Tuesday Newsletter – Jan. 27, 2009
January 27, 2009
Volume 29, Issue 4
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
NTA and UMA Exploring Co-locating Their Conventions
Updates on Three Items Regarding NTA’s China Initiatives
NTA Announces New Corporate Partner, FedEx
NTA Bylaw Amendment Vote Results
One Week Left to Join Best of Britain Product Development Trip
Tips to Help You Reach the Millennial Generation
Help Preserve the Travel Experience through Tourism Cares
Stay in the Know with The Trend
Two Weeks Remain to Get Special Rate on Membership Directory Advertising
February Courier Preview
NTA Job Center: The Grand Canyon Railway
NTA Job Center: Las Cruces CVB
NTA and UMA Exploring Co-locating Their Conventions
NTA and the United Motorcoach Association announced a cooperative effort to explore co-locating their two annual conferences, the UMA Motorcoach Expo and the NTA Annual Convention, some time in the next three to five years. The exploration is part of NTA’s ongoing effort to build alliances and foster collaboration in the industry as a way to bring more partners to the table and impact your business.
This announcement comes a year after the two organizations formed a strategic partnership and took a more active role in each other’s annual conventions. NTA currently hosts the Destination and Attractions aisle at UMA Motorcoach Expo, while UMA reciprocates by sponsoring the motorcoach exhibit area during NTA’s Convention. Over the coming months the two organizations will continue to explore the details of co-locating, even though the combined event could be a few years off.
"NTA is continually focused on developing new business opportunities for our members," said NTA Chairman and CEO Michele Michalewicz, CTP. "During this stressed economic climate, it makes sense to explore this because it will save members money and bring you better value and better business. Just as you will have access to faith-based travel partners when NTA begins co-locating with the WRTA in Reno this fall, you could have access to hundreds of new motorcoach operators if NTA and UMA meet at the same time."
Updates on Three Items Regarding NTA’s China Initiatives
There has been a lot going on lately for NTA as it continues to work with members to help them get involved with and learn more about the Chinese inbound travel market to the United States. Here are updates on three efforts:
- As part of the NTA China Inbound Program, your association is responsible for compiling an approved tour operator list and sending it to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Last week the latest version of the list was transmitted, and it included 177 companies that have attested to certain criteria enabling them to handle leisure groups coming to the United States from the People’s Republic of China. To see the updated list, click here.
- A Webinar for tour operators who are on the approved list and others interested in the China market will be held Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 5 p.m. Pacific time (8 p.m. ET). The session, which is hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service, will provide a market briefing, consumer preference information, visa information and more. Registration will open soon, and more information is available if you click here.
- NTA will have a pavilion at the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market, which takes place April 22-24 in Beijing. Conveniently located near China’s outbound tour operators, NTA’s pavilion will get you exposure to 400 hosted Chinese buyers. Space is limited, and a 4 square meter booth in the pavilion is $2,500. For more information on being part of the pavilion, contact NTA Director of Industry and Government Relations Matt Grayson.
NTA Announces New Corporate Partner, FedEx
NTA is happy to add another corporate partner as a benefit of membership, FedEx. The shipping company, known for its reliable and cost-effective services around the world, is offering savings of up to 26 percent on select FedEx® shipping services. There are no costs and no minimum shipping requirements to take advantage of this great member benefit.
Through the partnership members can save:
- Up to 26 percent on select FedEx Express® services
- Up to 20 percent on select FedEx Express international services
- Up to 12 percent on select FedEx Ground® services
- Up to 10 percent on select FedEx Home Delivery® services
To enroll in the program, please click here and enter passcode 8S877C, or call 800-MEMBERS (800.636.2377) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET), Monday to Friday.
This program is presently available for NTA members located within the United States. NTA anticipates the launch of its FedEx program for Canadian members this fall. For more information on NTA’s Corporate Partner program, please contact Karla DiNardo.
NTA Bylaw Amendment Vote Results
Balloting for the proposed bylaw amendment that would have created a shared membership opportunity for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations concluded Friday and the measure was defeated. Of the 168 votes received, 104 were in favor of the amendment, but the vote needed the required 2/3 majority of those voting to pass.
One Week Left to Join Best of Britain Product Development Trip
Feb. 2 is the deadline to sign up for NTA’s first Product Development Trip of 2009, which will showcase the Best of Britain. The trip, which will be hosted by VisitBritain and partners, takes place March 22-29 and includes stops in Scotland, the English countryside of Canterbury and London.
In London, participants will take part in the Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum where they will have one-on-one appointments with key British suppliers, networking, entertainment and more. This trip is open to one person per company and the $200 registration fee includes round-trip airfare to/from U.S. to Britain from a gateway city to be announced soon, hotel accommodation, most meals, registration fees, internal transport and registration for the Trade Forum.
Additional details on the trip, including registration information, is available if you click here. Also, NTA has two other Product Development Trips scheduled for 2009, one for Idaho in September and another for Mecklenberg, Germany, in October (held in conjunction with the American Tourism Society conference).
Tips to Help You Reach the Millennial Generation
(NOTE – The following article is the first of a two-part series on engaging employees. This information is taken from "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist, 800.227.3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com/. The "Herman Trend Alert" is a trademark of The Herman Group of Companies, Inc.)
Recently JobFox.com conducted a poll of recruiters with predictable results: Millennials (28 or younger) were judged to be the least effective performers of the four generations in the U.S. workplace. Twenty percent of the responders characterized Millennials as "generally great performers," compared to 63 percent who said baby boomers (43 to 62 years old) were great performers and 58 percent who gave high marks to Gen Xers (29 to 42).
Jobfox CEO Rob McGovern believes that corporate leaders, not Millennial professionals, "need attitude adjustments." Certainly, the Millennials are the most educated and technologically savvy generation ever and he said once companies understand them and choose to make an effort to engage them, they are a very impressive group of workers. The poll points to there being four major motivators for Millennials:
- The most sought-after motivator is balance. Millennials do not embrace the value of the Boomer-created 9-to-5 work week and they work best when they can set their own hours.
- They want to be on the leading edge. Millennials understand that technology is changing rapidly, and companies that do not provide new learning experiences will see this generation seeking jobs elsewhere.
- They do not want to be treated as "junior" anything. Millennials want to begin contributing right away, and companies must do a better job of helping younger workers see how their work relates to the bottom line.
- Millennials are looking for stability, especially now. Companies will find Millennial workers to be loyal team players as long as they can balance work and life goals, gain new learning opportunities and feel like they are supporting company goals.
Help Preserve the Travel Experience through Tourism Cares
Imagine if the wonderful sites that your groups want to visit began to disappear. What if the very reasons why they travel … to see, to do, to experience new people and places … were gone?
It is up to people in the travel industry to take steps to ensure that the reasons why people travel will be there for future generations, and that is why NTA has joined forces with its official philanthropy, Tourism Cares, to create a worldwide initiative called Save Our Sites. Tour operators can get involved by showing a short video on the motorcoach during their tours that outlines the program. Then, the travelers are invited to make a contribution to Save Our Sites by donating as little as the change in their pockets.
By participating in the SOS program, tour operators show their commitment to the future and have the opportunity to educate and engage passengers by encouraging them to get involved in making a difference. Additional details on the Save Our Sites program, including registration information, is available if you click here.
Stay in the Know with The Trend
In economic times like these, knowing what is happening in the market and with your customers is the key to making good business decisions. NTA’s monthly research newsletter, The Trend, can help you stay informed about what’s going on with consumers and travel.
The Trend offers the kind of research and insights that your company can use to its advantage. Want to know what the latest trends are among baby boomers? What niche markets are poised for growth in the coming year? What can you offer that will set your company apart from others?
The information found in The Trend can help you answer those questions and more. Plus, having the best and most current research on what today’s and tomorrow’s consumers want can help you with developing money-making products and successful marketing strategies.
You can subscribe to this e-newsletter for only $10 per month ($120 for the year). And, don’t worry if you’ve missed an issue or two, because subscribers have a link to archives of The Trend. To subscribe, e-mail Sandy Stansfield, CTP, NTA’s research analyst.
Two Weeks Remain to Get Special Rate on Membership Directory Advertising
There is no better way to put your company in front of tourism professionals all year long than through advertising in the NTA Membership Directory. According to an NTA survey, 84 percent of tour operator members use this valuable reference guide to look up company contact information and for itinerary planning.
All NTA member companies receive a complimentary listing in the 500-page directory, but you have the option of choosing to upgrade your membership listing and/or purchasing ad space within the directory, which will be distributed this June. Purchasing an enhanced listing will include adding your company’s color logo as well as highlighting and bolding your contact information.
If you reserve your space by Feb. 6, you can lock-in at the 2008 rates. Call 800.682.8886, ext. 4241 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4241 or e-mail advertising@NTAstaff.com for more information.
The February issue of Courier features the debut of a three-part series from economist Dr. Peter Tarlow. With the economic conditions demanding attention from all travel companies, Tarlow will focus on tour suppliers this month before turning the spotlight on tour operators in March and destinations in his April article. Tarlow spoke to a full house during the 2008 NTA Convention and will be one of the seminar speakers at the 2009 Tour Operator Spring Meet.
This month’s edition also includes a couple of things you’ll see in each 2009 issue: a profile on one of NTA’s industry partners and a story with product development information on destinations beyond North America. For February, the World Religious Travel Association and Africa are featured. Additional destination stories in this issue cover the Atlantic Coast; Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan; British Columbia; Idaho; Montana; North Dakota; South Dakota; and Wyoming.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
May Issue Ad Space: Feb. 25; Editorial: Past 2009 Tour Operator Spring Meet; Beach Destinations; Wine and Culinary Tours; Canyonlands (Colorado, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Sedona and Utah); Asia; Iowa; Kansas; Missouri; Nebraska; and Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.
June Issue Ad Space: March 25; Editorial: Feb. 4
Native American, First Nations and Western Heritage; Chicago; Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas); South Pacific; Maryland; Pennsylvania; Virginia; and Washington, D.C.
July Issue Ad Space: April 29; Editorial: March 4
Zoos and Aquariums; Faith-based Travel; Coastal California and Baja; Classic New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont); Eastern Europe; Kentucky; Ohio; Tennessee; and West Virginia.
The Berkely Group (TPP) — Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn/Universal City — Blue Man Group — Capital One — Cherokee Casino & Resort — Cheyenne Area CVB — Empire State Building Observatory — Foxwoods Resort Casino — Georgia Department of Tourism — Holiday Inn PCMR — Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis — Metropolis at Metrotown — Norfolk CVB — North Dakota Tourism Division — Philadelphia CVB — Rapid City CVB — Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa — Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort — Tulalip Resort & Casino
Click here for more information on the 2009 Editorial Calendar.
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.
NTA Job Center: Las Cruces CVB
Tourism Sales Manager
Person will promote Las Cruces as a visitor destination to individuals and tour groups in order to generate Lodger’s Tax and Gross Receipts Tax to the community. The equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism is preferred, or related field plus three (3) years of sales experience in a CVB, hotel, or directly-related field. A combination of education, experience and training may be applied. Compensation will be $19.18 to $28.77 per hour ($39,888.93 to $59,833.39 annually). For complete job description and to apply, click here. Only applications submitted online can be accepted.
Additional questions should be directed to:
Anna Maya, Las Cruces CVB
211 N. Water Street
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575.541.2444 (phone)
575.541.2167 (alt. phone)
575.541.2164 (fax)
annam@las-cruces.org
http://www.lascrucescvb.org