Letter from the Editor – May
Reporting from Stockholm, Sweden, on May 19th…meetings today included relationship-building with VisitSweden.com, The Swedish Ecotourism Society and Nature’s Best, a 80-member group of tour operators here in Sweden. ATTA’s visit here builds upon the ATTA’s 2008 Adventure Travel World Summit (host destination: Norway) efforts to strengthen the global network within Scandinavia.
Our visit here comes on the heel’s of last week’s trek through New York City, where National Geographic Adventure graciously hosted more than 90 adventure travel trade professionals at our May 13th regional meeting, which included ATTA member tour operators, destination marketing organizations and service providers, plus an impressive contingent of influencers new to ATTA and eager to connect, plus quality media keeping tabs on our industry’s progress. Attendees networked early in the meeting, gained insights from ATTA updates, and then participated in several group discussions.
Given the gravity of the crisis in Mexico concerning the so called “swine flu”, the ATTA lent Mexico Tourism Board’s Deputy Director Clara Torres the floor to provide the very latest update from Mexico: her update served as the first discussion item about crises affecting the entire supply chain and moved quickly into discussions about media treatment of crises and the need for industry-wide contingency planning. Perceptual issues also became a hot-button of discussion for the group, and emerged out of further exploration of special marketing and promotional strategies that could help our industry weather challenging economic times.
These were just two of the key topics addressed at our most recent ATTA regional meeting – stay tuned to another regional meeting update when ATTA President Shannon Stowell arrives in the Boulder/Denver, Colorado to host at REI the May 29th regional meeting there. Of course, in between our physical world meetings, jump into AdventureTravelNews.com, contribute to our updates and to stay tuned on the latest from the field.
Yours in adventure, Chris Doyle
Editor
ATTA Lends Adventure Travel Industry Voice, Perspectives at Events Worldwide
ATTA’s leadership, advisors and strategic partners are playing active roles in the industry and getting out and about. This synopsis of where the ATTA is representing the industry’s voice is the start of what we hope will become regular updates within AdventureTravelNews.com. Our intention is to give ATN readers insights as to where ATTA team members are throughout the year. If you’ll be in the region where we’re headed and you’re interested in connecting with us, please write to info@adventuretravel.biz.
For April and May, here’s where the ATTA will be represented:
Belize (April)
Shannon Stowell will be a guest keynote speaker in Belize City at the Belize Tourism Board’s annual industry event on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009. It is one of the Board’s signature events and has an attendance of approximately 350 tourism stakeholders. It provides the public sector arm of the tourism industry an opportunity to share with their tourism partners a review of the Board’s efforts over the past year as well as future development plans that will impact tourism growth and market development. Shannon’s presentation will focus on the state of the Adventure Travel Industry, and how Belize and its tourism businesses might increase their market share in a competitive and challenging environment. Shannon will join the Belize Minister of Tourism, the Director of Tourism and the CEO of the Belize Tourism Board in this event.
Mexico (April)
Shannon Stowell, Christina Heyniger (long time ATTA partner and President of Xola Consulting) and Antonio del Rosal, ATTA Executive Director-Mexico, have been invited to speak during the 34th edition of the Tianguis Turístico in Acapulco Mexico, which will be held from the 26th to the 29th of April. During their intervention, ATTA and Xola members will explain the strategic importance adventure travel holds with regard to the development of Mexico’s Tourism Industry, and the crucial role ATTA will be playing in its growth. ATTA and Xola are collaborating with Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism to develop a National Adventure Travel Assessment. This assessment is expected to allow the ATTA, SECTUR and the Mexican Tourism Promotion Board (CPTM) to assist the government in developing a market positioning plan for the Country. With the opening of ATTA representation in Mexico, the ATTA hopes to become a strategic ally for the Mexican Government and for local operators who wish access to: best practices worldwide, strategic media, top tier specialized tour operators and travel agents, and position Mexico as a world class adventure travel destination.
During Tianguis, the ATTA will sign a strategic alliance with AMTAVE, the Mexican Adventure and Ecotourism Travel Association and two-year ATTA Association Partner, through which the benefits of ATTA membership will be more readily available to AMTAVE’s nearly 100 members. Witnesses of honor to this signature will be: The Mexican Tourism Promotion Board, represented by Marketing Director Steve Austin, the Federal Ministry of Tourism, represented by Monica Vejar, Director of Alternative Tourism and the Secretary of Tourism for Mexico City, Alejandro Rojas.
Scotland (April)
For the week of April 20th, ATTA Business Development Director Paula Mendes is on a trade mission to Scotland to size up its adventure travel market and to meet with its tourism officials and tour operators, and to participate in on-the-ground adventures there. For possible appointments there, contact Paula at paula@adventuretravel.biz.
Vancouver, Canada (May)
ATTA’s Shannon Stowell and Paula Mendes will co-host an ATTA Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Regional Meeting on May 5th.
South Africa (May)
ATTA’s Vice President of Business Development Chris Chesak will attend INDABA and will be available for appointments. Email cchesak@adventuretravel.biz
New York (May)
ATTA Vice President Chris Doyle will host an ATTA NYC Regional Meeting on May 13th.
Sweden (May)
Chris Doyle will work from Gothenburg, Sweden, May 15-28 to develop closer ties to the region’s adventure tourism industry. For appointments during his time in Sweden, please email cdoyle@adventuretravel.biz.
May ATTA Regional Networking Meetings
Coming in May, the Adventure Travel Trade Association will host three regional industry gatherings -– titled the “Meeting of the Minds” — in New York City, Vancouver and Boulder, Colorado.
| VANCOUVER MEETING DIRECTIONS |
| 1055 Dunsmuir St, Suite 1400. Corner of Dunsmuir and Hornby |
| NYC MEETING DIRECTIONS |
| 711 5th Avenue, 17th Floor. Between 55th and 56th in the Coca Cola building.
You will need to be on the RSVP list to check in with the building reception. Photo ID required. |
| FRONT RANGE MEETING DIRECTIONS |
| 1789 28th StWhile driving north on 28th, REI will be on your left shortly after Canyon Blvd.
|
In Vancouver, B.C. on May 5th, the meeting will be at the Canadian Tourism Commission’s offices from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. RSVP here.
The New York City meeting will be on May 13th, between 11:30AM-2:00PM, at the National Geographic Adventure offices, in Midtown Manhattan. RSVP here.
The Front Range meeting will be in Boulder, Colorado on May 29th, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM at the REI store in Boulder. Register here. This meeting will be preceded by a TravelGeeks meeting that starts at 12:30PM.
ATTA Members’ attendance and lunch are free, and for non-members the cost is $35 (payable online or via cash/check on-site).
During these meetings, Tour Operators, DMO/Tourism Boards, Media, and Specialty Adventure Travel Agents will gather to:
- Participate in vibrant, peer-to-peer networking
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Access the latest news and updates from the ATTA, the field and the industry at large
-
Learn and share the latest in marketing strategies, trends and research – ATTA will deliver Q1 2009 survey results
-
Identify current strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities facing the industry
-
Seek areas of opportunity to collaborate, share resources and minds for mutual gain
Connect with industry experts and come prepared to share and discuss how you and your organization can navigate, survive and thrive in these changing times.
New York Regional Networking – May 13, Register Today
You are invited to join the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s New York Regional Meeting set for Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
The ATTA’s “Meeting of the Minds” will be held between 11:30AM-2:00PM at the National Geographic Adventure offices, in Midtown Manhattan.
ATTA Members’ attendance and lunch are free, and for non-members the cost is $35 (payable online or via cash/check on-site).
RSVP Today: click here.
On May 13th, DMO/Tourism Boards, Media, Tour Operators and Specialty Adventure Travel Agents will gather to:
- Participate in vibrant, peer-to-peer networking
-
Access the latest news and updates from the ATTA, the field and the industry at large
-
Learn and share the latest in marketing strategies, trends and research – ATTA will deliver Q1 2009 survey results
-
Identify current strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities facing the industry
-
Seek areas of opportunity to collaborate, share resources and minds for mutual gain
| DIRECTIONS TO NGA |
| 711 5th Avenue, 17th Floor. Between 55th and 56th in the Coca Cola building.
You will need to be on the RSVP list to check in with the building reception. Photo ID required. |
Connect with industry experts and come prepared to share and discuss how you and your organization can navigate, survive and thrive in these changing times. RSVP today.
