Travel Trends Index: International Inbound Travel to USA Tumbles in March
One would be mightily challenged to find any year since the Great Recession of 2008-2009 in which IPW (June 1-5 in Anaheim, California) is taking place midst such sluggish market conditions as demonstrated, in part, by the following:
At INBOUND, we’ve written and reported on Numbers 1 and 2 above in recent issues. And we’ve followed what US Travel has to say in its TTI. There haven’t been any real surprises of late. However, if one studies the emphases, the tone, on different figures as discussed given by David Huether, senior vice president of research for US Travel, one hears few unqualified high notes.
- A U.S. trade war with China has, by all reliable accounts, helped slow the non-stop growth boom of inbound traffic from the world’s largest tourism source market that has taken place since 2007, when U.S. travel suppliers and DMOs began were allowed to promote leisure travel to the country;
- The largest overseas market from Continental Europe, Germany, is struggling to post positive number this sales season to just about any outbound international destination, including the USA; and
- The latest monthly report of the Travel Trend Index, or TTI—and the comments on it by the chief economist for the U.S. Travel Association, the producer of IPW—strains to produce anything bright and cheery about international inbound tourism.
“The outlook for international inbound travel remains lackluster, suggesting that a further loss of global market share is in the cards for the U.S. in 2019,” he said, but added, “Acting on certain legislative initiatives, such as the long-term reauthorization of Brand USA and the enhancement and expansion of the Visa Waiver Program to include more qualified countries, can help reverse this trend.”
More specifically, the TTI stated, “international inbound travel fell a whopping 5.4 percent year-over-year in March—after edging down just 0.2 percent in February.”
The report suggested that the sharp decline in international inbound travel in March was likely due to the timing of Easter, which fell on April 1 last year and April 21 this year; the holiday has historically been a peak travel time for visitors to the U.S. This resulted in lower levels of inbound travel in March 2019 compared to March 2018.
On a slightly brighter note, the TTI tells us that global economic activity is expected to improve, yet remain soft, in the second half of 2019, supporting predictions that international inbound travel growth will be positive, but slow. (It should be noted that “the dreary international inbound travel forecast” was countered by the strength of domestic travel. Domestic leisure travel registered 3.2 percent growth in March, while the business segment increased by a more tepid 2.0 percent.)
Continued moderation in consumer spending, vacation intentions and business investment is expected to cause both segments of domestic travel to cool in the coming months. The Leading Travel Index (LTI) projects domestic travel as a whole will grow 2.0 percent through September 2019. Domestic business travel is projected to grow 1.6 percent while domestic leisure travel is projected to expand 2.2 percent.
A CTI reading* of 51.0 in March 2019 indicates that travel to or within the U.S. grew 2.0 percent in March 2019 compared to March 2018. LTI predicts travel growth will remain at its current rate through September 2019, a result of moderate growth across all travel segments.
*A Note About Methodology: The Travel Trends Index measures the direction and pace of travel volume to and within the U.S. on a monthly basis. The index includes a Current Travel Index (CTI) and a Leading Travel Index (LTI). Both the CTI and the LTI include subcomponents (domestic, international, leisure and business).”
The TTI is prepared for U.S. Travel by the research firm Oxford Economics. The TTI is based on public and private sector source data which are subject to revision by the source agency. The TTI draws from: advance search and bookings data from ADARA and nSight; airline bookings data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC); IATA, OAG and other tabulations of international inbound travel to the U.S.; and hotel room demand data from STR.
To read the full report, click here.
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(INBOUND is a service of Connect Travel, which will be at booth 2235 at IPW in Anaheim. Stop by and pay us a visit!)
BRAND USA: Crowd Sources Theme of Next Movie at IPW Booth
There was no one action or direction that Brand USA has taken in the past two or three years that signaled change and improvement, but the organization certainly seems better positioned than it had been to meet the challenge of its mission of marketing the U.S. as an international destination just as the major event for it and for the whole of the U.S. inbound tourism industry—IPW—is scheduled to get underway this Saturday, June 1st, in Anaheim, California.
This is the feeling one got in covering the meeting last week of Brand USA’s Marketing Committee followed by, the next day, a session of its board of directors. As the organization passes through the first half of its fiscal year (the new one begins Oct. 1, 2019), one sensed a new-ness to some of its programs, a greater amount of engagement with its private sector and public sector programs, and a larger sense, or desire, that the organization wants to do a better job of connecting with those who need to know what it does.
While the agency is still culpable of throwing a wall of information and data that sometimes seem designed to deaden the senses of those who listen in to its board or marketing committee meetings, there are highlights that clearly underscore the “new-ness” spoken of above. Here are some INBOUND observations on last week’s two meetings:
—At IPW (“Our Biggest Stage, Brightest Lights”), visitors to Brand USA’s booth (#2442) will be asked to help name Brand USA’s upcoming third big screen movie due to premier in February 2020. Still a work in progress, the film is the third produced by MacGillivray Freeman, which did the same for the past two works—“National Parks Adventure” and “America’s Musical Journey”—which are still being viewed and still generating impressions and revenue for Brand USA. This will be the first time that input in such a project will be industry-wide, at the largest inbound tourism industry event of the year.
—For the very first time (unless one considers what was a more or less ceremonial event at an earlier IPW) Brand USA will be taking its board of directors meeting on the road. Its summer meeting will take place Aug. 6-7 in Minneapolis. Since it is new, something that has not yet been tried, board members are anticipating a healthy turnout of curious and/or interested tour and travel professionals to be on hand.
—In its communication program, Brand USA recently began emphasizing a greater use of video content. Here’s one take on the result of its new emphasis via several distribution channels.
ROI Really Means Something: Last month, some time before last week’s meeting of the Brand USA board and its Marketing Committee, the agency issued a news release pegging the return on the dollar investment in Brand USA for Fiscal Year 2018 at 25:1. And the incremental number of visitors it was said to account for was 1.1 million. Most of us accept these figures. Perhaps six years ago, when the first ROI study done for Brand USA by Oxford Economics showed an overall ROI of 34:1 and a marketing ROI of 47:1, there were more than a few non-believers.
Since then, Oxford Economics has refined its model, and its assessments seem to be credible according to most industry professionals. But what about the 1.1 million incremental visitors? While remembering that correlation is not causation, INBOUND is nonetheless persuaded that a fair amount of the 1.1 million is real and that it came from the UK. For a half-dozen years, the UK has exceeded projections that were less than what happened. And in 2018—with the country wilting from record heat, many Brits foregoing a long-haul holiday because of the World Cup competition and constant reminders that potential travelers were skittish about doing so because of Brexit—the country had an increase in the number of visitors it sent to North America.
Coincidence? Not when the UK, the largest overseas source market, was the subject of ceaseless promotion by USA including Mega-Fams that sent hundreds of British travel agents to the U.S. And now, added to the investment, there is, essentially, a U.S. marketplace coming up in September in the UK.
To re-play a recording of either the Brand USA Marketing Committee or its board of directors, visit www.thebrandusa.com, and click on “Media & Events.” You will come to links for webinars and past presentations, including links to the Marketing Committee meeting and the board of directors meeting mentioned here.
—Finally, there were more than a half dozen questions called into/or sent to Brand USA during the closing Q&A section of the board meeting. In the past, there were, maybe, a question or two asked.
UK’s Outbound Travel to North America Awakened to a Smashing Opening This Year
Keeping in mind that comparison of selective data can tilt the view of any statistical report, it is nonetheless encouraging to those in the UK who sell Visit USA product that, while UK residents made 2 percent fewer visits abroad in the month of January 2019 than during the same month a year ago, visitor traffic to North America (about 90 percent goes to the USA) in January 2019 was 42 percent greater than it was in January 2018.
The data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) which revealed this number also showed that, for the fiscal quarter of November and December 2018, plus January of 2019, UK visitors to North America were 29 percent higher than in the same quarter a year ago.
And, while the total for the one-year period ending with January 2019 is not as dramatic, it was 8 percent higher than it was for the same one-year period a year ago.
What most pleases the tour and travel industry is the figure for January 2019. Not only is it the highest monthly figure that it’s been over a five-year period, it came during a month that, historically, tells us that bookings for the peak travel season later on the year are already strong.
While the tour and travel industry is no doubt pleased with the January numbers from ONS, others—including economists, political commentators and those who follow the industry—must be a bit confounded that a steady a steady stream of suggestions that Brexit would dampen the inclination to take their holidays has had little impact when it comes to North America as the destination of choice.
Estimates contained in the ONS report are produced from responses provided by international passengers arriving in and departing from the UK, sampled on our International Passsenger Survey (IPS). Responses to the survey are scaled up to represent all passengers using information on total international passenger traffic for the reporting period. Estimates are based on interviews conducted when passengers end their visit. Any visits commencing in the reported month but not completed until later are not included in estimates for the reported month.
Two Global Top 10 Lists—Most Valuable Hotel and Most Valuable Leisure/Tourism Brands
Which Tour Operator is a just behind Number One? From London-based Brand Finance®—it is an independent branded business valuation consultancy—we learned this month just which hotel brands and leisure-tourism brands are the most valuable: Hilton and Royal Caribbean, respectively. Hilton edged out Marriott, while Royal Caribbean had the German tour operator TUI close behind. In determining its selections and ratings, Brand Finance takes a number of metrics into consideration. (To read a thorough explanation of the process, click here.)
Hotels—Highlights:
The annual report on the most valuable and strongest hotel brands showed the following.
—Hilton remains world’s most valuable individual hotel brand with 17 percent growth.
—Marriott’s portfolio drops to second place as the value of its brands in the Brand Finance Hotels 50 ranking decreases by 30 percent, giving way to Hilton.
—World’s fastest-growing hotel brands come from Hilton’s portfolio: Homewood Suites, Double Tree, and Hampton.
The report said: “Hilton’s strategic approach to brand growth has allowed it to extend its lead as the world’s most valuable hotel brand. At the same time, endorsement from the flagship brand has rendered benefits across the portfolio as Homewood Suites, Double Tree, and Hampton have seen their brand values sore. In its centennial year, Hilton is well-positioned for another hundred years of success.”
Alongside analyzing the world’s biggest hotel brands, Brand Finance also ranked the top 10 most valuable brands in the wider leisure and tourism industry. Royal Caribbean International has narrowly retained its position as the world’s most valuable leisure and tourism brand, with its brand value remaining steady at $3.8 billion. The brand reported strong financial results in 2018, and with demand high in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean are on course for future growth. Meanwhile, second-ranked TUI (brand value up 4 percent to $3.7 billion) substantially closed the gap to the ranking’s leader, only just falling short of overtaking Royal Caribbean.
Is Miami the Largest Brazilian City outside of Brazil?
Brazil’s economy is back. And so are the Brazilians—in Miami, that is. The worst economic recession in ages hit Brazil near the end of 2014 and then lasted through two full years of contraction of the nation’s GDP output, finally coming to an end at the beginning of 2017. During this period, Brazilians fell from the top spot on the list of international visitors to Miami. But last year, the turnaround began.
Not only are Brazilians the top source of international visitors to Miami; they are also the top international investors in purchases of real estate in the tri-county (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties). Miami’s realtors are happy, and its tourism industry is happy, too, as Brazilians—known as free spenders and big spenders—are back to shopping and buying as never before.
Two recently released reports—one from the Greater Miami CVB, and another from the Miami Association of Realtors, help to explain why. The CVB’s report on 2018 was awash in good news and economic numbers.
In the list below of international source markets, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina last year accounted for 20 percent of total overnight stays in Miami. (Latin America produced 45 percent the total; South America, 35 percent; and Europe, 31 percent.) Most important, for those who sell to Brazil, is that the country is back in its No. 1 slot, after having fallen from the top during the economic recession that was known to Brazilians simple as La Crise (The Crisis).
Home Buying Binge: That Brazilians own a fair amount of real estate in the Miami area is no secret. A property in Miami can serve as a vacation home, a second home or an investment—as a hedge against those occasions when the Brazilian real falls in value against the U.S. dollar. Whatever the motivation, the Brazilians are “back on top” in the value of real estate acquired. According to a new report from the Miami Association of Realtors, Brazil ranked as the top country buying South Florida homes in 2018.
The same report indicated that, in 2018, international buyers spent $8.7 billion on residential properties in the Tri-County area (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties), up 22.5 percent from $7.1 billion in 2017. Foreign buyers acquired 14,300 homes in 2018.
And for the first time since the association began tallying foreign investment in 2012, Brazil ranked No. 1 in 2018, representing 12 percent of all foreign purchases of homes in the tri-county region last year. Colombia and Venezuela tied for the second spot with 11 percent, each, followed by Argentina and Canada with 8 percent each.
Argentina was No. 1 in 2017, followed by Venezuela, Canada and Colombia. Foreign investment in residential real estate in the tri-county area in 2018 represented 54 percent of all international sales in Florida.
But Wait, There’s More: Not only are Brazilians visiting Miami on holiday or to acquire a piece of real estate, some of them might be coming here for good. Now being promoted to Brazilians is the idea of investing in hotel development as part of the U.S. government’s EB-5 visa program.
(The above ad, in the Portuguese-Spanish seatback magazine Nexos that INBOUND noticed on an American Airlines flight, encourages investment in what appears to be a South Florida hotel. The contact information for those wanting to know more is in the Miami area.)
The EB-5 visa provides a method of obtaining a two-year green card for foreign nationals who invest $1 million in a “new commercial enterprise” in the United States that creates or saves 10 jobs. Or one can invest at least $500,000 in a Targeted Employment area—a high unemployment or rural area) creating or preserving at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers excluding the investor and their immediate family. If the foreign national investor’s petition is approved, the investor and their dependents will be granted conditional permanent residence valid for two years. In recent years, the greatest number of investors in the program have been Chinese citizens.
Perhaps the program might be an incentive for some Brazilian hoping to secure an investment and a nice hotel suite for the future at the same time.
Meet Generation Alpha, the New Drivers of Travel: Kids Under 9 years old.
Born in this Decade, They’ll Have an Impact on Family Travel Decisions: Just out is Expedia’s latest collection in its digital library of cutting-edge studies, “Generation Alpha & Family Travel Trends: How the World’s Youngest Generation is Influencing Family Travel.” In the field and completed this month, the 40-page report is right with a series of eye-popping revelations based on a survey of more than 9,300 people in nine nations that comprise the largest international tourism source markets on earth: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the UK and the USA. The survey was conducted by Northstar Research Partners.
Dubbing this demo of nine-year-olds and under as the Alphas, Expedia declares that this new generation, children of the much-studied Millennials, to be the first generation born entirely within the 21st century.
We have selected highlights from Generation Alpha & Family Travel Trends, digesting them so that it makes for a quicker and lighter read. (For info on how to get a complete copy of the report, read through to the end of this article.)
Alpha Notes:
—Alphas are “Digital Natives,” growing up with Instagram and the iPad (which both also debuted in 2010), this generation are already tech power-users.
—Alphas will reach nearly 2 billion in number by the time the last of this generation is born in 2025, with 2.5 million born around the world every week.
—The cultural and economic impact of and Gen Z are expected to be equal to that of their parents or older siblings, the Millennials.
—Alphas represent great potential as they are expected to be the most formally-educated, longest-living and wealthiest generation.
What’s important in a family vacation, or nothing tops an entertained and happy family when traveling. Question to those surveyed: “Please select to what extent you agree with the following statements when planning a vacation with your family that includes children coming along. (Please select one for each statement)”
Family fun for all, kid-friendly entertainment & safety drive family travel decisions.
Question to those surveyed: “Please select to what extent you agree with the following statements when planning a vacation with your family that includes children coming along. (Please select one for each statement)”
Entertainment when traveling also includes device time for generation Alphas
Question to those surveyed: “And now thinking about when you’re on a family trip, do you allow your children/grandchildren under age 10 to engage in any of the following online or device-based activities? Please select all that apply.”
Finally …
Notes on Methodology. Data Collection Method: quantitative online survey conducted by Northstar Research Partners in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the UK and US. Sample Size: 9,357 total (more than 1,000 in each of the nine countries). QualifyingCriteria: Those surveyed must have child or grandchild born in 2010 or later (age 9 or younger) and must have booked travel online for leisure in the past year. Field Work: April 11-May 7, 2019.
To secure your own copy of the study, click here.
UK Vacationers Are Chronic Over-packers, with 60 percent of Them Doing So
One wonders, sometimes, just what behavior the British travel trade has not surveyed, measured or incorporated into the way they package and promote their travel products. Another example of such is the survey that the villa holiday tour operator Villa Plus recently conducted of 1,000 British travelers to find out whether they overpack for a holiday and which items they are most likely to take as extra.
What they found out is interesting, and might even be useful. Here are some survey results:
—Three out of five (60 percent) Brits overpack for their holidays,
—Not surprisingly the top thing we pile in is clothes, followed by shoes, toiletries, makeup and books.
—Just under 8 percent of holidaymakers go big with gadgets, while
—6.6 admit to bringing too much food and drink from home.
—Handbags and hair accessories also make the list.
As for gender:
—Women are more likely to overpack with 67 percent doing so,
—More than half (52 percent) of men do
—However, men will take more books (15 percent vs 6.5 percent for women) and gadgets (16 percent vs. 3 percent) than they will require for their holiday.
When it comes to age:
—18-to-24-year-olds are the worst, with 75 percent admitting that they do so on every holiday.
—Nearly all of those aged 65+ surveyed (98 percent) admitted that they overpack clothing for every holiday.
—The worst for overpacking toiletries are 25-34 year-olds (47 percent)
—Those 55-64 are the worst for overpacking shoes (42.4 percent).
Items that British travelers tend to overpack also include the following:
– Toiletries, 4 items
– Makeup, 5 items
– Clothing, 6 items
– Shoes, 3 pairs
– Books, 3 items
– Gadgets, 3 items
– Handbags, 2 items
– Hairdryer/straightener, 2 items
– Food/drink, 5 items
All totaled, the goods amount to 3 million items, including such food items such as Heinz Tomato Ketchup, vinegar, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Cadbury’s Chocolate and, of course, tea bags.
Simon Lifford, head of sales and marketing for Villa Plus, came across as non-judgmental as he commented on the findings: “Overpacking can make us feel more reassured-knowing we have packed for every eventuality-however it’s worth always checking how much baggage allowance you have and weighing your case before you set off to avoid additional charges.”
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(INBOUND is a service of Connect Travel, which will be at booth 2235 at IPW in Anaheim. Stop by and pay us a visit!)
Minimal Overlap between Operators Who Attend IPW and Those Who Take Part in Connect Travel/NAJ Events:
As IPW is about to launch this weekend in Anaheim, California, an analysis of the data show that—between tour operators who attend IPW and those who take part in the suite of Connect Travel Events including RTO Summits, Active America China, and Connect Travel Marketplace (CTM)—there is almost no overlap.
In fact, of the 1,300 or so international travel buyers who take part in IPW and the operators who meet face-to-face with U.S. travel suppliers and DMOs at Connect Travel Marketplace, there was an overlap of just 37 companies.
Commenting on the findings, Will Seccombe, president of Connect Travel, told INBOUND, “The combined portfolio provides our industry partners the opportunity to schedule more appointments and build meaningful relationships with more travel industry buyers that will lead to more business.”
Connect Travel two months ago acquired the assets of NAJ Events’ series of RTO (Receptive Tour Operator) Summits: the RTO Summit West in February in Los Angeles; RTO Summit East in April in New York City; and RTO Summit Florida in October. The acquisition also includes the Active America China Summit and the Active America China Receptive Edition, both of which target Chinese tour operators and receptive tour operators who sell USA product.
Suppliers and DMOs who want to know more about the unique base of operators who take part in the Connect Travel collection are encouraged to visit the Connect Travel booth (#2235) at IPW.
HODGE PODGE: Shifts, Shakeups and Occasional Shaftings in the Tour and Travel Industry
Saga has appointed Michael Fleetwood product and purchasing manager for Europe and North Africa, while Emma-Jane Browning becomes senior destination services manager at the company. Fleetwood’s career started at TWA Getaway Vacations before a 10-year stint with Russian travel specialist Intourist. Most recently, he joined Cox & Kings as product manager with responsibility for Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Russian Federation. Browning previously spent 10 years with James Villa Holidays, including as a villa manager in Lanzarote. She also held roles including head of quality, overseas manager and head of customer experience.
Lorne Edwards has been promoted to senior vice president of sales and services for Visit Phoenix. Edwards who joined the agency in 2012 as director of sales, was promoted to the position of vice president in 2017.
Group travel brand Aventura World has named John Smith to the role of vice president of business development. Smith, who has spent time with companies such as The Globus Family of Brands, MSC Cruises USA, The Walt Disney Travel Company, and Carnival Corporation, will work with group planners, organizations, and businesses in the planning and delivery of all kinds of group travel programs.
The Greater Miami CVB has appointed Debra Lee as director of sales for the Southeast, Southwest, West and Caribbean markets. She has 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and public relations, with a specific concentration on the Caribbean and Latin American markets, having held roles with companies such as American Airlines, AA Vacations, Travelport and, most recently, the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Destination Niagara USA has named Lindsey Bowman its convention and meeting sales manager, putting her in charge of marketing and selling all convention and meeting business for the destination. She has been with Destination Niagara for more than six years, previously serving as its leisure group sales manager.
Destination Niagara USA has also contracted Alfredo Gonzalez of AG Hospitality Group to represent the destination in international travel trade markets. Alfredo has worked in the travel industry for over three decades and will focus on growing international visitation from the destination’s top markets. He founded AG Hospitality Group in 2017.
Explore has appointed Philippa Baines to its trade sales team as business development manager. Baines re-joins the adventure travel specialists with more than 25 years of travel industry experience. This is a return engagement for Baines, who previously worked at Explore for a number of years as trade sales manager until 2016, before moving to Wendy Wu Tours and, most recently, Intrepid Travel.
In her new role, Baines will report to Explore’s global head of sales, Ben Ittensohn.
Bob Buesing, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. tour and travel industry, has joined U S Tours, where he will focus on Product Development and work with Banks, Hospitals and Alumni Groups in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Buesing is the former owner of East Coast Touring and principal partner of Shore Excursions of America.
Martin Froggatt (left) Travelopia’s group chief sales officer and managing director adventures and events, is leaving the business. Beginning the June 1 (the first day of IPW in Anaheim), Sam Seward will join the Travelopia executive leadership team reporting directly to chief executive Andy Duncan as managing director, adventure. Seward will continue to lead the Exodus business. Froggatt’s departure comes just about two years after the acquisition of the business (it used to be known as the Specialist Holidays Group at TUI) by the New York-based private equity firm KKR.
Paul Upchurch has resigned as president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee after serving the organization for nine years. He is remaining on the job to help with expansion of the city’s new convention center and with transition work through December. Prior to joining Visit Milwaukee, Upchurch was chief operating officer for five years of TCA, a collection of upscale sports resorts and athletic clubs in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, he spent more than 20 years in senior management positions in the hotel industry.
Kontik Viagens has announced the appointment of Daniele Bernini as director of events and Incentives. A veteran of more than 20 years in the tour and travel industry, Bernini has experience in the in TMC, hotel and tour operator sectors.
Daniel Robb has been named chief marketing officer of Audley Travel. Robb, a former digital marketing boss for TUI, replaces director of digital and marketing Loic Robertson, who leaves the tour operator this month after 14 years. He is responsible for all digital and offline marketing as well as overseeing the company’s overall sales activity and brand strategy.
Marco Barros is stepping down from his post as head of the San Antonio Area Tourism Council. Barros, who has held the job for more than two decades (he started in the position in July 1997) is leaving to do consulting work for several businesses in the hospitality, transportation and food industries. His last day as CEO was May 31, and he will remain involved with the organization for several months to help search for a replacement.
Rory Davis has been named as the new senior manager, sports and entertainment sales, for the San Francisco Travel Association. He comes to the position from Giants Enterprises, where he worked for six years, most recently as marketing manager.
John Hutar has been appointed president and CEO of the San Mateo/Silicon Valley CVB. Hutar, who started in his new position on May 29, succeeded Anne LeClair, who retired after 19 years in the post. A veteran of more than two decades in the hotel industry, Hutar was previously vice president and general manager at Dinah’s Garden Hotel in Palo Alto, California.
Long-time tour and travel industry veteran Cheryl Hargrove has been promoted to the post of industry and partner relations at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division. Cheryl started with the department more than five years ago as tourism project manager, The Coast. Her resume includes tenures with the National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations and Travel South USA.
Paul Torres has been named head of strategic partnerships and trade accounts, Northeast USA, at Merlin Entertainments. Torres joins the company from Hornblower Cruises and Events, where he served for more than 11 years.
Happy Work Anniversaries
Mary Fugere for 24 years at Hampton CVB
Chris Donnelly for 22 years at Sugar Tours Inc.
Andrew Miller for 13 years at the Susquehanna Valley Visitors Bureau
Hakan Ugdur for 8 years at Central Park Sightseeing
Fernando Sanchez for 7 years at Volatour West Coast
Michelle Thomson for 5 years at Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association
Source: LinkedIn
Posted Industry Jobs
The Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking for a Chief Tourism Officer. For more information, read here.
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is searching for a new president and CEO. Currently the job is being filled on an interim basis by the Paul Sacco, who will be moving into a position as the director of public waste.For more information, read here.
The Empire State Realty Trust (Empire State Building) is looking for a vice president of operations. For more information, visit here.
The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau has an opening for a vice president of sales. For more information, read here.
At the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, there is an opening for a vice president of people strategies. To learn more, visit here.
In Pennsylvania, Discover Lancaster is searching for a president and CEO. For more information, visit here.
Discover the Palm Beaches has an opening for an associate vice president-integrated marketing. To learn more, visit here.
Team San Jose is looking for a vice president of sales & destinations services. For more information, read here.
Destination Cleveland is searching for a vice president of convention sales & services. To learn more, visit here.
The Arlington (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau has an opening for a vice president of sales. For more information, visit here.
The Rochester (Minnesota) CVA is looking for a new executive director. To learn more, read here.
Source: SearchWide Global
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(INBOUND is a service of Connect Travel, which will be at booth 2235 at IPW in Anaheim. Stop by and pay us a visit!)
