Gulf Coast Oil Spill Crisis
Like others around the world, all of us at NTA are devastated by the crisis in the Gulf Coast caused by the largest oil spill in American history. Thousands of lives and businesses have been drastically impacted, and the tourism industry is suffering tremendously.
On this page you will find links to resources such as current information from the four states impacted by the crisis: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. You also will find information on the FREE seminar series presented by NTA and Edelman.
- NTA, Edelman Seminar Information and Registration
- Tour Operator Commitment to Travel
- Business Commitment Request
- Gulf Coast Resources
NTA, Edelman Seminars:
NTA and Edelman, the world's largest independent public relations firm, presented a series of free seminars to the four states affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill, titled "Practical Skills for the Oil Spill Crisis: Managing Media Relations and Building Business through a Crisis." The seminars, open to all members of the tourism industry and others impacted by the crisis, were presented in-person to Mississippi and Louisiana and as a Webinar for the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast. Audio and the accompanying Power Point from the Alabama and Florida seminars will be posted soon.
Click here to watch the seminar that was presented in Houma, Mississippi by NTA and Edelman.
Share the Power Point from the Alabama or Florida Webinars.
Listen to the audio from the Alabama or Florida Webinars.
This event is partly sponsored by GulfCoastTravelUpdate.com, an interactive tool devised by travel social network Tripatini.com to help you get your message out.
See the official NTA-Edelman news release on the Gulf Coast Media Seminars. NTA and Edelman held the first two sessions July 13 and 14 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Houma, Louisiana, respectively. Click here to see the news release from that event.
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Feedback from Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast Seminars:
Coverage of NTA-Edelman Gulf Coast Seminars:
- Coastal Businesses Learn How to Handle Media Coverage - SunHerald
- See coverage of the seminars below from WLOX, an ABC affiliate in Biloxi.
Tour Operator Commitment to Travel:
NTA Chairman and CEO and President of tour company Star Destinations Cathy Greteman has challenged NTA tour operators to commit to bringing a tour group to the Gulf Coast before the end of 2011. Read the letter to Tour Operators and, if you are a tour operator, stand by your travel colleagues that are struggling and commit to bringing travel to the Gulf.
Business Commitment Request:
Anne Davis, CTP, president of Cruises and Tours Worldwide, and an NTA Board member, shared with us her idea of sending a business commitment request to all the travel clubs and group leaders with which she works. She happily agreed to share the concept with others so we can have a big contingent of business supporting the Gulf Coast. Click here to use this letter to help bring even more business to the Gulf Coast in this time of crisis.
Gulf Coast Resources:
GulfCoastTravelUpdate.com
Florida:
Florida Keys Tourist Development Council
Independant Florida Keys Oil Spill Web site
Louisiana:
Official Louisiana Seafood Page
Emergency.louisiana.gov is the state's online resource for information about response to the oil spill.
Mississippi:
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
Mississippi Chefs of the Coast Event
Alabama:
Read the Gulf Shores Beach Facts and see what's happening on Alabama's coast.
Recent Gulf News:
Gulf Hotels are Offering No Oil Guarantees- St. Petersburg Times
First Lady Says Panhandle Wonderful Despite Spill- Associated Press