World Travel Market invites senior travel industry leaders to the WTM Global Economic Forum

Click on the video link below for a taste of the hard-hitting truths that will be discussed at the WTM Global Economic Forum on Thursday, November 13. Forum chair Peter Hobday (right), former BBC broadcaster and economics journalist and panel speaker John Strickland (left), Senior Airline Industry consultant preview the effects of the global economy as the credit crunch puts increasing pressure on the future of the travel industry.
Link to Vodcast

On the day, Peter and John will be joined by other leading industry experts including keynote speaker Norbert Walter, chief economist for Deutsche Bank, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Organization, and John Walker, leading tourism economist and chairman of Oxford and Tourism Economics.

Arleigh Galant Vasconcellos Phone: +44 (0)20 8910 7038 Email: arleigh.galantvasconcellos@reedexpo.co.uk
Forimmediaterelease.net

ASTA releases Travel Agent’s Management Toolkit

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Today, ASTA announced its newest member benefit — the Travel Agent’s Management Toolkit. Sponsored by Best Western, this interactive toolkit combines the best of the Model Agency I and II programs and is designed to provide ASTA members with the essential tools to assist them in running their businesses in a more efficient and profitable way.

“Whether you’re an agency owner, a manager or run your own home-based business, by the time you’ve finished this course you will find that you not only have explored new information and approaches to running your business but rediscovered old skills and practices,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and CEO. “To maximize their potential, it is imperative that travel agents have a solid understanding of the relationship between revenue sources and cost structures, service and sales goals, focused marketing and business strategies. Now, thanks to the generosity of Best Western, we are able to offer this course at no cost so there really is nothing to stop ASTA members from reaching their highest potential.”

This course is interactive in that, where appropriate, it links to tools found on ASTA.org — such as the Financial Benchmarking and Salary tools — and encourages agents to input the data requested as they work through the course so that when complete they will have actionable data.

Once completed, travel agents will be able to:

· Chart their agency’s progress against industry benchmarks;

· Develop an income statement, balance sheet and key financial ratios;

· Forecast profitability by using financial forecasting tools;

· Assess their agency’s staffing needs;

· Develop a simple marketing plan; and

· Write a successful business plan.

For more information, go to www.ASTA.org/education

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Ms. Kristina Rundquist VP, Communications American Society of Travel Agents Phone: (703) 739-8710 E-Mail: pr@asta.org
Forimmediaterelease.net

Reed Travel Exhibitions launches Americas Meetings Trade Show for 2010

Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced today that it is to launch a new international trade show for the global meetings and incentive industry – the Americas Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) to be held in Baltimore, Maryland from June 29 - July 1, 2010.

This new major event completes the company’s established portfolio of ‘IBTM’ exhibitions specifically serving the global meetings industry marketplace. AIBTM joins EIBTM in Barcelona, GIBTM in Abu Dhabi and CIBTM in Beijing. The portfolio also includes AIME, Melbourne and the ICCA Congress Exhibition held in a different destination each year.

Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition director of Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events commented, “Following a two-year research and business development plan for AIBTM, it was clear that there was a real need and demand for an Americas event that delivered domestic and international exhibitors and buyers.

AIBTM will be based on the hugely successful EIBTM model and with our considerable expertise and reputation in the meetings sector in providing best business, best education and best networking – is highly targeted, matching exhibitors with quality Hosted Buyers and visitors with the power to do business.”

In choosing Baltimore to host an event that is set to become the Americas leading meetings event, Paul Kennedy added, “It was essential to find a city that had a first-class venue with excellent on-site facilities, a variety of quality hotel stock and a transport infrastructure which included airports that had extensive air routes to cater for the international audience arriving from all over Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Far East and of course North America.

“What impressed us most was the enthusiasm, desire and ability shown by the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, The Convention Center, DMCs and hotels. We have made a terrific choice in Baltimore, which will host what must be considered the biggest fam trip the city will ever see. AIBTM is well and truly in good hands.”

Speaking at the launch, Tom Noonan, president and CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association said, “This is a major coup for our city. We are delighted to have been chosen as the host city for AIBTM for at least the next five years and look forward to working with Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events team led by Paul Kennedy. They are widely respected and have an international reputation in organizing and running events for the meetings industry.”

AIBTM will witness the first truly large-scale international Hosted Buyer program in the Americas enhanced by a substantial domestic Hosted Buyer and trade visitor population. Baltimore is superbly located to draw upon the world’s largest concentration of meetings planners situated in the North East USA.

Leading industry figures have welcomed the launch:

Christian Mutschlechner, CEO Vienna Convention Bureau stated, “I am delighted that Reed Travel Exhibitions have launched AIBTM. Vienna will be exhibiting, and I am sure we will be joined by all the major destinations around the globe.”

Bruce M. MacMillan, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International remarked, “Through events like EIBTM in Europe, GIBTM in the Gulf Region and CIBTM in China, Reed Travel Exhibitions has positioned itself as the global meeting and event industry marketplace leader, and we look forward to extending our global partnership with them at AIBTM.”

Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA commented, “We’re delighted to welcome the launch of AIBTM as a genuinely international meetings industry trade show in the USA and feel certain that the ‘hosted buyer’ business model which RTE uses for EIBTM and the rest of the portfolio will prove to be a big winner with this new event. I am certain there will be enthusiastic support for AIBTM by ICCA members from all regions of the world.”

Dates for AIBTM from 2011 – 2014 are as follows:

June 21 - 23, 2011

June 19 – 21, 2012

June 18 – 20, 2013

June 17 – 19, 2014

Simon Greenbury Tel: +44 (0) 207 096 2960 Mobile +44 (0) 7798 650 220 Email: simon.greenbury@cut-coms.co.uk Imogen Allen Tel: +44 (0) 207 096 2959 Email: imogen.allen@cut-coms.co.uk AIBTM Website: www.aibtm.com Reed Travel Exhibitions website: www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
Forimmediaterelease.net

TRAVEL GO TO HEAVEN

Borobudur Temple, Java-INDONESIA

The Great Pyramids of Giza-EGYPT

Tower of Pisa - ITALY

Paris

Ka'ba and Black Stone, Mecca - SAUDI ARABIA

Golden Temple of Amritsar- INDIA

Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), Beijing - CHINA

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City - USA

Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam - NETHERLANDS

Mt. Fuji - JAPAN

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa - TIBET

Blue Mosque with Park - TURKEY

Uluru/Ayers Rock - AUSTRALIA

Bangkok - THAILAND

Lake Titicaca - BOLIVIA

Barcelona Cathedral (La Seu), Barcelona - SPAIN

Gamla Uppsala - SWEDEN

Tintern Abbey - Wales - UK

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin - GERMANY

Mosteiro de Santa Maria, Alcobaca - PORTUGAL

African Travel Association to host 2nd annual US-Africa Seminar

New York, NY — As part of its effort to build the premier Africa tourism seminar in the United States, the Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it will host the second edition of its newest program, the US-Africa Seminar, in Washington, DC from February 19-20, 2009. This year’s seminar will highlight sport and adventure tourism, Africa’s fastest-growing travel and tourism sectors, as opportunities for growth and investment. The seminar will also highlight the role of the African Diaspora in the development of Africa’s tourism industry.

“With 53 countries on the continent, Africa’s travel and tourism sector opportunities are boundless,” said ATA executive director Edward Bergman. “It is our mission to make these opportunities known to the US travel industry trade community, as well as to tourists looking for unique travel opportunities.”

Co-sponsored by Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE), the seminar will bring leaders in the tourism industry together to explore the continent’s emerging sport and adventure tourism opportunities and Diaspora tourism. The event will be a two-day kickoff to the ATE travel show to be held from February 21-22, 2009 at the Washington Convention Center.

“Our support demonstrates ATE’s commitment to not only developing tourism in Africa, but also to promoting experiential travel with heavy emphasis on outdoor sports and activities,” said Jim Forberg, COO Unicomm LLC. “ATE events were designed to educate the consumer on the opportunity of having a more enriched and engaging vacation through experiences and Africa is a continent known to provide this.”

Seminar participants will have an opportunity to join the ATE African Pavilion and will receive concessions for participating in the event.

The seminar builds on the momentum created at the first US-Africa Seminar, which focused on sport tourism in February 2008, when mega sporting events, such as the African Cup of Nations, FIFA 2010 World Cup, as well as team and individual sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis, athletics, golf, diving, biking, canoeing, trekking and boating, were presented as opportunities for growth and investment.

In addition to sport and adventure tourism, the 2009 seminar will focus on the potential role of the African Diaspora in promoting tourism to and investment in Africa.

“There is growing evidence that African immigrant communities contribute to the development of their home countries through investment, entrepreneurism, public relations and knowledge exchange,” said Ogo Sow, ATA board member and advisor on Africa Diaspora Affairs. The seminar will present a number of case studies on African Diaspora investment in the industry and include a roundtable discussion on the role of the Diaspora media in travel promotion.

Participants in the 2008 seminar included ministers from Angola, Ghana, Togo and South Africa, senior representatives of the diplomatic community, hotel and airline executives, travel industry experts, tourism board heads, tour operators, travel agents and representatives from sports organizations, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the African Baseball Network. WNBA Legend Teresa Weatherspoon and WNBA Washington Mystics Mactabene Amachree made special appearances. The South African consulate general hosted a reception on the 2010 World Cup with special guest, Hon. deputy minister, Department of Sport and Recreation of South Africa.
Forimmediaterelease.net

International Travel Agent Summit attracts agents from 18 countries

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Nearly 40 travel sellers representing 18 countries attended ASTA's International Travel Agent Summit in Orlando on September 9, 2008. The meeting, which kicked off Global Business Day at THETRADESHOW, was created to bring international travel professionals together to meet and develop global business contacts.

“The International Travel Agent Summit is exactly what our international members have been asking for, and THETRADESHOW was the perfect time to gather everyone together,” said Robert Durant, president of the International Chapter Presidents Counsel. “Our members have asked for more networking, more opportunities and a growing marketplace that they can easily conduct business in across the globe. The Global Business Day was the perfect forum to meet their needs and furnish business opportunities for our international members.”

In addition to giving each participant the opportunity to introduce their company, the Summit featured a presentation highlighting ASTA's unique package of online business tools, including the WebExchange, ASTA's business-to-business online marketplace, access to consumer leads generated from ASTA's consumer Web site, and the International Bulletin Board, ASTA's online forum for member discussion and networking.

To see a summary of the meeting, a copy of the presentation of ASTA's online business tools and the Summit Directory, which lists all travel agents who registered for the International Travel Agent Summit, please go to ASTA's Global Business Day page on ASTA.org .

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.
Forimmediaterelease.net

South Africa's Glorious Night of Travel Triumph

It was ‘Win Win Win’ all the way for South Africa on Monday evening’s (12 May) first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony, held in partnership with the International Convention Centre, Durban.
The country was in sparkling form, winning a range of the coveted top awards for the whole of Africa.
Reigning King of the Zulu nation, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu opened the first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony,watched by some 400 VIPs and leading figures. This included The Mayor of Durban, Cllr. Obed Mlaba, James Wilson, CEO of Dubai World Africa and Miller Motola, CEO of ICC Durban, who both made some of the presentations to top award winners.
Todd Neuman, Vice President of South African Airways, was presented with Africa’s Leading Airline award; Heinz Grub, Chief Operating Officer and Area Manager, Arabella Starwood Hotels&Resorts, received the Africa Leading Family Resort award on behalf of Arabella Western Cape Hotel&Spa; Cllr. Grant Haskin, Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, received Africa’s Leading Destination and Wally Gaynor, Managing Director of Club Travel, scooped the Africa’s Leading Travel Agency Award.
Other South African overall continent winners included: Tambo International Airport, Africa’s Leading Airport; International Convention Centre, Durban, Africa’s Leading Conference Centre; Shamwari Game Reserve, Africa’s Leading Safari; Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge; Mount Nelson Hotel&Spa, Africa’s Leading Hotel; Sun City Resort scooped Africa’s Leading Resort award; Sun International also picked up the award for Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand.
Country-specific awards for South Africa were presented to: Saxon Boutique Hotel&Spa, South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel; The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays, South Africa’s Leading Business Hotel; Fancourt Hotel&Country Club, South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort; Cape Grace Hotel, South Africa’s Leading Hotel; Sun City Resort, South Africa’s Leading Resort; Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge.
Winners of all 75 categories for Africa and African countries are listed on the World Travel Awards website www.worldtravelawards.com
“It was a wonderful evening for African tourism and hopefully an inspiration for all those nominated but who were unlucky enough not to win,” said Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards. “We hope that the winners have set a supreme standard of professionalism in Africa with excellent examples of creativity and business acumen that can stimulate others to also raise their performance and their profile, not only within the African industry but worldwide.”
The winners were chosen by votes from executives working within travel and tourism.
Miller Matola, CEO of ICC Durban commented: “The ICC Durban feels honoured to be hosting such a prestigious awards ceremony and equally honoured that the first leg of the Grand Tour is happening in the sunny city of Durban. Coupled with the excitement of Indaba, there is a contagious spirit that has enveloped most delegates.
“This is undoubtedly the most talked about event within the Indaba calendar and the ICC Durban feels privileged to be associated with the illustrious World Travel Awards.”
Speaking after the ceremony, he added, “This is indeed an eventful day. The ICC Durban has regained the celebrated title of Africa’s Leading Convention Centre. “It is an accolade we will carry proudly when hosting the many major international and local events at this centre.”
Durban Wins WTA for 2009

Durban’s International Conference Centre is to host the World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony in 2009. The deal was signed just hours before the event by Miller Matola, CEO of ICC Durban and Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards.
“The ICC is a state-of-the-art world class conference centre”, said Mr Cooke, “and perfect for such a prestigious ceremony for African travel and tourism. We have been delighted with not only the facilities, but also the wonderful support from the ICC staff.”
The Africa event forms part of a World Travel Awards Grand Tour with regional awards staged throughout the world, ending with a Winners Dinner in London on 9 November and a Grand Final at Turks&Caicos in the Caribbean on 12 December 2008. The next regional event is the World Travel Awards Australasia Ceremony in Sydney on 10 June and the World Travel Awards Asia and Indian Ocean Ceremony on 19 June in Shanghai.

About World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.
• Now celebrating its 15th Anniversary, the awards are regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive.
• Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.
• Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in 919 categories.
• Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top-level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.
Log on to www.worldtravelawards.com for regular updated information
Forimmediaterelease.net