The peripatetic Laszlo Horvath, CEO, Active Media, moves from the podium and then table to table during his presentation, How to Use Google Predictive Analytics to Forecast International Intent to Travel to Specific Destinations from a Variety of Source Countries.
Evan Saunders, founder of Attract China and a regular featured speaker at NAJ’s RTO Summit series, furnishes delegates with an update on the overall condition of the travel market from China.
Gary Oldfield, travel industry sales manager, Greater Palm Springs CVB, closely follows the opening “State of the Industry” presentation by Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of the NAJ Group.
Just finished with their discussion of what social media techniques suppliers should consider when dealing with receptive tour operators are: Patrick Swen, marketing director, Lassen Tours; Roselle Masse, product director, TeamAmerica; and Aniseh Dalju, co-founder of Onward, a new Anaheim-based receptive tour operator.
Sharing a moment together during the Summit’s morning coffee break period, are Robert Graff, corporate vice president of marketing and international sales, Papillon Group-Papillon Helicopters/Scenic Airlines; and Elaine Kellogg, executive director, business development/international marketing, Grayline-City Sightseeing New York.
Could you please get serious? Remarks off-camera by Ko Ueno, executive director of Agent Kai (the Japanese Tour Operators Association of California) prompted this candid moment of laughter among the operators attending following a group luncheon program that had a presentation featuring NAJ’s new website, TourOperatorland.com.
Front row (left-to-right): Betsy Cooper, tour operator community manager/marketing, NAJ Group; Katsuhisa Seki, JTB USA; Osuke Ishiguro, JTB USA; Jake Steinman, founder and CEO Group; Michelle Kariyone, Kintetsu; and Shigekazu Kuwamura, Kintetsu.
Second row (left-to-row): Shinsuke Takahashi, HIS; Bobby Valenciano, HIS; Mike Miura, TTA; Ko, Shota Tsukamoto, HIS; Tomomi Soliz, Meitetsu; Hiromi Huaman, TTA; and Erika Mason (Kintetsu).
At his table preparing to give one-on-one advice to Summit delegates during the closing program’s “Genius Bar” feature is Florian Herrmann, president, HMS International.
Pepe Avila, director of tourism development, Visit Anaheim, listens as Elena Ferranto, director of strategy, Sparkloft, explains some of the finer points of using social media to connect with international travel buyers.
Jake Steinman (right), founder and CEO of the NAJ Group, works at the laptop of Brian Jemison, director of sales and marketing, Legends OUE Skyspace Los Angeles, as he explains some of the unique features of NAJ’s new website, TourOperatorLand.com.
A close-knit collection of Pennsylvanians made the trip to Marina del Rey. From the group at the Summit’s closing reception are (left-to-right): Ann M. Pilcher, tourism sales manager, Pocono Mountains CVB; Anni Jirapatnakul, tourism supervisor, Philadelphia CVB; Greg Edevane, director of sales, Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau; Nathan A. Claycomb, business development manager, Sight & Sound Theatres; Peggy Nana-Sinkam, group manager, The Amish Farm and House; Jennifer L. Buchter, managing director of hospitality and sales, Amish View Inn & Suites; Jenny McConnell, director of sales, Destination Gettysburg; and Mara Sultan convention and international sales manager, Discover Lancaster.
I seriously think that Tour Directors should be invited to those summits so that they can educate the Tour Operators of actually what happens while on the Tour with the passengers. Granted the Tour Operator is very important in planning a trip from the land of departure to the land of arrival by the most important element in a Tour in the end is the Tour Director. Very often Tour Operators cram too many things in one Tour in order to sell the Tour and very often, the Tour becomes impossible to execute considering all the technical problems on the ground. Distances are enormous and the driver and the Tour director have days of 14 h to 16 h and sometimes more. Many accidents happen because of the driver being tired and overworked. I personally know because I have been one for many years and I know first hand.
Have a great 2016 season you all and maybe see you on the road of the Southwest.
Best regards!