DELIVERING BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TO NTA MEMBERS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

Top spots for travel PAGE 14

EXPERT ADVICE FOR GROUP LEADERS PAGE 8

MUSEUMS REVIVE AND RETELL PAGE 21

SILVER LININGS PAGE 52

Colorado National Monument DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 15 OR MORE

Your group can experience all Colonial Williamsburg has to o er with an experience designed to fit the requirements of day-trippers, groups on tight schedules, or those who want a structured experience. Stay at one of our ocial Colonial Williamsburg hotels and you will have a choice of premium, deluxe, or value accommodations, all just a short stroll to the Historic Area. Plus, you will enjoy Exclusive Guest Benefits—reduced pricing for admission tickets to the Historic Area and museums, preferred reservations, and more.

Choose from a half-day, one-day, three-days, or annual ticket package. You may choose to have a Customized Guided Tour or explore on your own with our Self-Guided Tour option.

Book your group trip today: call 1-800-228-8878, email [email protected], visit colonialwilliamsburg.org/grouptours

CW-XXX-NTAGroupTripPlanner_8375x10875_wbleed_r1.indd 1 7/21/20 4:20 PM August/September 2020

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

Here’s where groups go 4 From the Editor As groups gear up to get back on the road, Courier’s Bob 6 Voices of Leadership Rouse takes you on a journey to six great places across North Business America where travelers can enjoy a range of experiences. 7 InBrief vTREX, it’s what’s for 2020 ITMI, WFTA to be part of vTREX 14 NTA asks for U.S. mask mandate

City Spotlight: 8 Lead on Washington, D.C. NTA tour operators offer post-COVID advice and encouragement Between its noteworthy for their partners: Group leaders neighborhoods, magnificent museums, and locations loved 11 Loyalty has its privileges by locals, the U.S. capital city is Association members can earn points that translate into much more than monuments. getting additional benefits and rewards through the NTA Loyalty Program. 18 12 Discovering Civil War history and the USS Monitor Dive into a fascinating feature on a famous ironclad at one of Museums the 14 U.S. national marine sanctuaries. Courier’s Kendall Fletcher examines a new museum 13 Consumer trends in a post-COVID world and two others that have MaCher’s chief researcher, Rochelle Turner, gives readers a re-opened their doors amid the peek at what lies ahead when the pandemic passes. pandemic—from their unique exhibitions to their health and Resources safety developments. Info for all NTA-member museums can be 39 Tour Operator and Travel Agent Guide 21 found in the guide that follows. Community 50 Meet the Members COMPASS Rainforest Cruises Great Lakes 50 Introducing ... 28 LU Send – Liberty University Illinois | Indiana | Michigan | Minnesota | Ohio | Woodford County Tourist Commission Wisconsin 52 AfterWords Coastal California “Silver linings” sparkle in spite of stalled travel, and NTA 31 members share the lemonade they’ve made from COVID lemons. 34 South Pacific Australia | Guam | Hawaii | New Zealand 36 Central Europe Croatia | Lithuania | Poland | Slovakia 38 Asia and India 31

Courier has used images existing in the public domain or made available from sources including, but not limited to, Flickr and Wikimedia Commons under a Creative Commons Attribution Generic License. The full text of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License is available at bit.ly/1gDYjzM. Images used may have been altered by cropping or adjusted for contrast, saturation, size, color, clarity or otherwise digitally manipulated to meet design specifications. Courier’s use of Creative Commons and public domain images does not constitute or suggest the licensor’s explicit or implied endorsement of Courier, its content, staff, contributors, advertisers or any other use by Courier.

NTAcourier.com 1 AD INDEX Volume 47, Issue 6 August/September 2020 | ★ New advertisers NTA President A Closer Look Tours...... 16 acloserlooktours.com Catherine Prather, CTP [email protected] Aon Affinity Editorial Insurance Services...... Back Cover berkely.com Editor in Chief Bob Rouse, CTP [email protected] Cochise County Tourism Council...... 7 Managing Editor Pat Henderson [email protected] explorecochise.com

Writer Kendall Fletcher [email protected] Colonial Williamsburg Contributors Catherine Prather, Shannon Ricles, Rochelle Turner Foundation...... Inside Front Cover colonialwilliamsburg.com/grouptours Graphic Design Jeff Quire CroisiEurope America...... 39 Advertising croisieuroperivercruises.com

President, NTA Services Kami Risk, CTP [email protected] Delta Air Lines...... Inside Back Cover Director of Sales and Key Accounts Beth Engel, CTP [email protected] delta.com Account Executive Gina Rutledge [email protected] Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership...... 9 Senior Manager, Marketing Ashley Fish [email protected] visitfred.com

Graceland & Guest House PLANNING AHEAD at Graceland ...... 10 To view the 2020 editorial calendar, visit NTAonline.com/advertising. NTA members can submit tour product graceland.com information or editorial queries to [email protected]. And for advertising information, contact Great Tour Experiences...... 39 Kendall Fletcher at +1.859.264.6559 or [email protected]. greattourexperiences.com.au OCTOBER/NOVEMBER ISSUE DECEMBER/JANUARY ISSUE Hagley Museum and Library...... 24 hagley.org DESTINATIONS DESTINATIONS America’s Historic East Midwest U.S. History Colorado...... 24 Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, historycolorado.org New England Oklahoma ★Louisiana Office of Tourism...... 14 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, West U.S. louisianatravel.com Rhode Island, Vermont Alaska, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington South Central U.S. Western Europe Meet AC ...... 3 touratlanticcity.com Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Atlantic Canada Portugal, Scotland, Spain Norwegian Cruise Line...... 5 New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, City Spotlight: Ottawa ncl.com Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island SPECIAL COVERAGE Ronald Reagan Presidential Egypt, Israel, and Jordan Faith-based Travel Library and Museum...... 17 City Spotlight: Colorado Springs reaganlibrary.com Preview to Contact Memphis SPECIAL COVERAGE Guide: Casinos & Gaming Smithsonian’s National Travel Exchange 2020 Air and Space Museum...... 24 DEADLINES Music Destinations and Attractions airandspace.si.edu Space: Oct. 23 | Material: Nov. 2 Guide: Theaters and Broadway Shows Springfield Convention DEADLINES & Visitors Bureau...... 29 visitspringfieldillinois.com Space: Aug. 7 | Material: Aug. 17 ★Star Destinations ...... 39 stardestinations.com

Tour Colorado...... 15 PUBLISHED BY NTA SERVICES, INC. Email: [email protected] tourcolorado.org COURIER (USPS 602270, ISSN 0279-4489)(Vol. 47, Issue 6) published eight times a year by NTA Services, Inc., 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 190, Lexington, KY 40509. Periodicals Postage Paid at Lexington, Kentucky, and additional mailing offices. Subscription rate is $60 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Courier, 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 190, Lexington, KY 40509. COURIER is the official licensed publication of NTA®, an international trade association of the packaged travel industry. Copyright© 2020, NTA Services, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or by any SEARCHABLE! means, electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of Courier, except for quotations made for purposes of a review. All inquiries should be sent to Courier magazine, 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 190, Lexington, KY 40509, +1.859.264.6559. Additional subscriptions can be purchased by calling +1.859.264.6559. Printed in USA. Advertising rates are available upon request. For a change of address, subscribers may notify Courier directly, by email or letter.

COURIER’S MISSION STATEMENT Courier aims to facilitate member-to-member partnering by spotlighting member product and destinations worldwide, to provide information on current industry trends and issues, and to inform members about NTA initiatives, events, and benefits.

2 August/September 2020 REDISCOVER ATLANTIC CITY The Story Continues

Entertainment and excitement await in Atlantic City, including our world-famous Boardwalk, the ultimate in tax-free shopping, award-winning dining, live entertainment, and great attractions, like the Absecon Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. Experience an exciting getaway and create a lifetime of memories in Atlantic City.

TourAtlanticCity.com NTAcourier.com 3 FROM THE EDITOR

Bob Rouse Editor in Chief 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 190 Lexington, KY 40509 USA +1.859.264.6548 [email protected]

diversion during a stressful time. I had made it to first base. My new friend wanted to share my email with a reporter, and Shi Davidi called the next day to interview me. His story (sprtsnt.ca/39rjc3e) led to a Wednesday appearance on CTV, Canada’s most-watched TV news outlet (bit.ly/3hswiQc). Thursday had me on a Toronto radio station and in local online WELL that was fun. stories (bit.ly/2WRYaFT). On Friday we completed this issue. In the days before we completed this issue of Courier—time I And it’s a bit different. In true 2020 form, we’ve pivoted normally reserve for fast writing—I got caught up in something away from print and are offering August/September as an profoundly positive and fun. That’s rare for 2020. e-pub. We’ll post individual stories on NTAcourier.com in the When I read that the Toronto Blue Jays were looking for days and weeks to come, assuring a widespread audience. a place to play their home games in the COVID-shortened They’re worth reading now, though. Kendall Fletcher offers Major League Baseball season (Canada’s border is closed to keen observations about several NTA-member museums in “To U.S. travelers, including visiting teams), I emailed several of revive and retell” (starting on page 21). Pat Henderson shines the Jays’ front-office staff with a simple proposal: Come to my our City Spotlight on neighborhoods, museums, and mem­ Kentucky hometown and play ball. bers in Washington, D.C. (p. 18). And Kendall and Pat take It was a lark, of course. Midway, a town of 1,800, has fantas­ you around the world in destination coverage, from the Great tic restaurants and is surrounded by gorgeous horse farms and Lakes to the Great Barrier Reef, starting on page 28. aromatic bourbon distilleries … but no hotels. And the new ball As Courier pivots, so does the travel industry. Read how tour field at Midway University doesn’t even have bleachers yet. operators expect to continue working with group leaders when And I was honest about all of that when I stepped to the plate travel resumes (p. 8), and learn what one expert predicts in and sent my email. That was on a Monday afternoon. “Consumer trends in a post-COVID world” (p. 13). A few hours later, the team’s director of fan services called We pivot and we wait. Yet as we work from home during the to tell me that my far-fetched suggestion was a welcome chaos of COVID, we find a few positives. See “Silver linings” (p. 52) for uplifting words from your colleagues. So about those Blue Jays who uplifted from Toronto: As we August/September Courier Destination Index complete this issue on Friday, the MLB team is still searching for a spot to land. I’m 99.9% certain it won’t be Midway. But Australia 34 Michigan 29 that leaves a 0.1% chance. And in 2020, nothing is certain … California 23, 31–33 Minnesota 30 which means anything is possible. Colorado 15 New Zealand 35 That’s my silver lining. Croatia 36 Newfoundland 17 Delaware 24 Ohio 30 Read on, Guam 35 Poland 36 Hawaii 34 Slovakia 37 Illinois 29 South Carolina 17 India 38 Tennessee 21–22 Indiana 28 Utah 16 Japan 38 Virginia 19, 24 Lithuania 37 Washington, D.C. 18–20 On the cover: Colorado National Monument Louisiana 14, 22–23 Wisconsin 28 features sheer canyons and Maryland 16 sandstone rock formations. Photo by Tour Colorado

4 August/September 2020 Dear Tour Operators,

I hope that you and your loved ones have stayed safe and well during the pandemic, and I thank you for the countless letters and emails of support I have personally received over the past few months. Many of you have kindly asked about the welfare of our ship-based crew and our offi ce-based employees while others are daydreaming along with us about a return to the seas.

Your eagerness to set sail with us again has come across loud and clear as has your interest in learning more about how the cruise experience will change once we resume operations.

Please know that during our cruise line’s more than 53-year history, the safety, health and well-being of our guests, crew members and the communities we visit have been and continue to be our #1 priority—both on board and on shore. Before we all recognized the magnitude of the global pandemic, we put in place some of the most stringent health and safety measures across the industry. And as we prepare to return to operations, it is important now more than ever to further develop our health and safety protocols.

Accordingly, we have spent the past months working with experts in their respective fi elds, world-leading safety vendors and our internal safety and medical teams, to ensure your safety so that you can explore the world with the ultimate Peace of Mind™. We continue to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are developing even more stringent protocols to meet and exceed their standards once those have been fi nalized.

We are excited to share recent enhancements to our health and safety standards that are extraordinarily robust—far too detailed to fully list in a letter. It is our belief that when taken as a whole, these protocols will allow a vacation with Norwegian Cruise Line to be among the safest vacation options available. For those interested in reading through the details, and we encourage you to do so. Please click on the links below that detail our 6 key areas of focus:

ENHANCED SCREENING PROTOCOLS RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL DISTANCING

ALL-NEW AIR FILTRATION ENHANCED MEDICAL RESOURCES

INCREASED SANITATION MEASURES EXTENDED SHIP TO SHORE SAFETY

Moving forward, we expect to implement additional safety measures as we continue working with the CDC, global health organizations and domestic and international government agencies.

As I mentioned earlier, your health and safety are our top priority. We commit to taking every precaution to protect you, placing the highest value on your well-being over profi ts so you can continue to explore the world with those you love, safely.

We would love your feedback on these new protocols as well as other measures that would provide you additional Peace of Mind, so please send your thoughts to [email protected]. I look forward to your suggestions!

We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back on board soon to explore the world in comfort and safety. Together, we’ll return to our favorite place—the ocean. In the meantime, stay safe and be well.

Sincerely,

Harry Sommer, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line

©2020 NCL Corporation Ltd. Ships’ Registry: Bahamas and USA. 41939 6/20 NTAcourier.com 5 VOICES OF LEADERSHIP

NTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee

Chair Jim Warren, CTP Anderson Vacations Catherine Prather, CTP [email protected] President 101 Prosperous Place, Suite 190 Vice Chair Lexington, KY 40509 USA Chase Poffenberger +1.859.264.6545 Academic Travel Abroad [email protected] [email protected] Secretary Debra Asberry I KNOW YOU CAN RELATE when I say distanced visitors. Destinations are gearing Women Traveling Together this: There are days I want to go back to their messages to exploring nature and being [email protected] sleep and wake up only when this madness active—even when they’ve rarely spotlighted Immediate Past Chair has stopped. The lives lost. The careers those attributes before. Paul Larsen ended. The businesses closed. The seem­ You’re using technology to keep clients Ed-Ventures ingly never-ending uncertainty. inspired, you’re “simply reaching out” instead [email protected] But then there’s always that spark of of selling, you’re sending baskets of local DMO Director hope, that ray of positivity, that recharge of treats to remind travelers of what they are Kelly Dean energy. And it typically comes from you, missing, and you’re offering boxed lunches Ottawa Tourism dear NTA member. on your rooftop terrace because you can no [email protected] You send emails, make posts, or give us longer have catered meals in your facility. Tour Supplier Director calls to share your thanks for what NTA is You are pivoting with every new regulation, Cory Mace doing to help you navigate these uncharted obstacle, and twist along this winding road. North Central Group [email protected] waters. Through your simple acts of gratitude, My hope is that you connect with your I am recharged to get going, to plunge deeper, fellow NTA colleagues so they are aware of Directors and to keep trying to do the best I can. these amazing pivots. Use Engage to com­ Dawn Burns I also am inspired and motivated by your municate what you’re doing. Keep your web­ Deadwood CVB resiliency and by your ability to pivot. sites current with this new information and [email protected] Yes, pivot. It’s one of my new favorite product offerings, noting who the contacts Jorge Cazenave, CTP words, and I’m certain I’ll wear it out. (In are, and if you are closed, how someone can Cazenave Argentina fact, my co-workers may feel I’ve already get information when you do reopen. [email protected] worn out its welcome.) Yet, it is exactly And perhaps most important, think what we all have been doing—and must con­ about your DMO as your first responder.* Angela Harness, CTP Tanger Outlets tinue to do—in order to survive and thrive. Tour suppliers, make your DMO aware [email protected] We don’t know what travel will look of what’s going on so they have the most like when the coronavirus dust settles, and current information for tour operators. Fraser Neave, CTP Wells Gray Tours really, the only certainty is that our land­ And operators, you can head to your DMO [email protected] scape will be very, very different. Every day partners for everything you need. is a new day in terms of Battle COVID, so We should come together now like no Nish Patel Mayflower Cruises and Tours pivot we must. other time. We need to be patient with one [email protected] I’ve heard of staunch multi-day tour com­ another, we need flexibility, and we need to panies treading into the waters of one-day collaborate on that next pivot. Monique van Dijk-Seppola Scandinavia Tours outings. There are operators who only sell [email protected] cruises or package international travel, and Be safe and be well, they are now turning their eyes closer to Jerry Varner, CTP Making Memories Tours home with itineraries within their com­ [email protected] munities. Attractions are adapting their experiences for mask-wearing, physically Christina Werner, CTP Custom Holidays [email protected]

*Shout out to Todd Stallbaumer with Oklahoma Tourism for “Your DMO as your first responder.” Director at Large

Michelle Pino Northeast Unlimited Tours [email protected]

6 August/September 2020 NEWS AND NOTES ABOUT YOUR InBrief ASSOCIATION AND THE INDUSTRY BY BOB ROUSE vTREX, it’s what’s for 2020 WHERE THERE’S A WILL, there’s a way. And for National Tour Association members, there’s a will to connect, but with many budgets cut to the bone, business travel has been all but eliminated. There’s still a way, though, in 2020: The association’s signature event, Travel Exchange, will be conducted each day and happy hours to end them, entirely online. we’ll have some fun with afternoon breaks Instead of gathering this November in and check-in moments from NTA leaders.” Reno, Nevada, the NTA community will NTA President Catherine Prather, CTP, get together on laptops, desktops, and who will host the event along with 2020 mobile devices from Nov. 17 to 19. The NTA Chair Jim Warren, adds, “With reg­ virtual Travel Exchange, dubbed vTREX, istration fees less than half of our regular will be a combination of one-on-one and show and with no expenses for travel, we small group appointments, and a mix of expect to see our regular delegates and seminars and sessions. pick up some new attendees, too.” “During the three-day show, members The event also will welcome travel can meet with each other in a condensed professionals whose engagement in the appointment schedule and in live seminars NTA community was interrupted by and roundtables, says Dawn Pettus, CTP, COVID-related job loss. NTA vice president for events. “We’ve built To get details on pricing and the Tour in a number of community-building events, schedule—and to register for vTREX—go too. Along with general sessions to start to NTAtravelexchange.com. Unexplored Arizona ITMI, WFTA to be part of vTREX Cochise County, with NTA will continue its collaboration with the International Tour Management Institute mile-high, hip towns and and the World Food Travel Association. During a special pre-vTREX session, NTA breath-taking scenery is members will be able to meet with ITMI-certified tour directors about open positions an undiscovered jewel! they have with their organizations. WFTA will hold its first FoodTreX North America Nov. 12–13, and NTA members can attend the virtual show at a reduced price. Explore wide-open spaces and quaint nooks, plus world-class attractions NTA asks for U.S. mask mandate and big-city cuisine. In a July letter to Dr. Robert Redfield, public health experts’ findings indicate Tour Arizona’s two largest director of the Centers for Disease that the use of face coverings can help wine regions, galleries and Control and Prevention, and his col­ contain the spread of the disease. leagues on the White House Coronavirus “Unfortunately, we have yet to see coor­ shops, and National parks Task Force, NTA President Catherine dinated federal leadership on a mandate for and monuments. Prather, CTP, asked for a federal mask face masks,” Prather wrote. “We believe mandate in the United States. a federal mandate regarding face masks Discover affordable, In her letter, Prather outlined the eco­ would be an important, commonsense step friendly nomic devastation that COVID-19 has that would not only protect more American Cochise County. caused the travel and tourism industry. lives, but would also speed economic She pointed out that Redfield and other recovery, especially for our industry.” EXPLORECOCHISE.COM

NTAcourier.com 7 BUSINESS NTA tour operators have post-COVID advice, encouragement for their partners: Group leaders

THE SHORT ROAD AHEAD for the travel industry is pot-holed with COVID closures and protocols. But around the corner, when the disease is under control, tour operators and group leaders can plan with confidence … and they’ll look to each other for help. “Group leaders need to remain strong and hopeful. Travel will come back once our clients understand how much hotels, restaurants, motorcoach companies, and attractions are doing to keep them safe,” says Cathy Greteman, CTP, president of Star Destinations. “When group leaders choose a tour operator that focuses on providing the best travel experiences in a safe and measured environment, they will come away with a successful series

of tours they can be proud to offer.” HENDERSON PAT Courier asked five veteran NTA tour Group leaders can gather like-minded travelers—such as these trekkers at Mount Norquay in operators about working with group Banff, Alberta—for tour operator-led adventures. leaders in the months and years ahead. Courier: How do group leaders fit into Courier: How did you connect with your Brent Dalrymple your business model? group leaders? Sunrise Tours Larsen: Group leaders come in many Wolfe Finn: We connect in person—visit­ St. Louis, Missouri flavors, and as an operator of custom ing them or at trade shows—or via per­ [email protected] tours, we work with all types of group sonal emails and phone calls. We love leaders. They can be teachers, faith lead­ working with our group leaders and help­ Taunya Wolfe Finn, CTP ers, music directors, bank club leaders, ing them get their groups on the road. Wolfe Adventures & Tours business leaders, a traveler who initiates Newburyport, Massachusetts trips with their friends, an activity direc­ Greteman: The best way for us to find [email protected] tor at a senior center, a book club leader, group leaders is by word of mouth. a wine connoisseur, or a travel agent Our outstanding customer service and who recruits groups. ease of working together brings group Cathy Greteman, CTP leaders to us, especially if they have Star Destinations Osbon: We are a wholesaler, and they fit other jobs or are new to gathering Carroll, Iowa very well within our model of selling our groups. We attend trade shows and [email protected] tours through travel agents, operators, markets to introduce ourselves, but and group leaders. most often we rely on references. We Paul Larsen always welcome group leaders to call Ed-Ventures Greteman: We are primarily a wholesale us and have a conversation about the Rochester, Minnesota custom group-tour company. We see future of group travel. [email protected] group leaders playing a very important role for travelers who are like-minded, Larsen: With faith leaders, it is often a Justin Osbon come from the same area, and like to matter of going to where they are, such as Image Tours travel with friends. Group leaders bring coffee shops, conferences, or social activi­ Grand Rapids, Michigan these people together, choose the tour ties in the community. Print promotions [email protected] and the tour components, and organize work, too, but that takes more financial the participants. It is a win-win for us. investment than a cup of coffee—and a

8 August/September 2020 lot more time to develop the relation­ when a decision will be made. Finally, relate to people. They have a purpose ship. As Ed-Ventures’ reputation grew, a perfect group leader makes a strong for their travel, and they have a group of referrals became a big part of the picture effort to market the package to their people who trust them and like to travel as well. Teachers will respond to local travelers through mailings, newsletters, with them. events hosted for them, and letting them and emails. know they are appreciated is a good way Greteman: The best group leaders are to start. Websites and social media can Post-COVID, the role of the enthusiastic and passionate about shar­ be effective, but building a relationship is group leader will be much the ing new and exciting destinations and what brings long-term results. experiences with their club, their mem­ same, with one exception: bership, or their clients. They are more Courier: What’s your idea of a perfect They will be needed to concerned about choosing destinations group leader? reassure the traveler that it is that appeal to their travelers rather than Osbon: The perfect group leader keeps themselves. They are organized, timely, their group informed and works with the time to take off again. and communicative. tour operator to ensure the clients have —Paul Larsen, Ed-Ventures a trip of a lifetime. They are organized Courier: What can group leaders be doing and well-informed, and they understand Wolfe Finn: Our current group leaders now, while travel is on hold? the trip is for their clients. care about their groups and the experi­ Dalrymple: In the time of COVID, they ences they have. A great leader’s groups should maintain communication with Dalrymple: A perfect group leader is would follow them to the end of the earth their travelers so when the pandemic clear and decisive with me about the and not even think twice! Trust is huge. passes, they can quickly deliver a viable travel package in which the group is group. Don’t let travelers forget about interested. They are also clear about the Larsen: A perfect group leader is a part­ the travel group! process by which a tour package will ner who understands the importance of be chosen, letting me know if we are in their role as well as the expertise of the Greteman: We are encouraging our competition with other operators and tour operator. They love to travel and group leaders to stay in touch with their

S , , , , , . T , . visitfred.com

NTAcourier.com 9 BUSINESS travelers. We also suggest that they Courier: What will the role of group lead­ Greteman: We have encouraged our survey their travelers to see how far ers look like after COVID concerns pass? group leaders to not worry about filling they will be comfortable traveling in the Wolfe Finn: Group leaders are going to the bus. For a number of years, we have coming months. Will they only want continue to be someone their students, based our tours on smaller group sizes, to travel by motorcoach? Will they fly parents, and adult travelers seek out to and this is exactly what the post-COVID domestically or internationally? This make sure they can trust the tour com­ environment will look like, at least in also helps to discover what destinations pany, the itinerary, and their overall the near future. Communication is key, are at the top of their bucket list. experience. Travelers will want to know and travelers trust their group leaders their health and safety concerns are to make the best choices for them in the Osbon: They can be doing research to see being taken seriously, and group lead­ travel providers that they work with. where their travelers want to go, learn ers can work with their tour operator to Teamwork will get us all through this. about the destinations, determine which make sure everyone is on the same page tour operators specialize in those places, with appropriate precautions being taken Osbon: Travelers will look to group lead­ and start a dialog with those operators. by all the sites, transportation compa­ ers for guidance, and when the leaders are Then when it is safe to travel again, nies, hotels, and guides. ready, they will rally the troops and start everyone can hit the ground running. filling tours. They will be the Pied Piper Larsen: The role of the group leader will that tour operators enjoy working with. Larsen: They can go on some day be much the same with one exception: trips—and really get creative. Visit the They will be needed to reassure the Larsen is confident that travel experts local German brewery to see if someone traveler that it is time to take off again. will get through the uncertain times of might someday have an Oktoberfest trip They will be helpful in the education travel’s recovery. “It is important for all to Germany on their bucket list. Go to a process and can help speed the recovery parts of the industry to work together museum or take a cruise on one of the along. Every group leader we talk to and in any way we can,” he says. “We in the Great Lakes. Host a virtual party with a educate will reach a much larger pool of travel and tourism industry will have a local guide from overseas. The possibili­ people who trust them, and those travel­ significant role to play in bringing the ties are endless. ers will be reassured. world and its people back together.”

10 August/September 2020 The NTA Loyalty Program keeps you pointed toward success BY PAT HENDERSON

AT THE BEGINNING of 2019, your association launched the Current standings NTA Loyalty Program as a way for you to get more involved Even amid COVID-19, members are earning points toward one of the four and, in the process, earn rewards. reward levels. Here is a look at the top 10 as of June 30. “The goal for the NTA Loyalty Program is to give members a fresh way to engage with the association,” says NTA Senior COMPANY POINTS Manager of Member Engagement Jennifer Royse, CTP. “In CroisiEurope America 14 the second year we hope participation will grow as members realize they can earn points in a variety of ways—ranging from Explore St. Louis 14 attending events and volunteering to being a sponsor or an A Closer Look Tours 13 advertiser—that translate into getting additional benefits.” See the boxes below to learn more on how your company Brilliant Edventures 13 can earn points and to see specifics on the levels and rewards. Norwegian Cruise Line 13 The point count starts afresh on Jan. 1 of each year. For more information on the program, email Jen at Ed-Ventures 12 [email protected]. Friendly Excursions 12

Main Street Experiences 10

Sports Travel and Tours 10 How are points earned? Here is the list of the categories in which member companies can earn The Wyoming Office of Tourism 10 points, along with the values for each. Some of the categories are based on individual actions, and those count toward the organizational total. NOTE: A company only earns one set of points per category even if they have multiple employees that qualify for individual points. Reward levels As the year goes along, companies can earn points in hopes of reaching one of four levels: Trailblazer (the highest level), Adventurer, Explorer, and Attend vTREX 5 points Pathfinder. The specific rewards for each category are listed below. Register for Contact 5 LEVEL REWARDS Fully participate in NTA Leadership 3 (points required)

Earn your CTP 3 Trailblazer 25 percent off one of four things ✱ (36 or more) Recognition at Travel Exchange/vTREX Refer a new member 3 Mention in a Courier article Renew membership by Dec. 31 3 Mention in NTA’s Tuesday newsletter

Contribute to NTA’s advocacy efforts 3 Adventurer 20 percent off one of four things ✱ (32–35) Mention in a Courier article Register for vTREX by early-bird deadline 2 Mention in NTA’s Tuesday newsletter

Be a speaker at an NTA event 2 Explorer 15 percent off one of four things ✱ Purchase a print ad 2 (28–31) Mention in NTA’s Tuesday newsletter

Purchase a digital ad 2 Pathfinder 10 percent off one of four things ✱ (24–27) Sponsor at vTREX 2 ✱ A member company can choose to use its percent off discount for Sponsor at Contact 2 one of the following four things: Update company profile at ntaonline.com 2 • NTA membership • Travel Exchange registration Participate in discussion at Engage 2 • A digital advertisement Use NTA logo on company website/collateral 1 • A sponsored content article at NTAcourier.com

NTAcourier.com 11 BUSINESS Discovering Civil War History and the USS Monitor BY SHANNON RICLES

ON MARCH 9, 1862, the USS In the Battle of Hampton Roads off the Monitor and the Confederate iron­ Virginia coast, the ships were evenly clad, CSS Virginia (originally the USS matched, with each one’s armor stronger Merrimac), fought to a draw in the than its opponent’s firepower. Battle of Hampton Roads. The his­ toric clash of ironclads changed naval warfare and shipbuilding forever. Sadly, on New Year’s Eve 1862, the Monitor sank off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, taking the lives of 16 crew mem­ bers with it. In 1973, a team of sci­ entists found the shipwreck, and in 1975 it became the United States’ first national marine sanctuary. To explore this history, travelers begin their journey at the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia. As the primary visi­ COMMAND AND HERITAGE HISTORY NAVAL OF U.S. COURTESY DAVIDSON, J.O. tor center for the National Oceanic and ironclad that were recovered from the History, naval, and military buffs who Atmospheric Administration’s Monitor sanctuary, and visitors can watch con­ wish to learn more about the Monitor’s National Marine Sanctuary, the museum servators at work in the lab and see the legacy can venture south to the Outer sits in an urban oasis surrounded by the turret, Dahlgren guns and carriages, and Banks of North Carolina. In Manteo Noland Trail and 550 acres of natural the steam engine. (Admission is $1.) on Roanoke Island, the North Carolina park and lake. The next stop is Monitor-Merrimac Aquarium holds the Ironclad Exhibit, Guests will find 90,000 square feet of Overlook Park in Newport News. This which includes a one-third scale model exhibition galleries, including the award- tucked-away gem includes a beach, fish­ of the Monitor shipwreck, lying in a winning USS Monitor Center. These gal­ ing pier, and interpretive signs. It’s not 306,000-gallon tank that depicts the vast leries offer lessons about the Civil War, difficult to visualize the battle that took marine diversity off the coast. the battle, the crew, and how the Monitor place just offshore, where the Monitor and Driving south down Highway 12 saved the Union. Virginia (Merrimac) fought for over four towards Hatteras Island takes visitors A state-of-the-art conservation lab hours. The park is free and open seven through the National Park Service’s Cape houses 210 tons of artifacts from the days a week from sunrise to sunset. Hatteras National Seashore. At the Cape Another interesting Hatteras Light Station, they can learn site in Hampton Roads is how the Monitor encountered a storm the Fort Monroe National when it rounded the cape and also how Monument. During the Civil it lost its final battle, sinking 230 feet War, Fort Monroe was a below the surface. defensive stronghold at the The last stop is a short distance south: entrance of the Chesapeake the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Bay, and it was there that the The attraction features fascinating mari­ Monitor arrived on March 8, time stories of the many ships—includ­ 1862. Early the next morn­ ing the Monitor—that met their demise ing, iron met iron in the first in the turbulent seas just off the coast. battle between ironclads. Admission is free. With free admissions, visi­ tors can walk the beaches, Shannon Ricles is education and outreach

MARINERS’ MUSEUM AND PARK MUSEUM MARINERS’ climb the fortress, visit the coordinator for the Monitor National Marine At the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia, Case Mate Museum, and Sanctuary. For more information, visit visitors walk up a few stairs to look inside the conservation lab. learn more about the battle. monitor.noaa.gov.

12 August/September 2020 Consumer trends in a post-COVID world BY ROCHELLE TURNER

COVID-19 has will have a stronger chance at thriving in Fairness, honesty, and transparency The shaken our society the post-COVID world. shift of business toward purpose is acceler­ to its core, trans­ ating, and consumers expect companies to forming behaviors Four trends to act upon step up. Americans say they will remem­ and turning lives Considered consumption The appear­ ber both the missteps and the good turns and businesses ance and spread of this deadly disease that businesses made during the pandemic upside down. are likely to have been a direct outcome long after it is over (bit.ly/2OiVnRr). For most of us of our drive for ever-greater economic • For businesses, proving social purpose in the Western growth and individual gain at the expense is now more important than ever. world, we have of community, climate, and biodiversity • Social media has made all compa­ never had such restrictions placed on (nyti.ms/2Cen8aP). Thrifting and upcy­ nies wide open to live scrutiny and our actions. Through the immense dif­ cling have had huge growth, and we are critique, and companies must show ficulties of staying locked down, there seeing a backlash on status-flaunting and through their actions that they are have been positives, though, like having ostentatious luxury. human and genuine. cleaner air, spending less money, and • Brands can help consumers feel more building stronger links with our families in control over their money by focus­ Reset not rebound COVID-19 has and local communities. ing on reliability, trust, and value. brought a renewed focus on the need for Forced into new ways of working and • Increased price sensitivity means greater preparedness and resilience. This learning online, we have also developed that providing reasons for consum­ is being met through engagement with new habits and have reconsidered issues ers to trust a brand is more impor­ digital technology, financial planning, that we are prepared to stand for in the tant than ever. valuing wellness and mental health, future. Rather than simply replicating and ensuring that our surroundings are past behaviors, we can embrace benefi­ clean, safe, and secure. cial new habits in a post-COVID world. Companies that understand • Customers have extremely high Prior to the pandemic, a number of the attitudes and values that expectations for hygiene and flex­ new consumer trends were rising. For drive underlying consumer ibility. Safety is the top priority, some time, people had already been and companies need to work hard moving their purchases to companies trends will have a stronger to assuage concerns. Good design, with greater purpose, and many were chance at thriving in the post- low touch, and organized processes calling out poor practices that did not COVID world. involving digital technologies are benefit the environment or align with key to this. changing social values. Trends in online • The growing focus on the holistic shopping and working from home were Kindness and community In the approach to wellness encourages steadily growing, driven by a need for response to the pandemic, certain people opportunities for future travel expe­ convenience and enabled by innovations have had to put themselves at great risk riences and collaborations. in high-speed technology. in order to help others. Valuing and showing gratitude to these front-line This is a tough time for people who Getting back to traveling workers, supporting neighbors and com­ run a business. Those who can put their We have greatly missed travel and vaca­ munities, and buying goods and services organization’s core values into action, tions, but the headlines about the con­ locally have been major shifts in the take the time to understand their cus­ tinued spread of the virus and announce­ months just passed. tomers, invest in their employees, and ments of job losses have scared and • Consumers will be looking for real do right by their wider stakeholders are scarred us. It has become clear that cer­ evidence of how the travel industry positioning themselves to come out far tain people have been disproportionately can create greater personalization, stronger—and much more resilient—for affected and there are deep structural safety, sustainability, and benefit to the months and years to come. divisions in societies, and many feel out their experiences. of control and unsure and anxious as to • Wearing masks and social distanc­ Rochelle Turner is the head of research the right ways to behave or to plan for ing do not sit naturally with hospi­ and insight for MaCher (macher.com), a the future. tality, so ingenuity will be needed sustainable design and manufacturing firm When travel returns, the companies to help ensure these practices that provides information and advice about that understand the attitudes and values do not take away from the travel changing habits that can help reduce waste in that drive underlying consumer trends experience. the world. Reach her at [email protected].

NTAcourier.com 13 Louisiana swamp tour via airboat

Here’s where groups go … with good reason When concerns about the COVID pandemic ease, travelers will be eager to hit the road (or the swamp) again—and every destination’s hotels, restaurants, activities, and attractions will be equally eager to welcome them. Here are six NTA-member destinations, each with a collection of distinctive and diverse things to see and do. Louisiana louisianatravel.com | NTA contact: Marie Stagg | [email protected]

Top spots for groups • Atchafalaya National Heritage Area showcases the unique • National WWII Museum in New Orleans features immersive environment and culture of 14 Louisiana parishes, including the rich exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection and mysterious landscapes. of artifacts and first-person oral histories. See more on page 22. (nationalww2museum.org) Pleasant surprises “You are treated like family when you visit Louisiana. We love to share • Festival International in Lafayette is a five-day celebration of culture our food, music, culture, and stories with everyone,” says Marie Stagg through music, food, art, and performance that takes place each of the Louisiana Office of Tourism. “Visitors see and feel our genuine year at the end of April. Celebrating its 35th year in 2021, this event is friendliness and hospitality everywhere they travel.” the largest international music and arts festival in the United States. (lafayettetravel.com) Health measures Visitors are encouraged to check with specific destinations for updates • Built in 1913 as a private home, the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens in on any restrictions. The state of Louisiana is following guidelines outlined Monroe offers three unique experiences for the price of one. The tour by the White House and CDC regarding protocols for the reopening of features the historical Coca-Cola Museum, a Bible museum, and the attractions, restaurants, bars, and hotels. ELSong Botanical Gardens.

• Take the Bayou Rum Distillery Tour in Lacassine and learn how the What do you say to travel planners new to your destination? liquor is made from locally sourced Louisiana sugarcane. “Louisiana offers one of the most memorable and unique experiences you will find, like traveling to a foreign country without leaving the United • LSU’s Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens in Baton Rouge offers States,” Stagg says. “It comes from our heritage of African, Caribbean, a large collection of artifacts and architecture from cultures of 18th- Spanish, French, German, Irish, and Italian influences. Louisiana isn’t for

and 19th-century rural Louisianans. spectators … it’s for participants who want to feed their souls.” TIM MUELLER

14 August/September 2020 Colorado tourcolorado.org | NTA contact: Julianne Fredrick, CTP [email protected]

Top spots for groups The adventures in Colorado are endless, according to Julianne Fredrick, CTP, executive director of Tour Colorado. “We have eight scenic railroads*, four national parks, eight national monuments, 26 scenic byways, and 41 state parks. Groups can witness the beauty of Colorado from a train or motorcoach, and by car or foot.” *including these NTA members: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, and Georgetown Loop Railroad SEMON EVAN The Victorian buildings in Larimer Square, home to the first saloons Pleasant surprises and businesses in Denver, have been transformed into shops, wine “Guests will be pleasantly surprised by our sincere, warm Colorado bars, and highly acclaimed, chef-owned restaurants. welcome and the rich history of our state,” Fredrick says. What do you say to travel planners new to your destination? Health measures “Most groups use an itinerary that blends our natural parks with our cities’ “Colorado’s open spaces and fresh air are just what we all need right attractions and dining. They can do everything in Colorado,” says Fredrick. now,” Fredrick says. “Please do remember to drink more water than “During the COVID concern, we’re seeing more hub-and-spoke tours so that normal, as you most likely will be at a higher altitude then you are people can limit their hotel stays to just one room, and then venture out accustomed to.” from there every day for the adventures, beauty, and fresh air of Colorado.”

GRAND JUNCTION CVB GRAND JUNCTION Trail Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park

NTAcourier.com 15 Salt Lake City, Utah Baltimore, Maryland visitsaltlake.com baltimore.org NTA contact: Michael Mack | [email protected] NTA contact: Eric Masterton | [email protected]

Top spots for Natural History Museum Top spots groups of Utah for groups Red Butte Garden, The National the Natural History Aquarium (aqua. Museum of Utah, org/groups), FamilySearch at Fort McHenry Temple Square National (familysearch.org), Monument and City Creek Center, and Historic Shrine, the Great Salt Lake. the American Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Visionary Art JASON VARNEY Pleasant surprises Museum, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American “Great local cuisine, History and Culture, and Fleet Week. dozens of independent breweries and Pleasant surprises boutique distilleries, SMART NHMU/TOM “Visitors enjoy the walkability of Baltimore,” says Eric Masterton of Visit clean smelling air, beautiful rugged mountains, and a fit and youthful Baltimore. “It’s full of picturesque bay views, diverse cultural attractions, populace,” says Michael Mack, director of strategic partnerships at Visit and an incredible dining scene, including fresh local seafood.” Salt Lake. What do you say to travel planners new to your destination? What do you say to travel planners new to your destination? “Visitors to Baltimore are charmed by the architecture, the waterfront “Salt Lake City is an old pro at accommodating and welcoming group location, the historical relevance to the founding of America, and the tours,” Mack says. “Reasonably priced, well-situated hotel rooms are diversity of our arts and culture,” Masterton says. “From world-class available in the city center. While Salt Lake has the same issues as most luxury hotels to quaint family-owned bed and breakfasts, expansive green major cities, it is a very walkable and friendly city.” spaces, and world-famous attractions, Baltimore really surprises people.”

16 August/September 2020 Charleston, South Carolina St. John’s, Newfoundland charlestoncvb.com destinationstjohns.com NTA contact: Jennifer A. Cecil | [email protected] NTA contact: Paul Buggé | [email protected]

Top spots Fresh-grilled seafood Top St. John’s jellybean-colored houses for groups experiences The Charleston Tea for groups Garden, Patriots Sea kayaking, Point Naval and snorkeling with Maritime Museum the whales, hiking (patriotspoint.org), the East Coast Fort Sumter National Trail, enjoying Monument, and The the George Street Schooner Pride. Entertainment District, and Pleasant surprises visiting Quidi Vidi “Hospitality is our Village. AND LABRADORNEWFOUNDLAND TOURISM way of Iife,” says Jennifer Cecil of Pleasant surprises Explore Charleston. “Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s youngest province, but it’s “I think people will be BRENNAN WESLEY home to St. John’s, one of the oldest cities in North America,” says Paul pleasantly surprised at how friendly everyone is. You will not meet a Buggé of Destination St. John’s. “Ours is a vibrant and colorful city, stranger in Charleston, and you’ll leave with new best friends!” close to nature and full of wide-open green spaces.”

What do you say to travel planners new to your destination? What do you say to travel planners new to your destination? “We partner well with our friends in Myrtle Beach and Savannah, and “National Geographic has named St. John’s as the top coastal destination we are a destination you can visit year-round,” Cecil says. “It may sound in the world,” Buggé says. “Also, St. John’s has more than 3,500 hotel cliché, but there is something for every age and interest. And seriously, rooms in the center city, all within 10 minutes of downtown.” don’t forget the food!”

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

One of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations!

For information on FBI From Al Capone to Al-Qaeda & other special exhibits visit ReaganLibrary.com/Events

Tour Through Air Force One 27000 View a Full Scale Replica of the Oval Office Touch an Authentic Piece of the Berlin Wall 40 Presidential Drive • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • ReaganLibrary.com

NTAcourier.com 17 CITY SPOTLIGHT

Washington, D.C.:

Neighborly and natural BY PAT HENDERSON

Lincoln Theatre on U Street WHAT MAKES a big city compelling? Capitol Riverfront and Ivy City offerings such as a bustling farmer’s While there are likely as many ways Home to the new stadium of the World market and a winter ice rink. to answer that question as there are Champion Washington Nationals, the “It’s amazing to see how the city is responders, common thoughts would be Capitol Riverfront neighborhood is a hot redeveloping the neighborhoods along interesting history, intriguing attractions, spot for outdoor recreation. In addition the Anacostia River, like Yards Park at natural beauty, great restaurants, funky to the baseball park, the area south of Capitol Riverfront,” says Ferguson. “And shops, and friendly locals. the U.S. Capitol near the Anacostia River the National Arboretum has some of the All of those descriptors apply to includes The Yards Park and Canal Park. best-kept nature preserves in the city.” Washington, D.C., but the U.S. capital With a history that’s tied to the nearby The 446-acre arboretum is one of the city’s most fascinating asset may be its Washington Naval Yards, Yards Park has highlights of Ivy City, an area located vibrant group of neighborhoods. a harbor area that is the launch point for northeast of the National Mall. As they “DC is full of dynamic neighborhoods, kayak tours and rentals for excursions roam the natural landscape, travelers can architecture, and history for groups of on the river. Canal Park has a number of see elaborate gardens, water features, and any kind,” says Elliott L. Ferguson II, unique sculptures and popular seasonal monuments, including the famous National president and CEO of Destination DC. “We’re always focused on making sure The National Capital Columns when groups are in the city, they’re not at the National Arboretum just on the National Mall, but they’re also enjoying our neighborhoods.” While there are many compelling, eclectic areas across the city worth a visit, this article offers a sampling of the following five: Capitol Riverfront, Ivy City, Shaw, Anacostia, and The Southwest & The Wharf.

For more information, reach out to Destination DC’s Lindsay Hill at lindsay. [email protected] or go to washington.org. CC FLICKR/NICOLAS RAYMOND: bit.ly/3hz4Wb9 RAYMOND: FLICKR/NICOLAS CC bit.ly/2WRe96T FLICKR/TED EYTAN: CC PHOTO: TOP

18 August/September 2020 The Southwest & The Wharf Two names and one exciting place, The Southwest & The Wharf has undergone a major facelift in recent years. The Wharf, a $2 billion redevelopment a few blocks south of the National Mall that debuted its first phase in 2017, is a mix of restaurants and bars, retail spots, and concert venues. The waterfront area draws from its Paddling the Potomac in Anacostia roots as a 1700s shipyard where immi­ PADDLETHEPOTOMAC.COM grant fishermen sold their catch right Capitol Columns. The National Bonsai and Anacostia was home to noted abo­ off their boats. A market was estab­ Penjing Museum also is on the grounds. litionist Frederick Douglass, and his lished in 1802, and what is now known Ivy City, a former industrial area, residence, Cedar Hill, offers a look at the as Municipal Market is a popular spot has seen its warehouses transformed statesman’s life and legacy. Another of where people go to grab some fresh fish. into vibrant public spaces. The culi­ the neighborhood’s gems is the Anacostia The proximity to the Potomac River nary scene is noteworthy, as it includes Community Museum, which focuses on also makes The Southwest & The Wharf Michelin-star restaurants and a group of urban life and local Black culture. a hub for on-the-water recreation, and craft distilleries. The area also is a haven for walkers stand-up paddleboards and kayaks can and bikers. Its Riverwalk Trail is just be rented at the Wharf Boathouse. Shaw and Anacostia one of the places Two Washington, D.C, neighborhoods— where locals and Shaw and Anacostia—have strong ties visitors alike can to the city’s Black history. The Shaw, stay active. And, located east of the U Street corridor, is if groups want to renowned for its historical row houses spend a few hours that date back to the 1800s and entertain­ volunteering to ment venues that helped it earn the mon­ help preserve the iker of the Black Broadway. The Lincoln area’s ecosystem, Theatre and the Howard Theatre—both they can link up still in operation today—have made their with Anacostia mark across the past century by bringing Riverkeepers or a who’s who of Black performers to their the Anacostia stages. The southern part of the Shaw is a Watershed Recreation Pier at The Wharf favorite for shoppers. Society. WASHINGTON.ORG

Making museum-y memories No trip to the U.S. capital city would be complete without a visit to a museum, and, boy, does the Washington, D.C., area have a lot of great options. The following five NTA members are great places to keep in mind as travel restarts:

Smithsonian’s National International Spy Hillwood Estate National Law The Army Historical Air and Space Museum Museum Museum & Gardens Enforcement Memorial Foundation, National NTA contact: Holly Williamson NTA contact: Lori Scott NTA contact: Joey Hreha and Museum Museum of the United [email protected] [email protected] grouptours@ NTA contact: Thomas Canavan States Army The Smithsonian’s National The new International Spy hillwoodmuseum.org [email protected] NTA contact: Pauline Bonilla Air and Space Museum Museum, located just steps This attraction is the 25-acre The museum, located at pauline.bonilla@ shares the history of human from the National Mall and estate of philanthropist the Judiciary Square Metro armyhistory.org flight and space exploration The Wharf, draws back the and collector Marjorie station, tells the story of This new museum looks for­ through its unparalleled curtain on this secret world. Merriweather Post. Visitors American law enforcement ward to offering a unique way collection and online The dazzling space includes can stroll through the gar­ through interactive exhibits, for Americans to connect with resources. The museum’s state-of-the-art galleries, the dens, explore the mansion, world-class artifacts, special their Army and the people who two locations in Washington, world’s largest public display or browse the unique exhibi­ exhibits, and thought-provok­ serve in it. The attraction will D.C., and Chantilly, Virginia, of authentic spy gadgets, tions. Coming up in 2021: “The ing programs. The adjacent help visitors experience the display some of the most and interactive exhibits with Porcelain Flowers of Vladimir memorial is the only national Army’s history through the eyes important airplanes and first-person accounts from Kanevsky” and “Roaring monument that honors offi­ of the American soldier. Email spacecraft from U.S. history. real spies. spymuseum.org Twenties: The Life and Style of cers killed in the line of duty. Pauline Bonilla for the latest airandspace.si.edu Marjorie Merriweather Post.” lawenforcementmuseum.org updates. armyhistory.org/ hillwoodmuseum.org group-ticketing

NTAcourier.com 19 CITY SPOTLIGHT WASHINGTON, D.C. DC-area travel pros reveal their local favorites Choosing your best-loved Washington, D.C., place or experience is a tall order. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of options among the city’s A-list museums, brilliant greenspaces, sumptuous restaurants, hidden gems, and waterfront spots. Courier maga­zzine asked NTA members who live in the D.C. area to offer their favorites, and here are the responses:

Ashley Birdsell, Lori Scott, National Theatre International groupsales@ Spy Museum thenationaldc.com [email protected] One of my favorite DC My favorite DC day starts things is the Kogod with renting a kayak and Courtyard at the National enjoying a morning paddle Portrait Gallery. It’s the down the Anacostia perfect place to sit with River, followed by a stroll a book and be inside— along the DC Wharf, being yet outside—at the same time! The courtyard certain to grab a few fresh-steamed Maryland provides a welcome, quiet respite from the blue crabs from the fish market. To cap the day, downtown crowds and weather. I’d be hitting the ballpark early and catching batting practice before settling in for a game, Chris Babb, rooting on our 2019 World Champion Nationals, The Group Tour and having a hot dog and adult beverage. Company chris@ Chase Poffenburger, Lori Scott with Teddy, one of the Washington grouptourcompany.com Academic Travel Nationals’ mascots One of my favorite places Abroad Gordon Stearns, to visit off the National cpoffenburger@ Tour Designs Mall is Rock Creek academic-travel.com [email protected] Cemetery, located next This is a simple one, as

NAIM HASAN Along with the iconic to the Old Soldiers Home one of the greatest bike monuments and free and Lincoln Cottage. My favorite sculpture in rides is from downtown museums, Washington Washington—“Grief”—is at the gravesite of Washington, D.C., to Mount boasts a wonderful set Marian Hooper Adams of the political Adams Vernon along an 18-mile of gardens. I’ve enjoyed family. It is a cast bronze statue by Augustus bike trail. Stopping at Gravelly Point, adjacent to visiting the National Saint-Gaudens found on a plot designed by National Airport, is a great thrill, as the planes’ Arboretum (northeast Stanford White; a space that offers a beautiful, landing path is directly overhead, and you have an DC) and Botanical Garden (on the Mall). I’ve peaceful place for quiet contemplation. incredible view of takeoffs and landings. also loved visits to the National Cathedral gardens and the adjoining Rock Creek Park at Dunbarton Oaks. Finally, in the spring the Japanese cherry blossoms beautify several locations around the city, many of which aren’t nearly as crowded as the Tidal Basin.

Lindsay Hill, Destination DC lindsay.hill@ destinationdc.com Washington, D.C., is my soul city. One neighborhood that brings me joy is Eastern Market. It is a great place to walk to after visiting the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress (another hidden treasure). The area is filled with beautiful historical row houses and the iconic market that gives it its name. On the weekend the market area is brimming with city artisans and farmers selling their wares. Don’t forget a stop at Ted’s Bulletin for homemade pop-tarts “Grief” by Augustus Saint-Gaudens or at District Donut for a gourmet treat! CHRIS BABB

20 August/September 2020 “Road to Tokyo: Pacific THERE’S ONE THING we know to Theater Galleries” be true during uncertain times, it’s exhibit at the National this: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. World War II Museum The absence of travel has made NTA members discover a deeper appreciation of what they already loved, whether it’s operators leading groups to incredible places, or destinations and attractions receiving those wild-eyes adventurers. Patrons have been absent from museums for many weeks following closures due to COVID-19. But as these attractions move to reopen, they’re pri­ oritized visitor safety by implementing health protocols while curating new and exciting exhibits and modifying their programming. The following NTA-member museums are moving forward—their eyes set on a post-COVID world—and we’re pretty fond of what they have to offer. Man, I dig those rhythm and blues With facility construction and exhibit fabrications winding down at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, the new venue will open its doors for the first time this fall. The attraction has been in development for more than 20 years. The 56,000-square-foot museum is one of a kind, upholding a mission to educate, preserve, and celebrate more than 50 music genres and styles that were cre­ ated and inspired by Black Americans. Galleries will focus on spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, and hip hop, sharing narratives and perspectives through state­- of-the-art technology as well as memora­ bilia, clothing, and artifacts. Exhibits will all convey how a distinct group of people used their artistry to impact American Museums continue missions music and change the world, according to the museum’s website. amid hardships BY KENDALL FLETCHER One of the exhibits, titled “One Nation Under a Groove,” tells of the blending of gospel, jazz, and blues to create R&B, a sound that emerged after World War II. Soul, funk, and disco are a few of the categories of music that were born from the movement, which made quite a noise during times of cultural and political change in America. The Wade in the Water gallery throws time back a little farther; it chronicles the history and influence of religious

PHOTO: NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM WORLD NATIONAL PHOTO: music—from indigenous African songs

NTAcourier.com 21 that were kept alive during slavery to the formation of Black American spirituals and hymns. It also covers the Golden Age of Gospel—from the 1940s through the 1960s—as well as the overall influ­ ence gospel has had on secular and new religious music. The museum also will have a research library, which will serve as a resource center for visitors to do their own stud­ ies of African American music history. Museum staff members have looked ahead and put in place some procedures and guidelines to keep themselves and the public safe in the midst of the pan­ demic. They’re currently operating with several people working from home, and the construction team is also working with reduced staff. They’re aiming to stay Exhibit at the National on schedule with the grand opening, and Museum of African American Music in the interim, their artifact collection is safely stored away at NTA-member together the war that changed the world. fight around the world, and the story of Country Music Hall of Fame. All youth The museum’s newest permanent the Manhattan Project and the atomic and adult public programs have been exhibit, “The Arsenal of Democracy,” is bomb the U.S. secretly raced to create suspended to align with closures at Metro an experience that takes visitors down the before the Nazis could. Nashville Public Schools, but the museum road to the war and describes how it was A notable artifact that hangs above is evaluating digital delivery options to fought on the home front. They can walk “Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater maintain connection with the community. through a 1940s-style home and learn Galleries” is a shark-faced P-40 For more information, contact Dionne how families dealt with food shortages, Warhawk. The exhibit shines a light on Lucas as [email protected] or go to how women took on new employment, what led the U.S. into the war in the nmaam.org. and how children and the elderly contrib­ Pacific. Displays detail the story of the uted through bond purchases and scrap attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S.’s island- An experience that will live drives when 16 million American citizens hopping strategy, and the final assaults in infamy joined the military during the war. on Japan—atomic bombs over Hiroshima Stretching across six acres of New Other galleries within the exhibit and Nagasaki. Visitors also can see a rep­ Orleans’ unique downtown landscape, include the depiction of the American lica bridge of the USS Enterprise. the National World War II Museum response through theater marquees and An upcoming special exhibit, “Ghost is a trove of six pavilions with more clips of propaganda movies, a reproduc­ Army: The Combat Artists of World War than 250,000 artifacts and 9,000 per­ tion of military barracks that detail the II,” will be on view until Jan. 3, 2021. sonal accounts from veterans that piece rapid training that mobilized civilians to The U.S. Army’s 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and their deception oper­ ations in Europe are highlighted through artwork, uniforms, an inflatable tank, and other items. “Elvis: Through the Years” will be on this fall in BB’s Stage Door Canteen, journeying through the career of Elvis Presley. Spencer Racca will pay tribute to the King with hits like “All Shook Up,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” and “Suspicious Minds.” Throughout the initial phase of reopen­ ing, most galleries, exhibits, and experi­ ences will be available with controlled attendance—especially within galleries, says the museum’s Emily Eagan. “The museum will operate at reduced

NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM WORLD NATIONAL capacity while enacting new safety OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC MUSEUM NATIONAL PHOTO: TOP

22 August/September 2020 measures, including advanced online midwinter sub-Arctic as well as the first including installations of more than 170 ticket purchases, social distancing guide­ to launch a captured German V-2 rocket. hand-sanitation stations, non-invasive lines throughout pavilions, and enhanced The Midway was the longest-operating temperature checks before boarding the sanitizing and cleaning protocols,” she aircraft carrier of the 20th century, serv­ ship, face cover requirements, and 6-foot says. “To help ensure public safety and ing the Atlantic Fleet for 10 years and physical distancing guidelines. avoid crowds, timed ticket purchases will deploying to European waters seven “Guests will see the museum’s clean­ be required. It is strongly recommended times throughout its career. It was also ing crew constantly wiping down all that visitors pre-purchase museum the takeoff point for more than 3,000 high-touch surface areas and restrooms. admission online, and tickets are now naval air force combat missions during A touchless transaction process was available for advanced purchase.” Operation Desert Storm. activated, and plexiglass contact barriers Special rates are offered for groups of As the sturdy ship withstood nearly a were placed at point-of-sale locations,” 10 or more for visits to the museum and century of war and rescue missions, it’s Koontz says. “A number of the museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen. Box lunches emerging strong again as the waves of the military aircraft were relocated on the are also available with notice. For more COVID-19 pandemic wash over the world. flight and hangar decks.” information, contact Lisa Ochomogo at It was built to prevail. And the museum’s As it proves difficult to keep some lisa.ochomogo@nationalww2museum. marketing director Dave Koontz says guest experiences dark while waiting org or go to nationalww2museum.org. that while the attraction reopened July for conditions surrounding the virus to 1, areas that don’t accommodate social improve, Koontz expresses his excite­ Keeping history afloat distancing are off limits. ment for the newest addition. The USS Midway may have opened as a “The USS Midway Museum is only “The USS Midway Museum is now museum in a San Diego harbor in 2004, offering its flight deck and hangar deck exhibiting a full-scale model of a TBD but its story begins in a much earlier to visitors,” he says. “For guests’ safety, Devastator torpedo bomber aircraft period—back to 1945 when it made his­ the museum did not open confined that was used in the making of the 2019 tory as the first in a three-ship class of spaces, including the Battle of Midway ‘Midway’ motion picture,” he says. “The large carriers with an armored flight Theater, flight simulators and virtual Devastator is now on display on the deck that could hold 120 planes. reality experiences, aircraft cockpits, hangar deck.” The ship played important roles dur­ and any below-deck tour spaces.” For more information, contact Joe ing the Cold War, as it was the first Staff members also instituted health Wagstaff at [email protected] or go American carrier to operate in the and safety protocols for visitors, to midway.org.

Sunrise over the deck of the USS Midway

NTAcourier.com 23 Sponsored content Museums standing strong Many NTA-member museums are getting their bearings amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’re breathing new life into their offerings. As they evolve and push forward during these ever-changing times, a few things haven’t changed—including their abilities to curate one-of-a-kind exhibits and share them with the world.

Here are two sponsoring attractions that are shining examples of how NTA members are withstanding the storm while continuing to create unique exhibits and programming:

Hagley Museum and Library Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Wilmington, Delaware Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Bonnie Wirth Chantilly, Virginia Group tour manager Holly Williamson +1.302.658.2400 (x259) Public affairs specialist [email protected] +1.202.633.2373 hagley.org/tours [email protected] airandspace.si.edu Take a journey through the DuPont Company’s “Wow!” That’s what historic black powder many visitors say when yards and the first home they enter the Steven F. and garden of the du Udvar-Hazy Center, one Pont family in America. of northern Virginia’s Experience what makes favorite museums. The AND AIR NATIONAL SMITHSONIAN’S MUSEUM SPACE Hagley unique with LIBRARY AND MUSEUM HAGLEY Center’s more than 346,000-square-foot exhibit space features demonstrations of 19th-century water-powered machinery and a thousands of iconic spacecraft and aircraft outlining the history of black powder explosion. Explore the family home, stroll through the aviation. Artifacts include Space Shuttle Discovery, an Air France French garden, discover archival treasures with a Hagley historian, Concorde, the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and the last remaining and enjoy lunch in a private room. Located minutes from Longwood World War I-era Sopwith Camel. Please visit the museum’s website Gardens, Winterthur, and I-95 in Wilmington, Delaware. for information, including its public health and safety measures. USS MIDWAY MUSEUM MIDWAY USS

24 August/September 2020 Courier’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center lobby Guide to NTA-member Museums

As travelers make their way across North America, they have Listings in this guide are based on each plenty of attractions where they can learn more about a variety of company’s primary NTA membership topics. When they go to arts and science museums, history-themed designation or profile selections, and the attractions, and presidential libraries and homes that are members information provided by the member contact was current as of July 8. Please of the National Tour Association, they can enjoy dozens of unique check NTAonline.com for updated offerings that range from behind-the-scenes tours and interactive information on the association’s museum programs to themed exhibits and special events. members.

CANADA Québec Copper Art Studio & Museum California Academy of Sciences Albert Gilles Jun Watanabe ALBERTA Palmyre Gilles San Francisco, CA Chateau-Richer, QC calacademy.org Heritage Park Historical Village albertgilles.com Sandy Wilde Hearst Castle Calgary, AB Jim Allen heritagepark.ca UNITED STATES San Simeon, CA hearstcastle.org ALABAMA MANITOBA The Huntington Library, Art Museum U S S Alabama Battleship Memorial Park & Botanical Gardens Parks Canada Rhonda Davis Jane Sandmeier Jennifer Burnell Mobile, AL San Marino, CA Winnipeg, MB ussalabama.com parkscanada.gc.ca huntington.org U.S. Space & Rocket Center Intel Museum ONTARIO Sara Vowell Kelli Ambrosi Huntsville, AL Santa Clara, CA Canadian Museum of Nature spacecamp.com Lorna Sierolawski intel.com/museum Ottawa, ON ARIZONA nature.ca The Living Desert Judy Esterbrook Old Tucson National Gallery of Canada Palm Desert, CA Joe Camarillo livingdesert.org Hélène Donaldson Tucson, AZ Ottawa, ON oldtucson.com gallery.ca Maritime Museum of San Diego Theresa Amos Smullen CALIFORNIA QUÉBEC San Diego, CA sdmaritime.org Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Canadian Museum of History Citlalie Gallegos Stephanie Fortin Beverly Hills, CA Gatineau, QC academymuseum.org

PHOTO: U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER SPACE U.S. PHOTO: historymuseum.ca

NTAcourier.com 25 Courier’s Guide to NTA-member Museums

Pacific Battleship Center The Dali Museum Salem Witch Museum Jonathan Williams Grace Reynolds Merry Ward San Pedro, CA St. Petersburg, FL Salem, MA pacificbattleship.com thedali.org salemwitchmuseum.com Richard Nixon Presidential Library Edison & Ford Winter Estates MICHIGAN and Museum Lisa Sbuttoni Dr. Jane Zhang Fort Myers, FL The Henry Ford Yorba Linda, CA edisonfordwinterestates.org Vickie Evans nixonfoundation.org Dearborn, MI Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex thehenryford.org Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Gabriele Bauer Cornish and Museum Kennedy Space Center, FL MISSOURI Melissa Giller kennedyspacecenter.com Simi Valley, CA Gateway Arch Riverfront reaganlibrary.com ILLINOIS Amber Barbeau St. Louis, MO USS Midway Museum American Writers Museum gatewayarch.com Joe Wagstaff Catherine Ryan San Diego, CA Chicago, IL Saint Louis Science Center midway.org americanwritersmuseum.org Michael Wense St. Louis, MO Winchester Mystery House Chicago Architecture Center slsc.org Nathan Emmett Deb Rodak San Jose, CA Chicago, IL NEVADA winchestermysteryhouse.com architecture.org The Mob Museum COLORADO Museum of Science and Industry Sabine Von Henning Jeanine Gillott Las Vegas, NV History Colorado Chicago, IL themobmuseum.org Zach Werkowitch msichicago.org Pueblo, CO Springs Preserve historycolorado.org KENTUCKY Pietra Sardelli Las Vegas, NV CONNECTICUT Ark Encounter springspreserve.org Eddie Lutz Mystic Seaport Museum Williamstown, KY NEW JERSEY Rebecca Shea arkencounter.com Mystic, CT Old Barracks Museum mysticseaport.org Kentucky Derby Museum Michelle Doherty Jennifer Riddell Trenton, NJ Louisville, KY barracks.org DELAWARE derbymuseum.org Hagley Museum and Library NEW YORK Bonnie Wirth LOUISIANA Wilmington, DE American Museum of Natural History hagley.org The National World War II Museum James Cuebas Lisa Ochomogo New York, NY New Orleans, LA amnh.org DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA nationalww2museum.org Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens Corning Museum of Glass Oak Alley Plantation Joey Hreha Melissa Rose Hillary Loeber Washington, DC Corning, NY Vacherie, LA hillwoodmuseum.org cmog.org/groups oakalleyplantation.org International Spy Museum National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum Lori Scott MASSACHUSETTS June Dolhun Washington, DC Cooperstown, NY spymuseum.org Boston Attractions Group baseballhall.org Doug Hall National Geographic Museum Boston, MA National September 11 Memorial & Brianna DeOrsey bostonattractionsgroup.com Museum Washington, DC Jeannette Gutierrez natgeomuseum.org John F. Kennedy Presidential Library New York, NY & Museum 911memorial.org National Law Enforcement Museum Ian Shepherd Thomas Canavan Boston, MA Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square Washington, DC jfklibrary.org Benjamin Maddy lawenforcementmuseum.org New York, NY Plimoth Plantation, Mayflower II ripleysnewyork.com FLORIDA & Plimoth Grist Mill Janet Young The Strong National Museum of Play Coral Castle Plymouth, MA Karen Dodson Laura Maye plimoth.org Rochester, NY Miami, FL museumofplay.org coralcastle.com

26 August/September 2020 NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH DAKOTA George Washington’s Mount Vernon Roxanne Hernandez Biltmore Estate Akta Lakota Museum Mount Vernon, VA Tim Hill Dixie Thompson mountvernon.org Asheville, NC Chamberlain, SD biltmore.com aktalakota.org Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Joan Heikens NASCAR Hall of Fame Crazy Horse Memorial Williamsburg, VA Bryan Kowert Amanda Allcock historyisfun.org Charlotte, NC Custer, SD nascarhall.com crazyhorsememorial.org National Museum of the Marine Corps Amanda Webster OHIO TENNESSEE Triangle, VA usmcmuseum.com Cincinnati Museum Center Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Kathleen Bodenlos Tina Tackett Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Cincinnati, OH Nashville, TN Museum cincymuseum.org cheekwood.org Holly Williamson Chantilly, VA Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum airandspace.si.edu Lydia Puccini Dana Romanello Cleveland, OH Nashville, TN Virginia Museum of Fine Arts rockhall.com countrymusichalloffame.org Kathy Parrish Richmond, VA OKLAHOMA Graceland & Guest House at Graceland vmfa.museum Kelly Renee Woods Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Memphis, TN WASHINGTON Cheryl Trask graceland.com Catoosa, OK The Museum of Flight visitcherokeenation.com The Hermitage: Home of President Bethany Carrillo Andrew Jackson Seattle, WA OREGON Tina Goodrow museumofflight.org Nashville, TN Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum thehermitage.com Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass & Theater Nicole Smoucha Rob Zeh National Museum of African American Seattle, WA McMinnville, OR Music spaceneedle.com sprucegoose.org Dionne Lucas Nashville, TN WISCONSIN PENNSYLVANIA nmaam.org Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame The National Civil War Museum TEXAS Krissy Zegers Trini M. Nye Green Bay, WI Harrisburg, PA Friends of San Felipe de Austin SHS packers.com nationalcivilwarmuseum.org Toni Franklin San Felipe, TX House on the Rock National Constitution Center thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/san-felipe-de-austin- Susan Donaldson Gina Romanelli state-historic-site Spring Green, WI Philadelphia, PA thehouseontherock.com constitutioncenter.org Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Stephanie Price Milwaukee Public Museum Philadelphia Museum of Art Canyon, TX Tim Malenock Shari Feldman panhandleplains.org Milwaukee, WI Philadelphia, PA mpm.edu philamuseum.org Space Center Houston Joelle Hardin WYOMING RHODE ISLAND Houston, TX spacecenter.org Buffalo Bill Center of the West Newport Mansions – The Preservation Josie Hedderman Society UTAH Cody, WY Daniel Fryer centerofthewest.org FamilySearch at Temple Square Newport, RI National Museum of Wildlife Art newportmansions.org Cherie Bush Salt Lake City, UT of the United States SOUTH CAROLINA familysearch.org Jennifer Tremblay Jackson, WY Magnolia Plantation VIRGINIA wildlifeart.org Christine Potter Charleston, SC The Army Historical Foundation, National magnoliaplantation.com Museum of the United States Army Cameron Lynn Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum Fort Belvoir, VA Kevin Sutton armyhistory.org Mount Pleasant, SC patriotspoint.org

NTAcourier.com 27 COMPASS A REGIONAL ROUNDUP OF ITINERARY IDEAS

Great Lakes COMPILED BY KENDALL FLETCHER Racine is very structurally sound The most-loved works of Wisconsin-born architect Frank Completed in 1939, the administration building includes Lloyd Wright can be viewed at the SC Johnson headquarters The Great Workroom, which covers nearly a half-acre of floor campus in Racine, just 25 miles south of Milwaukee. space. Its 31-feet-tall, golf-tee-shaped columns have been Racine County sits on the lovely shores of Lake Michigan and deemed one of the most advanced structural supports in mod­ is a little over an hour’s drive from Chicago O’Hare International ern architecture. And Wingspread, a 14,000-square-foot pri­ Airport. Its SC Johnson headquarters campus is home to the vate residence Wright designed, was the home of H.F. Johnson, largest commercial and residential Frank Lloyd Wright architec­ third-generation leader of SC Johnson, and now serves as an ture: the SC Johnson Administration Building and Wingspread. international educational conference facility open for tours. Also on the SC Johnson campus is the Golden Rondelle Theatre, which was constructed at the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York and moved to Racine. It houses community events as well as a shifting schedule of films. Beyond the area’s architectural tours, groups can visit the Wind Point Lighthouse, the oldest and tallest working light­ house on Lake Michigan. It’s an arduous hike up the 144 steps, but the views are rewarding: beautiful countryside and the northern shores of Racine Harbor. The original 1880s-era min­ eral oil lamp, with its beacon magnified by a French-imported Fresnel lens, was converted in 1964 to electricity. Tower climbs are offered the first Sundays of June, July, August, September, and October. For more information, contact Eileen Arnold at eileen@ SC Johnson Admistration Building REALRACINE.COM realracine.com or go to realracine.com.

Craving caving? Southern Indiana has you covered “Below the rolling hills, majestic forests, For something more extreme, Squire Boone Caverns and winding Blue River lies a secretive Harrison County visitors can view the network of caverns and caves just wait­ caverns from the air at Squire Boone ing to be explored at Indiana Caverns, Caverns Zipline Adventures. Marengo Cave, Squire Boone Caverns, and “From introductory trips designed Wyandotte Cave,” says Stacy Pirtle, direc­­ to give newbies just a taste of zip line tor of sales and visitor services with the action to whizzing down Indiana’s Harrison County Indiana CVB. “Guided longest zip line, we have an exciting tours take you deep into our greatest natu­ excursion for everyone,” Pirtle says. ral treasure, where you can walk alongside The Bat Chaser aerial coaster at underground streams, investigate captivat­ Indiana Caverns takes riders 50 feet up ing cave formations, discover fossils, and to the takeoff tower, then down 603 feet observe fascinating plant and animal life of twists and turns over the treetops hundreds of feet below the earth’s surface.” and caverns with the option to free fall; Discovering the below-ground beauty Pirtle calls the ride a must-do. Similar of the southern Indiana county includes to hang gliding, the Bat Chaser is the mostly easy walks, so people of all ages second of its kind in the U.S. and the have the option to go down and explore. first in the Midwest. The tours vary in length and terrain, and For more information, contact Pirtle at weather is never an issue; the caves stay [email protected] or go to

52 degrees year-round. thisisindiana.org. INDIANA CVB HARRISON COUNTY

28 August/September 2020 CC FLICKR/JOE ROSS: bit.ly/2Z8GQxN ROSS: FLICKR/JOE CC The flavors and fa-la-las of

Frankenmuth 360 Chicago Observation Deck TILT Deeply rooted in its German heritage, bit.ly/3gEKzcr WILSON: FLICKR/DAVID CC the small city of Frankenmuth has been dubbed “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” and Oh, the places you’ll go (in Illinois) that is evident in its beautiful architec­ Illinois is home to five NTA-member DMOs, each offering up unique tastes of the ture, festivals, and food. Prairie State. Chicken dinners are world-famous Aurora Area CVB The region 37 miles west Chicago Architecture Center, the American here; the city is known far and wide to of Chicago is a grouping of counties where Writers Museum, the Museum of Science & serve up the best of the comfort dish: visitors can follow hiking and biking trails, Industry, Broadway in Chicago, and Wendella German-style golden fried chicken with paddle along the lovely Fox River, see the Sightseeing Boats. choosechicago.com mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, dress­ Victorian and Italianate architecture of the ing, and fresh bread. Two iconic spots to Fox River Valley, and experience a few thrills Heritage Corridor CVB Miles of trails and waterways that connect suburban Chicago to try it out are Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth at Illinois’ largest waterpark, Raging Waves. Starved Rock State Park make this area west and the Bavarian Inn Restaurant. enjoyaurora.com of the city a haven for outdoor adventurers. It’s always Christmas in the city, Chicago Southland CVB The 62 suburbs that There are thousands of acres of lakes, rivers, too. Visitors can shop at Bronner’s make up Chicago Southland are teeming with forests, and parks to explore, and visitors can CHRISTmas Wonderland, with thou­ activity: arts and culture, shopping in historical take part in activities like fishing, hunting, and sands upon thousands of ornaments, downtowns, and golf courses—600 holes, hiking. heritagecorridorcvb.com decorated trees, and gifts. At dusk (all actually. The area includes more than 400 The capital is the go-to for year long), shoppers at Bronner’s can square miles of “just beyond the city limits” Springfield CVB attractions that detail the life of the 16th step outside for a display of 100,000 experiences. tourchicagosouthland.com U.S. president—from the Abraham Lincoln Christmas lights stretching a half mile. A Choose Chicago The lakeside city is known Presidential Museum to the Abe Lincoln horse-drawn carriage ride stops at The for its 77 distinctive neighborhoods and Rail Splitter Statue. The city is full of other Old Christmas Station, a European res­ thousands of diverse restaurants. Classic historical sites, too, like the Route 66 Twin taurant stocked with German ornaments, Chicago experiences are found at NTA supplier Drive-In and the Vachel Lindsay Home. cookie cutters, and handcrafted figurines. members: Shedd Aquarium, 360 CHICAGO, visitspringfieldillinois.com Frankenmuth parties year-round, too, hosting one-of-a-kind events. Although festival schedules are a bit up in the air these days, the following noteworthy events will return: German-themed Bavarian Festival and Oktoberfest; Bringin’ Back the ’80s Fest, which generates proceeds of nearly $70,000 each year for cancer-related causes; the World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest beer-sampling event; and Zehnder’s Snowfest, which displays large and intri­ cate snow sculptures and ice carvings. For more information, email Christie LET US HELP YOU CREATE A LEGENDARY TRIP! Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Bierlein at groupsales@frankenmuth. VisitSpringfieldIllinois.com | 800-545-7300 org or go to frankenmuth.org.

NTAcourier.com 29 COMPASS GREAT LAKES Rivers and roads A Minnesota adventure offers an opportunity for groups to get the true Great Lakes region experience—from beautiful state parks and quaint communities to river cruises and shop­ ping. Explore Minnesota has compiled routes to see the best of the North Star State, and here’s a closer look at a couple of those courses:

The North Shore Scenic Byway “A journey on the North Shore Scenic Byway is the perfect road trip for all seasons, but especially in the Padelford Riverboats’ Sunset Dinner Cruise summer and fall,” says Explore Minnesota’s Jake Juliot. “Highway 61 VISIT SAINT PAUL follows the shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Canadian border and passes by some of Minnesota’s most memorable landmarks and • Minneapolis and St. Paul offer a variety of paddlewheel boat parks as well as lake towns.” cruises, from basic trips to themed cruises (think margaritas and tacos). Onshore, visitors can see NTA-member Mall of America • Duluth is Bob Dylan’s birthplace and a shipping hub where boats of (mallofamerica.com), the largest entertainment and shopping all kinds pass through the iconic lift bridge, Juliot says. center in the U.S. minneapolis.org

• Split Rock Lighthouse was constructed in 1910 after a string of • Wabasha is home to the National Eagle Center, offering wild shipwrecks, and admission includes a tour of the lighthouse and eagle viewing, interactive exhibits, and cultural and historical access to surrounding trails. displays. Visitors can stand within feet of bald and golden eagles with no barrier—an experience found in few other environmental • Grand Marais is a lovely harbor village nestled between Lake interpretive centers. Superior and the Superior National Forest, where visitors can hike, mountain bike, gallery hop, and do some crafting. • Winona is for art lovers. The small community’s Minnesota Marine Art Museum features a unique collection, with each piece having The Great River Road “Minnesota has the distinct honor of being home something to do with water. Artists whose works are on display to the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. The include Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Georgia O’Keeffe. location is the perfect place to begin or end a trip on the Great River Road, following the Mighty Mississippi as it runs through a sprawling For more information, contact Millie Phillip at millie.philipp@ metropolis, pristine nature, and charming river towns,” Juliot says. state.mn.us or go to exploreminnesota.com.

In the know with Ohio Ohio is a top-to-bottom group destination, and a handful of its cities and sites are detailed here by region.

Northeast • Cleveland is the lively home to the world’s Southwest • As a site for many pioneering businesses, tallest and fastest rollercoaster at Cedar • Dayton is packed with aviation history, Akron/Summit County offers attractions Point; the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (rockhall. and some of its world-class sites are the in this historical thread, including the com); and the “A Christmas Story” house, the Wright Brothers Memorial, the National Lockheed Martin Airdock, the Hower Victorian home where the famous holiday Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and Carillon House, and the National Museum of film was shot. thisiscleveland.com/groups Historical Park. The 2021 Vectren Dayton Psychology. visitakron-summit.org Air Show will be July 10–11, headlined Central by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. • Ohio Amish Country in Holmes County is the • Columbus, the capital and the state’s most daytoncvb.com place to find cultural sites, unique shopping, populous city, has well-known attractions and eateries serving up generational recipes including the enormous Columbus Zoo • Carlisle-based Indian Creek Distillery within the country’s largest Amish settlement. & Aquarium and the new LEGOLAND serves up early American frontier whiskey, Discovery Center. Live music, breweries, distilled in the same copper pot stills from National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and the theater district offer exhilarating almost 200 years ago. nightlife. experiencecolumbus.com/tours • Golden Lamb in Lebanon is one of • The Ohio Herb Center in Gahanna is America’s most historical inns; it’s been a wonderland of gardening, culinary a gathering place since 1803 for locals, experiences, and health and wellness. travelers, statesmen, and presidents. Workshops include Tea Blending and Thrifty Herbal Homecare. For more information, contact Chrissy Blackwell with Ohio Has It! at tours@ • Grandview Heights, just minutes from ohiohasit.com or go to ohiohasit.com. downtown Columbus, is a quieter area with several unique coffee roasters, local

DAYTON CVB DAYTON shops, and an innovative food scene.

30 August/September 2020 Coastal California COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON Lots to love along the ‘American Riviera’ Nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and surrounded by undeveloped coastline, Santa Barbara has been called “The American Riviera” for decades. “The city’s distinctive Spanish-influenced archi­ tecture and lush landscape evoke the topography and aesthetic of the European Riviera—with a carefree California spirit,” says Karna Hughes, Visit Santa Barbara’s director of public relations. “Santa Barbara welcomes visitors with relaxing resorts and hide­ aways, outdoor escapes, world-class wineries, arts and cultural attractions, and a hyper-local food scene.” Santa Barbara County Courthouse Two of the city’s top attractions are the Santa BARBARA SINCLAIR/VISIT SANTA JAY Barbara County Courthouse and the Old Mission Santa Barbara. The courthouse, which was constructed in 1929, is a castle-like structure built in the Andalusian style. As they explore the facility, travelers can see original artwork, colorful tapestries, hand-painted tiles, and thousands of other ornate details. Two notable features are the Mural Room that depicts historical scenes and the Clock Tower that offers sweeping views of the city. The Old Mission Santa Barbara is a time capsule of California history. The rich heritage of the 10th of the state’s 21 missions is detailed during a tour Old Mission Santa Barbara church that goes to the church, the museum, and the gar­ BARBARA MARK WEBER/VISIT SANTA dens. As they roam the 13-acre property, visitors can see handcrafted archways and the distinctive twin bell towers, and a number of Mission-era plants and trees. Another popular stop is Santa Barbara Harbor, which anchors the city’s waterfront district. Visitors can get active by going kayaking or stand up paddle­ boarding. Those who want to relax can pull up a chair at a local restaurant and enjoy fresh seafood, local veggies, and a glass of the area’s renowned wine. Speaking of, Hughes calls the city’s Urban Wine Santa Barbara Harbor BLAKE BRONSTAD/VISIT SANTA BARBARA SANTA BLAKE BRONSTAD/VISIT Trail a must-do. “The trail includes nearly three dozen tasting rooms in the city alone, most of which are walkable and in close proximity to each other,” she says. “We recommend exploring areas like the historic Presidio neighborhood and the cobblestone paths of El Presidio, which boast the tasting rooms of some of the most respected winemakers in Santa Barbara.” To learn more, reach out to Visit Santa Barbara’s Jocilyn Schumacher at [email protected] or go to santabarbaraca.com. Kunin Wines on the Urban Wine Trail BLAKE BRONSTAD/VISIT SANTA BARBARA SANTA BLAKE BRONSTAD/VISIT

NTAcourier.com 31 COMPASS COASTAL CALIFORNIA

Potato Chip Rock

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 7 Natural Wonders of San Diego While San Diego’s calling card may be its wide-open, sand- swept beaches, the city boasts a treasure trove of outdoor experiences away from the Pacific shores. Non-beach, outdoor options are plentiful, and many of the top spots are included on the 7 Natural Wonders of San Diego list. “The majority of the 7 Wonders are enjoyed inland, thus providing visitors a look at a completely different side of our destination,” says Benjamin Eastman, director of tourism development for the San Diego Tourism Authority. To learn more, email him at [email protected] or go to sandiego.org.

Potato Chip Rock This Instagrammable spot, located on the east side of Lake Poway, is reached by a long hike on the Mount Woodson Trail. The giant boulders along the path also are photo-worthy.

La Jolla Underwater Park The first coastal underwater preserve on the U.S. West Coast, the park is inhabited by marine life that includes orange JOANNE DIBONA JOANNE Garibaldi, octopus, sea turtles, and more.

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve Hikers can journey along Annie’s Canyon—a true slot canyon—in the reserve, which is one of the largest remaining wetlands in San Diego.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park The largest state park in California, Anza- Borrego is home to 12 wilderness areas. It teems with desert wildlife and, in the spring, thousands of wildflowers.

Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve The reserve, one of only two places where you can find the Torrey Pine tree, has six hiking trails with views of sandstone rock formations and the ocean.

Sunset Cliffs’ Hidden Sea Cave Tucked away below an oceanfront neighborhood that is a top sunset watching spot, this fascinating cave is at the southern end of Luscomb’s Point.

Cedar Creek Falls Located in the Cleveland National Forest in rural East County, Cedar Creek Falls BRAD SPIESS this spectacular set of falls rewards those who make the 6-mile round-trip trek. GARCIA LUIS PHOTO: TOP

32 August/September 2020 A pair of notable aquariums Two of the greater Bay Area’s most iconic waterfront attractions are the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. These two marine centers offer a look at the connections between people and the fascinating ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. The Monterey Bay Aquarium (mbayaq.org) is a world- renowned museum and research and center. Its signature exhibits include the first giant kelp forest exhibit in the world, the million-gallon Open Sea tank, and pools with mesmerizing jellies and delightful sea otters. The aquarium’s back deck, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Coming up in March of 2022 is the debut of the “Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean” exhibit. Located in the bustling PIER 39 complex, the Aquarium of the Bay (aquariumofthebay.org) features more than 24,000 marine and terrestrial animals, most of which are local to the San Francisco Bay. Two massive tunnels—the Nearshore Tunnel and the Sharks of Alcatraz Tunnel—are home to giant sea bass, multiple rock fish species, leopard sharks, sturgeon, and much more. During the pandemic, the attraction has offered a variety of virtual programs and digital lessons, all led Virtual classroom program at the Aquarium of the Bay by biologists and educational specialists. OF THE BAY AQUARIUM

Could your NTA membership be free?

NTA members receive exclusive discounts from NTA Corporate Partners* on credit card processing, insurance, shipping, o ce supplies, and more. Be sure to take full advantage of these Corporate Partner programs; you can save enough in discounts to cover your NTA dues! You’ll fi nd details at ntaonline.com/partners.

*Not all benefi ts/discounts are available for all members. These discounts are o ered through NTA Corporate Partners, not NTA.

NTAcourier.com 33 COMPASS

South Pacific COMPILED BY KENDALL FLETCHER All aboard Australia The newly rebranded 39 Degrees South is a Victoria-based destination management company focused on providing solutions for wholesale tour operators who are putting together programs for Australia. CEO Nayaz Noor says the company has supplied reliable services for NTA members over the past three years for their senior groups as well as their cruise groups doing a pre-stay in Australia. The current focus for NTA operators includes Signature Experiences and Australian train journeys aboard The Ghan and the Indian Pacific. The 2,700-mile trip offered on the Indian Pacific takes travelers through the majestic Blue Mountains and across the flat grounds of the Nullarbor. The Ghan concentrates on luxury and comfort—and includes trekking through parts of Australia not often explored by other sightseeing companies. “There are not many tour operators in North America that offer a tour that includes The Ghan or the Indian Pacific, and we have had NTA groups on both trains,” Noor says. “This is The Ghan something they can think about for the October 2021 through March 2022 period. It is the right time to put this together.” program is designed to promote the country’s outstanding All of 39 Degrees South’s itineraries include a Signature niche tourism while delivering memorable experiences that Experience—whether it’s visiting an iconic Australian cultural align with travelers’ specific interests. attraction, staying in a luxury lodge, discovering an aboriginal 39 Degrees South also packages Australia and New Zealand culture, or following a wine trail—and it’s something overseas together. For more information, contact Noor at nayaznoor@ visitors never forget, Noor says. The Signature Experiences 39degreessouth.com.au or go to 39degreessouth.com.au.

Help and harmonize in Hawaii As a Honolulu-headquartered receptive operator, EMI Hawaii is a go-to company for travel services on each island and works directly with its tour operator partners’ student and adult groups. “The Hawaiian Islands are one of the most enlightening places on earth to study history, culture, and culinary, from coffee farms to local eateries,” says the company’s Mary Jo O’Neal. “We handle all land arrangements, assisting our partners with hotels, restaurants, transportation, and local cultural experiences.” And here are a couple of EMI Hawaii’s special focuses:

Student performance groups “Performances at Pearl Harbor and other Student group at Pearl Harbor historic locations around the islands introduces students to cultural experiences not found anywhere else on the earth,” O’Neal says. Pearl Harbor’s visitor center is ideal for dance, band, and choir groups, she says, as they have up to an hour to perform and can gather afterward for a moving flag-folding ceremony. EMI Hawaii also helps in creating itineraries for adult performance groups—from church choirs to alumni associations.

Hawaii Global Voluntourism The “Adopt a Beach” program allows visitors to aid in cleaning up marine debris from the beautiful beaches. “Hawaii Global Voluntourism was created to provide an opportunity for groups to make a difference in people’s lives and to give back to the Hawaiian community. Malama in Hawaiian means to take care of, to serve, to honor, to protect, and to care for each other,” O’Neal says. EMI Hawaii also assists in designing pre- and post-cruise itineraries to the islands.

For more information, contact O’Neal at mjoneal@ EMI HAWAII emihawaii.com or go to emihawaii.com. JOURNEY BEYOND PHOTO: TOP

34 August/September 2020 Zealous to get to New Zealand The collection of wildly unique scenery, outdoor adventures, day-stop to see a remote fjord on the way to Queenstown. and happy-go-lucky people makes New Zealand a jewel of the Edwards describes Milford Sound’s Mitre Peak as mighty, majes­ South Pacific. And Great Tour Experiences, owned by Charmaine tic, and magnificent, towering one mile straight out of the water. Edwards, is on the front lines of inbound travel to New Zealand, “Landscapes constantly change here. It’s beautiful on misty, which will soon open its borders to international travelers. wet days with rocky mountains, waterfalls, streams, and tus­ “You have unlimited opportunities to experience breathtaking sock plains. The Real Journeys cruise vessels are here to take landscapes around almost every corner—snow-clad mountains, you out on Milford Sound,” she says. rolling sand hills, golden alluvial plains, green pastures. There are Great Tour Experiences is a group destination management gushing geysers and snow-fed rivers that are trout-stocked for fly company that specializes in customized itineraries. For more fishing, and beautiful cities and villages throughout,” Edwards says. information, contact Edwards at greattourexperiences@ Many of her itinerary options feature the South Island. Groups outlook.com or go to greattourexperiences.com.au. can see Christchurch, which has emerged as a modern conference and art city after the devastating earthquake nine years ago, and Milford Sound Edwards says it’s the most beautiful city in New Zealand. Iconic attractions include the Cardboard Cathedral and the Antarctic Centre. Groups can discover a mix of farming operations in the Canterbury Plains, an area that rises into the Southern Alps. “You can take notice of the turquoise lakes and the pure, clean rivers, and view Aoraki Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman,” Edwards says. “We recommend you stay a night or two at the foot of Aoraki Mt. Cook.” The Mountain Machine transports passengers to the Tasman Glacier lake jetty, where Edwards says they can hop on a Mac boat, take a ride among the icebergs, and even taste the 500-year-old ice. Helicopter rides and sampling the diverse cuisines are also penciled-in experiences.

On the western side of the island, Milford Sound is a lovely bit.ly/3808kIL FLICKR/PEDRO SZEKELY: CC

Gone to Guam While Tamuning-based Pacific Island Holidays ramps up same dependable services as a tour operator. its safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as it “Visitors can go city sightseeing, river cruising, kayaking, brings tourists back to Guam, the company will also offer its paddle boarding, and shopping. They can go to the restaurants and shows they want,” says PIH’s Lester Sison. “It will be a slow pace going back to normal, but we will make sure that our customers are safe. Several of Guam’s intriguing attractions are stops on a sightseeing tour of Hagatña. Visitors can see the Statue of Liberty replica in Paseo Park; the Basilica of Our Lady Mary (the first Catholic church in Guam); and the mysterious Latte Stone Park, lined with towering stone pillars dating back to A.D. 500. The Plaza de España, home to Apugan Fort, is a scenic spot with incredible views of Tumon Bay. The tour covering the main attractions is about 2.5 hours. Visitors can also board two-seater kayaks, drift along the Talofofo River, and spot large catfish and crabs along the way. After an invigorating river adventure, kayakers can enjoy a barbecue lunch and take a walk through the ancient ruins of the Chamorro Village. The kayak tour is offered through PIH’s sister company, Turtle Tours. Sison says the government plans to reopen tourism at the end

ADOBE STOCK of July. To learn more, contact Pacific Island Holidays’ Yasuhide Latte Stone Park Torigoe at [email protected] or go to pihguam.net.

NTAcourier.com 35 COMPASS

Central Europe COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON Blending culinary and luxury in Poland For the past dozen years, Poland Culinary Vacations has provided name, the company offers highly crafted culinary-focused itiner­ travelers with authentic experiences in the Central European aries that take clients to every region of the nation. country where Malgorzata “Sarna” Rose grew up. True to its “Our immersive, small-group experiences go off the beaten path into the countryside of Poland to small towns and vil­ lages,” says Rose. “[That] is my favorite thing to share with my North American travelers.” While the food and drink take center stage on every itiner­ ary, Rose has worked to gradually add a range of luxury com­ ponents. As part of her “Five Days with Polish Wine...” series, which includes tours that go to various Polish wine regions, accomodations can include four- and five-star properties. “Visitors to Poland have the option of spending their nights at luxury hotels in the cities or in elegant castles, palaces, or manors with world-class spa and wellness experiences in idyl­ lic rural Polish villages,” says Rose. She also can work with individual travelers on high-end pri­ vate programs, which blend fine dining, sightseeing, and VIP experiences, or customize existing tours based on the special interests of group members. “Poland Culinary Vacations has always specialized in small groups—minimum 6 to maximum 12 guests—and we will con­ tinue with that focus going forward, “ says Rose. “We encour­ age families and private groups to book custom vacations with us as we resume travel with COVID-19 still around.”

POLAND VACATIONS CULINARY To learn more, email Rose at [email protected] or go Cooking session in Poland to polandculinaryvacations.com.

Setting sail through the scenic isles of Croatia The summer brought good news for Katarina Line, a tour “These tours show that Croatia is still untouched,” says operator that uses its own fleet for small-group cruises along Hautfeld. “The natural beauty, clear sea, and coastline with over the Croatian coast. 1,200 islands and islets are our most precious possessions.” “We did manage to start our operations/cruises on June 20, During the pandemic, staffers have also been reinventing but on a much smaller scale—only one to two ships per week,” Katarina Line’s series of land tours. says Daniel Hauptfeld, marketing director for Katarina Line. To learn more, email Hauptfeld at [email protected] or “Our ships, which range from 16 to 36 maximum passengers, go to katarina-line.com. are also operating with strict safety and health regulations that we have set in motion, doing much more than required by health regulator instructions.” The longtime NTA member has focused its efforts on two of its most popular itineraries—Southern Explorer and Kvarner Bay of Islands. The sparkling Adriatic Sea on Croatia’s west coast is the star of both programs. The 7-day Kvarner Bay tour, which begins and ends in Opatija, island hops through the northern part of the Adriatic. Passengers can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing, and take in the historical and culinary delights of the pristine islands. From wine tasting in Korcula and strolling the walled city of Dubrovnik to more adventurous activities in Mljet and the canyons along the river Cetina, the Southern Explorer itinerary Cruising along the Croatian coast highlights coastal cities and island villages down south. LINE KATARINA

36 August/September 2020 Discovering Baltic bliss Thanks to ESA Baltic, travelers can discover the beauty, history, and traditions of Lithuania. While the country is still a newer destination for most people, according to the company’s Agne Samkuviene, it has plenty of treasures. “Lithuania has a very deep and rich history,” says Samkuviene, who is ESA Baltic’s general manager. “Guests have the possibility to explore UNESCO sites; to see centuries-old architecture featuring Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles; and to get to know the ethnic communities and different cultures.” The country’s capital city of Vilnius is the starting point for exploration. Its Old Town area, which dates to the Middle Ages, is a blend of the old (historical buildings and cobblestone streets) and the new (eclectic shops and restaurants). Tours also go out into the Lithuanian country­ side to virtually untouched places. Samkuviene says highlights are visiting the castle at Trakai, Castle at Trakai built in the 14th and 15th centuries on an island; DANYS MIGDAUGAS the UNESCO-recognized Curonian Spit and its show to the world’, or “I regret only one thing, that I didn’t small fisherman villages; and the Hill of Crosses, where people discover your country earlier.’ That feedback from travelers from around the world have placed many type of crosses over helps motivate me.” the centuries. ESA Baltic also offers packages including neighboring “Usually tourists do not have any expectations before they Lithuania and Estonia, and St. Petersburg, Russia, is part of come to Lithuania, but when they visit they are pleasantly sur­ some itineraries. prised,” says Samkuviene. “I always hear: ‘Wow, your country To learn more, reach out to Samkuviene at [email protected] is amazing; we didn’t know’, ‘You guys have lots to tell and or go to esabaltic.lt/tour-services.

On the trail of Christmas markets “Christmas markets, which are a celebration of Christmas our Christmas markets is showing our traditional hospitality spirit during the four weeks of Advent, originated in Europe through singing, dancing, drinking, and eating.” and trace their history back to the late Middle Ages,” says The tour operator features its native Slovakia and major Marcela Lauková, CTP, managing director, Discover Slovakia cities in bordering countries on its holiday-themed packages. Tours and Explore Eastern Europe. “A very important part of Travelers get to visit Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, as well as Bratislava, the Slovak capital. Depending on the schedule, Krakow, Poland, is a possible add-on. “But, for the really local flavor, we also include some smaller towns with markets, where far fewer international visitors go,” Lauková says. “Those stops, with local culture and foods, make the memories even stronger.” She says that seasonal drinks include Slovak meads; hot ciders; punch featuring local rums; and Gluhwine, a typical Austrian and German drink. A number of special holiday dishes are also featured, ranging from Austrian lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Hungarian lángos (deep-fried dough) to Polish Christmas poppy seed cake and Slovak lokša (potato-flour pancakes filled with sweet jams). In addition to sampling the food and drink and enjoying the festive atmosphere, travelers get to see live Nativity scenes and towering trees with thousands of lights. Stall at Vienna’s To learn more, contact Lauková at mlaukova@agritours- Christmas Market DISCOVER SLOVAKIA TOURS SLOVAKIA DISCOVER slovakia.com or go to exploreeasterneurope.com.

NTAcourier.com 37 COMPASS

Asia and India COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON Japan, naturally Because of its vibrant big cities and ultra-modern culture, Japan is a country whose natural beauty is often overlooked. Travelers seeking the latter can immerse themselves in pristine national parks, high-altitude lakes, and jagged mountain peaks thanks to Samurai Tours. Founded by Mike Roberts, the company offers a number of packages that focus on the great outdoors. Two he recommends are Hokkaido Rail and Drive, and Best of Japan Alps. As part of the 15-day Hokkaido Rail and Drive package, travelers head to Japan’s northernmost major island, Hokkaido. This natural wonderland is known for its mountain ranges, virgin forests, volcanoes, and deep caldera lakes. “Among the Japanese, Hokkaido has become synonymous with sensational food, stunning scenery, and some of the country’s best mineral hot springs,” says Roberts. The two-week Alps tour features the country’s mountainous central section. A number of nature-based experiences await as travelers head into the quaint villages and remote valleys that dot the inland region. “There are many reasons travel in Japan is special,” says Roberts, “but the one thing our tour members always comment on is the service and hospitality (omotenashi in Japanese). Once you experience omotenashi, you will be spoiled.” To learn more, email Roberts at [email protected] or go Waterfall on Hokkaido SAMURAI TOURS to samuraitours.com.

‘There is no tour like a tour to India’ To say that Vinay Sharda is proud of his main highlights in Sri Lanka is witness­ native India may be an understatement. ing the Kandy Perahera, a religious fest­­­­i­ “No matter how many tours you have val that’s been celebrated from the times done or how many countries you have when the tooth relic of Lord Buddha visited, India will hit you like a gale- was brought to Sri Lanka in the fourth force wind—a storm of colors, diversity, century.” sound, and smell,” says Sharda. “The Indo Asia has plenty of options for country is strikingly diverse, and there is groups that want to focus solely on absolutely no tour like a tour to India.” India. The northern part of the coun­ Sharda serves as the vice president for try is covered during the Highlights of Indo Asia Leisure Services, a travel com­ Rajasthan with Pushkar Festival tour. pany that offers tours to India and other “You will witness exceptional architec­ destinations in the Indian subcontinent: tural grandeur of royal palaces, feel the Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, love at Taj Mahal, enjoy delicious Indian and Tibet. One of the multi-country pro­ delicacies, and revel in the vibrant camel grams he suggests for North American festival in Pushkar,” says Sharda. “The groups is India and Beyond, which cov­ colorful men and women, music in the ers the southern India state of Kerala air, and spirituality make Pushkar one of and Sri Lanka. the most famous festivals of Rajasthan.” “In Kerala, you will see the exquisite To learn more, email Sharda at vp@ lagoons, wandering rivers, and astonish­ indoasiatours.com or go to indoasia- Local festival in Kerala ing nature,” Sharda says. “One of the tours.com. INDO ASIA LEISURE SERVICES

38 August/September 2020 Sponsoring Tour Operators

The following tour operator companies are supporting the National Tour Association by advertising in this issue of Courier.

CroisiEurope America River cruising made easy! With over 50 river ships and barges, Michael DaCosta CroisiEurope offers the most diverse collection of small 365 Route 304, Suite 206 cruises in the world. Working with NTA partners, CroisiEurope Nanuet, NY 10954 provides excellent pricing with terms designed for the tour +1.845.507.4068, 800.768.7232 operator. River cruises are immensely popular, and they [email protected] or are an economical, safe, and easy way to travel through [email protected] Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. All programs include croisieuroperivercruises.com accommodation, meals, drinks, and excursions for one price. With cruises ranging from three to 12 nights, a river cruise can be a stand-alone program or the highlight of a land program. Contact CroisiEurope for more details at 800.768.7232.

Great Tour Experiences Great Tour Experiences is your Down Under, groups-only Charmaine Edwards receptive tour operator serving NTA and SYTA members. We 31 Darug Ave., Glenmore Park are “Qualified Gold” New Zealand specialists selling New Sydney, NSW 2745 Australia Zealand and Australia. We offer fully escorted adult touring +61.02.47330.638 services for special interests, such as leisure, gardening/ [email protected] historic houses, large family groups, etc. We’re also student greattourexperiences.com.au group specialists in music/performing arts, summer camp/ adventure, all educational study groups, and sports and outdoor adventure. Making arrangements is our business.

Star Destinations Since 1984, Iowa-based Star Destinations has been a family- Cathy Greteman, CTP owned and -operated group travel company with an incredible 1903 North U.S. Highway 71 passion for worldwide travel. We have one mission: creating Carroll, IA 51401-3340 custom-designed travel programs with extraordinary services, +1.712.792.9793 enriching experiences, and unique components that satisfy [email protected] travelers in groups of all sizes. From tours for alumni and public stardestinations.com television donor networks to bank travel groups and more, our programs offer the industry’s highest level of customization to fit each group’s needs of purpose, quality, and value.

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NTAcourier.com 39 Tour Operator and Travel Agent Guide

The following pages include a list of tour operators and travel agents, all members of the National Tour Association, who work with group leaders and travel planners. Listings in this guide are based on each company’s primary NTA membership designation or profile selections, and the information was current as of July 8. Please check the searches at NTAonline.com for updated contact details on these NTA-member tour companies.

Sun Fun Tours ISX Canada Westcoast Connection ARGENTINA Shelley Thiessen Sonia Cheng Jason Tanner Cazenave Argentina Kamloops, BC Toronto, ON Montréal, QC Jorge Cazenave, CTP sunfuntours.ca isx.ca westcoastconnection.com San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina cazenaveargentina.com Wells Gray Tours Maple Leaf Tours Roland Neave, CTP Kristine Geary COSTA RICA Kamloops, BC Kingston, ON Costa Rica Travel Excellence ARMENIA wellsgraytours.com mapleleaftours.com Carlos Blanco ESI DMC Armenia San Jose, Costa Rica Amalia Stepanyan MANITOBA Niagara Falls Tours Limited travelexcellence.com Yerevan, Armenia Receptive Operator dmcarmenia.com Frontiers North David Hyde Grant Chem Niagara Falls, ON CROATIA Winnipeg, MB niagarafallstours.com Katarina Line – Incoming Croatia AUSTRALIA frontiersnorth.com Katica Hauptfeld Zen Travel Canada 39 Degrees South Opatija, Croatia Zhongnan (Bruce) Pan Nayaz Noor NEW BRUNSWICK katarina-line.com Richmond Hill, ON Fountain Gate, Victoria, Australia Freedom Tours zentravel.com 39degreessouth.com.au Pro Sensus Ellen Tucker (dba Unlimited Croatia) Saint John, NB PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Andrea Cvitkovic Great Tour Experiences freedomtours.com Charmaine Edwards Target Tours Zagreb, Croatia unlimitedcroatia.com Sydney, Australia NOVA SCOTIA Lynn Dunphy greattourexperiences.com.au Charlottetown, PE See Sponsoring Tour Operator listings Atlantic Tours targettours.ca ENGLAND on page 39 Richard Arnold Dartmouth, NS QUÉBEC Explore Britain Tours atlantictours.com Carolyne Cree CANADA Autocar Excellence, Newark, Nottinghamshire, England explorebritaintours.co.uk ALBERTA ONTARIO Excellence Charter Real Boissonneault Globetrotters Travel & Tours 1000 Islands Tours & Travel Levis, QC Anderson Vacations Jean B. Cutcliffe Peter Craddick Jim Warren, CTP excellencecharter.com Gananoque, ON Harrow, Middlesex, England Calgary, AB 1000islandtours.com Groupe Spiritours gttnt.com andersonvacations.ca Laurence Maurin Ellison Travel & Tours Pathfinders Montréal, QC Justin Taylor BRITISH COLUMBIA Doug Ellison spiritours.com Exeter, ON Gloucestershire, England CAL Travel & Tours ellisontravel.com R.C.G. Tours pathfinders-tours.co.uk Alice Lin Roger Gervais Richmond, BC Select Travel Service Fields Trips Québec City, QC calworld.com Matthew N. Squire Kelly Fields rcgtours.ca Kitchener, ON Huntingdon, England Paramount Travel fieldstrips.ca Voyages FQCC selecttravel.com Yvonna Camire Valerie Joubert Surrey, BC Sovereign Tourism Great Canadian Holidays Boucherville, QC wegothere.ca Kourosh Abbassi Lorna Hundt voyagesfqcc.ca Kitchener, ON London, England Rocky Mountaineer greatcanadianholidays.com sovereigntourism.com Michael Comeau Vancouver, BC

rockymountaineer.com GEMM TRAVEL PHOTO:

40 August/September 2020 ETHIOPIA Hello Ireland/ LITHUANIA SWITZERLAND Irish Coaches 32 CC Group ADAA Tour and Travel Agent Holly Banks ESA Baltic Travelwell Dechasa Weyesa Tola Dublin, Ireland Agne Samkuviene Marc Nordmann Addis Ababa, Ethiopia irishcoaches.ie Vilnius dstr., Lithuania Duebendorf, Switzerland adaatour.com esabaltic.lt/tour-services travelwell.info ISRAEL Ghion Travel and Tours MEXICO TANZANIA Yoseph Getnet Teshale Amiel Tours Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Rachel Spigelman Grupo Meca Mexico Pongo Safaris & Tours Limited tourghion.com Or Yehuda, Israel Raynald Paquet Scholastica B. Ponera amiel.com Mexico City, Mexico Dar es Salaam, Tanzania FRANCE grupomeca.com pongosafaris.com Dekel Israel Tours French Incoming Bradley Lennox Pierre-Yves Mazeaud Binyamina, Israel NETHERLANDS UNITED STATES Jaunay-Clan, France dekeltours.com Ruijs Travel ALABAMA french-incoming.com Corné Ruijs Diesenhaus Unitours Lith, Netherlands Landmark Tour and Travel Objectif France Incoming Tourism ruijstravel.com Coleman Smith Joël Massé Dov Sarid Montgomery, AL Lacenas, France Tel Aviv, Israel travellandmark.com objectif-france.us diesenhaus.com NEW ZEALAND Innovative Travel Company ALASKA GERMANY Gemm Travel – Holy Land Robyn Galloway Henrique Abreu Christchurch, New Zealand 1st Alaska Tours Appina Travel GmbH Jerusalem, Israel innovativetravel.us Maggie Dobrovolny Luis Lintner gemmtravel.com Fairbanks, AK Gauting-Munich, Germany 1stalaskatours.com appina-travel.com Israel Experts NORWAY Adi Aharoni Alaska Coach Tours Terra Lu Travel & Consult GmbH Or Yehuda, Israel Scandinavia Tours Monique van Dijk-Seppola Erica Hedman Christian Utpatel israelexperts.com Vågå, Norway Juneau, AK Homberg, Germany scandinaviatours.no alaskacoachtours.com germany4groups.com NET – Near East Tourist Agency Sami Abu-Dayyeh Alaska Railroad Corporation GREECE Jerusalem, Israel PERU Heather Dudick netours.com Anchorage, AK Coltur Peruana de Turismo S.A. Amphitrion Prisma alaskarailroad.com Mariana Watson Constantinos Mitsiou Tailor Made Tours Lima, Peru Dafni-Athens, Greece Josephine Zinder Alaska Skylar Travel colturperu.com amphitriongroup.com Tel Aviv, Israel Haiyan (Skylar) Jiang tailormade.co.il Anchorage, AK Domiruth Travel Service Hellenic Travel Network 5ialaska.com Martin Harbaum Nicos Georgakopoulos ITALY Lima, Peru Athens, Greece Alaska Travel Services domiruth.com hellenictravel.net Acquaforte Italian Travel Arturo Herrera Designer Anchorage, AK ICELAND Alice Contiero SCOTLAND alaskatravelservices.net Venice, Italy Guðmundur Jónasson Travel, acquaforte.eu Europe Incoming Scotland All Alaska Tours James Grieve Iceland Al Koch Linlithgow, Scotland Anchorage, AK Renato Gruenenfelder ALLKNOWNTOURS europeincoming.co.uk allalaskatours.com Kópavogur, Iceland Murphy Andoh gjtravel.is Rome, Italy allknowntours.com JACTravel Aurora Expeditions Matthew Lepisto Adriel Butler IRELAND Michelangelo International Edinburgh, Scotland Anchorage, AK jactravel.com aexak.com Abbey Ireland & UK Travel Colin Wynne Aldo Caronia Riva Del Garda, Italy Juneau Food Tours Dublin, Ireland SLOVAKIA Midgi Moore michelangelo.travel abbey.ie Discover Slovakia Tours Juneau, AK RS Travel Development Marcela Lauková, CTP juneaufoodtours.com Discover Ireland Tours Lucenec, Slovakia David O’Gorman Ruggero Scoma Rome, Italy exploreeasterneurope.com Northern Alaska Tour Company Cork, Ireland Kathy Hedges rstravel.it discoverirelandtours.com Fairbanks, AK SOUTH AFRICA northernalaska.com Enchanted Ireland Tours Steiner Touring GmbH Sean Fenton Mirko Steiner Embrace South Africa Tours Prags, BZ, Italy Deon Kitching Premier Alaska Tours Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland Karlyn Wilkie steinertouring.com Kuils River, South Africa enchantedireland.com Anchorage, AK embracesouthafricatours.com premieralaskatours.com Greenlife Tours JORDAN (t/a Caminoways) Robbie Smart Dakkak Tours International Dublin, Ireland Majeda Dakkak greenlifetours.com Amman, Jordan dakkak.com

NTAcourier.com 41 Tour Operator and Travel Agent Guide

ARKANSAS American Edventures Eagle Tours Grand Destinations Esther Beebe Jerry Sun Ocean Ma Francis Custom Tours Laguna Hills, CA El Monte, CA Alhambra, CA Mary Francis americanedventures.com gdmusa.com Arkadelphia, AR EBT Travel Group franciscustomtours.com American Spring Travel Crystal Qi Gray Line San Francisco, Jane Jing Huang Corona, CA San Jose & Monterey/ Friends Tours & Travel Diamond Bar, CA Super Sightseeing Mitchell Jensen spring-tour.com Entour Ray Sargoni Will Zhang Little Rock, AR San Francisco, CA Diamond Bar, CA travelwithfriends.com Asia Getaway graylineofsanfrancisco.com Polly Yu Trump Tours Carlsbad, CA European Tours Great Reunion Chris Balciyan Ralf Humbert asiagetaway.com Chao Sun Burbank, CA Bentonville, AR Pomona, CA agtoursusa.com Bay Magic Meetings & Tours europtours.com David Rubens Great Wall Travel ARIZONA Walnut Creek, CA FDS Global Consulting Kevin Xu Fang Duanmu baymagictours.com Diamond Bar, CA Burlingame, CA A Closer Look Tours cctravelus.com Colin Caparros BC Travel Glendale, AZ Melody Hu Festival Travel & Tours Hisam Travel Robert White acloserlooktours.com Monterey Park, CA David Song Anaheim Hills, CA Alhambra, CA europatoursypaquetes.com DETOURS American West BHY Enterprises hiseas.cn Suzanne Hagberg Zheng Tian Pang Tempe, AZ Alhambra, CA Four Season Vacation HTT Bryan Chan detoursamericanwest.com Chris Huang El Monte, CA Blue Connection [LA] Corp. Covina, CA Eagle Custom Tours of Alaska (dba Bluetravel) 4seasonvacation.com Des Lester Eddy Ming Du International Student Tours Sedona, AZ City of Industry, CA Friendly Excursions Robert Voelz Claudia Yost eaglecustomtours.com bluetravelus.com El Dorado Hills, CA Sunland, CA istours.com Fantastica Italia City Escape Holidays friendlyexcursions.net MariaLaura Boldini Creal Bo Adams Joy America International Galaxy Tour Phoenix, AZ Palm Desert, CA Travel fantasticaitalia.com cityescapeholidays.com Vicky Liu West Covina, CA Gejia Liu Temple City, CA Free Spirit Vacations galaxytour-usa.com Compass Travel joyamerica.cc Katie Tobkin Huimin Yu Gary Express Gilbert, AZ San Gabriel, CA Joy Travel NY freespiritvacations.com Lynn Li Alhambra, CA Yue Li Ctour Holiday Alhambra, CA Music Celebrations Mark Ma garyexpress.com joytrav.com International Monrovia, CA Global Culture International Kerry Young ctourholiday.com JS Global Tempe, AZ Corporation Steven Shi Sonny Soohoo musiccelebrations.com Cuba Travel Services West Covina, CA Michael Zuccato Pasadena, CA easytour.holiday Pleasurebent Tours Cypress, CA globalcultureinternational.com Brooke Hamlett cubatravelservices.com L.E.A.D. USA Tucson, AZ Go West Tours Marie Martin Stephan Forget pleasurebenttours.com DayTripper Tours San Diego, CA Karen Achtenhagen San Francisco, CA leaddiscoveryusa.com Quality Travel Solutions El Cajon, CA gowesttours.com Donald Capparella daytripper.com Lion Tours USA Mesa, AZ Golden Bridge Holiday Daniel Shen Joyce Chen qualitytravelsolutions.com Deer USA Temple City, CA Charles Lu El Monte, CA CALIFORNIA Baldwin Park, CA Lulutrip deerusa.com Good Times Travel Yinan Huang Dustin Teichman Able International Holiday San Jose, CA Fountain Valley, CA Eiko Bao Delta Tours & Travel Services lulutrip.com San Leandro, CA Kitty Chung goodtimestravel.com ablespace.com El Monte, CA LVX Group deltatours.com Goway Travel Jiahao Li Evan Kranson ACC – American China El Monte, CA Connection Dream Catch International Glendale, CA Mary Chen goway.com Sonny Xiao Shang M.Y. Global Group Temple City, CA Covina, CA Angel Chen GPA International Travel Diamond Bar, CA 5166usa.com DTA Bus Tour Services America Int’l Travel Services Jianhong Zhou Shirley Wu Main Street Experiences Walnut, CA Misha Thompson San Gabriel, CA Laurie Lincoln, CTP San Francisco, CA Lakewood, CA E Travel Grand Alliance Corporation mainstreetexperiences.com usa-aits.com Nancy Newmeyer Shu Yi Kang El Monte, CA San Francisco, CA

42 August/September 2020 Meile Commercial Sino American Link Vacations for Less Tours of Distinction International Jingsheng Wang (dba Israel Tourism Consultants) Tyler Zajacz Min Ou Burlingame, CA Teresa Stauring East Windsor, CT El Monte, CA Los Angeles, CA toursofdistinction.net Soccer Camps International vacations4less.com Meridian Guided Travel Stephane Moreau DELAWARE Matthew Maturo Palo Alto, CA W J Global Fullerton, CA soccercampsinternational.com Jeffery Chen 4 Seasons Tours and Travel meridianguidedtravel.com Diamond Bar, CA Barbara Osman, CTP Sports Empire & Authentic chinatour.com Millsboro, DE Misha Tours California Vacations 4seasonstoursandtravel.com Misha Jovanovic Suzanne Slavitter, CTP West Coast Holidays San Diego, CA Lakewood, CA Julia Guo Delectable Destinations mishatours.com sports-empire.com Monterey Park, CA Carol Ketelson uswch.com Dover, DE Mountain Outin Tours Sports Leisure Vacations delectabledestinations.com Rolland Graham Mark Hoffmann, CTP Youcheng USA Mission Viejo, CA Sacramento, CA Amy Ma Finest Journeys mountainoutin.com sportsleisure.com El Monte, CA Andrew Grieve Wilmington, DE New Tour Super Vacation Your Man Tours (dba YMT finestjourneys.com Vera Niu Helen Koo Vacations) El Monte, CA Monterey Park, CA Alex Mistuloff DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA americaasia.com El Segundo, CA Olympic Express ymtvacations.com Academic Travel Abroad Sarah Yin SVH Tours and Travel Service Kate Simpson El Monte, CA Vic Sarkisyan COLORADO Washington, DC usolympicexpress.com Glendale, CA academic-travel.com Globus Family of Brands, Onward Taya International Globus, Cosmos, Monograms The Group Tour Company Aniseh Dalju Jing Sun Chris Babb Anaheim, CA Temple City, CA & Avalon Washington, DC Pam Hoffee onwardgroups.com tayainternational.com grouptourcompany.com Littleton, CO Open Roads Tour & Travel TMT Travel globusfamily.com Guide Service of Washington Amy Chen Neil J. Amrine Solutions Samurai Tours Kevin Murphy, CTP Rosemead, CA Washington, DC Mike Roberts Fair Oaks, CA dctourguides.com Denver, CO ortts.com Tour America Gloria Lan samuraitours.com Tour Designs Original Travel Management Los Angeles, CA Gordon Stearns Rui Xue touramerica.us.com CONNECTICUT Washington, DC tourdesignsinc.com West Covina, CA Bob’s Travelway Tours originaltravel.agency ToursForFun & Handcraftedvacations Bob H. Ragaglia FLORIDA Premier World Discovery Vivian Li Berlin, CT Matthew Kennel Arcadia, CA American Tours & Travel Coach Tours Redondo Beach, CA handcraftedvacations.com Jenee Masterson Colin Woodside premierworlddiscovery.com Orlando, FL Brookfield, CT TPI America bandfest.com Qiang & Qiang Travel Melissa Jiang coachtour.com Jason Qiang Ge Torrance, CA Big Country Tours Destinations Unlimited West Covina, CA tpi-global.com Regina Wycinski, CTP Julie Kozikowski, CTP Hudson, FL Plymouth, CT RCK International The Travel Corporation bigcountrytours.com Rosemary Cai Julius Stecker destinationsunlimitedinc.travel Arcadia., CA Cypress, CA Creative Tours Florida Friendship Tours ttc.com Michael Mishko Brett Isaacson RV Trip Kissimmee, FL Bloomfield, CT Li Zhang Travel Gallery creativetoursfl.com Rancho Cucamonga, CA Frank Fish friendshiptours.net rvtrip.org Pasadena, CA Cultural Hi-Ways Getaway Tours travelgallery.com Jane Rolla Blair Soucy S.H. Tours Fort Lauderdale, FL Terryville, CT Silvia Chuang Travels with Audrey chiways.org San Francisco, CA Audrey De Monte getawaytours.com shtoursinc.com Lompoc, CA Elite/Goody Tours Riviera River Cruises travelswithaudrey.com Steve Goodman Marilyn Conroy Setness Tours Ft. Myers, FL Fairfield, CT Katherine Setness Triple Group elitetours.us Stockton, CA Xuhong Li rivierarivercruises.com setness.com Diamond Bar, CA Global Travel Alliance Tauck Steve Maehl Tom Armstrong Shine Tours TRIPS Windermere, FL Wilton, CT Joseph Chi Brian Doughty globaltravelalliance.com West Covina, CA North Hollywood, CA tauck.com shinetours.net Green Light Group Tours Corey Black St. Augustine, FL greenlightgrouptours.com

NTAcourier.com 43 Tour Operator and Travel Agent Guide

Group Travel Consultants Hawaii State Tours Mayflower Cruises and Tours Music Travel Consultants John DeCrotie David Lopaka Millwood Nish Patel Mark Harting Orlando, FL Honolulu, HI Lisle, IL Indianapolis, IN grouptravelconsultants.com hawaiistatetours.com mayflowercruisesandtours.com musictravel.com Kompas Holidays International Hawaii Summer Tour Group OmniTours: A Division of Taylor Tours Predrag Krivokapic Peter Wei Wang Ridgebrook Travel Bryan Gentry Fort Lauderdale, FL Honolulu, HI Gayle Pesola Tell City, IN kompas.net Deerfield, IL taylortourstravel.com MC&A/JTB Global Travel Service omnitours.travel Orient International Travel Hidehiko Hayashi Travel To Remember Mei Wang Honolulu, HI Passport Travel & Tours Robert Zehr Orlando, FL jtb-gts.com William Ball Indianapolis, IN orientintltravel.com Grayslake, IL traveltoremember.net Pan Pacific Enterprises Group passporttraveltours.com Poland Culinary Vacations Kate Cui IOWA Sarna Rose Honolulu, HI Presley Tours Vero Beach, FL ppeg.net Debbie Tripp Cedar Valley World Travel polandculinaryvacations.com Makanda, IL Angela Decker Polynesian Adventure Tours presleytours.com Cedar Rapids, IA Rainforest Cruises Terry Fischer cedarvalleyworld.travel Jeremy Clubb Honolulu, HI R&J Brothers International Miami Beach, FL polyad.com Culture Exchange Group Dynamic rainforestcruises.com Jeff Qiu Alan Feirer Wasabi International Tours Westmont, IL Winterset, IA Voyager Travel/Euro-American Jay Geng Tours Kailua Kona, HI Reformation Tours intelli.tours Thomas E. Barnette shaqitrip.com Rowena Drinkhouse Jeffrey Kirkman Brooksville, FL Belleville, IL Clive, IA euro-americantours.com IDAHO reformationtours.com intelli.tours GEORGIA Idaho Tours Sports Traveler Star Destinations David Harmon Anbritt Stengele Cathy Greteman, CTP Best Friends Travel & Tours Boise, ID Evergreen Park, IL Carroll, IA John Lin harmontravel.com sportstraveler.net stardestinations.com Atlanta, GA See Sponsoring Tour Operator listings igotours.com ILLINOIS Tour Services on page 39 Brian Carr Brilliant Edventures Abercrombie & Kent USA Hinsdale, IL Legacy Tour & Travel Elaine Moulder Keith Baron tourservicesinc.com St. Simons Island, GA Downers Grove, IL Steve Tjossem brilliantedventures.com abercrombiekent.com Trans World Travel Decorah, IA James M. Gibbs legacytourtravel.com Tales of the South Accenting Chicago Events Highland Park, IL Linda Odom & Tours transworldtravel.com KANSAS Tybee Island, GA John Kvedaras talesofthesouth.com Chicago, IL Vandalia Bus Lines Caren’s Charters accentingchicago.com Linda Jun Caren Hall There and Back Again Caseyville, IL Stilwell, KS Atgene Science International Adventures vblinc.com Kincaid Coach Lines Dixon Singleton Jian Du Carl Baker Savannah, GA Chicago, IL VBR Tours Shawnee, KS thereandbackagain.com atgene.com Todd Powell Chicago, IL kincaidcoachtours.com Auto Europe Tourcrafters 1 US China Connection vacationsbyrail.com Prudent Tours Demin Fan Heather Gamage Hank Wiebe Suwanee, GA Libertyville, IL INDIANA Hillsboro, KS uschinaconnection.com tourcrafters.com 500 Tours prudenttours.com Bob Rogers Travel Wannar Travel Phil Campbell Village Travel Haobin Li Todd Rogers Greenwood, IN Jeff Arensdorf Atlanta, GA Naperville, IL 500tours.com Wichita, KS wannar.com bobrogerstravel.com Good News Travels villagetours.net HAWAII Caravan Tours Troy Orwig Tom Duffy Sullivan, IN KENTUCKY Chicago, IL Asia Pacific Travel & Tours goodnewstravels-in.com Blue Grass Tours Cindy Ke caravan.com Pam Upton Honolulu, HI Grueninger Travel Group/ Lexington, KY apttusa.com Hemisphere Educational Travel Ambassadair Division of Hemisphere Travel Michael Grueninger bluegrasstours.com Galaxy Tour – Honolulu Brad Rosenbaum Indianapolis, IN Cindy Chonghui Ke Schaumburg, IL ambassadair.com LOUISIANA Honolulu, HI hemispheretravel.com LeSEA Israel Tours A Joy Tour Hawaii Global Holiday Mag Vacations International Vicki Smith Dr. Susan Yuan Hai Shi Tao Wang South Bend, IN Baton Rouge, LA Honolulu, HI Chicago, IL leseatours.com joyintour.com hawaiiglobalholiday.com magvacations.net

44 August/September 2020 Trips Unlimited First Choice Tours Yankee Holidays/Amtrak Landmark Tours Merina Sanders Maria Manouvelos-Baker Vacations Mike Lyons Marrero, LA South Deerfield, MA Andrew Channell Minneapolis, MN tripsunlimitedinc.com fctours.com Beverly, MA gowithlandmark.com ylginc.com MAINE Hawthorne Tours R & J Tours Helen Medler MICHIGAN Mary Madison The Maine Tour Connection Danvers, MA Willmar, MN Donna Hanson hawthornetours.com Bennett Travel rjtoursonline.com South Portland, ME Jeffrey Bennett mainetour.com Heritage Group Planners – Hastings, MI Rustad Tours New England Tour Specialist bennett-travel.com Charles Rustad MARYLAND Alan T. Bearse Kerkhoven, MN Hyannis, MA Crescite Travel Gunther Charters heritagegroups.com John Alexander Southwest Tours Sherry Jones Ann Arbor, MI Connie VanderPoel, CTP Hanover, MD Hospitality Tours scholarlysojourns.com Marshall, MN gunthercharters.com Ted Nelson swtourandtravel.com East Harwich, MA Custom Holidays HD Travel hospitality-tours.com Sue Biggs, CTP Sunshine Travel Co. Qi Wang Allen Park, MI Dawn Krosnowski Rockville, MD Landmark Tours & Cruises customholidaysonline.com Burnsville, MN Bob Marx sunshinetravelco.com Islands in the Sun Cruises Southwick, MA Explorer Tours & Tours Mark Dickson Valley Tours Russell J. Rosenberry Jr. Marian Pilgrimages Battle Creek, MI Sally Erickson Stevensville, MD Mattie Henry explorertours.net Stillwater, MN crus-sun.com Scituate, MA valleytours.com marianusa.com Image Tours Women Traveling Together Justin Osbon MISSISSIPPI Debra Asberry Northeast Unlimited Tours Grand Rapids, MI Annapolis, MD Michelle Pino imagetours.com Barkley Travel Service women-traveling.com Sandwich, MA Camille Barkley northeastunlimitedtours.com Pacific Resources Development New Albany, MS MASSACHUSETTS Jason Zhang barkleytravel.com Sports Travel and Tours Canton, MI A Yankee Line Jay F. Smith MISSOURI Donald Dunham Hatfield, MA Rybicki Tours Boston, MA sportstravelandtours.com Mike Rybicki Adventure Student Travel/ yankeeline.us Novi, MI Exploring America Student Tours rybickitours.com Kara Mihalevich Berkshire Tour Company Sally Hammett Kirksville, MO Nancy Hickey Vineyard Haven, MA Witte Travel & Tours exploringamerica.com Stoneham, MA studenttoursinc.com Kaitlyn Dunneback berkshiretourco.com Grand Rapids, MI All American Tours Sunshine Travel wittetravel.com/tours David G. Burns Bloom’s Bus Lines Lorraine Tse Ellington, MO Gerald Santos Boston, MA MINNESOTA allamericantours.us Taunton, MA sunshineboston.com bloombus.com Borton Overseas Cruises and Tours Worldwide Tour Azores Bonita B. Boisner Anne Davis, CTP Boston Duck Tours Edward Demelo Minneapolis, MN St. Louis, MO Bob Schwartz Fall River, MA bortonoverseas.com cruises-toursworldwide.com Boston, MA tourazores.com bostonducktours.com C.I.A.C. Travel Gatherings Plus Tour Trends Melody Zhou Randi McCormick BostonWise Gail Arndt Minneapolis, MN Hollister, MO Jade Chen Plymouth, MA bestchinaholidays.com gatheringsplus.com Cambridge, MA tourtrends.com bostonwise.com Ed-Ventures Jean Faust Tours The Travel Group Paul Larsen Jean Faust Gallagher Cape Cod Custom Tours – Michael Egan Rochester, MN Sedalia, MO A Division of Hy-Line Cruises West Springfield, MA ed-ventures.com Rene Pierre Poyant travelgrouptrips.com Making Memories Tours Global Travel Design Jerry Varner Hyannis, MA Wanderlust Travel Tours capecodcustomtours.com Pamela Lohse Washburn, MO Hugh Barnes Minneapolis, MN makingmemoriestours.com Capital Tours Winchester, MA globaltraveldesign.com Ronald A. Cormier wanderlustprivatetours.com Malone Clan Expeditions Haverhill, MA Group Travel Planners Mike Malone Wolfe Adventures & Tours Amber Anderson Jackson, MO Carousel Student Tours Taunya Wolfe Finn, CTP Burnsville, MN maloneclan.org Joanne Van Meter Newburyport, MA grouptravelplanners.com Pocasset, MA wolfetours.com Ozarks Kirkwood Tour & Travel JayBee Travel Angie Greeno Dista Group XYL INT’L Corp. Susan Beck Branson, MO Tianyu Qin Joyce He Virginia, MN ozarkskirkwood.com Boston, MA Malden, MA distagroup.com

NTAcourier.com 45 Tour Operator and Travel Agent Guide

Sunrise Tours NEW JERSEY Zag Sports CroisiEurope America Kristen Dalrymple Jeremy Meccage John McGlade St. Louis, MO All Aboard Tours & Travel Pennington, NJ Nanuet, NY travelsunrise.com Wayne Weinzoff zagtours.com croisieuroperivercruises.com Upper Saddle River, NJ See Sponsoring Tour Operator listings NEBRASKA allaboardtours.com NEW MEXICO on page 39 Allied Tour Alternative Tours – East Coast Destination Southwest Susan Busskohl Receptive Operator Sheli Armstrong Crown Peters Travel Service Norfolk, NE Marian Deal Smith, CTP Albuquerque, NM of Astoria alliedtt.com Cherry Hill, NJ destinationsouthwest.com Gregory Alexander alternativetoursinc.com Astoria, NY Moostash Joe Tours Sun Tours crownpeters.com Joey Spellerberg CIE Tours International Franklin Fine Fremont, NE Kelly Hyde Albuquerque, NM Dark Blue International Travel mjtours.com Morristown, NJ suntoursus.com Peng Du cietours.com Bellerose, NY NEVADA NEW YORK darkblueint.com Educational Travel Adventures Chinese Host Michael Holzer Academic Expeditions EDU Trips (dba National Park Express) Freehold, NJ Andrew Selinka Kate Coffey David Huang etadventures.com New York, NY Orangeburg, NY Las Vegas, NV academicexpeditions.com edutrips.com chdestination.com eduSTAR Tours Jonathan Gamza All United Int’l Travel Four Winds Tour and Travel Educational Discovery Tours Red Bank, NJ Yan Zhou Veena Vohra Kris Partain edustartours.com Flushing, NY Jericho, NY Reno, NV Galaxy Tour NY educationaldiscoverytours.com Festive Holidays Amazing Destinations Ray Lloyd Steven Meyerson Yiyun Ouyang Fantasy and Creative Tours Cape May Courthouse, NJ Bohemia, NY Flushing, NY amazingdestinationsltd.com Donella Filliger festiveholidays.com Gerber Tours Las Vegas, NV Marvin Gerber fantasyrvtours.com Good Time Tours American Trails West/Rein Trish Johnson Teen Tours Woodbury, NY Oriental Tours Hightstown, NJ Howard S. Fox gerbertours.com Jordan Djeu Great Neck, NY Great Escape Tours Hampton Jitney Las Vegas, NV americantrailswest.com Debbie Woods orientaltoursandtravel.com Edward Davis, CTP Atlantic City, NJ Best International Travel Southampton, NY hamptonjitney.com Roaming USA great-escape-tours.net Service Kay Zhang Lucy Zhou Group Tours & Travel Happy Vacations (NY) Las Vegas, NV West Hempstead, NY Mike Chen roamingusatravel.com Creed Hyatt Kinelon, NJ New York, NY Bob Mann Tours happyvacationsusa.com Tours of Distinction grouptoursandtravel.com Bob Mann Anne McCall New Hempstead, NY Junior Tours Hello Italy Tours Henderson, NV bobmanntours.com Angelo D. Scroppo toursofdistinctionlv.com Richard Abrams Matawan, NJ New York, NY Century Travel International helloitalytours.com Vista International Tours juniortours.com Dongqiao Zheng Yu Shih Han Flushing, NY Hua Xia Travel Las Vegas, NV P M L Travel & Tours Philip Davolos Linhua Lou vistatours.tw Charlie’s Travel Flushing, NY Marlton, NJ Vivian Chen WF Travel Service pmltours.com Flushing, NY Hudson River Valley Tours/ Pengxiang (Peter) Gao gogogous.com Hudson Valley Tour Planners Las Vegas, NV Palladin Tours Ernie Bruno usawf.com Jennifer Hopkins George, CTIS China Silk Tours Linwood, NJ Elsa Lo Rosendale, NY New York, NY hrvtours.com NEW HAMPSHIRE Short Hills Tours chinasilktours.com Indirec Travel Service Country Heritage Tours Greg A. Dennis Fred Blumenfeld Scott Brodsky Short Hills, NJ Cinderella Travel Floral Park, NY Amherst, NH shorthillstours.com Natalie Azarov Rego Park, NY countryheritagetours.com Silver Wheels Travel Tours J & Z USA Group cinderellajourneys.com Qiuna Jiang Milne Travel Barbara Siegel Fresh Meadows, NY Emily Martel Asbury Park, NJ Citi Travel David Lin Manchester, NH Sunset Tours Jupiter Legend Corporation milnetravel.com Flushing, NY Millie O’Brien Maple Hou nycititravel.com Flushing, NY Terrapin Tours Hampton, NJ uvbookings.net Kelly Cooke sunsettourstravel.com Cloud Tours Cally Papas North Woodstock, NH Wherever Tours Laurent Tours terrapintours.com Astoria, NY Patricia Shick Laurent Nahon cloudtours.com Beachwood, NJ New York, NY wherevertours.com laurenttours.com

46 August/September 2020 Mayi Tours Twin Travel Concepts Prime Tours Gate 1 Travel Jessie Lei Nicholas Calderazzo, CTP Lisa Busch Robin Dean New York, NY Kinderhook, NY Dublin, OH Fort Washington, PA mayitours.com twintravelconcepts.com goprimetours.com gate1travel.com Mega Travel Way World Travel Corp. Taylor Tours Grand American Tours Erchao He Wei Wu Cathy S. Taylor Nancy Magee New York, NY Kew Garden Hills, NY Toledo, OH Morton, PA megatravel.us taylor-tours.com grandamericantours.com Weiyou Travel Niagara Falls Universal Yitong Wu Wendt Touring Hagey Tours Xiaojie Shun Flushing, NY David Wendt Shannon Bauman, CTP East Amherst, NY we-trav.com Wintersville, OH Souderton, PA wendttouring.com hagey.com Oriental Tour & Travel Z Travel International Edward Chao Mengmeng Zhou World of Travel New York City Vacation Flushing, NY Flushing, NY Ron Hersh Packages aotrip.net Columbus, OH Joel Cohen ZNY Travel worldoftravel.com Kingston, PA PPS Travel Kun Zhang nyctrip.com Siyao Tian Flushing, NY OREGON Flushing, NY North America Tour Hub NORTH CAROLINA America’s Hub World Tours David Naczycz Presidential Holidays/ David Penilton Philadelphia, PA Presidential Kosher Holidays CTN Travels Portland, OR northamericatourhub.com Stuart Vidockler Rick E. Pharr, CTP americashubworldtours.com New York, NY Midland, NC OExplora passovervacations.com ctntravels.com Columbia Crossroads Tours Shannon Fissel Cynthia Billette, CTP Stewartstown, PA Receptive Tours Group Nada’s Italy Beaverton, OR oexplora.com Jerry Schwartz Nada Vergili columbia-crossroads.com New York, NY Charlotte, NC Pilgrim Tours & Travel receptivetoursgroup.com nadasitaly.com Educational Travel Services David Nyce Judi A. Tichenor Morgantown, PA Rendezvous Travel Rail Source International Milwaukie, OR pilgrimtours.com Tony Rende Carmen Metcalf etsi.ws Bellmore, NY Olin, NC Repine Travel rendezvous.travel rsiworld.com OregonWest Excursions Roberta Repine Tony Minden Cherry Tree, PA Sino Rainbow Scholastic Journeys Salem, OR repinetravel.com Huashan Xu Brenda Steele orwest.com Brooklyn, NY Cary, NC Scholastica Travel sinorainbow.com.cn scholasticjourneys.com Quest Tours & Treks Ann Prinkey Sylvia Spaulding Greensburg, PA STC – Skylon Travel Corp. NORTH DAKOTA Salem, OR scholasticatravel.com Sisi Zhao questtreks.com Fresh Meadows, NY Direct Travel Touriffic Travel Tammy Rohde PENNSYLVANIA Cindy McMenamin Sunflower Global Holiday Bismarck, ND Malvern, PA Chen Jia directtravelnd.com AAA East Central touriffictravel.com Flushing, NY Michael Coumos OHIO Pittsburgh, PA White Star Tours Suntour International aaa.com Pat Donahue Richard Mei 20th Century Tours Reading, PA New York, NY David A. Baker Adventures to Tuscany whitestartours.com suntour-usa.com Youngstown, OH Tommy Harpster 20thcenturytours.com Kunkletown, PA RHODE ISLAND Teamamerica adventurestotuscany.com Pasquina DeCarlo Buckeye Tours Atlantivacations Tours New York, NY Tamara Galloway Culture Tour Faith Baum teamamericany.com Cambridge, OH Barbara Corson Bristol, RI buckeyetours.net Holland, PA atlantivacations.com The Way To Go Tours culturetourphiladelphia.com Jerry Waldkoetter Great Day Tours & Charter Bus Collette North Tonawanda, NY Service David Tours & Travel Jim Edwards Allen R. Kinney David Benedict Pawtucket, RI Tinma Travel & Tours Cleveland, OH Philadelphia, PA gocollette.com David Lo greatdaytours.com davidtours.travel New York, NY Suburban Tours eworldtours.com NuVu Traveler EPN Travel Services Judith Gervais Don Coffee Jamie Davidson Providence, RI Top USA Tours Corp. Hudson, OH Douglassville, PA suburbantours.com Feng Li nuvutravel.com epntravel.com Brooklyn, NY Viking Tours topusatours.com Ohio Travel Treasures Excursions from the Square Matt Oakley Diane Sphar Ellen Kay Coleman Newport, RI Tri-State Tours Cincinnati, OH Philadelphia, PA vikingtoursnewport.com Lawrence S. McCleary ohiotraveltreasures.com squaretrips.com Garden City Park, NY tristatetoursnyc.com

NTAcourier.com 47 Tour Operator and Travel Agent Guide

SOUTH CAROLINA Majestic Vacations U.S. Day Joys Pengbo International Keng Hsueh Tianyu Yu John Chi Adventure Travels Plano, TX Provo, UT Bellevue, WA Rita Gilbert majestic-vacations.com usdayjoys.com Greenwood, SC Tanzania Journeys adventuretravelssc.com Motivation Global Image Western Leisure Dale Jensen Don Walton Michele Michalewicz, CTP Bellingham, WA Charleston Convention & Dallas, TX Midvale, UT tanzaniajourneys.com Group Services globalimage.net westernleisure.com Erin M. Mellen WISCONSIN Charleston, SC OK Tours VIRGINIA destinationcharlestonsc.com Ana Sarmiento American Christian Tours San Antonio, TX Julian Tours Sabrina Carlson Educational Travel Consultants oktours.com Randy Julian Rice Lake, WI Howard J. Clemens Alexandria, VA acts-tours.com Anderson, SC Sarah Qey Travel juliantours.com educationaltravelconsultants.com Sarah Qeyros Care Free Travel Houston, TX Mid-Atlantic Receptive Kathleen Nooyen, CTP Good News Travels sarahqeytravel.com Services New Franken, WI John Tribble, CTP Mark L. Franchi carefree-tours.com Greenville, SC School Tours of America Stephens City, VA goodnewstravels.com Arthur Read takeafuntrip.com Country Travel Discoveries Houston, TX Steve Uelner SOUTH DAKOTA schooltoursofamerica.com Nations Classroom Elm Grove, WI Jay Bloxsom countrytraveldiscoveries.com Omanson Tour & Travel Tempest Tours Richmond, VA Darrell Omanson Martin Lisius nationsclassroom.com Holiday Vacations Sioux Falls, SD Arlington, TX Jace Vogler omansontour.com tempesttours.com SignaTours Eau Claire, WI David Davenport holidayvacations.com TENNESSEE Trips 2 Italy North Chesterfield, VA Tommaso De Poi travelsignatours.com Lamers Tour & Travel Discount Travel Alliance Houston, TX Kory Neuzerling Leslie Thomas trips2italy.com T.E. LLC Milwaukee, WI Sevierville, TN Jiao Jiao Zhang golamers.com discounttravelalliance.com Xenia Events Fairfax, VA Adam McDaniel travelerenterprise.com Milwaukee Food & City Tours Knoxville Tours Austin, TX Theresa Nemetz Shirley Metcalf xeniaevents.com TRIPOTOUR Wauwatosa, WI Knoxville, TN Mete Gurel milwaukeefoodtours.com knoxvilletours.com UTAH Alexandria, VA tripotour.com Students On Tour Tennessee Express Tours Eastern Travel Marge Moullette Bill Oliver Brian Mei Washington Business Group Rice Lake, WI Sevierville, TN Salt Lake City, UT USA 2tourdc.com tnexpresstours.com easterntravel.com Jenny Wang McLean, VA WEST VIRGINIA Educational Tours and Travel TEXAS usawbg.com Corporation U.S. Tours Adventure Caravans Todd Jones WorldStrides Robert Cline Tina Poole Saint George, UT Tim Sweeny Vienna, WV Livingston, TX ettours.com Charlottesville, VA ustours.biz adventurecaravans.com worldstrides.com HE Travel U.S. TERRITORIES Around and About Tours Philip Sheldon WASHINGTON Sandra Gibson Salt Lake City, UT GUAM El Paso, TX hetravel.com ACFEA Tour Consultants Cassidy Massey Pacific Island Holidays ChinaPlus Tours Horizon Travel Group Edmonds, WA Yasuhide Torigoe Chris C. Lee Leah Xiao acfea.com Tamuning, Guam Irving, TX Midvale, UT pihguam.net chinaplustour.com horizonglobaltravel.com American Student Tours Paul Monahan PUERTO RICO Dan Dipert Tours & Coaches Mountain Tours Bothell, WA Jessica Cree Joyce Huang americanstudenttours.com Vámonos Tours Arlington, TX Salt Lake City, UT Jorge Pardo dandipert.com mtn-tours.com Blue River Travel International San Juan, Puerto Rico Corp. vamonostours.com Southwest Adventure Tours Eastwest Innovation/IOT Sheng O Jason Murray Technology Lynnwood, WA Cedar City, UT ZAMBIA Bingkui Lai bluerivertravelusa.com Houston, TX southwestadventuretours.com Zamag Tours & Safaris tourscool.com Group Coordinators Sunrise International Daphne Lindsay Julie Saucier Tony Ma Lusaka, Zambia The German American Spokane, WA Orem, UT zamagsafaris.com Connection groupcoordinators.com Jo Ann Wolf ussunrise.com Brenham, TX thegermanamericanconnection.com

48 August/September 2020 COMMUNITY NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE NTA FAMILY

Working (?) from home While Courier’s Pat Henderson doesn’t have a blog and isn’t on Facebook, he has been capturing his various home work spaces during COVID-19 through a series of daily photos (90 as of July 24). Here’s a sampling … welcome to Pat’s neighborhood.

May 18, Entry 41

March 26, Entry 4

June 8, Entry 56 May 1, Entry 30 July 1, Entry 73

July 9, Entry 79 April 15, Entry 18

NTAcourier.com 49 Meet the Members Rainforest Cruises MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

NTA contact: Jeremy Clubb enough time to include Office phone: 888.215.3555 a visit to Machu Picchu and Cusco, the destina­ Website: rainforestcruises.com tion in South America NTA member since: 2019 most often included in our customizable What can guests expect when they get on tours. In the Galapagos, a boat with Rainforest Cruises? I prefer the more inti­ In the process of customizing an experience for mate 16-passenger our guests, we go to great lengths to ensure catamarans, such as What’s a hobby you enjoy? they are on the most suitable vessel, in the the Endemic or Ocean Spray. In the Peruvian When I’m not playing tennis or doing yoga, most appropriate destination, and enjoying Amazon, two very popular ships are the exploring new destinations with family is my the itinerary that best matches their interests. luxury Aria and Delfin III riverboats. greatest passion. We’re fortunate to be living Essentially our aim is for them to be as relaxed in Miami Beach, which allows us to enjoy the and excited as they can be once they step on Tell us about any new safety protocols you’ve ocean, so diving and sailing are our go-to board, safe in the knowledge that their adven­ implemented in response to COVID-19. family activities when we get the chance. ture has been carefully chosen for them. Social distancing aboard a boat is a challenge. Some of the protocols in place include testing You get to pick dinner tonight, and it can be What are a couple of your most popular and temperature reading prior to boarding. anywhere in the world. Where are you going? cruises? Meal times can be staggered to allow for social I’d be torn between a Vespa street food tour The Amazon and Galapagos are our stron­ distancing. And, splitting the groups into family in Saigon, Vietnam, or eating at one of Lima’s gest destinations. Given that the sweet units during excursions may put guests at ease top restaurants, such as Central or Maido. spot vacation length for American travelers and achieve a greater level of social distancing. is around 11 or 12 days, our 5-day cruise Routine testing of all crew is also important. For more information, contact Clubb at itineraries prove very popular as they give [email protected].

Introducing … NTA’s newest members

LU Send – Liberty University Woodford County Tourist LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA Commission Educator VERSAILLES, KENTUCKY LU Send (Liberty University’s centralized group travel/international DMO education office) helps to craft a variety of experiential learning opportunities for students during their time at Liberty. The team at Known for picturesque countryside, rock-lined fences, and all LU Send wants students, faculty, and alumni to have the opportu­ things bourbon, wine, and bloodlines, Uniquely Woodford County nity to see the world, and it develops incredible global experiences provides an unforgettable experience of life in the Bluegrass. for the community that integrates faith, academics, cultural intell­ Visitors can visit champions like American Pharoah on one of the igence, and service learning. many nationally recognized Kentucky horse farms, and they’ll also find eclectic shops and antiques, delicious restaurants, and charm­ David Welch ing accommodations with open doors and arms full of hospitality. Executive director Emily Downey +1.434.879.6753 Executive director [email protected] +1.859.753.6649 liberty.edu/usend [email protected] reservewoodford.com “I am in my fourth year serving as the executive director of LU Send. I am passionate about travel because it has the power, when stewarded correctly, to inspire creativity, innovation, compassion, and empathy!” “The place I am blessed to call home is the epicenter for bourbon, wine, and the world’s best horses. This makes my job of promoting Woodford County the easiest and most enjoyable! I always say, if you have a bad day here, it’s your own fault.”

50 August/September 2020 Beat 2020

How do you fight back in 2020? You stay connected!

And how do travel pros connect with each other when budgets are busted and in-person is iffy? You PIVOT!

Practical Innovative Valuable Online Timely

PIVOT to vTREX, NTA’s online Travel Exchange. It’s a virtual show, but the connections, the business, and the education are the real thing. So fight back against 2020 and grab hold ofsomething that’s certain. Register today: NTAtravelexchange.com

NTAcourier.com 51 AFTERWORDS Silver linings COMPILED BY BOB ROUSE

WHILE THE PANDEMIC has taken Cyber Security at Deakin University in lives and stalled travel, the change in Melbourne. How out of sorts is this? daily schedules has produced, for many, Nayaz Noor a silver lining. Courier asked NTA mem­ 39 Degrees South bers if they took COVID’s lemons and Fountain Gate, Victoria, Australia made lemonade. This pandemic has given me the oppor­ What silver linings have you tunity to take a step back and relax—to experienced? look at my life, what I have achieved, and why I am still working in our fam­ My father had a saying, “Family is for­ ily Copper Art Studio. It has given me ever,” and I always took that to mean my a chance to reflect on my work, and if blood relatives. However, working with I want to continue, but mostly I have the many wonderful folks in tourism and taken time to refocus on what’s impor­ hospitality, our partners and clients have tant: life and family! Amazingly, I also become extended family, giving new I was married on Feb. 16 and followed realized that I was able to outdo myself meaning to my father’s favorite line. the wedding with the honeymoon of and get through difficult times. Julie Colson a lifetime—just as the pandemic was Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Palmyre Gilles hitting the U.S. My husband and I trav­ Québec Copper Art Studio & Museum Tourism Office eled to the Maldive Islands for a blissful Chatéeau-Richer, Québec Irmo, South Carolina trip. We made it back to the U.S. just in time, right before the shutdowns began. How often in our lives, pre-pandemic, We are so thankful that we were able to would we say we don’t have time for make that trip and have that experience anything other than work, family, fresh in our minds … until we can travel and of course, travel? The pandemic once again. has provided an opportunity to learn, Tracy Goolsby (formerly Banfield) reflect, and take advantage of educ­ Tulalip Tribes/Quil Ceda Village ational opportunities. In May, Tourism Tulalip, Washington Cares launched its Meaningful Travel Platform, focusing on responsible This is the first time in many years I’ve travel, and the response has been been able to spend a lot more time with I spent my free time developing a mas­ tremendous. my family. Normally this is impossible, sive cactus garden, and I showed it Greg Takehara as from spring to fall I am completely around the world on Facebook. Tourism Cares overwhelmed with the pressure of han­ Norwood, Massachusetts Misha Jovanovic dling new quotes, bookings, and client Misha Tours departures. What a relief I felt this year! Joy and I have used much of our free San Diego, California In a way I wish it could always be this time to clean out and eliminate files— I am a general handyman for a number way, but on the other hand, I am itching enough to fill four recycling barrels of elderly customers-turned-friends. to get back to the everyday of the travel over a two-month span. We had what Due to complications following surgery business. It was nice while it lasted, we call “bookshelf files” for every U.S. back in late February, one has become though, and I can’t be mad at that. state and Canadian province and many bedridden. Normally I’m on the road Carmen Metcalf countries in Europe, South America, nonstop through the months of March, Rail Source International and the Caribbean. We had files on Olin, North Carolina April, and May, but this unexpected groups that have been inactive for 20

“vacation” from travel made me avail­ years, plus trip files and NTA profile I wanted to get a bit tech savvy and able for her daily needs. A strange forms from the last century! Now if I totally out of my comfort zone. I blessing, perhaps, but a blessing none­ can only clean up my office. Anyone successfully completed a certification theless: She’s getting the care she need some filing cabinets? course that covers all aspects of needs, and I have a newfound purpose. Bob Marx, President information technology, and then I Landmark Tours & Cruises Clayton Whitehead, CTP enrolled in a short-term postgraduate Southwick, Massachusetts Sports Leisure Vacations program that leads to a Certificate of Sacramento, California

52 August/September 2020 OVER 5,000 TRAILS BLAZED DAILY. Your next opportunity is a flight away. Just ask the 170 million passengers who choose to fly to one of our 327 destinations.

Based on average number of Delta flights per day in the March 2016 schedule. Includes flights operated by our Delta Connection® carriers: Compass Airlines, Endeavor Air, Inc., ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., GoJet Airlines, Shuttle America, and SkyWest; Delta Shuttle® carriers: Shuttle America and Compass Airlines.

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