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New! Market Focus | Tour Operators: Win a $500 Delta Flight Voucher

June 26, 2012

Volume 32, Issue 26

Rezopia
  
 

Interested in advertising in Tuesday? E-mail Karla DiNardo.

TODAY’S ARTICLES
New! Market Focus
Tour Operators: Win a $500 Delta Flight Voucher
NTA Stands with Brand USA
Save up to 20% on Office Supplies and Services
July Courier by the Numbers
An Invitation to Cruise the Mediterranean
U.S. Enters Trusted Traveler Agreement with Korea
Explore Exotic Morocco during October PDT
August Courier: Only One Day Left to be Part of this Fabulous Issue!
Tourism Cares Announces Scholarship Recipient
Two Areas with Travel Conditions to Monitor
Industry News and Updates


New! Market Focus  

Welcome to Tuesday’s newest feature! NTA members represent markets that are Focusdiverse and specialized, and our goal is to help build your business, expand your markets, share ideas and innovations, and develop relationships with each other. Each week we’ll connect you to articles about specific industry segments to inform and inspire you. Beneath each article title is a link to the NTA member to contact for more information.

Adventure Tourism

Kentucky Launches Zipline Trail
NTA member to contact: Kentucky Dept. of Travel and Tourism

The Calling Card of Tourism Pays Off in the Mountains
NTA member to contact:  North Carolina Division of Tourism Film and Sports Development

The New Face of Grand Junction Tourism
NTA member to contact: Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau

Jordan Conference: How can destinations seize the opportunities afforded by rapidly changing market conditions?
NTA member to contact: Jordan Tourism Board of North America

Agritourism

N.J. Agritourism Helps Farmer’s Cover Costs
NTA member to contact: New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism

Partnerships Needed to Grow Agritourism
NTA member to contact: Washington Tourism Alliance

Culinary Tourism

Exploring Mississippi’s Culinary Trails
NTA member to contact: Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division

Positioning Montreal as an international gastronomic destination
NTA member to contact: Tourisme Montreal

Tourism Richmond Reveals Identity of "Richmond Foodie Blogger"
NTA member to contact: Tourism Richmond

Faith-based Tourism

Globus Study Sees Solid Growth in Religious Market
NTA member to contact: Globus

Do you have a news story or educational article about your organization’s involvement in a key industry market? If so, send your story for possible republication to Kevin Wright, NTA’s director of growth markets.

And join our discussions on Linkedin.com: NTA’s Faith-based Tourism Network gives you the opportunity to:

  • Meet and connect with industry colleagues involved in faith tourism.
  • Develop relationships and facilitate business interactions.
  • Exchange articles, strategies, insights, trends and ideas meaningful to the marketplace.
  • Build a coalition of faith tourism leaders, members and delegates.

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Tour Operators: Win a $500 Delta Flight Voucher 

We’re giving away a $500 Delta flight voucher to one lucky tour operator! Simply register for Contact ’12 by June 29 (that’s this Friday!) and you’ll be entered into the drawing for your chance to win!

As the only tour operator retreat in the industry, Contact is that rare event that lets you get together with your friends, peers and partners to:

  • develop your knowledge in a focused way
  • trot out ideas for feedback
  • share in the successes and challenges of people who walk in your shoes every day and
  • have a great and unforgettable weekend!

Once you’ve registered for Contact, be sure to sign up for the pre- and post-Contact Fam tours. These tours will take you through some of the most picturesque and vibrant places in Southern California. The deadline to sign up for the Fam tours is this Sunday, July 1!  

"Contact is where I learn how to keep my business
prepared to thrive in this fast-changing market."

—Nick Calderazzo, Twin Travel Concepts

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NTA Stands with Brand USA 

NTA President Lisa Simon contacted Caroline Beteta following Beteta’s appointment as interim CEO of Brand USA on Friday. Jim Evans, who served as CEO during Brand USA’s first year, resigned last week. Simon offered NTA’s full support to Brand USA during the upcoming transition.

Under Evans’ leadership, Brand USA established partnerships with more than 250 industry organizations, including NTA. Our association is collaborating with Brand USA to present the Discover America Pavilion at the China International Travel Mart in Shanghai this November. See the article in Travel Market Report for more details about Beteta and Brand USA.

Last month Brand USA launched the nation’s first unified marketing campaign, promoting the United States as a premier travel destination. In an NTA release, Simon called on industry colleagues to help Brand USA raise cash and in-kind investments: "Brand USA is working to bring international travelers back to the United States, and it’s critical for all of us in the travel and tourism industry to support the organization."

During the Grassroots Congressional Travel Summit in May, Joel Secundy, vice president of strategic outreach for Brand USA, briefed attendees on the organization’s global marketing campaign.

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Save up to 20% on Office Supplies and Services  

Imagine getting everything you need for your office in one place and with a discount! By signing up for NTA’s Corporate Partner Program with Staples, you now can. NTA members receive exclusive benefits on an extensive selection ofstaples 2011 logo products and services including:

  • 10 to 20 percent off all office solutions
  • access to more than 30,000 items
  • free next-day delivery
  • environmentally conscious products
  • facility maintenance supplies
  • coffee and break room supplies
  • computer and technology supplies, furniture and more!

And through the Staples Advantage program, ordering online is easy. Sign up and start using your discounts today! To join the program, contact Brian Morin by e-mail, phone (603.223.2091) or fax (603.223.2517). You’ll get access to StaplesLink.com, where you’ll be able to order supplies from your computer anytime.

For more information on NTA’s Corporate Partner benefits, click here.

"The NTA program with Staples is a great member benefit. It has saved us money on supplies and products. It also saves us time by ordering online and having the products delivered right to our office door. We have always purchased our products from Staples. Now we get savings and convenience too … a great program."
—Ed Dresel, Destinations Unlimited, NTA member since 1989 

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July Courier by the Numbers 

Have you noticed the more information you try to digest, the harder it is to remember what you’ve just read? (Did you have to go back and read that sentence twice?) The6.29.12Courier July issue of Courier contains plenty of details on NTA events-two that are coming up and a pair that just passed-as well as destination features and a look at top faith-based experiences. Here’s a quick overview of some of the great NTA-member travel product that graces the pages of your July Courier:

10 reasons why we love Orlando (site of Travel Exchange 2013) and you will, too, page 20

9 sacred sites in NTA-member destinations, page 48

8 great buildings for faith-based itineraries, page 45

7 lesser-known gems around San Diego-the site of Contact, next month’s NTA Business Builder, page 27

6 reasons to package Slovakia according to the NTA tour operators who recently participated in the Discover Slovakia Product Development Trip in May, page 60

5 NTA members providing harbor cruises in coastal California, page 28

4 handpicked attractions in Huntington, West Virginia, page 40

3 festivals in Bavaria oriented around food and drink, page 26

2 seasonal events at Louisville, Kentucky’s historical Galt House hotel, page 32

1 great association for professionals serving travelers to, from and within North America, page 6 

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An Invitation to Cruise the Mediterranean 

Thanks to a special invitation from Norwegian Cruise Line, NTA tour operators have the opportunity to experience Freestyle Cruising firsthand.

The Norwegian Jade Seminar at Sea is a Mediterranean cruise out of Venice, Italy-from Saturday, Aug. 25, to Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012. The deeply discounted rates for this special offer, based on double occupancy, include all taxes and gratuities:

  • Balcony Cabin: US$862.66
  • Oceanview Cabin: US$757.66

"We recognize that tour operators play an integral part in helping us fill our new ships," said Jodi Danyluk, Norwegian’s program manager for emerging markets. "We want to give them an opportunity to experience what they can sell to their customers."

Click here for the cruise schedule and registration information.

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U.S. Enters Trusted Traveler Agreement with Korea 

South Korea recently became the third country, joining the Netherlands and Canada, to enter into a reciprocal agreement with the United States for each nation’s trusted traveler programs: the U.S. Global Entry program and Korea Smart Entry Service.

Both programs allow expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Available at 25 U.S. international airports, Global Entry streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travelers through biometric identification. It reduces average wait times by 70 percent, with more than 75 percent of travelers using Global Entry processed in under five minutes.

The Global Entry program became a permanent initiative in January when President Obama signed an executive order outlining new initiatives to increase travel and tourism in the United States while encouraging job creation.

In 2011, Korea was the eighth-largest international visitor to the United States. Read more about this market in the July issue of Courier.  For more information on Global Entry, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site.

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Explore Exotic Morocco during October PDT 

"Exotic Land of Morocco" is the next NTA Montage product development trip, set for Oct. 20–30, 2012. The trip, hosted by Hospitality Marketing Services, will explore the culture and mystique of this northwestern African nation. Get details from the itinerary.

5.15.12MoroccoAttendees begin their journey with a tour of Casablanca, the famous port city that sits along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Following a tour of the nation’s capital, Rabat, the group moves on to Fes for a tour of this ancient city known as "the Athens of Africa."

Next up is a scenic drive into the High Atlas Mountains for a look at the natural beauty of the Moroccan countryside around Efroud and Ouarzazate, including spectacular kasbahs, canyons and valleys. Participants will spend the next few days experiencing Marrakech and its many attractions, landmarks, outdoor markets and legendary cuisine, and then they’ll return to Casablanca for their flights home.

The cost for the PDT trip is $1,595 (double occupancy) or $1,795 (single occupancy), which includes roundtrip air from New York’s JFK International Airport to Casablanca; participants are responsible for their own airfare to JFK. For participants who book their own air, land-only packages are available for $999 (double) and $1,299 (single). The price for spouses is an extra $250. This PDT requires the participation of at least 15 passengers. To get started, download this form or contact Lauren Ashley Pope, events manager at NTA.

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August Courier: Only One Day Left to be Part of this Fabulous Issue! 

The deadline to reserve your space in the August issue of Courier magazine (sent to NTA’s 1,500 tour operators) is here, and we don’t want you to miss out! Some of the topics covered include Greece & Turkey, the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia, Oregon, Washington), Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Theaters & Broadway Shows.

To reserve your space, contact NTA Services by e-mail or call 859.264.6559 today to be included. We look forward to hearing from you! 

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Tourism Cares Announces Scholarship Recipient  

Tourism Cares is proud to announce the winner of the Euphoria Scholarship for Tourism Excellence, Qihui Ng. An international student from Singapore, Ng isNg TourismCares attending the New York University’s Preston Robert Tisch Center, pursuing a Master’s of Science in Tourism. Her achievements in working with the Singapore Tourism Board, as well as her academic excellence and enthusiasm for the tourism industry, contributed to her receiving the award.

  "I feel honored to receive this academic scholarship," said Ng. "With my degree, I look forward to assisting my future employer, Singapore Tourism Board, in preserving tourism sites of significance and enhancing future tourists’ experiences in Singapore."

The Tourism Cares Euphoria Scholarship was offered for the first time in 2012 at the request of the late Sarah Graham Mann, a longtime faculty member at the Tisch Center and a consultant in the early years of Tourism Cares.

Each year, Tourism Cares awards more than $60,000 in scholarships to students in the United States and Canada who are studying travel, tourism and hospitality. If you would like to contribute to this program for students such as Ng, follow this link.

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Two Areas with Travel Conditions to Monitor 

Travel in some parts of the Western United States is being disrupted by wildfires. Chelsy Murphy, public relations manager for the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, offers advice for her destination.

"A handful of area attractions are closed temporarily, and solely as a precaution, but 95 percent of regional attractions are open and operating as usual," Murphy said. "While travelers may have to slightly alter their plans in the short term, Colorado Springs and the surrounding region have plenty to offer groups."

Updates for the Colorado Springs area can be found here. Operators can check with other destinations as necessary.

In Florida, it’s the rains. Downpours and flooding from Tropical Storm Debby have been troublesome for residents and tourists in some areas of Florida. You can check this page on weather.com for updates.

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Industry News and Updates

  • AAA predicts high traffic volume for the American Independence Day holiday travel period. The group’s projected 42.3 million travelers represent a 4.9 percent increase over last year and a 42 percent increase from 2009.
  • With nearly 15 million travelers, outbound U.S. travel is up 5 percent over last year through April. Leading markets for U.S travel overseas is Europe (15 percent of total U.S. outbound), Caribbean (13 percent) and Asia (8 percent).
  • This week is the final week for negotiations in the U.S. Congress on a new transportation spending bill. NTA favors a long-term plan, but a failure to compromise will likely lead Congress to a tenth short-term extension of a previous bill.

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