NTA Blog
"A Funny Thing Happened at the NTA Convention..."
Share your funny stories with Dawn! E-mail written or video stories to NTAConvention10@gmail.com and she will share them with everyone!
Seville is an open, welcoming, hospitable city. It is also a city full of secrets which cannot be explained in their entirety because you must first earn them, or at least be prepared to earn them.
Because of the charming appeal and the wide range of activities available,
Seville has become one of the most popular urban choices when visiting Spain: a cultural melting pot of the most fascinating cultures spread along the Mediterranean, and a unique place where all of them have left their footprint: Tartessians, Iberians, Romans, Arabs, Jews and Christians.
It is a lyrical destination, where to find an infinite world of attractions as
monuments, flamenco, sports, gastronomy, history, shopping...
Shortly after the discovery of America in 1492, thanks to our port, Sevilla was the point of convergence of all the goods shipped across the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with the monopoly of the trade with the "New World" overseas, which made of the city a universal and cosmopolitan metropolis: Seville attracted people from everywhere, as capital of both worlds.
Two major international events in the 20th century, first the Iberian American Exhibition in 1929 and then in 1992 the World Fair to commemorate the fifth centennial of the Discovery of America revealed a modern city fully capable of exploiting the opportunities brought by democracy and a significant economic development, offering itself to the world.
In recent years, Sevilla has undergone great changes in order to modernize this fabulous city, such as the new urban network of bike lanes, covering over a hundred miles, the new pedestrian areas in the historical centre combined with the tramway, the new underground network, besides our tourist infrastructures: International airport , the AVE or high-speed train, more than 20.000 hotel beds, etc.
On the other hand, everything about Sevilla is true - all of its stereotypes, and many others yet be invented, and also its secrets, or rather its hidden treasures. Sevilla is unique, but there are many Sevillas.
For example, the Seville of the orange blossom, that you will find at its peak during NTA MONTAGE : almost every street in the city is filled with a line of orange trees, which are in bloom in March and April, marking the beginning of the warm season.
It's no coincidence that Seville's most important and distinctive celebrations take place at this very moment: both the religious Semana Santa and the profane Feria de Abril bring by this time of year their long awaited atmosphere to our streets.
Beyond sight and sound, smell and flavour provide our memory with unforgettable sensations. If you wish to add the azahar to your library of catchy memories, hurry up for your travel reservations. You're still on time to join us for NTA MONTAGE!
I hope to see you there,
Santi
P.S. Please fan our MONTAGE Facebook page!
Thanks, as always, to the sponsors, including The Mills, A SIMON Company for the registration bags and Hotel Silken Al-Andalus Palace for the Friday morning seminar.
One of the best parts about traveling is the opportunity to experience other cultures. One of the aspects of Spain that I enjoy but many find difficult at first, is the way the day operates, in particular meal times and entertainment. If you plan a night of dining with friends and go to a restaurant at 6 pm, as you might here in the states, you will be alone! If not alone, anyone else there would be having a snack or a drink. Lunch at 12 noon? You're not serious!?! Lunch is usually around 2 pm.
Let's put it this way. If you are used to eating when the news is on, you will have lunch at 3 pm and dinner at 9 pm. As I recall from time spent in the homes of friends in Madrid, meals were later and you didn't even think about going dancing until midnight had come and gone.
The other part of this is that most of the stores including supermarkets close at 2 pm. They reopen later in the day. It is what we call siesta. Although not all business work on this time clock, many do.
If you take a look at the schedule for MONTAGE, you might at first question the times of lunch, etc. but believe me, it is simply being a part of the Spanish clock. Once you get used to it, it is delightful! (Frankly, in my opinion the Friday dine around is a little early as it starts at 8pm).
You must enjoy tapas while you are at MONTAGE. It is so much fun to have some of this and some of that. Eating in Spain is to be enjoyed; it is not to be rushed. I have never been rushed at a restaurant in Spain--I do not think it happens. Meals are to be enjoyed along with conversation and relaxation. Vino tinto (red wine) is more popular and common in Spain than vino blanco (white wine) although delicious varieties of both can be enjoyed.
One last thought...if the only Spanish you remember is from high school, do not be afraid to use it. I have always found the Spanish people encouraging of people who make the effort to speak their language.
Thanks, as always, to the sponsors and Theatre Direct & Broadway.com/Groups for sponsoring the notebooks. To learn how you can reach 100 tour operators through a MONTAGE sponsorship, contact Melisa-Beth Rooke today!
Writing the blog this week, fills me with the greatest of memories of this wonderful country. I can't wait to go back and see you there! No puedo esperar!
Hasta luego!
Larry Friedman
Nevada Commission on Tourism
lfriedman@travelnevada.com
2010 MONTAGE Chair
"Don't get me started about the personal enrichment MONTAGE offers."
That is how I ended last week's blog. I realize that coming to MONTAGE is a business decision. We have to prioritize and look at return. Fortunately, for those who will attend MONTAGE, I believe they will have both business and personal return on investment.
To talk here on an NTA blog about the personal enrichment that travel brings, would be preaching to the choir. I would think that almost all of us entered the tourism industry because we knew what travel gives to an individual. We entered the industry because we understand that travel gives us incredible educational and growth opportunities PLUS fantastic friends and memories. If we didn't know that when we entered the industry, I am sure we learned it quickly.
So instead, let's talk about Spain. Have you been? I would almost be embarrassed to say how many times I have traveled there. The culture of Spain is alive and vibrant. The people love life and love to share it (see my photo below with friend in Spain)! It is a warm culture with zest. Numerous times recently when walking with friends in the streets of Madrid and seeing so many people out and about in the evening, we remarked "What crisis"? My Spanish friends all explained to me the importance of enjoying life and that yes, even when the afternoon news talked about "La Crisis", Spaniards want to enjoy family and friends always and in particular all weekend long (which often starts Thursday).
I love the music of Spain and the dancing. Seville is so rich in the cultural history of this country. Do you realize that we arrive the week before the big Seville Fair? The preparations will be in full swing while we are there. Some of you may even consider staying over. This Fair is incredible! Last year it was the lead story a every night on the news in Madrid. I remember watching the news thinking how much I would love to go to Seville. I can't believe we are going--I can't believe that I am going with so many dear friends at NTA.
One other thing that I love about Spain. They are patient and very encouraging of those of us who try to speak Spanish. Brush up on your high school Spanish. They will all help you communicate. The smile on their faces will be of encouragement, not because they are laughing at you.
Ok, one more thing that I love about Spain....tapas. The food is "rico"!
If you decide to go, I cannot imagine that you would regret it, either personally or professionally. If you decide not to go, you will miss a glorious opportunity.
Go to the MONTAGE and give this some serious thought. I'd love to share this enrichment with you.
This week, let's thank Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises for their MONTAGE sponsorship! It's not too late to sponsor at this event for premium exposure so contact Melisa-Beth Rooke today to reserve your spot!
Hasta luego!
Larry Friedman
Nevada Commission on Tourism
lfriedman@travelnevada.com
2010 MONTAGE Chair
MONTAGE has a 5-to-1 buyer-seller ratio. It boasts attendees from 11 countries. That says it all. What seller wouldn't love to be at a conference where the buyers out-number the sellers by a ratio of 5 to1? That alone is a remarkable opportunity!
When you couple it with the fact that they are coming from all over the world, giving sellers new exposure, it is an opportunity not to pass up. Take those two facts and then take a look at the program. You will see that the activities lend themselves to intimate opportunities to explore new business potential while strengthening existing ones. I know that at this time many of you would say that you can't afford to do this. I suggest that with this ratio and number of new buyers, it may be an opportunity you can't afford to miss!
NTA has specifically referred to MONTAGE as "no boundaries to selling. No restrictions in attendance. Just an open marketplace of international travel commerce in a city that captivates."
Realizing that there are budget restraints for most of us, NTA has offered two different levels of attendance. You can choose to attend MONTAGE and take advantage of the events, networking opportunities and classes. Or, you can also purchase a stand for the workshop and strengthen your presence. What you choose to do is up to you and your budget.
In addition, NTA has secured airfare discounts and have announced lower hotel room rates.
The final business component I would mention this week is the continuing education component-- and this is an excellent program. Knowing what education seminars cost these days, this part alone would cost more than the entire registration.
This week I wanted to touch on the business opportunity that you do not want to miss. Don't get me started about the personal enrichment MONTAGE offers...I'll save that for next week!
Hasta luego!
Larry Friedman
Nevada Commission on Tourism
lfriedman@travelnevada.com
2010 MONTAGE Chair
I am so excited about MONTAGE. As an operator, MONTAGE is an excellent way for me to meet face-to-face with some of the international operators who are interested in bringing groups to North America. Because the format of this meeting is dedicated to developing partnerships, MONTAGE is without a doubt the place for operators to be. NTA has taken a bold step in creating a meeting environment that is solely dedicated to bringing to our membership new opportunities for buying and selling on a global scale. And frankly, you cannot get this same level of opportunity anywhere else in the industry.
Right now, the Euro is a great buy, so the cost of the meeting in Seville is better now than any time in the past few years. Check out the new hotel rates being offered....what a bargain! So....time is a wastin'. Sign up as soon as possible to be on the MONTAGE "Smart Operator" List.
This great event wouldn't be possible without the generosity and help of the Tourism Office of Seville. A big thank you goes to our MONTAGE Host City for not only hosting NTA but sponsoring the Team Building Activity, Icebreaker, Thursday Evening Event, Final Dinner Gala, Leisure Activities and Arrival/Departure Transportation. To learn how you can reach 100 tour operators through a MONTAGE sponsorship, contact Melisa-Beth Rooke today! We can't wait to visit your beautiful city!
See YOU in Seville!!
Cathy Greteman
2010 NTA Chairman and CEO