Tuesday Newsletter – March 11, 2008
March 11, 2008
Tuesday Newsletter March 11, 2008
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This issue of Tuesday is sponsored by Off Square Theatre Company — where the majestic and magic meet! Offering live professional theatre year-round in the heart of Jackson Hole Wyoming in the magnificent Tetons. Let us complete your adventure in the Tetons. Off Square loves groups and provides special group discounts. Visit us online at www.offsquare.org or call 307.733.3021. |
| Interested in becoming a Tuesday sponsor? E-mail Karla DiNardo at karla.dinardo@NTAstaff.com. | |
Volume 28, Issue 10
NTA EVENTS
Evening Events Expand Opportunity at Spring Meet
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Deadline to Get on Inaugural NTA China Inbound Program List is March 14
Additional China Resources Available at NTAonline.com
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Last Call for Spring Meet Silent Auction Items
INDUSTRY NEWS
Listening Sessions on Grand Canyon Access Issues to be Held This Week
MEMBER BENEFITS
Make the Choice Now to Enroll in NTA’s CTP Program
Share Your Tracking Success Stories
Asia Pacific Business Conference Coming up April 7-8
Tourism Cares Awards Winter Grants
NTA Helps You Get Coverage
Network and Give Back at Tourism Cares for New Orleans
June Courier Includes Gulf Coast, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Virginia
NTA EVENTS
Evening Events Expand Opportunity at Spring Meet
The evening events during the 2008 NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet at Mohegan Sun will allow NTA attendees to explore the area and network with colleagues. The Icebreaker kicks off the socializing April 2, and the event will take place at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, which houses a 3D theater, a virtual deep sea diving experience, a fluorescent coral exhibit and much more.
For 2008, the evening hospitality and networking suites will have a new look. The site of the April 3 hospitality suite, sponsored by Wyndham Hotel Group, is Leffingwell’s Martini Bar. Friday night, delegates can stop by the Ultra 88 Night Club for the suite sponsored by Gaylord Hotels. Be sure to take advantage of these networking opportunities.
Also, don’t miss your chance to catch up with your colleagues at dine-around on April 3. Visit the Mohegan Sun Web site, to view the available dining options, then go ahead and make your reservation by calling 888.226.7711.
Registration will remain open until March 31. If you have additional questions regarding Spring Meet, contact your Member Services Team at 800.682.8886 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4444.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Deadline to Get on Inaugural NTA China Inbound Program List is March 14
Just a reminder that the first list of approved tour operators for the NTA China Inbound Program is scheduled to be transmitted to the Chinese National Tourism Administration March 14. If you miss this deadline, it simply means that your contact information will be given to CNTA at a later date.
NTA is currently awaiting word from CNTA on a few questions that will impact the approved list, so there is a possibility that the first list won’t be sent until March 21. To meet this deadline, NTA needs your materials by the close of business on March 19. You will be kept apprised of any new developments regarding the transmission of the list.
Interested companies are urged to fill out an application right away so the initial list can be as complete as possible. If you have any questions regarding the program, contact NTA Director of Industry and Government Relations Matt Grayson at 800.682.8886, ext. 4250 (U.S. and Canada) or 859.226.4250.
Additional China Resources Available at NTAonline.com
As part of the NTA China Inbound Program, your association wants to help keep you informed about the Chinese market. To do this, a list of resources has been posted on a newly created China Resources page at NTAonline.com.
The page includes information on trade shows, such as the upcoming China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market, which will be held April 14-16 in Beijing. It also features resources from the U.S. Commercial Service, information on upcoming educational sessions on the China outbound market, helpful articles and statistical data and links to Web sites where you learn more regarding China.
The China Resources page will be updated periodically, and if you have an item that would be a good addition to the page, please e-mail it to NTA Communications Specialist Pat Henderson.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Last Call for Spring Meet Silent Auction Items
NTA’s advocacy efforts annually receive a boost thanks to the Government Relations Silent Auction during Spring Meet. You can aid this effort by donating an item or travel package, the proceeds of which will go to support NTA’s Government Issues Fund and TourPAC.
The Government Issues Fund helps the industry work on travel-related issues with national governments. It supports association advocacy efforts, the annual Grassroots Symposium (to be held June 24-26), the legislative tracking service and the Travel Council for Fair Competition, as well as funding NTA’s work on the tour director issue.
To donate a tour package or item, please e-mail NTA Director of Government and Industry Relations Matt Grayson.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Listening Sessions on Grand Canyon Access Issues to be Held This Week
A pair of public listening sessions are scheduled this Wednesday and Thursday regarding the environmental assessment survey and transportation plan for the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, which were made available Feb. 15. The first session takes place March 12 at the Grand Canyon Squire Inn – Best Western in Tusayan, Ariz., from 5 to 8 p.m., and the other one will be held the following day at the Coconino National Forest Supervisors Office in Flagstaff, Ariz., from 5 to 8 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to come at any time during the meetings to visit informational stations and speak with NPS representatives in this informal setting.
The assessment and plan are aimed at addressing the most pressing traffic, parking and visitor access issues in Grand Canyon Village through 2020. The public comment period is open for 30 days, continuing through March 19, 2008. The electronic comment document, along with more information on the plan, is available at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/trans.htm.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Make the Choice Now to Enroll in NTA’s CTP Program
Whether you want to boost your standing with your industry colleagues, better understand the packaged travel business or take advantage of a new opportunity for personal and professional growth, enrolling in NTA’s Certified Tour Professional program may be your answer.
NTA’s newly updated CTP curriculum goes to the core of what industry professionals need to stay on top. Designed in collaboration with Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the input of more than 100 NTA members, the three core CTP courses focus on:
The new CTP program also was designed with adult learners in mind so that certification is easy to obtain in a year. The course work can be done on your own time on Temple’s Blackboard system, where all the materials you need to earn your CTP can be accessed. Additionally, NTA will offer courses at the Tour Operator Spring Meet and Annual Convention.
To learn more about NTA’s CTP program, click here or please contact Andrea Richardson. We hope you’re a part of the 2008 graduating class!
Share Your Tracking Success Stories
NTA’s 2008 Tracking Task Force is continuing the work of addressing the tracking/return on investment issue. To that end, the group has developed a way members can learn from each other.
Everyone has various success stories – large and small – with tracking and ROI, so the Tracking Task Force is asking members to pass along their "best ideas" on this topic to NTA Vice President of Marketing Lisa Thompson by Friday, March 14. Thompson will then compile the submissions into one collection of ideas that can be shared with all members.
Seeing what other members have done regarding this issue can often help others develop new and better tracking programs. And, you don’t have to share numbers or results, just the methodology utilized. The task force believes that sharing your knowledge on this issue will be a huge benefit to all NTA members.
Asia Pacific Business Conference Coming up April 7-8
The Asia Pacific Business Outlook Conference is the longest running, most successful regional conference of its kind focusing specifically on Asian markets. This year’s event, which takes place April 7-8, will be hosted by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles with the full support of the U.S. Commercial Service.
The conference annually makes a difference for U.S. exporters, and has become the premier U.S. commercial trade event focusing on the Asia Pacific region. It is a rare opportunity for U.S. exporters to meet with 14 Senior Commercial Officers at one venue. The SCOs from American embassies, consulates and institutes in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam will speak in small-group workshops and be available for private one-on-one consultations with conference participants.
Additionally, delegates can assess challenges in the marketplace, understand how to capitalize on the latest free trade agreements, hone in on the best market opportunities and find out how the U.S. Commercial Service can help you identify new business partners.
Early registration for the event has been extended through March 17 at the $775 rate; after that it goes up to $925. For more information visit the event Web site, http://www.apbo2008.com/ or contact U.S. Commercial Service Asia Pacific Team Leader Jeff Hamilton by calling 801.255.1872.
Tourism Cares Awards Winter Grants
Tourism Cares awarded $90,000 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations as part of its Worldwide Grant Program for winter 2008. With matching funds available to the majority of recipients, a total of $180,000 will be presented to the organizations for projects varying from brick-and-mortar improvements to conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives.
This season’s grant recipients represented programs from around the world, including one in China and a pair in Ecuador – one on the mainland and one in the Galapagos Islands. "Across the globe, the Tourism Cares grants support the protection and enhancement of these precious, cultural landmarks," said Bruce Beckham, executive director of Tourism Cares.
Here is the full list of winter 2008 grant recipients:
- Aid to Artisans, Hartford, Connecticut, for the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: Innovative Recycled Glass Treasures Project for Sustainable Tourism to Benefit Local Communities
- Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Forest, Virginia: Restoration of Thomas Jefferson’s Wing of Offices
- Fundación Condor, Otavalo, Imbabura, Ecuador: Sustainable Ecotourism Model for Birds of Prey Conservation and Environmental Education, Working with Indigenous Andean Community
- Longue Vue House and Gardens, New Orleans: Preservation Project to Renew Landscape
- The Mountain Institute, Washington, D.C., for Diqing Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China: Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve Ecotourism Trail Development
- Pleasant Home Foundation, Oak Park, Illinois: Restoration of Pleasant Home, a National Historic Landmark Designed by George W. Maher, a Prairie School Architect
- Pony Express Historical Association, St. Joseph, Missouri: Urgent Project to Install a New Roof on the Patee House Museum
- Student Conservation Association, Charlestown, New Hampshire: SCA U.S. National Park Ambassadors Program
- Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.: Project to Conserve and Restore the Exterior Façades of the Corcoran Gallery of Art
To learn more about Tourism Cares grant programs, click here.
NTA frequently receives calls from reporters interested in the latest travel trends. These queries are often posted on the NTA Member Forums, giving you an opportunity to reach out to the media with news about your latest package or service.
NTA recently received a request for information on voluntourism packages. Freelance reporter Kelley Granger with Beauty News NYC is seeking information on purposeful vacations that include retreats, volunteer opportunities and more. The primary audience for this media outlet is affluent women.
NTA members interested in spreading the word about their voluntourism packages can send information and low-resolution images to NTA Public Relations Manager Sara Morton, who will contact the reporter with examples of NTA tour operator products and your contact information. The deadline to submit information is March 31.
Be sure to visit the NTA Member Forums to view the latest media requests. Don’t forget that you can receive e-mail alerts to notify you when a new forum message is posted so you don’t miss out on any opportunity.
Network and Give Back at Tourism Cares for New Orleans
With only five weeks remaining until the 6th Annual Tourism Cares for America event, registration is heating up. Since tour operators comprise more than half of the event’s attendees, Tourism Cares for New Orleans is the perfect opportunity for DMOs and tour suppliers to make a lasting difference in the city that is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, while networking with this key group.
The event, to be held in New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong Park from April 17-19 is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. You’ll get a chance to help give back to a site in need of restoration and can enjoy the company of your industry colleagues. Visit the Tourism Cares Web site for more information or to register. See you in New Orleans!
June Courier Includes Gulf Coast, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Virginia
With the feature stories focusing on gardens and Native American, First Nations and Western Heritage product, the June issue of Courier provides a good vehicle to get your company or destination in front of NTA tour operators. Other stories in the issue highlight the South Pacific, the U.S. Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas), Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The space deadline for June Courier is March 31 so there is still plenty of time to get in the magazine ranked No. 1 in the industry by tour operators. Click here to view the full 2008 Editorial Calendar, or to reach your account executive call 800.682.8886, ext. 4241 or 859.226.4241, or e-mail advertising@NTAstaff.com for more information.
If you have a listing to post in the NTA Job Center section of Tuesday, e-mail NTA Communications Specialist Pat Henderson. The cost is $250 and your ad will run in two consecutive issues.
| To ensure that you’re doing business with an NTA member, go to the NTA Web site home page and click on either "Tour Operator Search" or "DMO/Tour Supplier Search" at the top of the page. |