Tuesday Newsletter – Jan. 13, 2009
January 13, 2009
Volume 29, Issue 2
Tuesday’s title sponsor is ITS Design & Printing
Interested in advertising in Tuesday? E-mail Kelley Burchell at kelley.burchell@NTAstaff.com.
TODAY’S ARTICLES
Check out the New NTAonline.com
Inauguration 2009: Important Information for Motorcoach Operators
Stay Current on Travel Documents and Processes
Grassroots Symposium: A New Day for the Voice of Travel and Tourism
Webinar on Modified Convention Format is Jan. 20
NTA Travel Event in Guam is Postponed
Savannah to Host First 2009 NTA Road Show
New Year’s Resolution … Send Tracking Data
January Courier Features Full Redesign
Become a Tourism Caretaker
Special Offer Can Help You Reach Religious Travel Buyers
NTA Job Center: The Grand Canyon Railway
Check out the New NTAonline.com
Notice something different? Your association Web site has new look to go along with an impressive list of enhancements and cool tools. NTA worked with industry leader simpleview, inc., to create a new virtual gathering place for you that provides the association and industry information you need to grow your business and keep current with the industry. It may take several hours for the new site to propagate throughout the world, so don’t be alarmed if you are seeing the old site today.
"The redesigned NTA Web site is the result of many members’ input, and that fact alone is what makes this site so great," said NTA Chairman and CEO Michele Michalewicz, CTP. "NTA listened to members’ needs, looked at industry trends and worked with an award-winning Web development company to create a relevant and useful member tool. The members will appreciate the fresh design of the site with photos that really give it a community feel, along with new tools that make the site easy to use and applicable to their business and product development needs."
One of the more distinctive and user-friendly aspects of the new site is a progressive menu and navigation system designed for NTA by simpleview. Intuitive drop-down boxes include thumbnail images and brief descriptions to direct visitors around the site with fewer clicks of the mouse. For a brief list of some of the other enhancements, click here.
Helping to develop the site were members who served on the Selling NTA Product Online, No Holds Barred Think Tank and Member Information committees in 2008, as well as NTA members who gave feedback about the site both at the 2007 and 2008 Annual Conventions and through surveys and focus groups.
Inauguration 2009: Important Information for Motorcoach Operators
As Washington, D.C., is preparing to welcome visitors for the upcoming Presidential Inauguration, Destination DC has compiled information about how to navigate the city, what permits must be obtained to travel and park within the city and other helpful details.
For example, all motorcoach drivers who plan to travel to D.C. during Inauguration Week, January 17-21, must obtain a Trip Permit from the District Department of Motor Vehicles. The deadline to apply for permits and parking is Jan. 15. For more information, visit http://inauguration.dc.gov/bus.asp.
For these and other details, please click here, and to see a map showing where you can park in the city click here.
Stay Current on Travel Documents and Processes
Many changes and updates have taken effect recently that impact U.S. travel regulations and document requirements for both international and American travelers. Here is a look at three programs affecting travel to and from the United States:
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization: As of yesterday, residents of the 35 Visa Waiver Program countries visiting the United States are required to obtain a travel authorization through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States. To do this, international travelers must complete and submit biographical information via an online form (essentially an electronic I-94) to DHS officials who will review it and either approve or deny the request. An FAQ document as well as fact sheets in nine languages offer more information on ESTA.
- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: The final portion of WHTI, which requires U.S. citizens to present one government-approved document to re-enter the United States at land and sea borders, will take effect June 1, 2009. The two main government-approved documents that may be used for re-entry are the U.S. Passport Book and the new U.S. Passport Card. The Passport Card is cheaper ($45 for adults and $35 for children under 16 vs. $100 for adults and $85 for children for the Passport Book), but only the Passport Book is a valid form of ID if you are flying back to the U.S.
- US-VISIT Program Biometric Collection: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security expanded the categories of non-U.S. citizens that are required to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph at air, sea or land entry points to the United States regardless of their country of origin or whether they have a visa. Click here to see the new categories of travelers that are affected.
Grassroots Symposium: A New Day for the Voice of Travel and Tourism
You can help implement change on Capitol Hill and take part in the first call on the 111th Congress by signing up for the 9th Annual NTA Grassroots Symposium.
At the event, which will take place Feb. 25-27 in Washington, D.C., you can meet with Congressional leaders and federal officials to help these decision-makers understand the importance of travel issues. An important aspect of the Symposium and Hill visits will be championing support for the soon-to-be-released recommendations from the Dec. 16 Economic Summit of Travel and Tourism Sector.
However, don’t stop there. You also can be an event sponsor, which will not only allow you to promote your product to those in attendance, but let’s you attend the Symposium for free. Plus sponsoring at this event is a perfect way to reach NTA members early in 2009.
To learn more about sponsoring the event, contact NTA Vice President of Sales Karla DiNardo at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4232.
Webinar on Modified Convention Format is Jan. 20
NTA will host a second Webinar on the format modification for future Annual Conventions next Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. (ET). Members participating in the Webinar will hear details of the proposed format and have an opportunity to offer feedback and ask questions.
You can sign up to take part in the session by submitting this form. Once you fill out the form, you will be directed to the Vovici Web site and then a screen will pop up with information on accessing the Webinar that you need to print out. If you do not receive this information, please e-mail Andrea Richardson.
NTA Travel Event in Guam is Postponed
NTA had planned to conduct an event in Guam in April 2009 for the U.S. inbound market from China. Due to several factors, the NTA Executive Committee has decided to postpone this event until 2010.
Factors such as the large number of existing trade shows that have a China focus (particularly in the March-April timeframe), the current economic situation and the need to more heavily promote the event to Chinese travel agents, helped NTA decide to undertake more education on the China market and build more recognition of the NTA China Inbound Program in China before conducting this show.
Also, NTA announced the Guam event in late 2008, so NTA members didn’t have the opportunity to build the costs into their budgets. As the 2010 dates are confirmed, NTA will share this information, and members are encouraged to be aware of this event when budgeting for 2010.
However, NTA is organizing a U.S. pavilion the 2009 China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market event, which would allow you a place to connect with Chinese travel professionals. This show, which will take place in Beijing April 22-24, is 100 percent business-to-business and was attended by more than 400 hosted buyers in 2008. If you would like more information on being part of the U.S. pavilion, please contact NTA Director of Industry and Government Relations Matt Grayson.
Savannah to Host First 2009 NTA Road Show
Last year’s NTA Road Shows were a big hit. In nine cities, hundreds of members and prospective members came together to share ideas, learn more about NTA programs and events and to ask questions of their association peers and leaders.
NTA will be continuing this popular series of Road Shows in 2009, starting in Savannah, Georgia, Feb. 4, at The Mulberry Inn. The program will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by a reception at 5:30. If you have any questions regarding the Savannah Road Show, or want to reserve your spot, contact NTA Director of Membership Development Christina Horsley by Jan. 23.
Several more Road Shows are planned this year. Watch upcoming issues of Tuesday for dates and sites of future Road Shows.
New Year’s Resolution … Send Tracking Data
The new year is two weeks old and while you are still wrestling with your resolutions, NTA would like to add one to your list if you are a tour operator. The new ROI/Tracking E-mail System makes it faster and easier than ever before to let your DMO colleagues know that you and your customers have visited their area.
With the simple click of a few buttons, you can send invaluable tracking information to your NTA colleagues that will ensure that they can continue providing incredible services to you. If you attach an itinerary or just type an e-mail to let them know how many nights you were in their destination, you’ll have done more to help than you can ever know.
If you have questions about using the ROI/Tracking E-mail System, or would like someone to walk you though the process, contact NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson for a quick tutorial.
January Courier Features Full Redesign
In addition to launching its new Web site today, NTA also debuted a redesigned Courier magazine this month. Not only did the January Courier receive a fresh coat of paint from front to back, it also is divided into three distinct sections that mirror the NTA membership experience: business, community and compass (destination information). You’ll also notice the the cover photo is utilized throughout the new Web site. Click here to see the digital version of the new-look Courier.
Beside including the same content as the printed edition, the online version contains expanded functions such as a detailed key word search engine. There is an option allowing you to download a PDF of the issue, a section including archives of past issues and pull-down menus showing the table of contents and a list of advertisers. Additionally, all advertisements are linked to company Web sites.
Show your commitment and support of the industry you love by becoming a Tourism Caretaker. For a $25 donation, you can assist Tourism Cares in its efforts to conserve natural resources, preserve national treasures, restore tourism sites at volunteer restoration events, provide grants to non-profits groups and award scholarships for students pursuing degrees in tourism.
As a Tourism Caretaker, you will receive a Tourism Cares lapel pin, a personalized newsletter and can use the Tourism Cares logo on your business card. Visit the Tourism Cares Web site for more information.
Special Offer Can Help You Reach Religious Travel Buyers
NTA and the World Religious Travel Association have recently formed an alliance, which can give you access to thousands of travel buyers that are part of the emerging religious travel market. These leading associations can help you reach the faith-based audience through a pair of new advertising opportunities:
- WRTA will be publishing an annual Buyers Guide in March 2009 that will be distributed to 10,000 travel agents, tour operators, religious travel planners and church organizations.
- NTA will include an article on religious travel the July 2009 issue of Courier magazine.
If you purchase any sized ad in the Buyers Guide or Courier, you automatically will receive half off the cost of any sized ad in the other publications. Bookings must confirmed by Jan. 20 in order to qualify for this discount, so contact Kami Risk at 800.682.8886, ext. 4402 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4402 to reserve your space or for more information.
NTA Job Center: The Grand Canyon Railway
Midwest Regional Sales & Marketing Manager
The Grand Canyon Railway, located in Williams, Arizona, is accepting applications for a full-time position of Midwest Regional Sales & Marketing Manager headquartered in the Midwest. The property includes the Railway, a 298-room hotel, a restaurant and offers tours and accommodations inside Grand Canyon National Park.
The successful candidate will be responsible for actively generating sales revenue according to plan targets; managing customer and professional relationships; and servicing accounts prospective customers in the assigned sales territory on behalf of the Grand Canyon Railway. This is a home-based position requires traveling 30-40 percent of the time.
A detailed job description can be found at www.hcareers.com/ (search for Northern AZ, hotel/resort, management). Applicants need to submit a resumé and a completed Xanterra Parks & Resorts application which can be found at www.thetrain.com.