Tuesday Newsletter
December 5, 2006
Tuesday Newsletter December 5, 2006
Volume 26: Issue 48
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This issue of Tuesday is sponsored by Tourism Montréal.
Millions of destinations. One city.
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| Interested in becoming a sponsor for Tuesday? Contact Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTA.travel. | |
United Airlines, NTA Renew Airline Agreement
United Airlines and the National Tour Association announce the renewal of their airline partnership for 2007. The program continues to feature preferred deposit terms for NTA members on both domestic and international flights. Standard group discounts apply.
Deposits on domestic (U.S. and Canada) flights will be $40, which is a $10 savings from the regular group deposit rate. Deposits for NTA tour operator members booking international flights will be $80, which is a $20 savings over the standard group rate.
In addition, NTA tour operators have favorable cancellation/refund policies not found in the standard group policy. If the itinerary is cancelled prior to the scheduled departure, the NTA tour operator may rebook travel for up to one year from the departure date or receive a full refund less a $100 penalty fee.
Laura Ziliak, national account manager for United and NTA’s contact said, "United is pleased to announce the continuation of our partnership with NTA for the 2007 calendar year. We sincerely appreciate the business we receive from NTA members and look forward to another successful year."
When members are securing travel arrangements through United, they need to tell the group agent that they are an NTA member and provide their NTA identification numbers to qualify for the special booking conditions. Full terms and conditions are available if you click here.
Tour Operators: Spring Meet Education Matters
Year after year, Spring Meet attendees give high marks to the educational sessions, based on relevance of topics and information that applies to their business. The seminar lineup for the 2007 event should maintain that tradition of informing and educating.
Headlining the selection of professional speakers is Paul Vitale, of Vital Communications in Little Rock, Arkansas, who will present two educational sessions to delegates in Kelowna, British Columbia:
- It’s Your Business, It’s Your Name- If a business doesn’t provide a customer with good value and service, they will go elsewhere … and they’ll tell eight to 10 people about their negative experience. This multi-media presentation will focus on the key aspect of quality customer service to ensure strong business relationships and financial success.
- Inspired Teamwork & Leadership – Get inspired during Vitale’s closing session presentation, which will illustrate the importance of uniting people for a common cause, understanding and respecting diversity and encouraging individuals through positive actions.
The 2007 NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet is open to tour operators and receptive tour operators and will be held April 26-28. Click here to learn more.
Recent Survey Indicates America’s Image is Barrier for Travelers
A survey conducted by the Discover America Partnership, points to the fact that America’s image as a tourism destination is suffering among international travelers. The group fears that those perceptions will lead to a downturn in visitation numbers and revenue for U.S.-based travel businesses.
The study, conducted by independent polling firm RT Strategies and based upon a survey of more than 2,000 travelers worldwide, sought to gauge traveler perceptions of how opinions of America differ among those who have and have not visited America and regarding the U.S. visa and entry process. Two of the more striking findings were that travelers rate America’s entry process as the "world’s worst" and that they are more afraid of U.S. government officials than the threat of terrorism or crime.
The report noted that by adjusting some "minor things," such as the following, the United States would be better equipped to compete for international travelers:
- A detailed assessment of the U.S. entry process, and how the nation balances security and economic prosperity. The study will look at the impact of current point-of-entry policies on the U.S. economy, and what we can learn from other countries.
- An ongoing effort to tap into the travel industry’s expertise in hospitality to develop new, creative and better ways to welcome visitors to our country.
The Discover America Partnership was launched in September 2006 by some of America’s foremost business leaders who recognize travel to America as an integral aspect of the public diplomacy process and have challenged the United States to welcome an additional 10 million more visitors annually. This initiative is undertaking an aggressive, ongoing campaign to draw national attention to the issue and to push for solutions.
To read the complete release regarding the survey, click here.
Your NTA Membership Works for You
NTA members have told us that education and research on the changing consumer is an important benefit of their association membership. In response, NTA invests its resources to compile and pass along industry-related news and developments to aid members in their marketing and research efforts.
Your association strives to deliver the pertinent information that you are seeking through a selection of association resources. Changes in consumer trends, legislative announcements and association updates are provided to you through NTA’s monthly magazine Courier, in the weekly e-newsletter Tuesday, via "This Just In" at NTA.travel and through the monthly research newsletter The Trend.
To continue taking advantage of these and other member benefits in 2007, watch your mail box for your dues renewal invoice, which will be mailed to all members shortly. The deadline to renew your membership is Jan. 31. Should you have questions, please contact NTA Headquarters at questions@NTA.travel.
NTA – It’s Where You Belong.
The Trend: NTA’s Research-Based Newsletter
Information is one of the top commodities for business professionals in today’s world. In fact, a recent survey showed that the hours today’s professionals spend searching for information can equal as much as $1,000 per week in time used.
Particularly in an industry like travel, you must stay abreast of changes in consumer demographics, emerging industry and product trends and the latest technology to stay on top. NTA can help you do that through its research-based e-newsletter, The Trend. Your association scours industry and consumer Web sites and publications and compiles articles for this newsletter – your one-stop research resource.
By subscribing to The Trend for only $120 per year, you will get a wealth of information on consumer buying patterns and attitudes, how baby boomers are changing the face of travel, new trends in the industry, international inbound and outbound travel statistics and much more.
To get this valuable information in your inbox every month, contact Sandy Stansfield at sandy.stansfield@NTA.travel.
Tourism Cares Makes Matching Grant in Ireland
Tourism Cares, as part of a matching funding program, recently awarded a grant of $46,000 to the Lough Gur Environment and Conservation Trust in County Limerick, Ireland. The funds will be used to continue conservation efforts at the Christian Stone Forts of Carraig Aille, a 6th- to 11th-century AD medieval ruin and archaeological site.
Some tour operator members of United States Tour Operators Association, many of whom also belong to NTA, each contributed $2,000, which was matched by Tourism Cares. These funds were in turn matched by Limerick County, Ireland and the Shannon Development Corporation.
The contributing tour operators were Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Celtic Tours, CIE International, Collette Vacations, Globus & Cosmos, GOGO Worldwide Vacations, Insight Vacations, Mayflower Tours, Sceptre Ireland, Tauck World Discovery, Trafalgar Tours and Travel Connection.
For more information on Tourism Cares grant programs, click here.
Recent Voice of Traveler Survey Results Released
The Travel Industry Association of America and Synovate have released the results of the Voice of the Traveler survey, indicating the travel habits of travelers in the United States. The survey was conducted in May among a representative sample of 1,500 adults in America.
Two of the main categories the survey spotlighted were spa vacations and volunteer vacations. More than half (54 percent) of travelers said they were currently interested in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. Spa vacations moved up to fifth on the list of things people said they were more interested in doing now, as compared to five years ago.
Twenty-four percent of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation, and the percentage has increased over five years ago. Interest was strongest among baby boomers, with the largest share (47 percent) of those interested in taking a volunteer vacation falling into the 35- to 54-year-old age range.
Interest is also up for children-friendly destinations, enrichment travel and spiritual vacations. For more detailed information on survey results, click here.
It’s hard to believe that 2007 is just around the corner! As in years past, the NTA Sales & Publishing staff is offering you a special discount for booking your advertising plans now, which can save you a minimum of 5 percent. If you finalize your 2007 insertions with your NTA account executive by Dec. 31, you can lock in 2006 rate card pricing and receive that discount.
Whether it’s placement in each month’s issue of Courier, a spot in the annual Membership Directory or something for one of the 2007 Annual Convention publications, you can determine the best advertising package for your company. Only a few weeks remain, so don’t miss out on your chance to save some money on your 2007 budget.
For additional information call 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232, or e-mail advertising@NTA.travel. Click here for a complete 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.