ITB, but Want to Reach Participants?
No worries. Thanks to the U.S. Commercial Service Product Literature Center, you can both pass along your company’s information and get leads on potential clients from ITB 2007, which takes place in Berlin March 7-11.
For $450, the U.S. Commercial Service will display catalogs/brochures from NTA’s American members in the center and distribute additional literature to attendees. The cost also includes their collecting trade leads for you, providing market feedback and assisting you on follow up with these potential clients. Additionally, they will conduct an outreach campaign in advance of the show to attract interest in your products and services, via e-mail and on their Web site.
For more information on being part of the Product Literature Center, contact U.S. Commercial Service’s Elizabeth Powell in Germany via e-mail at Elizabeth.Powell@mail.doc.gov or by calling 49.69.7535.3167. If you want to contact a local U.S. Commercial Service representative, click here to get that information.
The deadline to sign-up is mid-February, and if you wish to participate, you can register by going to www.buyusa.gov/germany/en/plc.html.
Pioneer Award Nomination Deadline is Dec. 22
The second Pioneer Award will be presented at the 2007 Tour Operator Spring Meet in Kelowna, British Columbia, and nominations are due Dec. 22. The award honors individuals whose accomplishments have resulted in a significant change in the travel industry from which NTA and its members (specifically tour operators) have benefited.
Nominations can be made by any person employed by an NTA member company, although it is not required that nominees be NTA members. They should be sent to NTA Executive Assistant Celeste Moore via e-mail at celeste.moore@NTA.travel.
Make a Difference in Nevada at 2007 Tourism Cares for America Project
It’s time to get signed up for the 2007 Tourism Cares for America cleanup project in historic Virginia City, Nevada, May 17-19. Volunteers at previous cleanup events have requested to "Go West" and what better place than this authentic western town!
In the late 1800s, Virginia City was "the richest place on earth" where the townspeople feasted on oysters and champagne, wore the latest Parisian fashions and attended opera houses where the likes of John Barrymore, Harry Houdini and Lillie Langtry enthralled audiences. Today the restoration and upkeep of the relics of this once booming, boisterous town are the sole responsibility of fewer than 1,100 citizens, who need our help.
To register for the Virginia City cleanup event, click here, or for more information call Tourism Cares at 781.821.5990 or e-mail tcfa@tourismcares.org.
NTA is an annual Association Sponsor of the Tourism Cares for America events, and its members and staff have been strong supporters through their participation. Tourism Cares looks forward to working alongside all of you again this year.
Time is Running Out to Advertise in March Courier
The March 2007 edition of Courier is the annual Tour Operator Spring Meet issue. The issue will have bonus distribution to 800 prospective new tour operator members, so your message will reach even more potential business partners.
Feature stories in the March issue will cover Hotels, Resorts & Spas and the 2007 Tour Operator Spring Meet, to be held in Kelowna, British Columbia. The March trip planners will highlight the Toronto & Niagara Region (New York and Canada) and the Mississippi River Valley (Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee) and the travel guides take you to the American West by profiling Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Don’t miss out on the chance to reach beyond our NTA family with your company advertisement in the March issue. The Dec. 31 deadline is quickly approaching to reserve space at 2006 rate card prices!
Call 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232 or e-mail advertising@NTA.travel for more information. Click here to view the full 2007 Courier Editorial Calendar.
Position Available – Manager of Operations
Orion Worldwide Travel
Manage the operations of Orion Worldwide Travel tours; 30 universities and 10 customized groups booked for 2007, equaling 1,000 passengers (will double by 2008). Maintain and develop new processes to improve overall efficiencies of operational systems and procedures to support Orion Worldwide Travel Tours and office. Work closely with 20+ vendors to complete overall Orion Worldwide tour programs. Manage and develop account managers.
Need to have 5+ years travel industry knowledge, 2+ years of travel/tour operation management experience, excellent verbal/written communication skills, strong organizational skills with ability to handle multiple projects and prioritize deadlines, ability to work independently, computer literate. Competitive pay, benefits package, relocation cost may be considered. Company is located in the Washington, D.C., metro area in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
Submit resumes to JoleneRyan@mac.com.
If you have a listing to post in the NTA Job Center section of Tuesday, e-mail NTA Communications Specialist Pat Henderson. The cost is $250 and your ad will run in two consecutive issues.