Tuesday Newsletter – Aug. 4, 2009
August 4, 2009
Volume 29, Issue 31
Tuesday’s title sponsor is BusRates.com
Interested in advertising in Tuesday? E-mail Kelley Burchell at kelley.burchell@NTAstaff.com.
TODAY’S ARTICLES
Sign Up for Saturday Sightseeing in Reno
NTA Transmits Updated China Inbound Program Approved List
NTA’s Think Tank Releases Two New White Papers
Call for U.S. Legislative Action on United Airlines Credit Policy
Convention First-timer Webinar is Tomorrow; All Members Welcome
Audio from New Convention Format Webinars Available Online
Take Advantage of NTA’s Consumer Promotion Messaging
Save the Date for the 2010 Grassroots Symposium
U.S. and Canada Chambers Offer "Shared Border" Report
Reaching the Consumer of Tomorrow
Tourism Cares Announces Worldwide Grants
Receive Stage Time at Convention ’09
NTA Job Center: Tourism Cares
Sign Up for Saturday Sightseeing in Reno
You are invited to explore Reno, Nevada, and the surrounding area by choosing one of five unique tours that will take place on Saturday during Convention ’09.
This year’s choices will take delegates to some of the following towns and attractions:
- Step back in time in Virginia City
- Visit the new Reno Aces AAA Ballpark and the National Automobile Museum
- Explore "The Biggest Little City in the World" from historic Reno to present day
- Take a walk back to the 1800s in Carson City, Nevada’s state capitol
- Travel to the north shore of Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley for wine tasting and beautiful scenery
Tours are offered on a complimentary, first-received, first-registered basis, so sign-up now. The deadline to register is Oct. 14.
For a complete description of the sightseeing tours and to get registered, click here.
NTA Transmits Updated China Inbound Program Approved List
On July 28, NTA sent an updated list of China Inbound Program-approved tour operators to the U.S. Department of Commerce. These 165 tour operators have satisfied NTA’s criteria to receive Chinese leisure groups under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the U.S and China in December 2007.
NTA has several ways for you to reach Chinese travel agents and consumers:
- The China Group Leisure Directory features approved tour operator listings and promotional opportunities for suppliers and destinations
- NTA will have a booth at the China International Travel Market Nov. 19-22 in Kunming, China. Interested suppliers and destinations can have brochures at the NTA booth for distribution to Chinese agents and consumers for a fee
- NTA will host the U.S. Pavilion at the China Outbound Travel Tourism Market next April 28-30 in Beijing. For information on how you can participate click here
For questions on the China Inbound Program and other China-related marketing opportunities, contact NTA Director of Industry and Government Relations Matt Grayson at 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4250.
NTA’s Think Tank Releases Two New White Papers
NTA’s Think Tank has released two new white papers and the first, titled "Marketing in a Down Economy: Doing More with Less," offers ideas for navigating these difficult financial times. The second is a continuation of the "Future of Tourism" paper released in late 2008 and focuses on the issue of sustainability and tourism.
To download these white papers and many more, click here. Because this kind of research and intelligence is a member benefit, you will need to sign-in to NTAonline.com using your e-mail address and password. If you need your log-in information, contact NTA at questions@NTAstaff.com.
Call for U.S. Legislative Action on United Airlines Credit Policy
You’ve been hearing a lot lately about United Airlines’ proposed change in its credit policy, and now you have a chance to make your voice heard. Contact your members of Congress through NTA’s Legislative Action Center and urge them to push for congressional hearings on the issue this fall.
The proposed change in United Airlines’ credit policy, which was scheduled to go into effect July 20, was delayed at least 60 days due to industry and congressional pressure. The policy will make small travel agents unable to use merchant accounts and will shift credit card fees to travel agents. If agents cannot use merchant accounts, charges owed to consumers as a result of cancellation of flights or service disputes will be the responsibility of the agent instead of United Airlines.
Please contact NTA Director of Industry and Government Relations Matt Grayson at 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4250 if you have any questions.
Convention First-timer Webinar is Tomorrow; All Members Welcome
Everyone wants to hit the jackpot the first time they pull the slot machine. Now is your chance to get that big win by learning how to maximize your first visit to the NTA Convention. NTA will conduct two Webinars about Convention ’09, the first of which will take place tomorrow, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m. (ET). These Webinars are geared to introduce Convention ’09 to first-time attendees but also offer a great refresher for any member.
During the Webinars, you will learn how to research and prepare your list of Tour & Travel Exchange requests, find out how to navigate the online appointment request system and hear about the enhancements to this year’s event, which takes place in Reno, Nevada, from Nov. 14 to 18. Both sessions will conclude with a question-and-answer period.
Contact NTA Manager of Member Relations Lori Rempe with any questions or click here to RSVP for tomorrow’s session.
Audio from New Convention Format Webinars Available Online
If you weren’t able to attend the Webinars on the new Convention format in July, you can listen to the sessions at NTAonline.com at your convenience. Click here to listen to these two sessions (one for tour suppliers/DMOs and the other for tour operators) which included a Q&A, explained the new format and offered tips on how to make the most of your Convention experience.
If you find you still have questions at the end of the presentation, contact NTA Headquarters. Also, if you aren’t registered to join your NTA colleagues in Reno, Nevada, visit the Convention Web site and register today.
Take Advantage of NTA’s Consumer Promotion Messaging
Earlier this year NTA created a new consumer outreach campaign around the "Live Life…Travel!" theme to promote travel and tourism as well as the value of tour operators. To help NTA tour operators spread this message in their hometowns and to their clients, NTA has created a toolkit with templates for a news release, letterhead and logo graphic.
Another way NTA is helping to promote this message is through an exclusive relationship with "The Early Show" and CBS which allows NTA tour operators and receptive operators, as well as area members such as hotels, to get their clients on "The Early Show." Participants can be part of the live audience and then get a look at the backstage area.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer, please complete an audience participation/backstage tour form.
The Live Life message appeared for more than three months on the CBS "Super Screen" in New York’s Times Square and it is also being promoted on NTA’s special consumer Web site, http://www.travelNTA.com/, where travelers can search for NTA tour operators and learn more about packaged travel.
Save the Date for the 2010 Grassroots Symposium
Mark your calendars to attend the 2010 NTA Grassroots Symposium, Feb. 8-10, in Washington, D.C. This annual event gives you an opportunity to meet one-on-one with congressional leaders so you discuss the issues that affect your business and the industry overall.
Attending a Grassroots Symposium is something you won’t forget and an experience you’ll come back for year after year, just like Melissa McKee of Collette Vacations, who said, "I attended the Grassroots Symposium for the first time last February but it won’t be my last! The opportunity to visit with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of travel to the U.S. economy was a rewarding, enlightening experience — both personally and professionally. I now closely follow the status of issues like the Travel Promotion Act and lifting the ban on travel to Cuba."
Watch for more information on the 2010 symposium in Tuesday in the coming weeks. To view photos from last year’s event click here then select "2009 NTA Grassroots Symposium" under "Select a Tour."
U.S. and Canada Chambers Offer "Shared Border" Report
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with 47 business associations from both countries, issued a report titled "Finding the Balance: Shared Border of the Future." The joint report offers specific recommendations to reduce border costs in the short-term while increasing security at the border and competitiveness of all industries.
The recommendations for both governments to act on within the next 18 months include:
- Streamlining border wait times
- Implementing trusted shipper programs to enhance supply chain security without imposing a one-size-fits-all regulatory burden on businesses
- Enacting the NEXUS program to expedite clearance for 1 million low-risk travelers
- Offering pre-clearance of goods and people beyond the currently defined border area
- Providing funding for a single, electronic filing system
The two counties have the largest bilateral trade partnership in the world, with $1.6 billion in two-way trade and 300,000 travelers crossing the border on a daily basis. More than 10 million jobs rely on this partnership, including 7.1 million jobs in the U.S. and 3 million jobs in Canada and 37 of the 50 U.S. states count Canada as their largest export market.
To download a free copy of the report click here.
Reaching the Consumer of Tomorrow
Have you wondered if the economic downturn that started in late 2008 will cause permanent changes to consumer behaviors, particularly when it comes to travel? Are you ready for the new consumer of tomorrow?
PhoCusWright recently released a new Consumer Travel Study that looks at the new behavioral trends the recession has created and whether they’ll stay around for some time. Some top-line findings from the survey are in this month’s issue of The Trend, NTA’s research newsletter.
Subscribing to The Trend is affordable. For only $10 a month ($120 for the year), you will have access to information that can help you grow your business, better understand your client’s needs, target new customers and much more. Don’t worry that you’ve missed a few issues; subscribers receive a link each month to archives of The Trend so you won’t skip a beat. To subscribe, e-mail NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson today.
Tourism Cares Announces Worldwide Grants
Tourism Cares awarded $45,000 in grants to six non-profit organizations as part of its Worldwide Grant Program for summer 2009. With dollar-for-dollar matching funds available to nearly all recipients, a total of $87,500 will be presented to the organizations for efforts containing a combination of projects on voluntourism, sustainable tourism, and conservation and interpretation at cultural and heritage sites.
Grant recipients include:
- American Hiking Society, Silver Spring, Maryland for the U. S. National Parks
- Backbeat Foundation Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana
- Friends of Khmer Culture Inc., Norfolk, Connecticut for Cambodia
- Jamestown S’Klallam Association, Sequim, Washington
- Let’s Go Africa Foundation, Maryland for Ghana
- Pompey’s Pillar Historical Association, Worden, Montana
"As part of its mission, Tourism Cares has long been an advocate of conservation and preservation as a means to engage in responsible tourism," said Bruce Beckham, executive director of Tourism Cares. "The worthy recipients of the Tourism Cares Worldwide Grants this summer have demonstrated similar goals."
For more information on grant recipients and projects click here.
Receive Stage Time at Convention ’09
In these tough economic times, you may be wondering how you can get the most out of NTA’s Convention ’09, November 14-18, in Reno, Nevada. Sponsoring a meal function at Convention is ideal for those targeting specific markets and tour operators.
Sponsorship provides a unique opportunity to stand out from your competitors at a major industry event. With an expected 400 NTA buyers plus an anticipated 200 World Religious Travel Association buyers in Reno, sponsors can get in front of key industry professionals.
Sponsors are promoted in numerous ways but most importantly, they are able to showcase their offerings to everyone at the function and address the crowd. For many members, co-sponsorship of a meal function is an even more desirable option, given its premium exposure and affordability.
Sponsorships are sold on first-come, first served basis, so act now! Contact NTA Vice President of Sales Karla DiNardo at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4232. For additional information on available sponsorships and benefits, click here.
NTA Job Center: Tourism Cares
Event Coordinator
Tourism Cares, the official philanthropy of NTA, is accepting applications for the full-time position of Event Coordinator in its Canton, (south suburban Boston) Massachusetts, headquarters. The successful candidate will possess superior organization and communication skills, both verbal and written, proficiency in MSOffice (Excel, Word and Outlook) and the ability to multi-task with exceptional attention to detail. This friendly and enthusiastic person will work in concert with the Tourism Cares event team to ensure the smooth operation of all fundraising and give-back events. A significant amount of travel is required. The desire to work closely with a group of highly motivated and dedicated staff members is a must. A detailed job description will be furnished upon request. Please submit resumes to info@tourismcares.org.