North America
Oregon Introduces Two New Scenic Bikeways
February 14, 2012
Program now includes eight trails, nearly 600 miles of designated bikeways Salem, OR.- The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) announce two new state-designated scenic bikeways, bringing the total number of trails to eight, furthering Oregon’s position as a premier cycling destination. The move comes after the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission formally approved the routes in a meeting yesterday. The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway in Cottage Grove features an all-ages, all-abilities cycling experience. Perfect for families, this 36-mile route boasts six covered bridges, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A mix of paved off-street, lakeside paths and low-speed Main Street riding provide diverse scenery and dining opportunities. The route passes Chambers Bridge, the only covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi. Beginning and ending in Bend’s historic Drake Park,... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
President Obama Takes Actions to Increase Travel and Tourism in the United States
January 23, 2012
Assistant Editor’s Note: The following statement from the United State’s White House press office was released on January 19th 2012. This morning, President Obama will sign an Executive Order and announce new initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism in the United States. The U.S. tourism and travel industry is a substantial component of U.S. GDP and employment, representing 2.7% of GDP and 7.5 million jobs in 2010 – with international travel to the United States supporting 1.2 million jobs alone. The travel and tourism industry projects that more than 1 million American jobs could be created over the next decade if the U.S. increased its share of the international travel market. Today’s announcement offers important steps to bolster job creation through a range of steps to better promote the United States as a tourism destination and improve secure visa processing. This is the most recent of a series of executive actions the President has announced to put... Read More →
Trade Events
Register Now for the LA Times 2012 Travel Industry Conference
December 21, 2011
The Los Angeles Times Media Group presents The Los Angeles Times Travel Show, January 27-29, 2012, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Register Today Please join us for this exclusive travel professionals event. TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE When: Friday, January 27, 2012 – 11 am to 6 pm Where: Los Angeles Convention Center Registration: $30 (including lunch) We’ve brought together the leadership of the travel industry to share their expertise and to answer frequently-asked questions: Where are the new opportunities for growth in my business? How can I run my agency more effectively? What are travelers really looking for? How can I make sure that travelers use our services? Are you making the most of new technologies? This a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from renowned travel industry leaders, attend specialized seminars and meet one-on-one with experts and exhibitors. ATTA Members receive 10% Discount to Exhibit -or- $5 off trade-only day registration Click here... Read More →
Trend Watch
The Prophet of the Coming Aging Boom
December 21, 2011
A recent article from the November 2011 issue of Forbes magazine profiles consultant and author Ken Dychtwald, founder of the Age Wave, who urges businesses to understand and proactively market to the tidal wave of aging American baby boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964, a number that reaches 78 million people and, according to Dychtwald, is responsible for 80 percent of the growth of the United States population. Dychtwald, whose has consulted on boomer products for clients such as Centrum, Johnson & Johnson and Anheuser-Busch, also sees massive financial opportunity for brands and businesses where others only see the downsides to an aging population, as this group creates a “vast market for a potential explosion of products and services, from new dating websites to longevity insurance to new kinds of food.” The later years are becoming a time for reinvention, experimentation and consumption. In a poll he did for financial services firm SunAmerica this year,... Read More →
Trade Events
Marketing to Latinos Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Conference
December 21, 2011
LatinVision Media Announces “Marketing to Latinos” Conference Series New York, NY – LatinVision Media, an operator of business portals serving the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American entrepreneurs, business owners and executives in small to medium-sized companies, today announced its 2011 Marketing to Latinos Conference Series aimed at helping marketers reach and engage US Hispanic consumers and businesses. In partnership with Business Wire, Business Wire LatinoWire and NetStairs, LatinVision Media will host four industry-specific sessions, beginning with “Marketing to Latinos Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Conference” on February 24, 2011 in New York City. Other sessions include Sports, Latinas, and Banking/Finance. “The Census of 2010 results will confirm the U.S. Hispanic Market is the most attractive one for advertisers and marketers with a purchasing power above one trillion dollars,“ said Carlos Vassallo, CEO of LatinVision Media. “The exponential growth of the... Read More →
By the Numbers
U.S. Lost Travel Jobs in 2010, Even with Increased Visitor Spending
December 13, 2011
Despite high inbound travel numbers (a record of 60 million) and increased tourism spending (+12 percent) in 2010, employment in the tourism industry declined for the third year in a row, according to an article by Danny King in Travel Weekly. The decline totals almost 1.1 million from 2007 to 2010, and likely continued last year as travel companies look to recoup losses or boost productivity before adding new hires. The article is based on updated information from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration last month, which stated: Clearly, the economic downturn has taken a major toll on this industry. In fact, the three years of declines in 2008, 2009 and 2010 are more than double the number of jobs lost in the three years following 9/11. King reports that while travel employment data from 2011 is not yet available, the U.S. Travel Association has released information that numbers may be rebounding, although there’s no indication yet of when a full... Read More →
Spotlight: Destinations
U.S. Travel Applauds Western Governors Association Support of Visa Reform
December 13, 2011
Support continues to build nationwide among policymakers to reform the U.S. visa system in order to welcome more international visitors, create millions of American jobs and add billions to the U.S. economy. The Western Governors Council, an organization representing the Governors of 19 states and three U.S.-Flag Pacific islands, adopted a resolution to improve visa approval procedures for international travelers visiting the United States. The resolution supports visa reform advocated by the U.S. Travel Association, including: Setting a visa processing standard of two weeks and using visa fees to hire enough State Department personnel to focus only on processing travel visas while maintaining the same strict security standards; Introducing videoconferencing to conduct visa interviews in key markets; Expanding the Visa Waiver Program to new countries; and Granting Chinese travelers visas that are valid for at least five years versus the current one-year visa. “During a time of high... Read More →
Member Press Releases
2011 Caps Decade of Growth for Adventure Cycling Association
December 9, 2011
Largest North American cycling group’s revenue and capacity expanding Missoula, Montana — Adventure Cycling Association today announced a strong financial and programmatic showing for FY11, capping a decade of growth for the organization, during which time its membership has increased 19%, map sales 48%, and charitable donations have tripled. The organization now operates with a $4.1 million dollar budget, up 65% over the last ten years. Adventure Cycling’s overall capacity is expanding as well. In 2011 the organization hired its first full-time development director along with a new assistant, as well as budgeting for expansion in its publications, media, and information technology departments for the coming year. As North America’s largest membership nonprofit cycling organization — with nearly 44,000 members — Adventure Cycling’s income and staff support the organization’s efforts to improve conditions for bicycling and bicycle travel across the U.S. and provide... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesOcean River Sports paddles into new territory with communications hire
November 30, 2011
Victoria, BC – A passion for adventure travel and ecotourism has landed Paul Beckman the with the job of heading up communications for Ocean River Sports, a paddling company based in Victoria, BC. Taking the role of communications manager Beckman brings more than 15 years of experience working (and playing) in the adventure travel industry – including operating kayak tours for cruise lines and taking such high-profile positions as vice president for Mexico’s Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association and associate board member for Pronatura Noroeste (a regional chapter of the country’s oldest conservation organization). Beckman has been an active member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and has experience working with a number of bird conservation organizations and tour companies. “Because our on-the-water adventure business has many arms, including a retail shop, boat rentals, kayak school, tour and expedition outfitter and... Read More →
Member Press ReleasesATTA members Canadian River Expeditions and Nahanni River Adventures Receive 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards
November 29, 2011
OTTAWA – Fourteen organizations and individuals were honoured tonight by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) as recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star. The awards were presented earlier this evening at a gala ceremony at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. “TIAC wishes to congratulate the fourteen recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards,” said TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein. “This outstanding group of individuals and organizations have demonstrated ingenuity, perseverence and determination on the path to success and are a testament to the strength of Canada’s tourism industry. We are very pleased to recognize them as organizations and individuals who help make Canada a world-class destination.” The 2011 winners are: (Note: Abridged biographies are available at www.tiac.travel/awards/2011_recipients.htm) Air Canada Business of the Year Award CN Tower (Toronto, ON) Hilton Worldwide... Read More →
