Tuesday Newsletter
September 12, 2006
Tuesday Newsletter Sept. 12, 2006
Volume 26: Issue 37
 |
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. | |
As the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 passed yesterday, NTA remembers all those who were impacted by this tragedy. The NTA family pulled together at that time offering support and assistance, both professionally and personally, to our colleagues and friends. There were many ceremonies across the nation yesterday honoring the memory of the men and women who lost their lives five years ago on Sept. 11.
Another more permanent acknowledgement of their loss is the Tribute Center, which is the first visitors’ center at Ground Zero. The center has been open for private visits – victims’ relatives, survivors of the attack, neighbors, and rescue and recovery workers – the past week and will open to the public Sept. 18.
The Tribute Center, located across from the World Trade Center site at 120 Liberty Street, features four galleries that outline the history of the towers, from their construction through Sept. 11 and its aftermath. Also, there is a room that includes hundreds of photographs and personal mementos of those who perished that day.
Over the next few years, a more extensive memorial museum will be developed.
New Report Highlights Impact of U.S. Reaching More International Visitors
It is estimated that if the United States could increase its share of the world travel market by one percent that it would bring 8.1 million more visitors to America, result in $13.4 billion in additional revenues and $2 billion in additional tax revenues and create 153,000 additional jobs.
That data comes from a recent report compiled by the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which paints a very realistic picture of how much business America is missing when international tourism visits decline. The report, "Restoring America’s Travel Brand: A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors," was submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and details the need to make travel and tourism a centerpiece of efforts to improve America’s image in the world.
Components of the report highlight the value of travel and tourism to the U.S. economy and the importance of using travel as a key resource in public diplomacy. It cites ways America can more actively cultivate the growth of international visitation, including everything from making visa processes easier for prospective visitors to the need for an international marketing program to strategies for making the United States a more welcoming country.
To read the entire report, click here.
NTA Convention: Is Your Request List Complete?
The deadline to submit your appointment requests for the 2006 NTA Annual Convention is next Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Ask yourself a few questions as you consider your requests:
- Do you think your request list is complete?
- Have you requested companies that would make good business partners?
- When was the last time you made changes to your list of requests?
If you have not made updates to your list the past two weeks, you should use the search feature to find any companies that may have been added since you last checked your list, including ones that registered recently. Click here to log on and begin making your requests – you’ll need your registration number to access the system. Want more information? E-mail us at questions@NTA.travel.
Better Business. Better Be There.
NTA Convention: Reminders and Upcoming Deadlines
Convention is less than two months away, and we want to remind you of a few things you’ll want to prepare for before you head to Salt Lake:
- Have you signed up to volunteer? Giving just a few hours of your time at Convention can introduce you to so many new contacts.
- Are you interested in bringing your manager or CEO to Convention to show them firsthand the value of NTA? Click here to learn about the Executive Program.
- Have you submitted your appointment requests for the Tour & Travel Exchange? The deadline to submit is Sept. 19 – Log on today to begin your request list.
- PhotoVision will be back to work with delegates to create the 2006 Week in Review video. Bring your digital camera, snap some shots and download the images at the PhotoVision booth.
For questions related to these programs or about the 2006 Convention, contact your NTA Member Services team at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444.
Better Business. Better Be There.
Berkely Delivers Risk Management Premium Credits on Already Low Rates
NTA tour operators have trusted The Berkely Group for years for their insurance needs. To show their appreciation, Berkely is working harder than ever to provide NTA tour operator members with opportunities to reduce their insurance premiums.
Tour operators attending the 2006 Annual Convention in Salt Lake should plan to attend two different Berkley risk-related seminars that will be offered.
"Berkley Risk Management" – Tour operator companies who are insured through Berkely will qualify for up to five percent in premium credits by attending this annual seminar. This session is offered twice – at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, and at 2:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6.
"A Closer Look at Berkely Risk Management: Using Insurance as a Risk Management Tool" – This supplemental Berkely session is offered following the first Risk Management session on Friday and can provide up to an additional five percent premium credit. By attending both Berkely sessions, tour companies can accumulate up to a maximum of 10 percent in risk management seminar credits. This session is offered at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3.
Note that all credits applied to the premiums are subject to state-specific filings. In some cases, operators may have already received the maximum credits available in their state.
For more information about these seminars, or regarding the services offered by The Berkely Group, please e-mail Matt Grayson at matt.grayson@NTA.travel or call 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4250.
October Courier is Your Convention Guide
The October issue of Courier will be twice as nice, as it is the yearly double issue containing the Annual Convention preview. The 168-page edition is the perfect primer to help you with your final preparations for Salt Lake City.
As Salt Lake City gets ready to take center stage from Nov. 3 to 7, the city is showcased in the main Convention feature story, in addition to being highlighted in information on Fams and sightseeing tours and Dine-around events. The issue includes updates on what’s new with the Tour & Travel Exchange and provides tips from Convention veterans to help enhance your experience, whether it’s your first or 21st time at Convention. You’ll find everything from a detailed schedule and seminar descriptions, to the latest on Tourism Cares and its Convention activities.
Besides the 70-plus pages of Convention coverage, the issue contains an extensive election section. If you just can’t wait to read about the candidates for 2007 offices, go to the Election Page of NTA.travel.
The October Courier also includes the business section, trip planners and travel guides.
NTA Represented at PATA Travel Mart
NTA Government and Industry Relations Director Matt Grayson is attending the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s tradeshow PATA Travel Mart in Hong Kong from Sept. 12 to 15. As a component of the good working relationship between your association and PATA, NTA is provided a booth at their show, which is the largest in Asia.
Grayson will also represent NTA at PATA’s Board and committee meetings so areas of mutual cooperation can be explored. For the first time, PATA will have a booth at the NTA Annual Convention in November.
Tour Operators to Hold Conference Call Next Wednesday
There are a few spaces left for tour operators to participate in the next Chairman’s Conversation Club conference call, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 3-4 p.m. (ET). Advance registration for the call is necessary so that a toll-free dial-in number can be sent to all participants.
Please e-mail NTA Executive Assistant Celeste Moore at celeste.moore@NTA.travel to sign up right away. A toll-free dial-in number will be provided to those who register in advance.
Notes from previous Chairman’s Conversation Club calls are available if you click here.
VISIT FLORIDA Wins a 2006 Mercury Award
In last week’s issue of Tuesday, a listing of the companies that received the Travel Industry Association’s Mercury Awards was included. We regret that VISIT FLORIDA was inadvertently omitted from the list of 2006 winners.
Congratulations to VISIT FLORIDA, which was the recipient of a Mercury Award for best "Information/Welcome Center Programs" for their outstanding efforts in this area of DMO marketing. For more information on VISIT FLORIDA click here.
History Enthusiasts, Get Ready for Georgia Coast Trip
If you are a tour operator who packages to cultural or history enthusiasts, the upcoming Georgia Coast Product Development Trip is exactly what you’re looking for. The trip includes a tour of historic Savannah – a city with one of the largest historic areas in the United States. You’ll also be treated to a visit to Georgia’s Low Country, an area that plays host to the Bonaventure Cemetery of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" fame, the Wormsloe Historic Site and the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, just to name a few.
To register for the Georgia Coast Product Development Trip, click here. Deadline to register is Nov. 14 and the cost, not including airfare to/from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, is $100. Operators may contact NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson at lisa.thompson@NTA.travel with questions regarding this trip.
Tourism Cares, NTA’s official philanthropy, has many things in store for the 2006 Annual Convention. The organization that puts the "fun" in fundraising will be enhancing the Convention experience for delegates through the annual live and silent auctions, the Nevada Rocks for Tomorrow dance party and by hosting travel and tourism students for the entire Convention.
NTA delegates can take part in these experiences in several ways:
Please contact Tourism Cares at 781.821.5990 or via e-mail at events@tourismcares.org to get involved.
Announcing the 2007 NTA Media Kit
One of the most important ways to brand your company is through advertising. NTA’s 2007 Media Kit is now available as a reference as you look ahead to create your company’s upcoming marketing campaign. Whether you want your message to appear in specific issues of Courier or in one of the Convention-related publications, this media kit will outline your options. Also included are several sponsorship opportunities for the Tour Operator Spring Meet and Annual Convention.
Click here to access the new media kit. If you have questions or want to go ahead and book your advertising space, call 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232 or e-mail advertising@NTA.travel.