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Day Two at NAJ’s RTO Summit Orlando—a Photo Log

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Colleagues from the Niagara Falls region at breakfast together: Lori Reed (left), manager international tour & travel trade, Niagara Parks; and Kelley Colville, associate director of sales, Hornblower Niagara Cruises. Colleagues from the Niagara Falls r
Colleagues from the Niagara Falls region at breakfast together: Lori Reed (left), manager international tour & travel trade, Niagara Parks; and Kelley Colville, associate director of sales, Hornblower Niagara Cruises.

 

Anthony Liu (left), general manager, American Holidays, Inc., and Rick Xi, director, international services, for the Rotary Club of Orlando Dragons, take a break in their conversation to accommodate the photographer. Anthony Liu (left), general manage
Anthony Liu (left), general manager, American Holidays, Inc., and Rick Xi, director, international services, for the Rotary Club of Orlando Dragons, take a break in their conversation to accommodate the photographer.

 

Jorge Rodriguez, account manager for 7M Tours, told us that he had a full appointment schedule with suppliers for the upcoming day.
Jorge Rodriguez, account manager for 7M Tours, told us that he had a full appointment schedule with suppliers for the upcoming day.

 

Following a morning presentation before the day’s business appointments are two colleagues from Pennsylvania: Audrey Bialas (left), director of sales for the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau; and Greg Edevane, director of sales, The Countryside of Pennsylvania.
Following a morning presentation before the day’s business appointments are two colleagues from Pennsylvania: Audrey Bialas (left), director of sales for the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau; and Greg Edevane, director of sales, The Countryside of Pennsylvania.

 

The first receptive operator to set up for business, Tereza Reis, president of Personal RGE Tours, which specializes in the markets of South America, Central America and Portugal, told us that 2016 has been a challenging year for doing business in Brazil.
The first receptive operator to set up for business, Tereza Reis, president of Personal RGE Tours, which specializes in the markets of South America, Central America and Portugal, told us that 2016 has been a challenging year for doing business in Brazil.

 

By the time the bell rings for the first appointment session, some buyers and suppliers are already busy at work.
By the time the bell rings for the first appointment session, some buyers and suppliers are already busy at work.

 

Business was brisk at the table of Danielle Boukai, product manager for the Orlando-base Kaluah Tour Operator.
Business was brisk at the table of Danielle Boukai, product manager for the Orlando-base Kaluah Tour Operator.

 

Yasuhito “Ty” Inomata is Orlando branch manager for IACE Travel, which has more than 20 branch locations in the U.S.
Yasuhito “Ty” Inomata is Orlando branch manager for IACE Travel, which has more than 20 branch locations in the U.S.

 

Our photographer catches up with Eric Hoogstins, vice president, product development, Fly2America, during one of the few moments when someone was not at his table.
Our photographer catches up with Eric Hoogstins, vice president, product development, Fly2America, during one of the few moments when someone was not at his table.

 

f you were able to look close enough, you would see that BillyJo Clark, ancillary product manager, Tourico Holidays, does not have a single available open session on his appointments calendar
If you were able to look close enough, you would see that BillyJo Clark, ancillary product manager, Tourico Holidays, does not have a single available open session on his appointments calendar

 

We catch Gabby Padilla, groups manager who also handles incentive travel for Meeting Point International, between appointments.
We catch Gabby Padilla, groups manager who also handles incentive travel for Meeting Point International, between appointments.

 

New York City colleagues meet up to discuss how the day is going: Gisel Vidals, head of global sales, Americas, for Big Bus Tours; and Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company.
New York City colleagues meet up to discuss how the day is going: Gisel Vidals, head of global sales, Americas, for Big Bus Tours; and Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company.

 

Renee Wilson, director of sales for New York’s THE RIDE, previewis for us virtual reality Timelooper videos that are part of THE DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE Powered By THE RIDE
Renee Wilson, director of sales for New York’s THE RIDE, previewis for us virtual reality Timelooper videos that are part of THE DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE Powered By THE RIDE

 

New York City colleagues meet up to discuss how the day is going: Gisel Vidals, head of global sales, Americas, for Big Bus Tours; and Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company.
New York City colleagues meet up to discuss how the day is going: Gisel Vidals, head of global sales, Americas, for Big Bus Tours; and Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company.

 

Adam S. Magyar, executive director-brand partnerships, Bonotel Exclusive Travel, made the trip from Las Vegas to Orlando to take part in the RTO Summit.
Adam S. Magyar, executive director-brand partnerships, Bonotel Exclusive Travel, made the trip from Las Vegas to Orlando to take part in the RTO Summit.

 

Izumi Goodwin, office manager for JTB’s Orlando operations, shows us a brochure featuring part of the company’s USA product line.
Izumi Goodwin, office manager for JTB’s Orlando operations, shows us a brochure featuring part of the company’s USA product line.

 

We learned from Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Bethesda, Maryland-based Ujala Enterprises, that there is increased interest in USA product on the part of travelers from India.
We learned from Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Bethesda, Maryland-based Ujala Enterprises, that there is increased interest in USA product on the part of travelers from India.

 

Gisa Kusserow-Hanson, general manager, Florida, for AlliedTPro, was busy both days at the RTO Summit. On day one, she was a panelist in one of the RTO Summit’s educational sessions.
Gisa Kusserow-Hanson, general manager, Florida, for AlliedTPro, was busy both days at the RTO Summit. On day one, she was a panelist in one of the RTO Summit’s educational sessions.

 

Business appointments were so intense that those involved in discussions were unaware that a photographer was nearby.
Business appointments were so intense that those involved in discussions were unaware that a photographer was nearby.

 

We say hello to Edecio Habibe, market manager USA, HotelsPro.
We say hello to Edecio Habibe, market manager USA, HotelsPro.

 

Our photographer had to wait until just the right moment to snare this photo of Denise Cunha of Orlando-based My Vacation Tours.
Our photographer had to wait until just the right moment to snare this photo of Denise Cunha of Orlando-based My Vacation Tours.

 

After observing the activity at the North America Destinations table, where German Ortiz, manager, Latin sales; and Freedom Stephane, product manager, were constantly busy, one got the feeling that there is a resurgence taking place in the market from Brazil.
After observing the activity at the North America Destinations table, where German Ortiz, manager, Latin sales; and Freedom Stephane, product manager, were constantly busy, one got the feeling that there is a resurgence taking place in the market from Brazil.

 

Possibly the busiest place in the hall that served as the venue for buyer and supplier business meetings was the table of TrendTravelUSA, which was staffed by Michelle Perez-Frainha (left), who handles business development; and Janete Beaghley, who handles receptive operations.
Possibly the busiest place in the hall that served as the venue for buyer and supplier business meetings was the table of TrendTravelUSA, which was staffed by Michelle Perez-Frainha (left), who handles business development; and Janete Beaghley, who handles receptive operations.

 

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Jennifer Edwards (left), senior sales manager, Midway Attractions North America Merlin Entertainments; and her colleague, Lauren Paffenback, travel trade sales executive-international, Merlin Entertainments, steal a few minutes outside to update information from their business appointments.

 

A not uncommon sight later in the day at many travel industry trade shows: Here, Sabine Chilton, international sales manager for The Florida Keys and Key West, is ready to head home after two more afternoon business appointments.
A not uncommon sight later in the day at many travel industry trade shows: Here, Sabine Chilton, international sales manager for The Florida Keys and Key West, is ready to head home after two more afternoon business appointments.

 

The non-stop appointments at Abreu Tours, represented by Maria Contreras, product development, seemed to reinforce the notion that business from Brazil—it is one of the key country markets for Abreu—is going to pick up next year
The non-stop appointments at Abreu Tours, represented by Maria Contreras, product development, seemed to reinforce the notion that business from Brazil—it is one of the key country markets for Abreu—is going to pick up next year

 

Visit Orlando’s Deb Melnick (left), ‎senior planner, trade shows &events; and Libby Anderson, trade show and events planner, showed off their skills in staging a flawless luncheon for RTO Summit delegates.
Visit Orlando’s Deb Melnick (left), ‎senior planner, trade shows &events; and Libby Anderson, trade show and events planner, showed off their skills in staging a flawless luncheon for RTO Summit delegates.

 

Speaking the day’s luncheon sponsor and host city are: Chris Ellis (left), director, global trade development, for Brand USA and Visit Orlando’s Patrick Yvars, travel industry sales director, Latin America, respectively.
Speaking the day’s luncheon sponsor and host city are: Chris Ellis (left), director, global trade development, for Brand USA and Visit Orlando’s Patrick Yvars, travel industry sales director, Latin America, respectively.

 

An avid chess player, the NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for International Digital Day—the first day of the RTO Summit—hopes that someone will join him following the close of business on Day Two so they can play chess on the rather large board outside the B Resort Hotel in Orlando.
An avid chess player, the NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for International Digital Day—the first day of the RTO Summit—hopes that someone will join him following the close of business on Day Two so they can play chess on the rather large board outside the B Resort Hotel in Orlando.

 

BillyJo Clark (center), ancillary product manager, Tourico Holidays, took advantage of the venue to present the company’s Supplier of the Month award to Hornblower Cruises and Events. Accepting the award are Estelle Miller (left), director of tourism development, Hornblower Cruises and Events; and Kelley Coville, associate director of sales, Hornblower Niagara Cruises.
BillyJo Clark (center), ancillary product manager, Tourico Holidays, took advantage of the venue to present the company’s Supplier of the Month award to Hornblower Cruises and Events. Accepting the award are Estelle Miller (left), director of tourism development, Hornblower Cruises and Events; and Kelley Coville, associate director of sales, Hornblower Niagara Cruises.

eTourism International to Launch at RTO Summit in February

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eti-logo-finalThe two-day RTO Summit West will launch on February 8-9, 2017 with a day-long program on Feb. 8th in Los Angeles designed to provide international sales professionals with digital skills to complement their relationship marketing activity. The objectives are:

—Explaining digital tactics for the tour and travel industry’s international sales professionals; and

—Providing one-on-one executive coaching from experts who will help them to better understand international strategy, WeChat and other platforms effectively.

 “The re-branding of the first day of the RTO Summits as eTourism International is designed to level up the value of the event by equipping travel industry sales people  with digital tactics that can help advance their careers.” explained Jake Steinman, CEO of the NAJ Group, which stages the RTO Summits. “Of course, day two will feature business appointments that bring together travel suppliers in face-to-face meetings with receptive operators.”

The program will include presentations that cover a range of subjects, including the following:

—The Best Performing Digital Channels that drive International Sales in the leading source markets of UK, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Germany, China and India.

—Five Key Things You Need to Know about Google.

—Five Things You Need to Know about International Facebook Marketing.

SMARKETING: How SMARKETING (Sales & Marketing) can support one another in developing a cohesive international sales strategy.

—How to evaluate digital marketing campaigns proposed by in-country reps

—“Yes, Even You Can Afford it!” Examples of low cost Digital Marketing Campaigns that have proven successful.

—Utah’s Cafeteria Coop program … How the state of Utah created an international off season coop program that worked for suppliers at different budget levels

—Visit Houston’s Influencer campaign in Mexico … How Houston built a content marketing program around two influencers in Mexico that yielded over 1.5 views and impressions.

 —National Park DMO’s influencer campaigns in Germany … Posts, Translations, Videos.

—Examples of International Digital marketing Campaigns at different budget levels:

—Key Travel Trends from UK, Germany and France …  TripAdvisor will be releasing the most recent version of its European Travel Monitor research including how inbound hotel bookings have been affected by Brexit and decline in the Euro, and Donald Trump’s presidency

 —Five Things You Need to Know about Digital Marketing to reach Chinese FITs:

—Power Panel No.1: Find the Best Online Media Channel that will Boost Activity in Low Season. Learn from key company officials how Expedia Media, Travelzoo, and TripAdvisor can be used for coop programs to that target international visitors before they arrive.

 —Power Panel No. 2: A prestigious panel of leading receptive tour operators discuss their outlook on 2017 bookings, where they see opportunities and challenges. Companies participating are: AlliedTPro; New World Travel; American Tours International; DTE; and the Japanese Tour Operator Association.

To register for the RTO Summit, and for other information, visit:

https://ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Registration/StepRegInfo.jsp?ActivityID=15382&StepNumber=1

For the 6th Consecutive year, NAJ will host the Japanese Tour Operator Association luncheon during the RTO Summit.

NAJ’s RTO Summit in Orlando, Day One—International Digital Day: A Photo Log

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. NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for the day-long International Digital Day, gets the program started with a wide-ranging presentation on the state of the inbound tourism industry in the U.S.
NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for the day-long International Digital Day, gets the program started with a wide-ranging presentation on the state of the inbound tourism industry in the U.S.
Lunging right into the audience in order to make a point is Laszlo Horvath, CEO of Active Media, who explained and explored SEO techniques
Lunging right into the audience in order to make a point is Laszlo Horvath, CEO of Active Media, who explained and explored SEO techniques.
Robyn Levin, CEO of R. Levin Marketing, sets up for her presentation on using YouTube and Facebook videos to market to international audiences.
Robyn Levin, CEO of R. Levin Marketing, sets up for her presentation on using YouTube and Facebook videos to market to international audiences.
Delegates received a “one-two” combination from Trip Advisor’s Carol Johnson (left), destination marketing manager, Latin America; and Melissa Surane, senior destination marketing manager, who discussed key travel trends from the UK, Germany and France, and “The Power of TripAdvisor for International Online Marketing,” respectively.
Delegates received a “one-two” combination from Trip Advisor’s Carol Johnson (left), destination marketing manager, Latin America; and Melissa Surane, senior destination marketing manager, who discussed key travel trends from the UK, Germany and France, and “The Power of TripAdvisor for International Online Marketing,” respectively.
Susan Wilson, president of San Francisco-based Susan Wilson Marketing, looks up from her notes just prior to giving her presentation on “What to do When You’re Approached to Buy Advertising at Trade Shows.”
Susan Wilson, president of San Francisco-based Susan Wilson Marketing, looks up from her notes just prior to giving her presentation on “What to do When You’re Approached to Buy Advertising at Trade Shows.”
. Kelli Norman, director of tourism marketing and sales, Virginia Beach CVB, finds that stepping outside during a morning coffee break was an ideal place for checking messages.
. Kelli Norman, director of tourism marketing and sales, Virginia Beach CVB, finds that stepping outside during a morning coffee break was an ideal place for checking messages.
Catching up during the morning coffee break are San Francisco industry colleagues Estelle Miller (left), director of tourism development, Hornblower Cruises and Events; and Susan Wilson, president of San Francisco-based Susan Wilson Marketing.
Catching up during the morning coffee break are San Francisco industry colleagues Estelle Miller (left), director of tourism development, Hornblower Cruises and Events; and Susan Wilson, president of San Francisco-based Susan Wilson Marketing.
Fueling up with coffee and conversation during the morning coffee break are: (left) Scott Johnson, with the digital media group, Arrivalist; and the NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator of International Digital Day.
Fueling up with coffee and conversation during the morning coffee break are: (left) Scott Johnson, with the digital media group, Arrivalist; and the NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator of International Digital Day.
New to the RTO Summit and its International Digital Day are this twosome from Brazil’s Trend Travel USA (Grupo Trend): Janete Beaghley, receptive operations; and Michelle Perez-Farinha, business development.
New to the RTO Summit and its International Digital Day are this twosome from Brazil’s Trend Travel USA (Grupo Trend): Janete Beaghley, receptive operations; and Michelle Perez-Farinha, business development.
Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company, stops to give our photographer a smile during the morning coffee break.
Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company, stops to give our photographer a smile during the morning coffee break.
Between sessions, we catch Consuelo Sanchez, sports marketing coordinator and project coordinator for Pasco County, Florida; and her colleague, Lauren St. Martin public communications and tourism specialist for Pasco County.
Between sessions, we catch Consuelo Sanchez, sports marketing coordinator and project coordinator for Pasco County, Florida; and her colleague, Lauren St. Martin public communications and tourism specialist for Pasco County.
Taking a chat break between sessions are: Uri Argov (left), founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays; and NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for International Digital Day.
Taking a chat break between sessions are: Uri Argov (left), founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays; and NAJ Group’s Florian Hermann, moderator for International Digital Day.
Naz Richardson (left), group sales coordinator, Blue Man Group, Universal Orlando Resort, gets together with Frank Vertolli, co-founder, Net Conversion, just prior to Vertolli’s presentation on “How to Increase your Website and Social Media Traffic from Key International Markets by Understanding the Media Landscape.”
Naz Richardson (left), group sales coordinator, Blue Man Group, Universal Orlando Resort, gets together with Frank Vertolli, co-founder, Net Conversion, just prior to Vertolli’s presentation on “How to Increase your Website and Social Media Traffic from Key International Markets by Understanding the Media Landscape.”
. Taking a brief break between sessions is Ed Caum, tourism manager for the Pasco County, Fla. Office of Tourism Development.
. Taking a brief break between sessions is Ed Caum, tourism manager for the Pasco County, Fla. Office of Tourism Development.
. David Becker, CEO, Attract China, catches a breath of fresh air outside (above) during a break in the conference program before returning to the conference room (below) to show International Digital Day delegates how to hook up to WeChat via the QRC he has displayed during his presentation: “I Chat, You Chat, We All Chat for You Chat.”
. David Becker, CEO, Attract China, catches a breath of fresh air outside (above) during a break in the conference program before returning to the conference room (below) to show International Digital Day delegates how to hook up to WeChat via the QRC he has displayed during his presentation: “I Chat, You Chat, We All Chat for You Chat.”

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Each following the action in his or her own way: Magan Adams (right), sales manager at The Court of Two Sisters in New Orleans; and Mike Prejean, supervisor in the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
Each following the action in his or her own way: Magan Adams (right), sales manager at The Court of Two Sisters in New Orleans; and Mike Prejean, supervisor in the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
Stopping on his way to take part in a panel discussion of receptive tour operators is Jay Santos, vice president, global development for Brazilian operator Grupo Trend. He is based in Orlando.
Stopping on his way to take part in a panel discussion of receptive tour operators is Jay Santos, vice president, global development for Brazilian operator Grupo Trend. He is based in Orlando.
Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro, is waiting for the start of a panel discussion of receptive tour operators on the subject: “How Will a Donald Trump Presidency Affect International Tourism Arrivals?”
Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro, is waiting for the start of a panel discussion of receptive tour operators on the subject: “How Will a Donald Trump Presidency Affect International Tourism Arrivals?”
Also waiting for the start of the same panel discussion is Pabs Raghava, CEO of Atlanta-based Tours Limited, a receptive tour operator that specializes in bringing visitors from India to the USA.
Also waiting for the start of the same panel discussion is Pabs Raghava, CEO of Atlanta-based Tours Limited, a receptive tour operator that specializes in bringing visitors from India to the USA.
Like most delegates to International Digital Day, Jim McMichael, specialty markets manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, works at his laptop during breaks.
Like most delegates to International Digital Day, Jim McMichael, specialty markets manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, works at his laptop during breaks.
Gathering together to give us a smile during a break in the action are (left-to-right): Janete Beaghley, receptive operations. Grupo Trend; Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company; Michelle Perez-Farinha, business development, Grupo Trend; and Ann Pilcher, tourism sales manager at the Pocono Mountains CVB.
Gathering together to give us a smile during a break in the action are (left-to-right): Janete Beaghley, receptive operations. Grupo Trend; Benjamin Maddy, director of travel & tourism sales at the Madison Square Garden Company; Michelle Perez-Farinha, business development, Grupo Trend; and Ann Pilcher, tourism sales manager at the Pocono Mountains CVB.
Waiting for their turn to make a three-minute presentation before a panel of judges who will make an evaluation of what they say—in a “Shark Tank” format—are (left-to-right): Lauren Paffenback, travel trade sales executive-international, Merlin Entertainments; Jennifer Edwards, senior sales manager, Midway Attractions North America Merlin Entertainments; Claudia Cianfero, travel industry sales manager, Naples Marco Island and Everglades CVB; and Adam Morales, sales manager, leisure and business travel, worldwide sales, Best Western Hotels and Resorts.
Waiting for their turn to make a three-minute presentation before a panel of judges who will make an evaluation of what they say—in a “Shark Tank” format—are (left-to-right): Lauren Paffenback, travel trade sales executive-international, Merlin Entertainments; Jennifer Edwards, senior sales manager, Midway Attractions North America Merlin Entertainments; Claudia Cianfero, travel industry sales manager, Naples Marco Island and Everglades CVB; and Adam Morales, sales manager, leisure and business travel, worldwide sales, Best Western Hotels and Resorts.
The moment of truth arrives for “Shark Tank” participant Rivka Schwadel (right), director of groups and charter sales, City Sightseeing New York, as she listens to the comments of Uri Argov, founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays. Also taking in Argov’s commentary are (left-to-right): Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro; Kirsten Knauer, senior director, global sales, Fogo de Chao; and Melissa Rose, tour reservations and sales coordinator, Corning Museum of Glass
The moment of truth arrives for “Shark Tank” participant Rivka Schwadel (right), director of groups and charter sales, City Sightseeing New York, as she listens to the comments of Uri Argov, founder and CEO of Tourico Holidays. Also taking in Argov’s commentary are (left-to-right): Gisa Kusserow-Hansen, general manager, Florida, AlliedTPro; Kirsten Knauer, senior director, global sales, Fogo de Chao; and Melissa Rose, tour reservations and sales coordinator, Corning Museum of Glass.
. Both Bob Schwartz (left), director of marketing and sales, Boston Duck Tours; and Christian Van Meter, manager, group sales, Americas, for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, have laptops and smartphones at the ready as the take a “work break.”
. Both Bob Schwartz (left), director of marketing and sales, Boston Duck Tours; and Christian Van Meter, manager, group sales, Americas, for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, have laptops and smartphones at the ready as the take a “work break.”
Stepping outside to enjoy the closing reception for day one of the RTO Summit are: Owen Tang (left) and Rick Xi, of Orland-based New Creative Tours.
Stepping outside to enjoy the closing reception for day one of the RTO Summit are: Owen Tang (left) and Rick Xi, of Orland-based New Creative Tours.
Florida colleagues joining one another at the closing reception include (left-to-right): Leda Beever, travel tourism sales and product development manager, Daytona Beach Area CVB, Marielle Perre, manager, global travel accounts & product director, Florida Travel Network Receptive; and Sabine Chilton, international sales manager for The Florida Keys and Key West.
Florida colleagues joining one another at the closing reception include (left-to-right): Leda Beever, travel tourism sales and product development manager, Daytona Beach Area CVB, Marielle Perre, manager, global travel accounts & product director, Florida Travel Network Receptive; and Sabine Chilton, international sales manager for The Florida Keys and Key West.
. The host hotel as day one of the RTO Summit, International Digital Day, comes to a close.
. The host hotel as day one of the RTO Summit, International Digital Day, comes to a close.

Watch for more photos from the RTO Summit in the next issue of the Inbound Report.

Looking for a Receptive Operator in the USA?

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NAJ Launches 2017 Initiative to Help Receptive Operators Find New Clients

receptive-operatorsOne of the trends discovered during the annual autumn Listening Tour conducted by Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of the NAJ Group—as well as during discussions at Salons held several weeks ago in Orlando and New York—was this: All of the receptive tour operators he met with met with were stepping up their efforts to find new business as they anticipate that 2017 and 2018 are likely to be challenging years for inbound tourism to the USA.

A part of, and aware of, this business environment, NAJ is launching an initiative designed to develop new business through three areas of action:

First—NAJ’s TourOperatorLand.com website will begin aggressively promoting its “ReceptiveFinder” function, which has the world’s only Receptive Tour Operator Directory—a service that that matches international buyers with receptive tour operators by the languages spoken in their offices, or by the destination they serve. TourOperatorLand.com has nearly 2,800 active buyers and 35.3 percent of these buyers have used the ReceptiveFinder tool to seek out receptive partners.

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Second—Promotional Support: There will be editorial and banner ad support for the ReceptiveFinder that will appear in NAJ’s Inbound Report, TourOperatorLand magazine (distributed to all IPW delegates) and in ads in the IPW Daily.

Third—Marketing Support: A “Marketing Tips and Trends”  section designed to help tour operators sell and market their products will be sent to NAJ’s database of 4,500 tour operators on a quarterly basis.

TourOperatorLand—by the Numbers

2,758: Number of Registered buyers on TourOperatorLand.com

1,560: Number of buyers from outside the U.S.

73: Number of countries represented by registered operators on TourOperatorLand.com

3: Rank of ReceptiveFinder among the most used functions of TourOperatorland

2,200: Number of searches on TourOperatorland in past 12 months for receptive tour operators

 

Just In Time Marketing to Tour Operators

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touroperatorlandFirst, the Just-In-Time Tour Operator Planning Cycle: Following are the schedules and deadlines that U.S. travel suppliers should be aware of should they plan on furnishing brochure and related material to U.S. domestic tour operators and selected international tour operators. TheTourOperatorLand website—it is operated by the NAJ Group, which also publishes the Inbound Report—has made this service available as a tool to help suppliers and U.S. DMOs market their product to operators. “Sending Itineraries” are recommended when operators are beginning

 

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