August 2012 NTA News
NTA News is a compilation of stories from Tuesday newsletter, which NTA members receive each week.
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August 2012 Top Stories
Industry & Association News
You Belong at NTA
Majority of NTA Buyers Only Go to NTA
Partner2Partner: Your Online Business Community
Big Ups to San Diego; Photos from Contact '12 are Here!
It Can Do That?! iPad Tips and Tricks
Latest NTA Trip Planner Includes 175-plus Group Tour Options
How Today's Travelers Use Social Media
Why Should Hotels Care About Online Reviews?
Why We Run
Tourism Cares Grantee Celebrates Bicentennial
With members in more than 40 countries, NTA is the leading business-building association for travel professionals interested in the North American market—inbound, outbound and within the continent. So, basically, if you're buying from or selling to any segment of the North American travel market, you belong at NTA!
NTA members join and re-join each year:
- to connect with their colleagues
- to find partners, buyers, sellers and mentors
- to meet people, meet sales expectations, meet business goals
- to work together to move the travel industry forward
As your industry association, we work to help you do all that face-to-face at our Business Builder events; in our online community; and through our association publications, strategic partnerships and programs with other associations from around the globe.
You belong here. We know it.
So, come on, join now so you can come to Travel Exchange, meet your next industry partner and increase your business!
Majority of NTA Buyers Only Go to NTA
"If I hadn't been going to NTA every year, every year, every year, I don't think we'd have the business we have."
-Phyllis Veale, Grand Vista Hotel
Want to sell to the largest gathering of NTA buyers? Become a member of NTA and register for Travel Exchange. Research shows that NTA's annual convention—Travel Exchange—is the main show for NTA tour operators (80 percent don't go to similar shows).
Add to that the UMA buyers already registered for Travel Exchange who say they offer packaged tour products and services, and you have a travel show built on expertise and experience that expands your buying and selling opportunities ... Travel Exchange.
Partner2Partner: Your Online Business Community
NTA's Partner2Partner is an online business community where NTA members can buy and sell all day every day. Here's what you're missing:
- Free NTA Online home page promotion: All packages posted on the P2P site appear in the P2P scroll box on the NTA Online home page. The NTA home page gets an average 35,000 views a month. Are your packages scrolling there?
- Filling Your Tours: Do you have a tour that needs just a few more spaces filled? P2P is great for connecting quickly with other operators to fill your space.
- Announcing Last-minute Deals: Operators check the P2P site for any deals from sellers. Sellers, post your last-minute deals for the operators.
The P2P program is FREE for all NTA members. To join NTA, call 859.264.6540 or 800.692.8886, e-mail us, or visit NTAonline.com and start taking advantage of these great member benefits! It's just one more way NTA can help get your name out there and drive potential business.
Big Ups to San Diego; Photos from Contact '12 are Here!
We're back from our tour operator exclusive retreat and feeling Oh so refreshed! Got to hand it to San Diego for doing an amazing job at hosting this year's Contact: Thank you!!
Describing the event as "an incredible, incredible experience," and "an awesome couple days making new friends," Chris Babb of The Group Tour Company in Washington, D.C., spoke to the importance of the show to him, as an owner:
"I made a lot of new business contacts, renewed my energy for working in this industry. As an owner of a business in this industry there are very few industry meetings where you actually get a chance to talk to other owners—other people who are making decisions in this industry—to learn best practices, to talk about hiring practices and the expansion of business. It's just an amazing friendly environment, with no pressure, just a lot of learning more about the industry."
During the China Market Forum, more than 60 Contact attendees explored key challenges with the inbound market, such as low-cost tours, guides and service quality. "The NTA China Forum at Contact was very informative and beneficial to all who attended," said Phil Otterson, president of Abercrombie & Kent. "My company is deeply involved in the Chinese inbound-to-the-USA market, and NTA's cutting-edge knowledge and expertise about this market is one of the reasons we have just become the association's newest tour operator member."
You can see more highlights of Contact '12 and each captured moment on Facebook here .
We're already looking forward to Contact '13! The Big Island of Hawai‘i is next year's site on Aug. 15-17, 2013. Jim Reddekopp Jr., NTA board chairman and CEO, who lives on Hawai‘i and operates Earth Bound Tours and the Hawaiian Vanilla Co. says, "You may have seen Hawai‘i before, but you've never see the Big Island like you'll see it next year."
Become a member of NTA and get the opportunity to join us next year in Hawai‘i, The Big Island. Aloha!
It Can Do That?! iPad Tips and Tricks
Do you know everything your iPad can do? Our latest "Do Big Things" blog post shows you how to take advantage of 21 underutilized and unexpected iPad features. With these simple tips and tricks, you can learn how to lock your iPad, better organize your icons, take a screenshot, even split your keyboard!
Read "It Can Do That?! 21 Tips & Tricks for Using your iPad" here. Enjoy!
Latest NTA Trip Planner Includes 175-plus Group Tour Options
The 2012-13 edition of the NTA Trip Planner for Group Leaders showcases more than 175 great experiences that await groups at top attractions and destinations around the world. The publication includes feature stories on NTA-member museums, casinos, sightseeing tours and performance venues. Additional features profile members that cover tour basics such as shopping and lodging, and you can read up on what's new at zoos and aquariums as well as historical homes and gardens.
The "I Want to Go There" section puts 21 top cities for groups under the microscope and passes along details on a range of one-of-a-kind options awaiting groups at each destination. You can find out more about 20 new plays and musicals that will be making their debut on Broadway during the 2012-13 season. The publication also includes the annual Tour Operator Directory and first-person updates from two NTA tour operators on the benefits group leaders will receive when they work with operators.
This 72-page magazine, designed specifically for group leaders, is one of two titles in the NTA Trip Planner series, which also includes an issue that focuses on student travel. Both magazines help educate these two types of travel buyers about the diverse products offered by NTA's tour operator, tour supplier and DMO members.
For more information on advertising in the NTA Trip Planners, e-mail NTA Services, call +1.859.264.6559 or click here. If you're interested in becoming a member of NTA, call 859.264.6540 or 800.628.8886, e-mail us, or visit NTAonline.com.
How Today's Travelers Use Social Media
The number of American travelers who are active with their mobile devices during vacation is increasing, as is their use of social media before, during and after their travels. Ragan.com reports that three out of every four vacationers use social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) on vacation, and a like number post vacation photos. Other interesting numbers:
- 52 percent of travelers use social media for vacation inspiration (led by Facebook)
- 46 percent of travelers post hotel reviews
- 40 percent share reviews about attractions
- 40 percent write restaurant reviews
Click here to see more data, including how travelers use mobile technology while planning a trip.
Why Should Hotels Care About Online Reviews?
Here's your answer. This infographic on Mashable.com makes it clear that with the dramatic increase in hotel reviews comes increased reliance by consumers. According to a report from Olery.com, four out of five travelers find user reviews important, and nearly half won't book a property that has no reviews.
Among the Top 10 Web sites, TripAdvisor.com has more reviews (60 million) than the other nine combined. More than half of all reviews are from leisure-only travelers, while 36 percent are posted by travelers combining leisure and business.
Two weeks ago, 21 Contact attendees rose with the sun to show their support of NTA's government relations activities by participating in the Contact 5K Fun(d) Run along San Diego Bay. NTA's Fun(d) Runs (there are two: one at Contact and one at Travel Exchange) provide you with more than just exercise; they are opportunities to spend quality time with your colleagues while helping the entire travel industry with every step.
It's just $25 to participate, and the funds raised are used to help NTA's government relations team represent the best interests of your business and the travel industry in Washington, D.C.
"If you're a businessperson or you work for a business in this country, it's important to know what's going on in Washington, because it impacts travel and impacts our careers," said 2012 NTA Vice Chair Mark Hoffmann, CEO of Sports & Leisure Travel and recipient of the James D. Santini Award. "It's not sexy, and it's not something that people have time for. That's why NTA does it for us. Because the association takes the time and spends the dollars, our members don't have to take the time and spend the dollars."
Run for the future of travel and become a member of NTA! And, sign up for the Travel Exchange 5K run/walk, from 6:15-7:15 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 22) at the Hilton Orlando. Everyone can participate—walkers, runners, even skippers! Or, if you'd rather invest in your beauty sleep, feel free to put your $25 down and "Sleep in for G.R."
"It's a relatively, healthy and painless way to contribute to something that's terribly important," says Hoffmann.
And, don't forget NTA's annual Grassroots Symposium held each spring in Washington, D.C.; another great way to get involved!
Tourism Cares Grantee Celebrates Bicentennial
During the War of 1812 the USS Constitution earned her greatest fame and her nickname, "Old Ironsides," by defeating five British warships. The USS Constitution Museum, a 2011 Tourism Cares grantee, recently celebrated the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the vital role this historic ship played during the conflict.
This heritage site, home of the nation's oldest commissioned warship afloat, is situated in Boston's historic Charlestown Navel Yard and is one of the most visited sites in the city. On July 2, 2012, Anne Grimes Rand, president of the museum, welcomed Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick for the celebration. Carolyn Viles, director of grant programs, represented Tourism Cares.
The USS Constitution Museum has been a Boston landmark since 1972. Through its hands-on, interactive programming, the museum provides generations of visitors with an enjoyable and relevant educational experience. Last year, a Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant supported the creation of the "Old Ironsides War of 1812 Discovery Center," which includes a stage and family area.
The Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant Blue Ribbon Panel is composed of U.S. experts in the fields of conservation, preservation, restoration and tourism. The Tourism Cares Academic and Professional Development Scholarship Selection Committees consist of travel, tourism, and hospitality educators and industry professionals from across the United States. Their role is to evaluate suitable applications and select recipients, and to advise and support Tourism Cares.
For more business information and tips like these delivered to your inbox weekly, call +1.859.264.6540 or 800.692.8886, e-mail us, or visit NTAonline.com to join NTA.