Tuesday Newsletter – Aug. 25, 2009
August 25, 2009
Volume 29, Issue 34
Tuesday’s title sponsor is BusRates.com
Interested in advertising in Tuesday? E-mail Kelley Burchell at kelley.burchell@NTAstaff.com.
TODAY’S ARTICLES
500 Travel Buyers Expected at Convention ‘09
New York City Remarketer Tax Could Result in Fewer Hotel Bookings
Global Entry Program for International Tourists Expands to 20 Airports
Marketing Made Easy with NTA Membership Lists
Stay in the Know about H1N1
Tour Operators: Track and Win
Interested in Hosting an NTA Product Development Trip in 2010?
Update Your Profile and Win a $100 American Express Gift Card
September Courier Preview
Registration Open for NTA Product Development Trip to Mecklenburg
Tourism Cares Internship Awarded
Budgeting for 2010? Book Your Advertising Now and Save
500 Travel Buyers Expected at Convention ‘09
NTA is expecting more than 500 travel buyers to be in attendance at Convention ’09 in Reno, Nov. 14-18. To date, more than 300 NTA tour operators have registered to attend and more than 200 buyers are expected from the World Religious Travel Association.
Convention ’09 promises access to buyers who package inbound, outbound and North American travel in many niche markets. The industry’s most diverse group of tour operators will be in attendance in Reno for the best product development opportunities in the industry.
Suppliers and DMOs looking for a way to save even more dollars to reach these buyers can earn money towards registration by bringing non-member appointment-taking operators as a guest. For every operator that you bring to NTA’s guest program, you can earn US$500 toward your registration. If you bring two, you’ve nearly paid for your Convention registration. Don’t miss your chance to reach these 500 buyers. Click here for more information.
New York City Remarketer Tax Could Result in Fewer Hotel Bookings
NTA conducted a brief survey to determine how a new tax on remarketers of hotels sold in New York City would impact tour operators’ use of that city’s hotels. The new tax is scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 1.
The survey indicated that changes to the New York City occupancy tax will cause 80 percent of tour operator survey respondents to book fewer room nights in the city. These operators book an average of 432 room nights in New York City a year.
Based on survey participants, more than 17,000 room nights are likely to move elsewhere if the new tax takes effect. When these numbers are projected on the NTA membership as a whole, NTA tour operators could book more than 60,000 rooms fewer in New York City after the tax takes effect.
Global Entry Program for International Tourists Expands to 20 Airports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has expanded its international registered traveler program, known as Global Entry, from seven U.S. airports to 20, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The program uses fingerprint biometric technology to verify registered members to allow for the expedited clearance of U.S. citizens and pre-approved, low-risk travelers into the United States. Global Entry reduces average wait times by 70 percent, with more than 75 percent of travelers using Global Entry processed in under five minutes. To see a list of the 20 airports participating in the Global entry program, click here.
Global entry launched in June 2008 and, as of last month, approximately 20,000 individuals had applied for the program with 16,000 enrollees. Global Entry is currently open to citizens and nationals of the United States and lawful permanent residents of the United States. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement that links Global Entry with the Privium program in Amsterdam.
The Global Entry program is in no way related to other expedited passenger entry programs, including the recently discontinued Verified Identity Pass Clear program.
Marketing Made Easy with NTA Membership Lists
In the recent economic snapshot survey, NTA members mentioned that they would like access to downloadable membership lists. You’re in luck! You’ve always been able to use NTA Online to search for other NTA members and download information into an easy-to-use Excel database.
All NTA members have access to up-to-date member information through the association’s Web site. Using the online member searches, you can research and contact thousands of business partners. To begin, simply select either "Tour Operator Search" or "DMO/Tour Supplier Search" on the right-hand side of NTA Online. You will need to log in first using your e-mail address and password.
Once you have your search results, you can easily download them into an Excel database that you can save for your own use. You can even incorporate it into your own sales tools. Simply, select where it says "To download this list, click here" at the top of the page.
For more information on using the online member searches, please click here.
NTA is closely monitoring H1N1 and wants to help you give timely and accurate information to your customers. Staying abreast of the issue and communicating with travelers as openly and quickly as possible is essential in evolving situations like this.
To help you take a balanced approach in adequately and clearly informing clients of the latest information on H1N1, NTA has created an H1N1 Resource page on NTA Online. On this page, you will find information on the virus and links to additional resources to help you stay well prepared.
NTA is a member of the Tourism Emergency Response Network, a group of leading tourism associations that works for the common good of a single cause — to make travel and destinations safe for tourists.
Now, more than ever, NTA’s DMO members need tracking data to ensure that they are available to provide valuable services and information to all tour operators. NTA makes it easy through its online ROI/Tracking E-mail System. Operators can log on, select the member DMOs in areas they just visited and send their information. It’s really that easy.
To add a little fun, any operator who sends a tracking e-mail through the system between now and Oct. 31 will be eligible to win an up-front, reserved seat at the Theatre Direct Broadway.com/groups luncheon during Convention ’09 in Reno, Nevada. Operators receive an entry into the drawing each time they send an e-mail, so the more they help out their DMO colleagues, the more chances they’ll have to be near the stage for all of the fun and color of Broadway at this popular Convention event.
For questions about NTA’s ROI/Tracking E-mail System, contact NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson. Winners will be announced in the Nov. 3 issue of Tuesday.
Interested in Hosting an NTA Product Development Trip in 2010?
NTA is accepting proposals for 2010 Product Development Trips. These trips offer NTA member destinations a way to showcase themselves to serious tour operator buyers and offer them a firsthand look at the area. Tour operators reap the benefits of seeing the destination themselves, as well as exploring new product ideas and meeting with area tour suppliers.
To host a 2010 trip, please send a proposed itinerary with pricing details and registration capacity to NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson by Sept. 30. If you’d like to see a list of the Product Development Trips NTA has offered in the past, click here.
Update Your Profile and Win a $100 American Express Gift Card
Maintaining an updated member profile is a smart business practice and now it can help you earn extra money, too. Update your NTA profile between now and Sept. 15, and you will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 American Express gift card. A prize will be awarded to one tour operator, one tour supplier and one DMO member.
To update your profile, click here and follow these simple steps:
- Login by clicking the link in the blue box on the right side, then click "Update Your Profile" in the same box
- Review and update all defining characteristics for your company, then make sure to click "Save"
Once you have updated your profile, you must send an e-mail to questions@NTAstaff.com with "Updated Profile" in the subject line. After your e-mail is received, NTA will verify your profile has been updated and you will then be entered into the drawing.
Don’t forget to add your company logo and some images of your destination, attraction or tour product. For information on how to do that, check out this How To guide.
Making sure your profile is up-to-date is a smart way to prepare for better business at Convention ’09. Learn about other ways NTA is helping you work smarter by clicking here.
While the economy continues to provide challenges for travel companies, each NTA member featured in the sightseeing rail attractions story for the September issue of Courier mentioned that their numbers are up in 2009. The article details members’ efforts to add value to existing product, to seek out new markets and to link up with local partners to keep things on track. You can ready about NTA’s Partner2Partner program, a new online business-to-business tool that launches later this year through which you can research and initiate partnering possibilities 24/7. The September Courier also includes articles on ski resorts and destinations; museums; Germany, Switzerland and Austria; Alaska and Western Canada; the U.S. Southwest and Mexico; Georgia; Florida; North Carolina; and South Carolina.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
December Issue — Ad Space: Sept. 30; Editorial: Past
2009 Convention Coverage; The Rockies (Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming); Smoky Mountains (Asheville, North Carolina; Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee); Latin America; Alabama; Louisiana; Mississippi.
January 2010 Issue — Ad Space: Oct. 28; Editorial: Oct. 5
Sightseeing Cruises; Cruise Ships; Great Lakes Loop (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Ontario and Wisconsin); British Isles and Ireland; Alaska; California; Nevada; Oregon; Washington.
February 2010 Issue — Ad Space: Nov. 25; Editorial: Nov. 5
Casinos and Gaming; Atlantic Coast (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia); Caribbean; Alberta; Manitoba & Saskatchewan; British Columbia; Idaho; Montana; North Dakota; South Dakota; Wyoming.
American Express — The Berkely Group (TPP) — Callaway Gardens — Capital One Merchant Services — Empire State Building Observatory — Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau — John G. Shedd Aquarium — Metropolis at Metrotown — Myrtle Beach Area CVB — Oklahoma City CVB — Philadelphia Museum of Art — Pottruff and Smith — Roaring Camp Railroads — Visit Lubbock CVB
Click here to see the 2009 Editorial Calendar. Also, the 2010 Editorial Calendar is available as part of the NTA Media Kit, which you can view by clicking here.
Registration Open for NTA Product Development Trip to Mecklenburg
Register now for the unique opportunity to attend the American Tourism Society Conference, Oct. 26-29 and NTA Product Development Trip, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, in Mecklenburg, Germany.
This event marks two milestones — the 20th anniversary of the American Tourism Society and the 20th anniversary of the reunification of Germany.
By attending you can:
- Network with tour operators who package emerging destinations.
- Share your knowledge and expertise with local tourism professionals from the state of Mecklenburg Vorpommern and tourism and economics students from Greifswald University, Applied Science in Stralsund, Baltic College in Gustrow and the University of Rostock.
- Take part in the first international Tourism Cares event — tree planting in a newly designated Climate Forest especially designated for Tourism Cares.
The conference is followed by an NTA Product Development Trip that will showcase this incredible area and give you plenty of new product ideas. Visit the Conference Web site for pricing and to register.
Tourism Cares Internship Awarded
Tourism Cares is pleased to award the Mayflower Tours Patrick Murphy Internship to Rongkun Liu of Kunming, China. Liu, a student at American University’s School of International Service, is pursuing a master’s degree in Global Environmental Policy and will graduate in May 2010.
"Having been selected to receive the Mayflower Tours Patrick Murphy Internship from Tourism Cares provides me with the opportunity to further my future endeavors in the field of sustainable tourism," Liu said.
Liu’s preliminary interest in tourism and hospitality industry developed as he travelled across China observing the effects tourism has had on the country’s diverse areas. As a result, he became fascinated with the concept of sustainability. In five years, he aspires to be working for an international organization promoting responsible tourism practices.
NTA Convention delegates will have the opportunity to meet Liu and other tourism and hospitality students like him through the Tourism Cares Experience the Industry student program in Reno! If you are interested in mentoring a Tourism Cares scholarship recipient at the 2009 Convention, please email Lisa Schmiemann.
Budgeting for 2010? Book Your Advertising Now and Save
With many in the midst of the budgeting process or just getting ready to begin setting 2010 advertising plans, NTA offers you a way to book now and save. There are a variety of great marketing resources available to your company throughout the year to help you brand your company to NTA’s experienced tour operators.
Book your 2010 advertisements by Sept. 15 and lock-in at the 2009 rates. Click here to view all the opportunities available to your company for 2010. To receive your customized proposal and your 2009 rate quotes, contact your account executive at 800.682.8886, ext. 4241 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4241.