Tuesday Newsletter
October 17, 2006
Tuesday Newsletter October 17, 2006
Volume 26: Issue 42
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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 sponsor for Tuesday? Contact Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTA.travel. | |
NTA Convention: Appointments are Posted and Numbers are Up
The requests have been processed and appointments for the Tour & Travel Exchange have been matched. Business at the 2006 NTA Annual Convention is shaping up to be the biggest and best in the packaged travel industry.
- Ninety-two percent of DMOs have more appointments this year than in 2005
- Sixty-three percent of tour suppliers have more appointments this year than in 2005
- Collectively, there are 14,000 open times in the schedules for tour operators, creating thousands of opportunities to schedule additional appointments through Direct Request Manual Scheduling (see related article below) and on site in Salt Lake
Appointment schedules for the 2006 NTA Annual Convention are now available at http://exchange.nta.travel/. Log on, study up and prepare for the best business in the industry at the 2006 NTA Annual Convention.
Better Business. Better Be There.
NTA Convention: Direct Request Manual Scheduling
Want to fill some of the open times in your appointment schedule? Consider sending a Direct Request for an appointment to another delegate. The process is very simple:
Click on the "Direct Request Appointments" button in the appointment request system, http://exchange.nta.travel/, and you will have three options:
- "Open Appointment Times" is a complete list of the open times in your schedule. By clicking on a specific time in the "Open Appointment Times" section, you can see the list of delegates who also are available at that time. Tour operators will see a list of suppliers and DMOs and vice versa. You can send a meeting request to that individual through the Web site. If the request is accepted, the appointment will be added to both appointment schedules.
- "My Requests" will provide a summary of any requests that you have made (or will make) to meet with other attendees.
- "Suppliers/DMOs (or tour operators) Requesting Appointments" will provide a summary of the requests that other delegates have sent you. Check back regularly to accept or decline new requests.
Direct Request Manual Scheduling will be available to all attendees until Nov. 2. If you have questions about the process, please contact your NTA Member Services team at questions@NTA.travel or call 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444.
A 6.6 magnitude earthquake, centered off the coast of the Big Island, shook Hawaii Sunday and knocked out power across the state for a few hours. Even though Gov. Linda Lingle issued a disaster declaration for the entire state, there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities and the earthquake was not strong enough to trigger a tsunami warning.
According to a report on The Honolulu Advertiser Web site, Hawaiian Electric Inc. reported it had restored power to all of Maui and the Big Island by Monday, as well as on 99 percent of Oahu.
Thousands of tourists from damaged resort hotels on the Big Island were evacuated immediately following the quake, but the temporary shelters were nearly empty by Sunday night. Flights in and out of Hawaii’s airports were shut down for most of Sunday, but were back to normal functionality on Monday.
NTA contacted tour operator member Jim Reddekopp Jr. whose company, Fly Away Holidays, is located on the Big Island. Reddekopp reported that, while things were rattled around a little, everything was back to normal very quickly and that his family is doing well.
Cick here to see a press release that was issued from the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau Monday. For the latest information, contact the Hawaii VCB by calling 800.464.2924 or you can go to its Web site, http://www.gohawaii.com/.
Detour for Motorcoaches in Sedona
NTA has learned that construction on part of Apple Avenue, a major thoroughfare in uptown Sedona, Arizona, will impact motorcoach pick-ups and drop-offs. Apple Avenue will remain closed until mid-December; however, the city has set two temporary motorcoach loading/unloading stops on the east side of Jordan Road during this period.
Motorcoaches should take Jordan Road and unload/load their passengers on these two stops on east side of Jordan, then take Jordan Road and make a left onto Apple Avenue, make a right on Van Deren Road, a right turn on Schnebly Road and a right on Jordan Road again. Or, motorcoaches can take this loop starting from Jordan Road and load/unload passengers at the regular motorcoach loading/unloading stop on the west side of Jordan. Signs for motorcoaches have also been implemented to show this route.
The Highway 89A rock removal project in Sedona has been completed and motorcoaches may drive through Oak Creek Canyon with no restriction. However, if it rains, motorcoaches should take the freeway.
For more information, contact the Sedona Chamber of Commerce by calling 928.282.7722.
Restrictions for Agricultural Items Entering the United States
According to a news release from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, stiffer penalties will be imposed for anyone failing to declare agricultural items at U.S. ports of entry. First time offenders will pay $300 and the fine for a second violation is $500.
The main thing the CBP is seeking to do is prevent the introduction of harmful plant and animal disease that travelers might unintentionally bring into the United States through agriculture products. Restricted items include meat, fruits, vegetables, plants, soil and products made from animal or plant materials.
In the release, Jeffrey Grode, executive director for CBP Agriculture Programs and Liaison office said, "Agricultural pests and diseases are a threat to U.S. food crops and livestock. Some of these organisms are highly contagious animal diseases that could cause severe economic damage to the livestock industry and losses in production, which would mean increased costs for meat and dairy products."
To see the full text of the release, click here.
NTA Rewards Your Member Recruitment Efforts
The expansion and diversification of your association has many benefits. It helps give NTA a stronger voice in the industry, provides you with more potential business partners and can save you a little money, too, if you refer a new member. For each tour operator you pass along that becomes an NTA member, you’ll receive $100 off Annual Convention registration through the recruitment rewards program.
The following members have contributed to the association’s growth the past two months by referring a company that joined the NTA ranks:
Click here to learn more about how you can benefit from getting involved with NTA’s recruitment rewards program.
Still Time to Donate to the Tourism Cares Auctions
The NTA Convention is just two weeks away and the deadline to support the Live and Silent Auctions to benefit Tourism Cares is even closer. Tourism Cares, the official philanthropy of NTA, needs the help of NTA members to make these auctions a success. You can showcase your destination, product or service and show your support of the organization that brings the tourism community together to give back. In order for your item or package to be included in the auction catalog, you must donate by this Thursday, Oct. 19.
Donations may be made in many forms, including group tour components, vacation packages, weekend getaways, regional gifts, sports memorabilia and electronics. Go to www.tourismcares.cmarket.com/nta to donate or to view some of the items that have already been submitted. Call Tourism Cares at 781.821.5990 with any questions.
Tour Operator Encore Marketing Offers Apology for E-Mail
You may have received multiple copies of an e-mail, sent Friday, Oct. 13, from NTA tour operator member Encore Marketing. According to Encore’s Manager of Client Services Ron Wallach, there was a glitch in the company’s e-mail server that caused the message to be sent out multiple times to tour suppliers. Wallach regrets the inconvenience this has caused the recipients.
Tour Suppliers Teleconference is Next Wednesday
The next Chairman’s Conversation Club, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 3-4 p.m. (ET), will feature tour suppliers. Advance registration for the call is necessary so that a toll-free dial-in number can be sent to all participants. Please contact NTA Executive Assistant Celeste Moore via e-mail at celeste.moore@NTA.travel to sign up for next week’s call.
Judith Thomas, CTP, has hosted the monthly phone calls during her year as NTA chairman and CEO as a way to gather input from NTA members on industry- and business-related topics. Each call has included participants within a specific membership category.
Advertising Specials Available at Convention
The NTA Sales and Publishing team is excited about the upcoming NTA Annual Convention in Salt Lake City and looks forward to seeing you there. Take a moment to stop by the NTA Sales and Publishing booth (#413/415) sometime during the week to say hello to account executives and to pick-up your complimentary mint-flavored lip balm.
In addition, you can take advantage of this key buying time by reserving your 2007 advertising placements within NTA publications. If you do so during Convention, you’ll receive 2006 rate card rate protection. See you in Salt Lake!