Tuesday Newsletter – Sept. 15, 2009
September 15, 2009
Volume 29, Issue 37
Tuesday’s title sponsor is BusRates.com
Interested in advertising in Tuesday? E-mail Kelley Burchell at kelley.burchell@NTAstaff.com.
TODAY’S ARTICLES
Convention Profile Print Special
NTA Applauds Senate Passing Travel Promotion Act
NTA Gives Away Big Money at Convention ‘09
U.S.-Canadian Border Travel Update
September Events are a Sure Bet in Reno
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries Seeks NTA Member Input
Return to Woodstock: Peace.Love.NTA
Save On Shipping with FedEx
Tourism Cares Still Makes a Difference in D.C.
Last Chance to Get Noticed by the Growing Inbound China Market
Convention Profile Print Special
NTA’s newest corporate partner, Angstrom Graphics, has a special offer for Convention ’09 attendees. For only US$137 you can print 250 four-color, two-sided profile forms on 80 lb. gloss stock to use while you work the Convention floor. You also can print 400 forms for only US$182.
Forget the hassle of shipping or carrying your profile forms to Convention. If you utilize Angstrom Graphics to print your profile forms, they’ll have them ready and waiting for you when you arrive in Reno, Nevada, for pick-up at their booth.
To take advantage of this special offer or get pricing on different specifications, contact David Angstrom at +1.859.552.3893.
NTA Applauds Senate Passing Travel Promotion Act
NTA applauds last Thursday’s passage of the Travel Promotion Act in the U.S. Senate and looks to the House of Representatives to do the same with the companion bill, H.R. 2935.
The TPA will create a public-private partnership to promote the U.S. as the premier international travel destination, inform international visitors of U.S. security and entry policies and counter misconceptions about travel to and in the U.S. The corporation would initially be funded with US$10 million from monies collected under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The TPA specifies that travel promotion will be paid for by private sector contributions and a US$10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay US$131 for a visa to enter the U.S. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Travel Promotion Act will reduce the federal budget deficit by US$425 million over 10 years.
In December 2008, following a meeting of leaders from 37 travel organizations, including NTA, seven economic stimulus recommendations — including the passage of the Travel Promotion Act — were presented to what was then the President-elect Obama’s Transition Team.
NTA salutes the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Commerce Subcommittee leaders Amy Klobuchar and Mel Martinez, Sens. Byron Dorgan and John Ensign as well as those senators who voted for this important legislation.
NTA Gives Away Big Money at Convention ‘09
Tour operators can win US$1,000 at Convention ’09 by simply shopping the enhanced Destination Pavilion.
On Sunday and Monday during the appointment and shopping times in the Destination Pavilion, operators have four chances each day — a total of eight — to win US$1000. Each operator that attends is automatically entered into the drawing, but you must be present to win.
The enhanced Destination Pavilion groups DMOs and suppliers by geographic region so operators can easily develop complete itineraries on the floor. On Sunday, operators can take part in prescheduled 10-minute appointments with DMOs seated in the Pavilion. On Monday, the Pavilion will be open for operators to meet with more DMOs and their supplier partners.
With representatives from 23 countries attending the Convention and the chance to win big, you can’t miss the Pavilion. If you haven’t registered to attend Convention ’09 yet, sign up today!
U.S.-Canadian Border Travel Update
Recent statistics show that travel across the U.S.-Canadian border is at a new low, which may be partially due to confusion over current border crossing regulations. Keeping travelers aware of regulations may facilitate new growth in the number of travelers across the border.
Particular confusion exists regarding student and youth travel. Children under age 16 are able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
For more information on cross border identification requirements, click here.
September Events are a Sure Bet in Reno
There is no shortage of offerings when it comes to festivals and events this month in the Reno-Tahoe area. According to Adam Feehan, tourism sales manager for the Reno-Sparks CVA, September events are some of the biggest tourism draws to the region each year.
Be sure to check out your October issue of Courier to see more information on product options in your 2009 NTA Convention host city and everything you need know about Convention ’09. September events in Reno include:
- The 22nd Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off (Sept. 1-6, 2010) — Rib-cooking teams from around the world compete for prizes, while guests get to sample the smoked pork, visit with area vendors and enjoy live performances on five stages.
- The 28th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race (Sept. 10-12, 2010) — This is the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the nation. More than 100 colorful balloons take flight to inspiring music.
- The 51st Annual International Camel Races (Sept. 10-12, 2010) — This event, held in Camel Arena in nearby Virginia City, includes a Camel Parade at noon on Saturday and racing each afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
- The 46th Annual Reno National Championship Air Races (Sept. 16-20, 2009) — Spectators watch aerial acrobatics among six classes of aircraft that reach speeds of more than 500 miles per hour. The event features military and historic airplane displays. Attendees also can visit the pits to watch race teams work on the planes.
- Street Vibrations (Sept. 23-27, 2009) — This event is billed as "Reno’s celebration of music, metal and motorcycles." It includes the Custom Bike Builder’s Expo, which has plenty of food, drink and apparel vendors for guests to enjoy.
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries Seeks NTA Member Input
NTA has been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Travel and Tourism Industries to provide input on questions to be used in an upcoming survey of international air travelers.
OTTI’s survey is the largest international travel survey on travel to and from the U.S. Travelers who use packages and other means of travel are included in this program and NTA members benefit from this data. The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. EST on Friday, Oct. 1.
To learn more about the prospective revisions and to see the questionnaire, click here.
Return to Woodstock: Peace.Love.NTA
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, NTA is planning a "Return to Woodstock" event to be held Tuesday night, Nov. 17, during Convention. This event will be THE place to be for all you groovy guys and gals to enjoy a night of Woodstock and ’60s-inspired dancing, music and treats. Peace.Love.NTA!
During "Return to Woodstock" you can kick back and relax for a night while wearing your favorite ’60s attire — tye dye, John Lennon glasses, wigs, beads, headbands, bell bottoms and fringe vests, to name a few. Get your picture taken with some iconic symbols of the era, groove the night away to hits from The Who, Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones and The Beatles or if you are looking for a place to relax, just step through the beaded curtain into the ultra-groovy, psychedelic Lava Lamp Lounge.
Sponsorships are available for this memorable event and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Karla DiNardo today at 800.682.8886, ext. 4232 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4232 today to pick your sponsorship for this groovy night!
As a member of NTA, you can save on the products and services you use every day. Thanks to the NTA Corporate Partner program, you can take advantage of numerous cost-saving offers from well known companies like FedEx, which offers you discounts of up to 26 percent on select FedEx shipping services.
Known for its reliable and cost-effective services around the world, FedEx provides several ways to save. There are no costs and no minimum shipping requirements to take advantage of this great member benefit. Through the partnership you 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
For more information or to enroll in this program, please click here and enter pass code 8S877C or call 1.800.MEMBERS (800.636.2377).
Tourism Cares Still Makes a Difference in D.C.
Although the Tourism Cares for America Volunteer Day was canceled due to inclement weather last Friday, the organization and their supporters were still able to make a difference.
The 300 boxed lunches that were donated by Entertainment Cruises for volunteers were instead delivered to Martha’s Table. This non-profit organization, located in Washington D.C., provides educational programs, food, clothing and enrichment opportunities to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in the community improve their lives. Martha’s Table feeds hundreds of individuals daily and the 300 meals provided by Tourism Cares and Entertainment Cruises certainly made a difference.
Last Chance to Get Noticed by the Growing Inbound China Market
At least 200 million Chinese are financially able to travel overseas according to The China Outbound Travel Handbook. In fact, a recent NTA survey of operators in the China Inbound Program showed that the average number of visitors grew 76 percent in the first half of 2009 over the second half of 2008.
Don’t miss your chance to gain exposure to this lucrative market through the 2010 NTA China Group Leisure Directory. This publication is promoted to select Chinese outbound travel buyers at COTTM in April 2010, mailed to 450 Chinese travel agents approved to do business with NTA tour operators, and promoted to the 90,000 individual Chinese travelers projected to attend CITM in November 2009. Both printed copies and a digital version will be available, and the space deadline is Sept. 18. Display ads and advertorial positions are also available for suppliers and DMOs. Approved tour operators can upgrade their listing and/or purchase display advertising.
To reserve your space, simply contact your account executive at 800.682.8886, ext. 4241 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.859.226.4241.