Tuesday Newsletter – Jan. 5, 2010
January 5, 2010
Volume 30, Issue 1
Tuesday’s title sponsor is Ripley’s New York
Interested in advertising in Tuesday? E-mail Kelley Burchell at kelley.burchell@NTAstaff.com.
TODAY’S ARTICLES
MONTAGE Memo #3: Learn/Aprender
Update on Flight Regulations and Guidelines
Reach the Packaged Travel Consumer Online
Make a Difference at NTA’s Grassroots Symposium
Advertise in the Membership Directory by Jan. 30 and Save
Offset Carbon Footprint Using NTA’s Carbon Calculator
Cathy Greteman Speaks at China Leisure Travel Summit
Four New Categories of Consumers and More
NTA’s New Member Mall: See How it Benefits You
Tourism Cares Chooses Angel Island for Volunteer Site
Cruising and MONTAGE Featured in January Courier
What’s New in Travel News
MONTAGE Memo #3: Learn/Aprender
Attend MONTAGE and become immersed in Spanish culture- learn the language, experience a siesta and taste the cuisine.
The best way to learn about a culture is through experience and MONTAGE creates that opportunity. For those who have not traveled to this part of the world, or who are less familiar with Spanish customs, here are some observations and suggestions for fitting in with the locals.
- Use utensils to eat most food—even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork.
- When introduced, shake hands. Many men use a two-handed shake where the left hand is placed on the right forearm of the other person.
- Female friends kiss each other on both cheeks, starting with the left.
- Trust and personal relationships are the cornerstone of business.
- The North American symbol for OK is considered vulgar in Spain.
- Many Spanish businesses will close down between 2 and 5 p.m. for a siesta, and then finish their work day at 8 or 9 p.m.
With no restrictions on attendance, MONTAGE is a great outlet for reaching NTA operators as well as new domestic and international buyers. For exposure throughout the entire event, become a MONTAGE sponsor and receive a variety of sponsor benefits including complimentary registration fees and sponsor promotions before, during and after the event. Click here to learn how your company can attend, exhibit and/or sponsor at MONTAGE or contact Melisa-Beth Rooke at +1.859.219.3549 for more details. Sponsorships are sold on a first-come, first-served basis so call today!
For more links and tips to learning to Spanish culture, click here.
No restrictions on attendance. No Boundaries to Selling. That’s MONTAGE. Register today.
Update on Flight Regulations and Guidelines
In light of the Dec. 25 incident on a U.S.-bound flight, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration is mandating that every individual flying into the United States from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening effective Jan. 4. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.
In addition, the Canadian government has banned all carry-on bags for passengers traveling to the U.S. because new screening requirements are causing excessive delays. Only exceptions are purses, cameras, coats, laptops, musical instruments, medical devices and items for baby care.
Regarding domestic U.S. flights, the TSA Web site states, "(U.S. airports) have the ability to quickly implement additional screening measures, including explosive-detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures both seen and unseen. Passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport." At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same and do not need to do anything differently. Additional security measures may be noticed at the airport.
Click here for further information from TSA about airline security regulations.
Reach the Packaged Travel Consumer Online
NTA has teamed up with Ruba.com to offer our operator members an effective and affordable option for reaching the packaged travel consumer online. NTA tour operators benefit from having a free opportunity to increase their exposure on a highly visible consumer Web site.
Sign up today at http://www.ruba.com/ and click on the "join" link in the upper right corner. Then, click on the "tour operator tab" in the pop-up window and follow the instructions.
Please note: We encourage tour operators who sign up Ruba to let NTA know so that we can link their account to NTA Online and make sure an NTA logo appears on their Ruba profile.
For more information about Ruba and to read more about the benefits Ruba offers NTA tour operators, click here.
Make a Difference at NTA’s Grassroots Symposium
You can help affect change and make a positive impact with your participation in the NTA Grassroots Symposium, Feb. 8-10, 2010, in Washington, D.C.To learn more about attending the Grassroots Symposium, click here. Last year’s attendees visited not only with their state’s members of Congress, but also met with members and staff of the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House, the House Majority Leader, the House Tourism Caucus Co-Chairs and many chairs and ranking members of both House and Senate committees and subcommittees.
Don’t stop there—sponsor at this event and you’ll not only have the opportunity to promote your product to those in attendance, but NTA will cover your registration fees. Plus, sponsoring at this event is a perfect way to reach NTA members early in 2010!
Click here to learn more or contact Karla DiNardo, NTA vice president of sales and sponsorship, at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4232.
Advertise in the Membership Directory by Jan. 30 and Save
With a new year comes a new edition of the NTA Membership Directory and using this resource makes it so easy to put members first. This annual directory, containing valuable, easy-to-access contact information of all your NTA member colleagues, will be published in June 2010. There is no better way to showcase your company year-round in front of so many travel professionals than with this reference guide. According to an NTA survey, 87 percent of tour operators use the NTA Membership Directory in their day-to-day job researching company contact information and itinerary planning.
As a valuable NTA member, your company automatically receives a complimentary listing in this directory; however, you have the option of choosing to upgrade your membership listing and/or purchase display ad space. Enhanced listings include your company’s four-color logo and information.
The space deadline for advertising in the Membership Directory is March 1, but if you book space by Jan. 30, you can lock-in the 2009 rates for the 2010 edition. Contact your advertising representative at 800.682.8886, ext. 4241 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4241 for further sizing and pricing information
Offset Carbon Footprint Using NTA’s Carbon Calculator
NTA and Sustainable Travel International have teamed to bring members a tool to offset their company’s or organization’s carbon emissions. Use the new Carbon Calculator on NTAonline.com to offset your company’s travels, your everyday business practices or even offer the opportunity to customers.
The Carbon Calculator Webinar that was held Dec. 3, 2009, is now online. In this instructional Webinar, Ted Martens with Sustainable Travel International, an NTA strategic partner, discusses global climate change, the role of carbon offsetting and carbon management and how to use NTA’s new Carbon Calculator. Find out how a Carbon Calculator works and the many benefits for your company and the world. To listen to the audio and follow along visually, click on the PowerPoint presentation then open the mp3 file.
Cathy Greteman Speaks at China Leisure Travel Summit
NTA Chairman and CEO Cathy Greteman spoke on the current state of Chinese inbound travel to the United States during the China Leisure Travel Summit in Beijing, China held Dec. 10-11, 2009.
Cathy spoke about the Memorandum of Understanding signed between China and the United States as well as the MOU between China and Canada. She also spoke on the China Inbound program that was created by NTA in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce and China. "Never before have Chinese leisure travelers been able to travel so freely within our borders," said Greteman in her letter about the trip in the January issue of Courier magazine.
The China Leisure Travel Summit, organized by Noppen, was attended by international senior executives, top-level Chinese government officials, chief strategy officers and leading tourism directors. The event’s focus was on providing an exclusive B2B platform for international outbound travel service providers and Chinese travel agencies.
Four New Categories of Consumers and More
Has the recession of 2009 changed today’s consumer? Subscribers to the The Trend, NTA’s research-based e-newsletter, learned about four new categories of consumers created by the recession and their characteristics. They are Steadfast Frugalists, Involuntary Penny-Pinchers, Pragmatic Spenders and Apathetic Materialists.
Would you like information on consumers and the industry to help you make the knowledge-based decisions you need to grow your company delivered to your inbox each month? Subscribe now to The Trend.
The Trend is extremely 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 customer’s needs, target new customers and much more. Now is a great time to subscribe as the first issue of 2010 won’t be delivered until the end of the month! Subscribers also receive a link each month to archives of The Trend so you can have quick access to a year’s worth of research and information anytime. To subscribe, e-mail Lisa Thompson today or select The Trend on your dues renewal.
NTA’s New Member Mall: See How it Benefits You
Check out NTA’s Member Mall when you do your online shopping at all your favorite stores. When you shop a store using a link on NTA’s Web site, NTA receives a commission from your sale and all you had to do was shop!
The links go to stores like Wal-Mart and iTunes, to name a few. If you have a favorite store that isn’t listed, let NTA know and we’ll try to include it. When you click to a store using the NTA Member Mall, NTA receives a commission on all of your purchases. NTA can then use that money to further fund programs and services for members. E-mail NTA if you have any questions and shop on!
Tourism Cares Chooses Angel Island for Volunteer Site
Tourism Cares, NTA’s official philanthropy, has chosen a site of historic significance in San Francisco Bay as its 8th Annual Tourism Cares for America volunteer project. Angel Island is located in the heart of San Francisco Bay and is referred to as "the Ellis Island of the West Coast." The annual volunteer event will take place Friday, June 11. More information will be sent to NTA members and will be available at both NTAonline.com and tourismcares.org soon. To learn more about Angel Island, click here.
Cruising and MONTAGE Featured in January Courier
Cruising and NTA’s upcoming MONTAGE event in Seville, Spain, are in the spotlight in the first issue of Courier for 2010. Articles on the rich history of the British Isles and Ireland as well as tour options in North America’s Great Lakes Region kick off the destination section in the January issue, which also includes pieces on Alaska, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. In the business section, MONTAGE Chair Larry Friedman shares his thoughts on why he’s excited about this international event while other articles focus on social media and how you can help fight global climate change.
Advertisers in this issue:
American Express OPEN — Buca Di Beppo Restaurants — Pottruff and Smith Insurance Brokers Inc. — The Berkely Group (TPP) — Casa Loma — Pensacola CVB — Maid of the Mist — Tulalip Resort Casino and Spa — USS Midway Museum
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
April Issue– Ad Space: Jan 27; Editorial: Past
Historic Homes; Gardens; New York City; Antebellum South (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina & Tennessee); France; Arkansas; Mexico; Oklahoma; Texas.
May Issue– Ad Space: Feb 24; Editorial: Feb 4
2010 Annual Preview to Convention; Beach Destinations; Wine & Culinary Tours; Canyonlands (Colorado, Grand Canyon, Nevada, Sedona & Utah); India; Iowa; Kansas; Missouri; Nebraska; Northwest Territories; Nunavut & Yukon.
June Issue– Ad Space: April 1; Editorial: March 8
Native American; First Nations; Western Heritage; Chicago; Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi & Texas); Australia & New Zealand; Maryland; Washington, DC; Pennsylvania; Virginia; Hawaii.
Please click here to view the 2010 Editorial Calendar online
Here’s a look at recent research, statistics and news that may apply to you and your business:
- According to a NYC & Co. press release, New York City was the most popular tourist destination in the United States for the first time since 1990. A 3.2 percent increase in tourism, with an estimated 46.7 million visitors, is expected in 2010.
- British Airways released a list of its projected top 10 destinations for 2010. Click here to see the list and why each is predicted.
- Click here to read about France’s new hotel star ratings.
The links in this article are not monitored by NTA staff. Any bad links, expired pages, etc. are due to the constantly changing nature of Web sites.