WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 18, 2016) —The National Tour Association commends the U.S. Department of Transportation for its signing of an arrangement with Cuba to formally restore air service between the countries, an important step forward for U.S. and Cuba relations that will greatly benefit Americans and Cubans alike.
NTA has been a leading voice during ongoing attempts to restore normal travel operations with Cuba and is proud to have stood firm in supporting the freedom to travel. Tuesday’s announcement by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to provide for the re-establishment of scheduled air services between the United States and Cuba is a considerable accomplishment for citizens and stakeholders from both countries.
Immediately following the signing, DOT invited U.S. air carriers to apply for an allocation of the new opportunities to provide scheduled passenger and cargo flights. The agreement allows for up to 20 roundtrip flights between the United States and Havana, and 10 roundtrip flights at each of Cuba’s other airports, for a total of 110 daily roundtrip flights between the countries.
Tuesday’s actions coincide with the decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to initiate a rule change regarding flights to and from Cuba. CBP will seek to repeal Cuba-related regulations that have been deemed redundant with current regulations. Once the regulations are repealed, flights to and from Cuba would be subject to the same legal requirements as other international flights.
NTA has consistently stated that normalized relations with Cuba would benefit the U.S economy and be a boon for the travel and tourism sector. Increased economic activity between the United States and Cuba will have a significantly positive impact on U.S. travel and tourism, the nation’s largest service export. According to data from the Department of Commerce, the industry generates upwards of $2.1 trillion in economic output, supports 14.9 million jobs and represents $134 million in tax revenue. On average, travelers to the U.S. spend $2.4 billion a day, $101.4 million an hour, $1.7 million a minute and $28,154 a second.
Tuesday’s order invites applications from U.S. carriers and initiates a formal proceeding for DOT to select which U.S. carriers will be able to offer scheduled flights to Cuba—and from which U.S. points. Applications to offer service to Cuba are due to DOT on March 2, 2016.
NTA is pleased with the progress that has been made in the advancement of normalized relations with Cuba and is optimistic about the positive benefits that will follow for the U.S. travel and tourism sector. Founded in 1951, NTA is now the leading association for packaged travel professionals (representing more than 40 countries) interested in the North American market—to, from and within.
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Thursday, February 18, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Inside the Meteoric Rise of Chinese Inbound Tourism (by David Cogswell)
Outstanding article by David Cogswell (Travel Pulse) on the burgeoning market of Chinese travelers visiting the USA.
Opening paragraph:
The National Tour Association’s recent promotion of Haybina Hao to vice president of international development is a reflection of the fact that Hao is one of the most valuable members of the NTA staff now. That is due in large part to her overseeing the China market, a tourism market with growth potential that can’t be compared with that of any other source market.
Read the full article by clicking here:
http://www.travelpulse.com/news/tour-operators/inside-the-meteoric-rise-of-chinese-inbound- tourism.html
Opening paragraph:
The National Tour Association’s recent promotion of Haybina Hao to vice president of international development is a reflection of the fact that Hao is one of the most valuable members of the NTA staff now. That is due in large part to her overseeing the China market, a tourism market with growth potential that can’t be compared with that of any other source market.
Read the full article by clicking here:
http://www.travelpulse.com/news/tour-operators/inside-the-meteoric-rise-of-chinese-inbound- tourism.html
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
NTA's Travel Exchange 2016 and 2017 Convention Dates Announced
The National Tour Association announced a slate of upcoming convention dates that will return its annual Travel Exchange to the fourth quarter of the calendar year.
Following the previously announced event in St. Louis, Feb. 26-March 2, 2017, San Antonio will host Travel Exchange later in the year, Dec. 14-18. And Milwaukee will be the host city in 2018, Nov. 4-8. Members who attend the 2017 St. Louis show can pay half the registration fee for San Antonio. The same discount will apply to sponsors.
"With shows on both ends of the year, we're working to make it affordable-and essential-to double up in 2017," said President Pam Inman. "Members asked that we return our convention to the fourth quarter, and we're excited to do just that."
On NTA's immediate horizon, though, is Travel Exchange '16 in Atlanta, Jan. 31-Feb. 4; it will be the first convention to include travel agents as full participants. The association this year added a new membership category, Travel Planner, open to retail travel agents. Also in 2016, NTA will conduct the Atlanta show independent of the United Motorcoach Association; the two organizations completed a three-year colocation agreement earlier this year. Travel Exchange will continue to include NTA's sister organization, Faith Travel Association.
The changes reflect the desires of members. "We really take to heart-and mind-the feedback we get from members through post-convention surveys, annual questionnaires and face-to-face conversations," Inman said. "The board and staff are constantly seeking to fine-tune Travel Exchange."
Registrations for Atlanta are still coming in, and it's not too late to sign up and receive prescheduled appointments. Appointment scheduling continues until Tuesday, Dec. 22. For more information on the event and to see who's coming, visit NTAonline.com/convention.
Following the previously announced event in St. Louis, Feb. 26-March 2, 2017, San Antonio will host Travel Exchange later in the year, Dec. 14-18. And Milwaukee will be the host city in 2018, Nov. 4-8. Members who attend the 2017 St. Louis show can pay half the registration fee for San Antonio. The same discount will apply to sponsors.
"With shows on both ends of the year, we're working to make it affordable-and essential-to double up in 2017," said President Pam Inman. "Members asked that we return our convention to the fourth quarter, and we're excited to do just that."
On NTA's immediate horizon, though, is Travel Exchange '16 in Atlanta, Jan. 31-Feb. 4; it will be the first convention to include travel agents as full participants. The association this year added a new membership category, Travel Planner, open to retail travel agents. Also in 2016, NTA will conduct the Atlanta show independent of the United Motorcoach Association; the two organizations completed a three-year colocation agreement earlier this year. Travel Exchange will continue to include NTA's sister organization, Faith Travel Association.
The changes reflect the desires of members. "We really take to heart-and mind-the feedback we get from members through post-convention surveys, annual questionnaires and face-to-face conversations," Inman said. "The board and staff are constantly seeking to fine-tune Travel Exchange."
Registrations for Atlanta are still coming in, and it's not too late to sign up and receive prescheduled appointments. Appointment scheduling continues until Tuesday, Dec. 22. For more information on the event and to see who's coming, visit NTAonline.com/convention.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Listen here to Hispanic Travel Trends Webinar (hosted by ThinkNow Research)
The National Tour Association invites you to listen to the Hispanic Travel Trends webinar presented
by ThinkNow Research's Mario X. Carrasco.
The webinar discusses transportation habits of U.S. Hispanic travelers, as well as average vacation spend, travel trends, and more. If you currently serve this market or want to tap into it, you'll want to click on following webinar link:
http://tinyurl.com/NTA-Hispanic-Travel-Webinar
The webinar discusses transportation habits of U.S. Hispanic travelers, as well as average vacation spend, travel trends, and more. If you currently serve this market or want to tap into it, you'll want to click on following webinar link:
http://tinyurl.com/NTA-Hispanic-Travel-Webinar
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Webinar: Reaching the Hispanic traveler
NTA invites you to participate in our Dec. 9 Hispanic market webinar at 2 p.m. ET.
Presented by ThinkNow Research's Mario X. Carrasco, the webinar will discuss transportation habits of U.S. Hispanic travelers, as well as average vacation spend, travel trends, and more.
If you currently serve this market or want to tap into it, you'll want to click here to get signed up.
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