Latest Additions to NTA | New Blog Post | What Not to Wear
February 7, 2012
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TODAY’S ARTICLES
Make the Most of Mexico in March
New Blog Post: When Big Is Small
Latest Additions to NTA—Welcome!
Upcoming Webinars: International Forecasts, China and Cruising Safety
6 Types of Customers: Craft Your Pitch Accordingly
Tourism Cares for Pensacola: Sponsorships Available
What’s Special about Courier Magazine’s April Issue?
‘What Not to Wear’ When Traveling
Industry News and Updates
Make the Most of Mexico in March
Tianguis Turistico Mexico, the country’s largest tourism expo, is opening its doors 
and waiving registration fees for NTA tour operators. In addition, NTA buyers will receive discounted rates on air fare and accommodations. (Watch for more details in Tuesday.)
The March 25-28 event is in a new site, the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Centre. Previously, the event was held annually in Acapulco. Organizers anticipate that changing the location of Tianguis each year will lead to a significant increase in attendance and do more to promote all of Mexico’s destinations.
And there’s more: NTA tour operators are invited to arrive in Mexico early for a product development trip preceding Tianguis, March 21 through 24. (Again, more details are coming soon.)
New Blog Post: When Big Is Small
There’s a new post on NTA’s Do Big Things blog and it’s called "When Big is Small." In the quest for something big, finding the place to start is always a challenge. "When Big is Small" takes a look at that challenge and offers some pointers on accomplishing something big.
So check out the post and be sure to share your insights in the comments section!
The Do Big Things blog was created for one simple purpose: to help you do big things. Ideally, the blog will be a frequent stop for you—a place where you feel comfortable sharing your big things, your hopes and, especially, your successes with your fellow members. In addition to the camaraderie of working toward your individual goals with the help of your NTA peers, we plan to make this blog a resource for you to find inspiration and information to put to work in your business.
They say a goal is just a dream with a timeline. Use this site to share your goals/dreams with your industry peers, so we can do big things together.
Latest Additions to NTA—Welcome!
Take three DMOs, eight tour operators, 11 suppliers and two associates—what do you get? NTA’s new members for January. 
This collection of new members has a California flair: Five are from the Golden State. And two newbies are located almost completely opposite each other on the globe: in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and Zanzibar, Tanzania.
For a look at all the new members (and the potential new business they represent), visit the New Member page on NTA Online.
Upcoming Webinars: International Forecasts, China and Cruising Safety
Feb. 8: International Travel & Tourism Market 2012-2016 Forecast
Wednesday (tomorrow!) at noon ET, join an hour-long Webinar that gives a five-year forecast for U.S. inbound travel and tourism. The online session will help you develop your international marketing plan with a country-by-country forecast of the top 10 visitor origin markets (plus other select markets). Presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries and the Commercial Service Travel & Tourism Team, the Webinar costs US$50. Click here to register.
March 22: China Market Insights
Join Scott Johnson of Travel Market Insights and Dr. Robert Li of University of South Carolina’s School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management as they review the data presented during their seminar at Convention ’11 in Las Vegas. They will go over information highlighting total Chinese visitors to the United States and present custom research from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, the China Travel Trade Barometer and more. If you missed this session in Las Vegas, or if you’d like to see the data again with a few updates, please tune in! The hour-long Webinar is slated for March 22 at 2 p.m. ET. And it’s free! Just click here to register.
Another upcoming Webinar, presented by NTA with Norwegian Cruise Lines, will focus on cruising safety. Watch Tuesday for the date and time.
6 Types of Customers: Craft Your Pitch Accordingly
It might not always be fair to pigeon-hole people, but if it helps you deal with clients better, let’s bring in the pigeons.
"Inside the Mind of Your Buyers," an article by Jane Porter for Entrepreneur.com, examines a half-dozen ways that clients are motivated. When you figure out what moves the needle for a particular person, you increase your chances of closing the sale.
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The detail-oriented client needs all the facts. This buyer is well-informed and not necessarily interested in building a relationship.
- The unsure buyer doesn’t know what he wants. He needs you to ask questions and guide him toward the most appropriate solution to his needs.
- The relationship-minded client cares about making a connection. Put your interpersonal skills to work and show that you care about serving the individual, not just the account.
- The prestige-minded client cares about your other customers. It’s important to let her know that you have well-known, reputable clients doing business with you.
- A client focused on sure-fire service needs policies and promises. This buyer wants to know if you can guarantee tip-top service after the sale.
- The quick-close client needs to reach a conclusion fast. If you see indications of impatience, cut to the bottom line before he loses interest.
To get additional details on dealing with different client motivations, see the article.
Tourism Cares for Pensacola: Sponsorships Available
Your company can help support the Tourism Cares for Pensacola initiative by
becoming an event sponsor! There are a variety of ways to get involved.
- For a $250 donation, you can become a t-shirt sponsor and display your logo on the shirts worn by more than 350 volunteers. Show off your logo proudly while showing your commitment to preservation.
- You can also show off your support in style by becoming a merchandise sponsor—opportunities include everything from gloves to name badges to sunscreen.
- Other opportunities are available at varying levels.
If you are interested in supporting this program by becoming a sponsor, please e-mail Alyssa O’Driscoll, development manager for Tourism Cares.
What’s Special about Courier Magazine’s April Issue?
Here’s what’s special: April is the Contact ’12 issue, spotlighting host city San Diego, California! The April Courier also includes Mexico, the Caribbean, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Orleans, New York City, River Cruising and Historical Trails. If you are in any of these areas or organize these types of tours, contact NTA Services by e-mail or phone (859.264.6559) to learn how you can promote yourself in this must-read issue!
Space deadline is this Friday, Feb. 10, so contact NTA Services today!
‘What Not to Wear’ When Traveling
It’s one thing to watch a pair of TV fashionistas dismantle a stranger’s wardrobe on the TLC show "What Not to Wear." But when an expert gives advice about what’s in
your suitcase, you might want to take notice.
Frommer’s offers blunt advice about clothes and accessories that, while functional, are too funky for travel. The list of style stumbles includes fanny packs, all-white tennis shoes, full-out camouflage and studded accessories. See the slide show here.
While you might be hesitant to advise clients not to wear socks with sandals, this article is worth reading to keep yourself from being photographed for the next no-no slide show.
- U.S. outbound travel was down 2 percent from the previous year in October and November. Travel to North American markets (54 percent of all U.S. international outbound travel) dipped 6 percent, while U.S. travel to overseas markets rose 3 percent. For the first 11 months of 2011, 53.7 million U.S. citizens traveled outbound.
- Travel is more important for stimulating the economy and breaking down cultural barriers than the Internet, TV and movies, and political diplomacy, according to a study commissioned by Marriott International.
- Orlando International Airport became the seventh Florida airport allowed to offer flights to Cuba. Demand has increased since last year, with new U.S. policies allowing Americans to travel to Cuba through tours run by licensed educational, religious or cultural groups.
Click here for the Tuesday archive.
