Dealing with Unrest—Egypt and Elsewhere | Convention Survey Responses Are In; Review, Analysis Begin
February 1, 2011
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TODAY’S ARTICLES
Dealing with Unrest—Egypt and Elsewhere
Convention Survey Responses Are In; Review, Analysis Begin
Scotland PDT: Castles, Highlands—and Nessie?
The Faces of Leadership
Focus on 60 in February Courier
8,000 Pairs of Eyes Searched for NTA Members. Did They See Your Profile?
Get Key Research Delivered to Your Inbox
The Very Real Value of Selling at Montage
NTA Podcast: Global Realities That Impact Your Bottom Line
Join the Corporation for Travel Promotion Conference Call
Have a Happy (Chinese) New Year at COTTM
Nine Steps for Increasing Group Sales
Industry News and Updates
NTA Job Center
Dealing with Unrest—Egypt and Elsewhere
The current political unrest in Egypt is a reminder that travelers—and operators involved with them—must closely monitor developing situations. David Beirman, senior lecturer at the University of Technology-Sydney, provided advice in eTurboNews for tour operators with clients traveling to Egypt. His advice can be used for travel to any area where turmoil erupts:
- Stay up to date on the travel advice provided by your country’s travel advisories. (The U.S. State Department’s advisory on travel to Egypt is here. A warning for Canadian travelers is here.)
- Make sure your clients are covered by appropriate travel insurance.
- Advise them to register their travel plans with a government service that can provide them and their families with emergency information. (U.S. citizens can register with the Smart Travel Enrollment Program, and Canadians can register here.)
- Ascertain whether changes in your clients’ travel arrangements can be made without penalties. (The U.S. Department of State is arranging transportation to safe-haven locations in Europe for U.S. citizens who wish to depart Egypt. This assistance is provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by U.S. law.)
- Understand that unrest in one location does not necessarily render the entire country a no-go zone. Operators should, however, monitor the most current and reliable sources for information.
Click here to view the entire story and get all of Beirman’s advice.
More Web sites with pertinent information for U.S. travelers in Egypt:
U.S. Embassy in Cairo
American Citizens Services Twitter Feed
State Department FAQ-Egypt
Convention Survey Responses Are In; Review, Analysis Begin
NTA has just wrapped up its survey to gather member input on expanding the NTA-UMA Convention to include participation from ABA. NTA members were asked to share comments on the benefits and the risks. Also, NTA asked members to identify other markets they would like us to explore as possible Convention partners. This keeps NTA on the path of consistently bringing new and diverse business to members.
We are now compiling and analyzing the results of the survey, and the initial review reveals mixed views, according to NTA Chairman Cathy Greteman.
"I appreciate the volume of input from our members," Greteman said. "While many of you support the further expansion of our NTA-UMA event to include ABA, others raised valid concerns and had many questions. And you gave us ideas for other markets you would like us to explore. We now have the task of reviewing everything, and we don’t take this responsibility lightly. We need to act in the best interest of our membership and the association overall."
The NTA Board also agreed that such a significant decision cannot be rushed. It took a number of years and multiple discussions with UMA to develop a show format for 2013 and beyond.
Using the member feedback from the survey as a foundation, the NTA Board is committed to responsibly exploring the financial feasibility, business opportunities and market conditions to determine whether it’s in the members’ best interests to include ABA in the event.
Scotland PDT: Castles, Highlands—and Nessie?
A group of 60 passengers sits at the edge of their padded seats in the heated saloon aboard the Royal Scot cruise—Scottish whiskey in one hand, binoculars in the other and a camera at the ready. To the right are the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, and to the left is the beautiful Urquhart Castle. Moving from one side of the boat to the other, the passengers don’t want to miss a view and are secretly hoping to get a glimpse of the mythical monster of Loch Ness.
This could be you aboard the Royal Scot—or better yet, your group of passengers. It’s just one of the experiences you’ll have on the Scotland Product Development Trip just days before Montage. And it’s just one of the reasons Scotland welcomed more than 300,000 visitors from North America in 2009.
Other facts about Scotland you (and your potential customers) may not know:
- Edinburgh was the second most-visited city in the U.K. in 2009.
- Scotland is about the same size as Maine.
- The country is surrounded by sea on three sides: to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by the North Sea. Its only land border is with England and runs just 60 miles.
- Scotland includes some 790 islands, of which some 130 are inhabited.
- Aberdeen to London is a four-hour train ride—similar to the drive time from New York City to Pittsburgh or Los Angeles to San Francisco.
- Scottish inventions include the television, telephone, videocassette recorder, finger printing, steam engine, bicycle, radar and penicillin.
- Culture lovers from around the world come to Edinburgh for its famous arts festival, which takes place annually in August.
- Dolly, the cloned sheep, was created by Scottish scientists.
NTA kicked off the year by bringing together the leadership committee chairmen and the NTA Board to review NTA’s strategic plan and discuss how the work of each committee or task force will support the association’s mission. This year leadership committees will focus on everything from commemorating NTA’s 60th anniversary and planning for our three Business Builders (Montage, Contact and Convention ’11) to finalizing NTA’s best practices program for operators.
The group met in Tampa in conjunction with the UMA Expo. Pictured are, seated, left to right: Jim Warren, board member and chair of the Canadian Task Force; Nick Calderazzo, NTA secretary/treasurer; Ed Hall, chair of the Best Practices Committee; Lisa Simon, NTA president; Cathy Greteman, NTA chairman and CEO; Jim Reddekopp, NTA vice chairman; Jennifer Sutcliffe, NTA DMO director; Greg Takehara, NTA director-at-large; Carolyn Boss, NTA supplier director; standing: Rob Maclin, NTA legal counsel; Cathleen Johnson, NTA director-at-large; Theresa Krieg, co-chair of the 60th Anniversary Task Force; Spike Herzig, co-chair of the 60th Anniversary Task Force; Pilar Laguana, chair of the China Task Force; Scott Hartcorn, chair of the Membership Structure Task Force; Bruce Beckham, executive director for Tourism Cares; Fred Dixon, NTA director-at-large; Olga Ramudo, chair of the Hispanic/Latino Development Task Force; George Cooley, chair of the Government Relations Committee; Laurie Lincoln, board member, Convention ’11 chair and chair of the Convention Committee; Greg Eckhart, NTA DMO director; Katey Pease, NTA director of member services; Paul Nakamoto, NTA supplier director; Jorge Cazenave, board member; Steve Richer, NTA public affairs advocate; David O’Gorman, Montage chair and chair of the Montage Committee; Anne Davis, board member; Karla DiNardo, NTA Services Inc. president; Catherine Prather, NTA senior vice president; and Lee Carter, NTA senior vice president.
Visit NTA Online for a complete listing of NTA’s 2011 Leadership Team.
Focus on 60 in February Courier
This year NTA is celebrating its 60th anniversary—60 years of influence, inspiration and strength. The February issue of Courier commemorates the birth of our association and subsequent key events with a feature story that captures 60 significant moments for NTA and its members across the years.
The issue also includes an update on travel for U.S. citizens to Cuba and stories on casinos and gaming; Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; British Columbia; Idaho; Montana; North Dakota; South Dakota; Wyoming; the Atlantic Coast region; and the U.S. Territories.
Advertisers in this issue: Angstrom Graphics, Buca Di Beppo, Capitol One, Maid of the Mist Corporation, Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau, Empire State Building Observatory, The Berkely Group (TPP)
Upcoming deadlines:
May Issue: Beach Destinations; National Parks; Wine and Culinary Tours; Iowa; Kansas; Missouri; Nebraska; Northwest Territories; Nunavut & Yukon; Chicago; Italy.
Ad Space: February 23
June Issue: STI; Soft & Hard Adventure; Ecotourism; Native American; First; Nations & Western Heritage; Maryland; Pennsylvania; Virginia ; Washington, DC; Hawaii; Gulf Coast (Ala., Fla., La., Miss., Texas); Latin America.
Ad Space: March 30
Editorial: March 7
July Issue: 2011 Annual Preview to Convention; 2011 Contact Issue; Faith-Based Travel; Zoos & Aquariums; Kentucky; Ohio; Tennessee; West Virginia; Southern California ; Boston; Germany; Switzerland & Austria.
Ad Space: April 27
Editorial: April 4
Please click here to view the 2011 Editorial Calendar.
8,000 Pairs of Eyes Searched for NTA Members. Did They See Your Profile?
Each month the NTA Online member search engine is used nearly 8,000 times. Is your profile standing out to these potential clients? Grab their attention by adding images and updating your company description.
Don’t know how? Join the upcoming Member Benefits Webinar, Wednesday, February 16, at 2 p.m. ET.
Open to all categories of members and highly recommended for new members (or new primary contacts in your company), the Webinar is led by NTA’s member relations team, who will show you how to maximize the use of your online profile as well as how to:
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Use NTA Online resources to promote your company (Partner2Partner, member profile, etc.).
- Navigate the NTA member search engine as a resource for product development.
- Use the tracking system.
- Expand your business through the NTA Business Builders.
There will also be an open Q&A section.
Contact Dana Deptola today to sign up and receive login instructions. Don’t miss this opportunity to take full advantage of your NTA benefits!
Get Key Research Delivered to Your Inbox
Subscribers to The Trend, NTA’s monthly research e-newsletter, received the first issue of 2011 in their inboxes last week. If you aren’t a subscriber, here’s a peek at what you’re missing:
- Buying Power of Emerging Demographics Reach $1.6 Trillion (Pinpointing the emerging markets.)
- Europeans Buying More Travel Online (Insights to ensure you’re reaching the market.)
- Spending Varies by Generation as Economy Recovers (A look at different demographics and how some attitudes have changed for the long term.)
If these articles seem interesting to you and the future of your business, they can be delivered to you as a subscriber to The Trend. It only costs $120 a year and you’ll have access to past issues, regardless of when you subscribe, so you won’t miss a thing. E-mail Lisa Thompson and make sure the February issue is in your inbox!
The Very Real Value of Selling at Montage
At last year’s Montage, buyers outnumbered sellers three to one, making it a great platform to promote a product. This year, sellers can take the product development trips with buyers, make appointments with buyers, see the sights of Scotland with buyers, participate in the educational sessions and enjoy the networking events with buyers. This is relationship-building at its best.
David O’Gorman, the Montage chair and a seller himself, says the business building at Montage is a big benefit to him:
"I’m a great believer in sowing the seed of the business by building relationships. Montage and the Scottish Expo participants will be networking each evening, plus the Montage participants are all staying at the same hotel-a lovely 19th century mansion on its own parkland about three miles outside of Aberdeen. I think this hotel will be a nice cozy spot where there will be good networking. I see the business opportunities.
"I’d nearly go anyplace where I think there are clients. And I think there are clients at Montage."
Sign up today to attend and/or sponsor Montage ’11 (April 12-14 in Aberdeen, Scotland) to talk, laugh, buy and sell with Montage attendees. The event is quickly approaching so contact Melisa-Beth Rooke for details!
PS: Since Montage is being held in conjunction with the VisitScotland Expo, you can also reach their buyers at joint events!
NTA Podcast: Global Realities That Impact Your Bottom Line
Wondering where the travel industry is headed during the next 10 years? Global business expert and professional speaker Tom Faranda took a few minutes with Courier Managing Editor Doug Rentz to discuss the forecasts he’ll divulge in his two-part seminar at Montage. ("I think they are going to be shocked at some of the things I’m going to tell them," Faranda said.)
During the Montage presentation, Faranda will show his audience how they can plan their own growth and profit strategy based on what’s coming in the decade ahead. To get a sense of his insights, listen to this six-minute podcast.
Join the Corporation for Travel Promotion Conference Call
The board of directors of the Corporation for Travel Promotion invites industry participation in their conference call on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. ET.
During this hourlong call, there will be an opportunity for participants to present questions and comments. The U.S. call-in number is (866) 232-9440; international callers can dial 1 (646) 216-4800. For all callers, the access code is 6030597#
If you are unable to participate, you can listen to a recording, available following the call at http://www.corporationfortravelpromotion.com/.
Have a Happy (Chinese) New Year at COTTM
The Chinese New Year kicks off next week. To commit to a prosperous path during the upcoming year of the rabbit, hop aboard the U.S. Pavilion at the China Outbound Travel Tourism Market, held April 13-15 in Beijing. It’s your chance to reach the 57 million Chinese tourists expected to travel abroad in 2011.
COTTM is the only business-to-business show in China dedicated to the China outbound travel and tourism industry. It’s a great opportunity to meet more than 3,000 selected Chinese outbound travel buyers in just three days.
By participating in the U.S. Pavilion, you can save $2,000 on the cost of going it alone. To sign up for one of a limited number of spaces—or to get more details—e-mail Ken Goode, NTA’s marketing and communications coordinator. (Ken can also explain how NTA can distribute your brochures at COTTM.)
Nine Steps for Increasing Group Sales
Chances are you’re already implementing at least one of the nine tips from TravelMarket Report’s Nick Verrastro. Chances are, also, that at least one of them will be new. They include ways to find new clients, manage and maximize your business with them, and multiply your success, such as
- Determine if existing clients belong to groups that are-or should be-traveling together.
- Supersize your group business through Webinars and value-add options.
- Don’t assemble your own group-use pre-existing ones.
- Never miss the opportunity to ask for more business.
For all nine tips, read the entire story here.
- Business travel spending is expected to advance by 5 percent in 2011, according to the latest Business Travel Quarterly Outlook.
- A Carlson Wagonlit Travel global survey indicates buyers will continue to focus on cost savings while balancing traveler experience.
- The Pegasus View gives global and North American data, showing that 2010 ended with strong growth for hotel bookings.
Tourism Cares seeks a talented Director of Development to lead the planning and implementation of a development plan that will carry the organization through a period of growth and expansion by rapidly increasing revenue and solidifying sustainability. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Board of Directors and the Development Committee, the Development Director will build a comprehensive development program encompassing major gifts, special fundraising events, annual fund and corporate/foundation support and will manage a portfolio of key prospects and donors. Qualified candidates will be seasoned fundraising leaders with a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience, a proven track record of raising significant gifts, an ability to motivate by example, experience working with boards and a commitment to Tourism Cares’ mission. Experienced, mission-driven development professionals are encouraged to apply.
Tourism Cares seeks a talented Marketing Director to lead the planning and implementation of a marketing plan that will carry the organization through a period of growth and expansion by enhancing our brand and increasing our base of support. We have a simple and powerful story to tell. Our Board of Directors is committed to expanding our programs, and we need an exceptional Marketing Director to help us achieve our goals, which include increasing international recognition of the brand. As a key member of the Management Team, this position is responsible for developing and implementing a marketing and communications strategy. This position reports to the Executive Director.
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