2017-18 EDITION THE MAGAZINE

AIRFARE TOP 6 WARS TRAVEL LOW COST TRENDS VS. LEGACY CARRIERS

TOP 10 MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE USA

2017’S HOTTEST REGION THE SOUTH: What’s Not to Love? ATI AD MAN TURNS COOLEST INSIDE: TURNS 40 TOUR OPERATOR PRODUCTS MORE SMILES. MORE MEMORIES. MORE MAGIC.

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HOTELS FLIGHTS CRUISES CAR RENTALS TRANSFERS ACTIVITIES GROUPS HOME RENTALS Editor’s Note This past year the tour and travel industry has lost some of its most respected voices and familiar faces. I would like to dedicate this page in loving memory to them, they will be missed.

Jerry DiPietro Werner Escher Jerry DiPietro, a long-time tour and Werner Escher, the longtime Execu- travel professional, passed away on tive Director of Marketing at South September 12, 2016. DiPietro, 73, Coast Plaza, died at the age of 85, had a long career in the industry, from on January 6, 2017 following a brief sales manager at the Plaza Hotel in NYC, to DOS at illness. Often described as “the man who put the Dunfey/Omni Hotels in New England. In1980, he luxury mall on the map”, Escher traveled from to established his own receptive tour operator company, Beijing promoting what was a small shopping facility Tourco, which he and his wife Marian, operated for in 1968 into one of the most readily recognized luxury nearly 30 years. After closing the company, he served shopping complexes in both the and in a senior sales position at the Sands throughout the world, making South Coast Plaza a Corporation, closing out his career last year with the renowned international destination. Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas. Jacob Lloyd Kimbro Kenneth Schwartz Jacob Kimbro, warmly regarded in the Kenneth Shwartz, a highly respected travel industry, passed away peace- and warmly regarded tour and travel fully on February 1, 2017 at the age of industry figure for some 40 years, 52. Jay grew up in Norfolk, VA where passed away on December 26, 2016 he received a BFA in Theatre Arts. He moved to New in at the age of 67 following a lengthy York City to embark on a successful career in the live battle with cancer. A Pennsylvania native and a 1971 entertainment industry marketing some of the world’s graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Schwartz best attractions, including Spirit Cruises, The Lion moved to Boston where he began his career in the King, Beauty and the Beast and other musicals for travel industry. He retired in June of 2016 from his most Disney Theatrical Productions, and, most recently, recent position, of 16 years, with Meeting Point Cirque du Soleil in New York and Las Vegas. North America. May they rest in peace,

Jake Steinman President, NAJ Group

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NORTH137699-M7030025-NAJ_4-5-17.indd AMERICAN 1 JOURNEYS MAGAZINE ( 4/5/2017) Single 2/24/17 12:00 PM Job #: 137699_M7030025_101 Month/Week: AprWk1 Merch: Tour TRIM: 8” x 10.875” BLEED: 8.25” x 11.125” SAFETY/LIVE AREA: 6.75” x 10” AD: Marian(x: 4653) Copy: Yvette(x:XXXX) Coord: Tamika(14741 Production: Marilyn (x: 5527 Contents

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Welcome to the South. 6-10 Jacob Steinman After 20 years of consistent international promotion, the region has become an overnight EDITORIAL DIRECTOR success as this year’s “it” destination. Liz Porter Ad Man Turns Tour Operator ...... 12 PRODUCTION MANAGER Liz Porter Could German tour operator Timo Kohlenberg be the only wholesaler in Europe triumphing from Donald Trump’s election? GRAPHIC DESIGN Rob Schultz

ATI Turns 40. 14-15 CONTRIBUTING WRITER What’s behind the longevity of AmericanTours International? Two distinctly opposite Tom Berrigan personalities, combined creativity and friends in high places. Liz Porter PRINTER Receptive Operator Directory...... 16-19 Thoroughbred Printing This up to date receptive operator directory helps professional travel planners quickly find receptive companies that provide the services they need, in the languages they speak. ©2017 North American Journeys, Inc. All rights reserved TourOperatorLand.com 20-21 . ON THE COVER These pages highlight how professional travel planners can freely find and use everything New Orleans Street Scene Photo Courtesy of needed for product development on TourOperatorLand.com Trek America Travel, LTD. Photographer: Tommy McNamara Memorable Moments from the RTO Summits. . . . . 22-23 A photo spread of the attendees at NAJ’s RTO Summits, at work, at play and sharing moments with the people they need to know to successfully grow their business. Top 10 Music Festivals in the USA...... 24 From rock’n roll legends to indie up and comers, U.S. Music Festivals draw millions of diehard music fanatics from around the globe. The Coolest New Products. 26-32 Portrayed here are some new products launching or about to launch that will enhance what you have to offer your clients. Where Are They Now?...... 32-33 After losing her daughter in the 2012 Aurora, Colorado theatre massacre, Sandy Phillips, former sales manager for Visit San Antonio, is traversing the country as a gun control activist. Top News Stories 2016-17 ...... 34-35 These top 2016-17 news stories of the U.S. inbound industry have been culled from NAJ’s Inbound Report for their high volume of readership. Top Inbound Travel Trends . 36-37 Based on our coverage of the inbound tourism industry, the Inbound Report presents

what we believe are the top travel trends for the coming year. North American Journeys 2658 Bridgeway, Suite 202 Making America Affordable Again...... 38-40 Sausalito, CA 94965 (415) 339-0578 PHONE New low cost carriers are entering the international market, driving down airfares and [email protected] (partially) offsetting effects of the strong U.S. dollar. www.TourOperatorLand.com

4 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM For the Love OF FUN

Visit us at IPW Booths #1700-1703 www.merlinentertainments.biz

LEGOLAND® is a trademark of the LEGO Group. © 2015 The LEGO Group. LEGOLAND®, SEA LIFE® , The Dungeons, The Orlando Eye and are a part of the Group. Images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds. LOUISIANA, TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA LEAD THE WAY AS 2017’S HOTTEST STATE DESTINATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITATION. WELCOME TO THE SOUTH, Y’ALL! here aren’t many places in the culture that cuts across state lines with small world that can match the towns that say something about America Southern U.S. for charm, that big cities don’t. Tcharacter and quirkiness. It has While cosmopolitan cities such as an identity all its own – a sense of regional Atlanta are in perpetual states of reinven- pride, a complicated political history, tion, others–like New Orleans, Charles- antebellum architecture, and a shared ton and Savannah–celebrate their history

6 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM and locally flavored language with a kind of We highlight here 8 Southern cities with their must see attractions and gentility that just doesn’t exist in other parts of major festivals. Visit www.TourOperatorLand.com for suggested itineraries, ideas for first-timers as well as repeat visitors and to find the the country. contacts you need to help you create a trip to the South for your clients. A gourmet’s delight, the South nurtures its own food cultures: succulent barbecue, fried chicken, catfish, cheesy grits, gumbo, jambalaya, mint juleps and fried green tomatoes are all regional delicacies, endlessly tweaked by modern chefs and served in restaurants from five-star establishments to MUST SEE: roadside shacks. World of Coca-Cola Southern music history runs the gamut ATLANTA, GA Inside CNN Tour from slave spirituals to the hip-hop of In 1837, Atlanta was founded at the Georgia Aquarium OutKast. Jazz, the blues and rock ‘n’ roll Martin Luther King Jr. intersection of two railroad lines, were all born here. Nashville, the undis- National Historic Site arising from the ashes of the Ameri- puted country-music capital, and the Elvis MAJOR FESTIVALS: can Civil War to become a national mecca of Memphis will keep you honky- Atlanta Film Festival center of commerce. Without natural Atlanta Jazz Festival tonkin’ deep into the Tennessee night. The boundaries to control development, state of Louisiana remains a unique the so-called capital of the South continues its explosive repository for Cajun and zydeco music. growth. Yet for all the suburbanization, Atlanta is a pretty city Shrines to Southern-born musicians are all covered with trees and elegant homes. The economy is over this part of the country as witnessed in robust, the population is young and creative. Fine dining, Jackson along the Mississippi Blues Trail. great shopping and rich history combine with inspirational Although best known for its richly diverse attractions to create a city with Southern charm and world- music scene, there are also literally hundreds class sophistication. www.atlanta.net of festivals embracing cuisine, literature, film, comedy, sports and just about anything worth celebrating. Due to its temperate weather, the South is hospitable to outdoor activities 365 days a year. The region’s beaches run for miles down the Atlantic Coast, then circle back along the Gulf of Mexico. It has mountains to hike and scenic drives in the breathtaking hills around Ashe- ville, rivers to boat and swamps to explore. MUST SEE: It’s different down here, but what’s not to Chatham Square love? City Market SAVANNAH, GA Ships of the Seas Museum MAJOR SOUTHERN GATEWAYS: Established in 1733, Savannah is the The Cathedral of St. ATLANTA, HOUSTON, DALLAS, oldest city in Georgia. With its John the Baptist WASHINGTON DC gorgeous mansions, cotton ware- MAJOR FESTIVALS: Atlanta is the primary transportation hub of the houses and Colonial buildings, St. Patrick’s Day Southeastern U.S. via highway, railroad, and air, Savannah Music Savannah was voted one of the 10 Festival with Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta Interna- Most Beautiful Places in America by tional Airport being the world’s busiest USA Weekend Magazine. The squares and parks of Savannah airport since 1998. 104,171,935 total passengers in 2016. are the community’s most beloved icons. Originally designed with 24 squares, 22 remain today. www.visitsavannah.com

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 7 The South

With miles of awe-inspiring beauty ASHEVILLE, SC MUST SEE: to behold, find your self whisked Discover the Blue away to breathtaking heights on Ridge Parkway one of Asheville’s many scenic Biltmore Estate Craft Beer Scene drives. It is a cosmopolitan South- Folk Art Center ern city, founded in 1784, with much in the way of art and outdoor MAJOR FESTIVAL: Biltmore Festival living. Soak up bohemian culture of Flowers or relax at a sidewalk café in its unmistakable mountain vibe. www.exploreasheville.com SC

MUST SEE: Magnolia Gardens Fort Sumter Tour Pirate & Ghost Tours CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON,

MAJOR FESTIVAL: Charleston, MUST SEE: Spoleto USA founded in Graceland, home MEMPHIS, TN of Elvis 1670, is Walk the line from Blues to Soul to Rock ‘n’ Beale Street defined by its cobblestone streets, Roll in Memphis, the largest city in National Civil Rights horse-drawn carriages and pastel Tennessee founded in 1819 on a substan- Museum Stax Museum of pre-Civil-War-era houses, particularly in tial bluff rising from the Mississippi River. American Soul the bustling French Quarter and Battery, Now that the legendary home to Elvis Music where you discover that grits are better Presley and his family is a National Historic MAJOR FESTIVALS: than good, biscuits are best when Landmark, we can argue that a trip to Memphis Music & Heritage Festival served with gravy and cocktails taste Memphis that doesn’t include a tour of Elvis Week Memphis better when sipped while listening to Graceland is an act of treason against the live jazz. www.charlestoncvb.com state. www.memphistravel.com

While music is the lifeblood of Nashville, it’s MUST SEE: also a city of culture and history, of natural Country Music Hall beauty and pure Southern charm. It’s a place of Fame where the past and the future peacefully Grand Ole Opry RCA Studio B coexist, you can feel the pulse of Music City when you walk down its sidewalks…and you MAJOR FESTIVAL: CMA Music Festival never know who you might see in the clubs on Italian Lights Festival NASHVILLE, TN Lower Broadway. www.visitmusiccity.com

8 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM

The South LA

MUST SEE: Morgan Freeman’s JACKSON, MS Ground Zero Blues MUST SEE: The blues has a rich history in Jackson Club French Quarter The Alamo Theater and throughout the state of Missis- Riverboat Cruise Mississippi Blues NEW ORLEANS, Plantations sippi. The markers on the Missis- Trail sippi Blues Trail tell the stories of Visit an Antebellum N’ Orleans, with its MAJOR FESTIVALS: Plantation Mardi Gras blues artists through words and sophisticated tradi- MAJOR FESTIVALS: New Orleans Jazz & images. From sprawling cotton fields tions, has more flavor Heritage Festival Mississippi Blues and rustic train depots to cemeteries, Marathon of an old European Voodoo Experience clubs and churches, you can see Tupelo Elvis Festival capital than any U.S. firsthand how the people, places and city. It is a magical place with a unique culture culture influenced and shaped their music. Whether you’re a and its own way of life. From the historic sites die-hard blues fan or a casual traveler in search of an interest- that pay homage to the legends, to the ing trip, you’ll find facts you didn’t know, places you’ve never live-music venues that showcase the sounds of seen, and gain a new appreciation for the area that gave birth now, New Orleans croons sweet melodies for to the blues. www.visitmississippi.org 24 hours a day. www.neworleanscvb.com

Rockin’ Down the Highway; The South’s Music Cities 10 days/9 nights Itinerary offered by TourMappers North America

DAY 1 Nashville En route to Mobile, stop in DAY 9 Tuscumbia, visit the Helen Keller New Orleans Arrive and check-in to hotel Birthplace in Tuscumbia and dine With a spooky history, and unique, DAY 2 at Dreamland, known as one of the ornate tombs, Lafayette Cemetery is Nashville best BBQ restaurants in the South. a popular location for movies shot Visit Ryman Auditorium and the Walk Mobile’s historic downtown. in New Orleans. Or choose to take Country Music Hall of Fame and an exciting swamp airboat tour to DAY 7 see alligators, pelicans, osprey. Museum, Historic RCA Studio B and Mobile a performance at the Grand Ole Have your pick of music venues, Explore the battlegrounds of Opry from dueling pianos, to smooth Forts Morgan, Gaines and blues and funky jazz DAY 3 Condé, tour the USS Alabama Nashville – Memphis Battleship, or follow the black DAY 10 212 MI/341 KM history trail complete with an New Orleans Visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Underground Railroad bike tour. Depart from New Orleans. Museum, dinner and evening on DAY 5 Beale Street Muscle Shoals DAY 8 Mobile – New Orleans HOTELS Visit FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals DAY 4 144 MI/231 KM Nashville Millennium Maxwell Sound Studio, Muscle Shoals’ Memphis – Florence/ Stroll New Orleans French Memphis The Peabody nightlife in the area clubs. Music Shoals Quarter before boarding an Muscle Shoals Marriott Shoals 8 MI/13KM DAY 6 authentic Paddlewheeler for a Mobile Battle House Tour Graceland and walk in the Muscle Shoals – lively jazz dinner cruise along the Renaissance footsteps of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tuscumbia – Mobile Mississippi River New Orleans Q&C Hotel Depart for the Muscle Shoals region. 371MI/597 KM

10 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM

Timo ‘Trumps’ Again has developed a new consumer-and- trade campaign hinged to the meaning of the word “trump” that has generated much notice. The essence of the promotion, he told the Inbound Report when we asked him about it, is this: “Trump means triumph in German as well. You are supposed to focus on the real trumps in America, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, instead of talking about politics.” He explained, “We wanted something edgy, something where people would stop and take a second look, especially with these out-of-home compo- nents, we need to get the attention in the first place. This campaign plays with the current political issue and therefore gets TIMO KOHLENBERG IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN people’s attention a lot.” AN AD MAN BECOMES A TOUR OPERATOR A staple of an America Limited campaign seems to be the bill- board, which depends upon a rump, in German, also firm that he now runs, was cited in four-to-eight second window of a means Triumph - as in U.S. the travel trade media along with motorist’s attention. Kohlenberg T Travel Product,” says other German operators lamenting has the campaign slogan and one German operator Timo Kohlen- the impact of U.S. President of its images, such as the Statue of berg, the boyish and adventurous Donald Trump’s rhetoric and Liberty, on billboards in Hamburg, president and CEO of America immigration-related Berlin, Hannover and Unlimited, the Hannover, Germa- proposals on travel to the Frankfurt. More impor- ny-based USA specialist. He has United States. tant than its impact on launched a promotional campaign A practitioner of what motorists is how the using the highly negative impact on is described as “stunt campaign has been travel consumers of the Trump marketing,” which is seen received in the new brand and, playing on the meaning in everything from the media. And it has of the word, “trump,” is turning it splashy America received a substantial into a catchy hook that is registering Unlimited van he drives around amount of attention in both the with Germans. Hannover and showcases at trade consumer and trade media, with Kohlenberg, who studied shows to a six-story banner on the the coverage usually featuring an marketing in both and New side of a Hannover high-rise building, iconic image—or “trump,” he might York before joining the family-owned as well as his own attire, Kohlenberg say—in the coverage.

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BLOOMINGTONMN.ORG late Sir Freddy Laker and his Laker Airlines made travel an affordable purchase for a wide swath of the British population— not just the well-to-do. In 1977, Laker began offering low-fare flights to from Gatwick and they saw the boom in demand coming. Soon, ATI was bringing groups from the UK, Germany and Holland. Their first big group was an incentive group comprising 60 road-building contractors from Holland with a budget of $10,000 Founding partners CEO/ per person. The next group was Chair Noel Irwin-Hentschel and President Michael made up of 200 workers from a plant Fitzpatrick circa 2008 that manufactured Monroe shock

TWO ENTREPRENEURS WITH ATI TurnsFRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES 40 Noel Irwin Hentschel and serving the Emir and ruling family. absorbers. Their budget was $250 Michael Fitzpatrick came to a Michael then relocated to Beverly per person. Noel recalls, “We meeting of the minds 40 years ago Hills where he worked in a travel learned that you have to provide the and along with $5,000 and skill agency. Both had celebrity contacts. same strong customer service to sets that complimented one Fitzpatrick had seen how the every group regardless of budget.” another—Noel, a natural visionary entrepreneur and Michael, the First to open Alcatraz: international tour operators creative force behind product— with Noel as warden. created AmericanTours Interna- tional (ATI), now the last privately held, American-owned receptive operator in the U.S. As an airline group sales manager, Noel met the British-born Michael who had come to the USA with a background in travel that included working with Swissair in London followed by five years in Bahrain opening a travel agency

14 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM Noel, who has been a supporter of Missionaries of Charity ever since, said, “She inspired us to want to utilize ATI business successes to help others.” They were the first U.S receptive in China. Even before the Chinese government gave Approved Destination Status to the USA, ATI had opened an office in Beijing that became an unofficial Visit USA center and was instrumental in ATI Incentives-British Airways Elite securing ADS in China. Customers at Stonepine Estate Noel and Michael continue to spearhead ATI’s aggressive growth Michael, noticing that overseas proclaim: “We’re not going to let the strategies; ATI has recently opened travelers were greatly influenced by bastards grind us down”, to new offices in and Hollywood movies and television devising a special £99 package with Orlando. Noel’s son, Nick programs, began British Airways, to get skittish Hentschel, who has been around naming tours Britons back to the USA. (Virgin the business his entire life, is built around Atlantic thought the idea so worthy Executive V.P. responsible for shows like that they copied it—with a £98 fare.) overseeing sales, product and Dallas and While not advertised, their technology, will be implementing Dynasty, as social conscience is part of who the new growth. well as movies they are. For example: Noel They innovated the indus- like North by arranged for the family members of try. Until ATI came along, group ATI Turns 40 Northwest. ATI British military personnel killed in tours to the USA were pre-formed. was first to feature iconic landscapes the Gulf War to come to the USA ATI created the concept of tours to made famous by John Wayne and and see America on a cross-coun- individuals and, since inception, Clint Eastwood in their Western try “Friendship and Healing Tour” conducts annual professional Discovery tour and to that included a White tour-guide training for their create one-of-a kind House visit with employees. They implemented experiences such as life President and Bar- the first “host to host” technology on a real Navajo bara Bush. ATI has connections for FIT hotel inventory Reservation. also sponsored including the national parks. ATI They helped cross-country tours for brought the first leisure visitors to define the U.S. disadvantaged youth Alcatraz after it had been closed industry’s response that included meet- for years. And, perhaps most to 9-11. Their activities ings with President remarkably, has retained marquee ranged from having Clinton. clients including DER/ADAC, Minnesota’s governor, Noel and Nick Noel developed a Thomas Cook, British Airways, the voluble Jesse Hentschel at IPW special relationship Qantas Holidays for 40 years Ventura—a one-time with the late Mother and TUI for 30. pro wrestler—make appearances on Teresa, who she met at, of all television news and talk shows in places, a Young Presidents Watch for expanded story in upcoming which Noel prompted him to Organization conference in 1988. issue of INBOUND REPORT!

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 15 Receptive Operator Directory

PRODUCTS & SERVICES OFFERED LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STAFF

COMPANY CONTACT YEAR FOUNDED FULL TIME STAFF FIT TOURS ESCORTED MICE DRIVE FLY MEET AIRPORT & GREET AD HOC GROUPS OTHER CHINESE DANISH DUTCH FRENCH GERMAN GREEK HEBREW HINDI ITALIAN JAPANESE NORWEGIAN PORTUGUESE RUSSIAN SPANISH SWEDISH

5A Incentive Planners Ernesto Tecco | 212-286-3333 | [email protected] 1997 6 · · · · · · ·

AARIUS International, Inc. Julius Valino | 212-920-7470 | [email protected] 2012 15 · · · · · · · · · ·

AgenTours, Inc. Stephan Dornberg | 415-661-5200 | [email protected] 1961 10 · · · · · · · · · · ·

AlliedTPro Mark Morello | 212-596-1000 | [email protected] 1955 51 · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

America 4 You, LLC Marita Ross | 714-447-3826 | [email protected] 1994 4 · · · · ·

AmericaBound Tours, Inc. Mark Goldberg | 310-322-6250 | [email protected] 1988 4 · · · · · · · · · · · ·

American Ring Travel - New Logo: American Executive Int'l Diego Pereyra | 305-532-7375 | [email protected] 1980 45 · · · · · · · · ·

american ring travel american ringAmerican travel american ring travel Ring Travel, Inc. (ART) Robert Schmidt | 661-294-9033 | [email protected] 1983 · · · · · · · · · · ·

AmericanTours Int'l, LLC (ATI) 310-641-9953 | [email protected] 1977 250 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

black & white: greyscale: american ring travel americanBonotel ring travel Exclusive Travel Brandon Weaver | 702-796-5454 | [email protected] 1991 80 · · · · · · · · ·

City Tours USA Ray Thomas | 201-939-4154 | [email protected] 1978 50 · · · · · · ·

american ring travel americanCreative ring travel Travel Inc. Oscar Perez | 207-563-2288 | [email protected] 2009 5 · · · · · ·

american ring travel Destination America Meg Mehta | 714-935-0040 | [email protected] 1990 50 · · · · · · · · · ·

Destination North America Dietmar Postl | 212-889-3676 | [email protected] 2005 4 · · · · ·

DTE Travel Yvonne Liu | 626-579-6980 | [email protected] 1992 27 · · · · ·

Escalante Inc. Desiree Blum | 702-302-7676 | [email protected] 1986 6 · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Gastaldi USA Inc. Lena Napoleone | 212-689-2835 | [email protected] 1986 7 · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Grand Destinations Wu(Jesse) Yang | 626-310-7378 | [email protected] 2010 12 · · · ·

GTA - Travel James Phillips | 212-843-9778 | [email protected] 1975 180 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Harvest Tours, Inc. Jasper Pang | 310-216-6764 | [email protected] 1978 8 · · · · · · · ·

16 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM Visit www.TourOperatorLand.com for complete profiles on receptive companies servicing the USA, including: Receptive Operator Directory office locations, number of hotels they sell, regions of specialization and after hour assistance for your clients.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES OFFERED LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STAFF

COMPANY CONTACT YEAR FOUNDED FULL TIME STAFF FIT TOURS ESCORTED MICE DRIVE FLY MEET AIRPORT & GREET AD HOC GROUPS OTHER CHINESE DANISH DUTCH FRENCH GERMAN GREEK HEBREW HINDI ITALIAN JAPANESE NORWEGIAN PORTUGUESE RUSSIAN SPANISH SWEDISH

5A Incentive Planners Ernesto Tecco | 212-286-3333 | [email protected] 1997 6 · · · · · · ·

AARIUS International, Inc. Julius Valino | 212-920-7470 | [email protected] 2012 15 · · · · · · · · · ·

AgenTours, Inc. Stephan Dornberg | 415-661-5200 | [email protected] 1961 10 · · · · · · · · · · ·

AlliedTPro Mark Morello | 212-596-1000 | [email protected] 1955 51 · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

America 4 You, LLC Marita Ross | 714-447-3826 | [email protected] 1994 4 · · · · ·

AmericaBound Tours, Inc. Mark Goldberg | 310-322-6250 | [email protected] 1988 4 · · · · · · · · · · · ·

American Executive Int'l Diego Pereyra | 305-532-7375 | [email protected] 1980 45 · · · · · · · · ·

American Ring Travel, Inc. (ART) Robert Schmidt | 661-294-9033 | [email protected] 1983 · · · · · · · · · · ·

AmericanTours Int'l, LLC (ATI) 310-641-9953 | [email protected] 1977 250 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Bonotel Exclusive Travel Brandon Weaver | 702-796-5454 | [email protected] 1991 80 · · · · · · · · ·

City Tours USA Ray Thomas | 201-939-4154 | [email protected] 1978 50 · · · · · · ·

Creative Travel Inc. Oscar Perez | 207-563-2288 | [email protected] 2009 5 · · · · · ·

Destination America Meg Mehta | 714-935-0040 | [email protected] 1990 50 · · · · · · · · · ·

Destination North America Dietmar Postl | 212-889-3676 | [email protected] 2005 4 · · · · ·

DTE Travel Yvonne Liu | 626-579-6980 | [email protected] 1992 27 · · · · ·

Escalante Inc. Desiree Blum | 702-302-7676 | [email protected] 1986 6 · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Gastaldi USA Inc. Lena Napoleone | 212-689-2835 | [email protected] 1986 7 · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Grand Destinations Wu(Jesse) Yang | 626-310-7378 | [email protected] 2010 12 · · · ·

GTA - Travel James Phillips | 212-843-9778 | [email protected] 1975 180 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Harvest Tours, Inc. Jasper Pang | 310-216-6764 | [email protected] 1978 8 · · · · · · · ·

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 17 Receptive Operator Directory

PRODUCTS & SERVICES OFFERED LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STAFF

COMPANY CONTACT YEAR FOUNDED FULL TIME STAFF FIT TOURS ESCORTED MICE DRIVE FLY MEET AIRPORT & GREET AD HOC GROUPS OTHER CHINESE DANISH DUTCH FRENCH GERMAN GREEK HEBREW HINDI ITALIAN JAPANESE NORWEGIAN PORTUGUESE RUSSIAN SPANISH SWEDISH

Hotelbeds Michelle Woolley | 407-345-4996 | [email protected] 1962 6000+ · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

JBS Hotels Sarah Gao | 626-397-2886 | [email protected] 2001 35 · · · · ·

Lassen Tour & Travel Patrick Swen | 310-697-0341 | [email protected] 1989 63 · · · · · · · · ·

Lion Tours USA Inc. Daniel Shen | 626-285-3333 | [email protected] 1978 8 · · · · · · ·

Meeting Point North America Lily Matovic | 407-345-5119 | [email protected] 1993 50 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Miki Travel LTD. Nathalie Lund | 352-988-3056 | [email protected] 1967 1000+ · · · · · · · · · · · ·

New World Travel Inc. Peggy Moncure | 212-754-9100 | [email protected] 1979 100+ · · · · · · · · · ·

Opentours.com Igor Mattio | 212-222-9433 | [email protected] 2003 20 · · · · · ·

Personal RGE Tours Tereza Reis | 407-370-2882 | [email protected] 1990 13 · · · · · · ·

Rey Royal Tomas Rey | 504-269-1818 | [email protected] 2002 12 · · · · · · · · · · · · RMP Travel Inc. Suzi Steiger | 212-581-8051 | [email protected] 1979 5 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours LLC Chris Pilley | 970-482-5813 | [email protected] 1987 8 · · · · ·

RTT Services Brian Lincoln | 212-317-2372 | [email protected] 2002 12 · · · · · ·

Teamamerica, Inc. Vincenzo Perretta | 212-697-7165 | [email protected] 1997 89 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Tour America LLC Gloria Lan | 213-683-1188 | [email protected] 1997 15 · · · · · · · · ·

Tourico Holidays 407-667-8700 | [email protected] 1994 780 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · TourMappers North America Silke Garrity | 617-236-1236 | [email protected] 1987 14 · · · · · · · · · · · · · Tours International America Mika Niemi | 310-855-1170 | [email protected] 1996 4 · · · · · · · · Tours Limited Pabs Raghava | 770-235-4325 | [email protected] 2009 35 · · · · · · · Travalco USA Peter van Berkel | 305-866-5555 | [email protected] 1985 70 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

18 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM Visit www.TourOperatorLand.com for complete profiles on receptive operator companies servicing the USA, including: Receptive Operator Directory office locations, number of hotels they sell, after hour assistance for your clients and regions of specialization.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES OFFERED LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STAFF

COMPANY CONTACT YEAR FOUNDED FULL TIME STAFF FIT TOURS ESCORTED MICE DRIVE FLY MEET AIRPORT & GREET AD HOC GROUPS OTHER CHINESE DANISH DUTCH FRENCH GERMAN GREEK HEBREW HINDI ITALIAN JAPANESE NORWEGIAN PORTUGUESE RUSSIAN SPANISH SWEDISH

Hotelbeds Michelle Woolley | 407-345-4996 | [email protected] 1962 6000+ · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

JBS Hotels Sarah Gao | 626-397-2886 | [email protected] 2001 35 · · · · ·

Lassen Tour & Travel Patrick Swen | 310-697-0341 | [email protected] 1989 63 · · · · · · · · ·

Lion Tours USA Inc. Daniel Shen | 626-285-3333 | [email protected] 1978 8 · · · · · · ·

Meeting Point North America Lily Matovic | 407-345-5119 | [email protected] 1993 50 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Miki Travel LTD. Nathalie Lund | 352-988-3056 | [email protected] 1967 1000+ · · · · · · · · · · · ·

New World Travel Inc. Peggy Moncure | 212-754-9100 | [email protected] 1979 100+ · · · · · · · · · ·

Opentours.com Igor Mattio | 212-222-9433 | [email protected] 2003 20 · · · · · ·

Personal RGE Tours Tereza Reis | 407-370-2882 | [email protected] 1990 13 · · · · · · ·

Rey Royal Tomas Rey | 504-269-1818 | [email protected] 2002 12 · · · · · · · · · · · · RMP Travel Inc. Suzi Steiger | 212-581-8051 | [email protected] 1979 5 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours LLC Chris Pilley | 970-482-5813 | [email protected] 1987 8 · · · · ·

RTT Services Brian Lincoln | 212-317-2372 | [email protected] 2002 12 · · · · · ·

Teamamerica, Inc. Vincenzo Perretta | 212-697-7165 | [email protected] 1997 89 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Tour America LLC Gloria Lan | 213-683-1188 | [email protected] 1997 15 · · · · · · · · ·

Tourico Holidays 407-667-8700 | [email protected] 1994 780 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · TourMappers North America Silke Garrity | 617-236-1236 | [email protected] 1987 14 · · · · · · · · · · · · · Tours International America Mika Niemi | 310-855-1170 | [email protected] 1996 4 · · · · · · · · Tours Limited Pabs Raghava | 770-235-4325 | [email protected] 2009 35 · · · · · · · Travalco USA Peter van Berkel | 305-866-5555 | [email protected] 1985 70 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 19 T L .com

To industry professionals, this website is like a Michelin Guide to gourmets. From itineraries�� to value coupons and more…a wide array of information about traveling in U.S. is provided with easy access and brilliant multi-language options. It is truly useful, especially for international operators. —DAVID HUANG, CHINESE HOST, INC

We could not ask for a better resource than TourOperatorLand.com to assist operators in building�� new unique itineraries and do destination research. Itinerary-building can be a time consuming process, but this easy-to-use site makes it uncomplicated & effortless! —MELISSA HOPPER, VISIT NORFOLK, VA

Find these high- resolution images and many more at

20 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM We are now using touroperatorland.com exclusively for images for our brochures and website promotions…�� —PATRICK SWEN, LASSEN TOURS

We use touroperatorland.com as inspiration for our America program. Then we use�� many of the itineraries, coupons and royalty-free photos to build our brochure. — UWE HOFFMANN, AMERICANA REISEN

We use touroperatorland.com as a tool to educate buyers about the fact that they can have�� a wine country experience an hour from San Francisco. This is the only website that provides me with actual names of the companies that are interested in our product.

—CHYRL COLLINS, SONOMA COUNTY TOURISM

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 21 Memorable Moments from NAJ’s RTO Summits RTO Summit West

Rick Youngman, Disney Destination Sales;Takeshi Sakakibara, Tour America

Diana Elmore, Madame Tussauds Hollywood; Mat Lucketts, Earl Enterprises; Karen Shers, LEGOLAND Resort CA

Kristen Doss, Blue Man Group- ; John M. Haas & Roger Carmack, Great Rivers Country

Veronica Rosetta & Erica Turpin, Natassia Welter, Leisure Pass North Ashley Cen & Rhonesia Williams, Destination America America; Jesus Garcia, Atlanta CVB JBSHotels

RTO Summit East

B’Anka Neder, Big Bus Las Vegas

The business appointment action Isaac Pacheco, Hornblower Cruises; in the Grand Ballroom of the Etty Scaglia, Accent on Dining Fred Dixon, NYC & Company Wyndham New Yorker Hotel

22 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM RTO Summit Orlando

Anthony Liu, American Holidays Inc; Rick Xi, director, Rotary Club of Orlando Dragons Gisel Vidals, Big Bus Tours; Benjamin Maddy, Madison Business appointments Square Gardens

Estelle Miller, Hornblower Cruises & Events; BillyJo Clark, Tourico Holidays; Kelley Coville, Hornblower Niagara Cruises

Jennifer Edwards, Midway Attractions North America Merlin Entertainments; Lauren Paffenback, Merlin Entertainments

Audrey Bialas, Hershey Harrisburg VB; Greg Edevane, Danielle Boukai, Izumi Goodwin, JTB - Orlando The Countryside of Pennsylvania Kaluah Tour Operator

Diego Camacho, Madame Tussauds New York; Sally Altman, Holiday Inn, Greg Edevane, Chester County CVB: Jenny McConnell, Destination Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. Gettysburg; Audrey Bialas, Visit Hershey-Harrisburg

Eugenia Mitchell, Lafayette Jeanne Hart, Courtyard; Ernesto CVC; Mike Prejean, Louisiana Al Chen, Co-operatize.com; Tecco, 5A Incentive Planners Office of Tourism Keri Hansen, Macy’s

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 23 Top 10 Music Festivals in the USA

From rock ‘n roll legends to indie up and comers, U.S. Music Festivals diversity: traditional blues, country, draw millions of diehard music fanatics from around the globe! bluegrass, indie and punk. The event takes place at Fort Adams SXSW Boston Calling State Park in Newport, RI with MARCH 9-18, 2018 MAY 25-27, 2018 panoramic views of the harbor. SXSW is Austin’s collaborative Boston Calling, a three-day, www.newportfolk.org community with its annual multi-stage festival featuring the conglomerate of film, interactive biggest acts in live music, comedy, Lollapalooza media and the largest music and visual arts held at Harvard’s AUGUST 2-5, 2018 festival of its kind, with 6 days of Athletic Complex in Allston, Music is the DNA at Lolla! With 8 tunes and more than 2,000 acts. MA. www.bostoncalling.com stages, and 170+ bands from all www.sxsw.com/festivals over the world, every Lolla lineup Governors Ball makes hands wave, heads nod, Coachella JUNE 1-3, 2018 and crowds holler in Chicago, IL. APRIL 13-15 & 20-22, 2018 A contemporary music festival held www.lollapalooza.com Like a barometer always reading a at Randall’s Island Park, with temperature of awesome, the 60+ artists of all genres on 4 stages ARISE Festival traditional kickoff to the summer - all a part of a New York City AUGUST 3-5, 2018 festival season is dominated by summer experi­ence. www. ARISE is a music, yoga, activism Coachella. The glitz and glamour governorsballmusic­festival.com and camping festival, with a of Los Angeles migrates east to commit­ment to planting one tree the Indio desert for back to back Bonnaroo for every ticket sold, held at weekends of the biggest names in JUNE 7-10, 2018 Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, CO music. www.coachella.com Bonnaroo features a diverse lineup - 65 miles north of Denver. with 10+ stages, more than 130 www.arisefestival.com Sasquatch! bands and their very own Bonna- MAY 25-27, 2018 roo Cinema. The festival site is a Voodoo Festival A stellar Pacific Northwest event in 700-acre farm in Manchester, TN OCTOBER 26-28, 2018 George, WA, featuring musical - about 60 miles southeast of Voodoo is a musical gumbo of genres: indie rock, singer-songwrit- Nashville. www.bonnaroo.com music, art, cuisine and all the ers, hip hop and EDM. Staged at mystery that Halloween conjures up Washington’s Gorge Newport Folk Festival in New Orleans. With 65+ bands, Amphithe­atre, most festival goers JULY 27-29, 2018 Voodoo is more than just a music stay in campsite fields nearby. Begun in 1959, this festival is still festival – it is an experience. www.sasquatchfestival.com very popular because of its music www.voodoofestival.com

24 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM THE

ain a ractio

Show your clients a unique perspective they’ll never forget. We operate year-round dining and sightseeing experiences on the United States’ most iconic waterways. There’s more to discover on the water.

.com | 888.345.6660 New & Cool

Sedona Mountain Products Biking 2017-18

We present here some of the 2017-18 new products launching or about to launch using technology to create a truly immersive experience for your clients. Ghostbuster Mode Celebrating the return of Ghost- Watch the Dirt Fly in the Natural World and mountain bike busters, Madame Tussauds- Sedona down slickrock trails surrounded by New York is bringing the cinemat- Arizona was made for hardcore Sedona’s striking red cliffs. The VR ic experience to life like never adventure and the Arizona Office of experiences aren’t for the faint of before in a hyper-reality experi- Tourism is using virtual reality to show heart, but the visual storytelling is off the Grand Canyon Skydiving stunning. The 360-video versions of and Sedona Mountain Biking. Two the films are available on Visit new films allow VR users to skydive Arizona’s website and Facebook above one of the Seven Wonders of page. visitarizona.com/vr

NEW Lokal is a boutique hotel CONCEPT with a focus on ‘invisible HOTEL: service’ in Old City. Lokal offers guests an authen- “INVISIBLE tic experi- SERVICE” ence and an escape that feels like home. The hotel has no front desk and is a walk-up only historical building. In doing away with many of the trappings of a traditional hotel, Lokal seeks to provide a unique connec- tion with the city without sacrificing the comfort and care travelers expect. staylokal.com/ invisible-service

26 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM ence using a combination of virtual reality, real-time interactive effects, and a physical set. Suit up and blast your way through a ghost-infested apartment complex with your own proton pack and gun. From the eerie underground tracks of the NYC subway to the basement of a haunted mansion to Ghostbusters Headquarters to the streets of Times Square, brace yourself for several spooks and even catch a ride on Ecto-2. ghostbusters. AMERICAN The Museum of the American madametussauds.com Revolution, opened in the heart of REVOLUTION historic Philadelphia in April 2017, explores the dynamic story of the American Revolution using its rich collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, letters, diaries, and works of art. Immersive galleries, theater experiences, and recreated historical environments bring to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and Go Behind the Blue engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the Man Experience American Revolution. amrevmuseum.org Blue Man Group is launching brand-new experiences that bring audiences of all ages deeper into Man’ and take the ideas and the creative world of the show. themes from the show to foster Student and youth groups can creativity and problem-solving in enjoy new study guides and the workplace (and everyday life!) workshops focused on the music blueman.com/groupsales of Blue Man Group, as well as a dive into character and perfor- Paddle the Keys in West Paddleboard Tours’ mance. And for corporate and the Moonlight Nightboarding™ excursions on adult groups, a new workshop Experience the Florida Keys’ standup paddleboards or in will help you ‘think like a Blue undersea wonders at night with Key two-person, clear-bottom kayaks

BIRD’S EYE Soar above Yosemite National Park VIEW OF enjoying spectacular views usually only reserved for Peregrine Falcons. Airborrn YOSEMITE Aviation Services located in Mariposa near Yosemite, is the only organization licensed for Yosemite aerial tours and it offers an unsurpassed bird’s eye view of Yosemite’s iconic mountains, waterfalls and valleys. A one hour tour from Mariposa reveals views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and more and can be enjoyed all year round. yosemiteaviation.com/scenic-flights

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 27 New Products

utilizing I-Lumenate’s Night-Ops waterproof LED light bars to light up the water. The 3,000 lumens of white light Night-Ops light bars produce makes for some amazing sights and photos as the ocean floor comes alive at night with creatures you normally don’t see in the daytime, keywestpaddle.com ©Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation ©Fox ©Disney ©Fox Film Corporation Fox Century ©Twentieth

Na’vi River Journey, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park A WORLD BEYOND BELIEF AT Elvis Presley’s WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT Memphis Beyond the expeditions, Pandora - The World of Avatar is an Across the street from the Guest adventure unto itself that opened May 2017. Hike under moun- House at Graceland, get a tains that hover mysteriously above while you discover the Na’vi glimpse into the life of Elvis Presley culture that surrounds you. And as the sun sets, get ready for an - from his humble beginnings alien world alive with bioluminescence! Come journey to a world through his rise to superstardom. It that is beyond belief! disneytraveltradeinfo.com is the largest expansion of Grace- land since the Mansion began offering tours in 1984. The inside the new Presley Motors career; Elvis Discovery Exhibits 200,000 square-foot, $45 million Automobile Museum. A special showcase even more memorabilia complex features Elvis’ collection new museum called Elvis: the and history. graceland.com/visit/ of flashy hot-rods and classic cars Entertainer will focus on his experience

FLY OVER SAN FRANCISCO IN 3D Launching in fall of 2017, The Flyer San Francis- co will offer an amazing visual introduction to the City by the Bay. This heart-pounding adventure will feature a 28-seat flying theater with a massive movie screen and the newest 3D technology to take guests on a thrilling aerial journey over the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and Alcatraz Island - all rolled into a storyline that embraces the fun and creative spirit of San Francisco. theflyer-sanfrancisco.com

28 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM color outside the vines

sonoma wine country

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deep-sea discovery with multiple undersea bases, unique aquari- ums, and digital technology in the summer 2017. Unlock the ocean’s greatest mysteries and plunge to new depths in an interactive mini-sub ride. Get up close to some of the ocean’s most fascinat- ing creatures like a giant Pacific A new “adventure” entertainment octopus, elusive moray eels, and VEGAS FOR complex known as XPark is in the Japanese spider crabs! Then take a ADVENTURE planning stages in Las Vegas. The spin on three new family-friendly SEEKERS grown-up theme park would rides inspired by the sea. feature bungee jumping, zip lines, seaworldparks.com/en/ speedboat racing, ATV obstacle courses, dirt bike tracks, and seaworld-sandiego/ more. The developer hopes to have at least a portion of the park oceanexplorer open by summer of 2017. xparkvegas.com

miniature, inspired by the places we live, work, play, and dream about. gulliversgate.com Mingle With an Octopus SeaWorld San Diego will debut Ocean Explorer, a realm of

World’s Landmarks Under One Roof NEW HOTEL CATERS Lucky Dragon Hotel Leave the land of large to TO ASIAN MARKET & Casino is Las Vegas’ experience an interactive world first casino resort of miniatures from around the designed from the ground up to create an authentic Asian cultural, globe. Permanently housed in a gaming and dining experience. It offers an indoor-outdoor Tea space of almost 50,000 square Garden featuring an extensive list of tea curated by Las Vegas’ only feet in Times Square, Gulliver’s tea sommelier; five Asian-inspired restaurant concepts; and staff Gate is a technologically and signage to accommodate guests from throughout Asia as well advanced, interactive and playful as English-speaking guests. luckydragonlv.com interpretation of the real world in

30 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM

New Products

‘Check-In’ to Silicon Valley and

‘Check-Out’ the Pacific Coast FINE JAY Highway. The Computer History Museum provides history and context. Google and Facebook campuses reveal where the tech greats create. Then an afternoon coastal tour of Half Moon Bay concludes the day the Become a Legal Rum West Coast way. From PCs to the NYC’S ONLY Runner PCH, this tech tour is California’s past, OUTLET For centuries, distillers have present, and future! DESTINATION been making the sweet libation... incadventures.com/tour/silicon- rum (some legal, some not so valley-tour/ Located in St. George, legal). Key West First Legal Rum Staten Island, the Empire Distillery located in a former Outlets will debut in Coca-Cola bottling plant, is March 2018 with 1.1 decorated with memorabilia from million square feet of the Keys’ rum-soaked past. retail space including Because they are chefs first approximately 100 shops and distillers second, their process and an extensive array of is called Chef Distilled and infuses waterfront food and white rums with coconut, vanilla, Muhammad Ali beverage concepts, in key lime and crème brulee. Also Childhood Home addition to a 190-room the author of NativeFuel, a Keys The Muhammad Ali Childhood boutique hotel. cookbook/food history book, Home Museum celebrates the empireoutletsnyc.com Head Chef/Distiller Paul Menta childhood of Muhammad Ali enthralls distillery visitors with (Cassius Clay Jr.). From 1947-61, the quirky tales and rum-tasting Clay family lived at the Louisville the house pink for his wife who is sessions. keywestlegalrum.com home. It was here that Ali first said to have loved the color. started to box, won the Olympic Curated with unique family artifacts, Boxing Gold Medal, and turned documentaries and interviews, this professional. The home has been museum is a true treasure for any restored to the condition it was in at seasoned or novice Ali fan. that time. Cassius Sr. had painted alichildhoodmuseum.com

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CityPASS Turns 20 20 years ago at IPW in Chicago Mike Gallagher and Mike Morey introduced the concept of CityPASS, aggregating attractions in U.S. destinations into a prepaid booklet of tickets, selling them at a significantly discounted price. It debuted with two cities—Seattle and San Francisco. After the sale of more than 17 million booklets and the addition of another 10 destinations, it looks like their A Tech Tour the West venture has worked out. While other multi-admission passes are part of the Coast Way industry today, Gallagher and Morey were the first. Megan Allen was named CEO in 2012, but they retain their co-founder title. Gallagher was inducted into Incredible Adventure has a new the U.S. Travel’s Travel Industry Hall of Leaders in 2013. tech tour that allows guests to

32 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM Where Are They Now?

Charlotte, North Carolina where her tribute to daughter Jessi left not a dry Under the Gun eye in the convention hall, we asked if she has been able to stay in touch with her colleagues in the travel and tourism industry. “I do stay in touch with many former colleagues,” pointing out that “Facebook allows me to see where people are going and what’s happening in their personal lives. I also see Peter Pantuso (ABA president and CEO) frequently when I am in D.C. The friendships forged over all these years are so special to me. I love and miss the industry very much.” Financially, the nomadic journey SANDY PHILLIPS: FROM TOURISM SALES EXECUTIVE of Sandy and Lonnie who now live out of their camper, has had its ups TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACTIVIST and downs—mostly downs. They filed a lawsuit against the online uly 20, 2012 was a night that forever changed the life and company that sold ammunition to the career of Sandy Anglin Philips, one-time national killer of their daughter and others tourism sales manager for the San Antonio CVB and with the help of attorneys who J executive director of Texas Hill County Trail, a night that represented them pro bono. They made her a woman with a mission and a message. That not only lost their lawsuit, they were night, just after midnight, a crazed, heavily armed man killed then ordered to pay the company Sandy’s 24-year-old daughter Jessi during the mass murder at a $203,000 in fees. She and her movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado. Jessi was on of the twelve husband had to declare bankruptcy people killed by the gunman, 70 were injured. in order to deal with the debt. They now live largely on donations from friends and followers. People who lose a child usually Lonnie sold their property, save for When we spoke with her, they react in different ways. Some enter their camper, and began traveling the were staying in their camper on land a deep depression never to country as professional speakers and outside San Antonio, Texas owned emerge, others find a new purpose gun violence prevention activists. by a family member—they have to their life. Hours after the Appearing before groups speaking, mobility. In the summer of 2017, she shooting , Phillips recalls, “I was proselytizing, and testifying at various noted, they will be taking part in curled up on the couch and hearings at all levels of government events in Ohio, Michigan, Maine, Lonnie, my husband, was standing and pleading for sane government Connecticut, New York and at the door looking out, remem- policies on the sale and use of Pennsylvania. bering Jessi at the patio table with firearms and ammunition is now her her boyfriend just a few weeks life’s purpose. before. It was in that moment, I Recalling that one of her early For those who want to follow or help said: ‘You know we are going to speaking engagements was at the Sandy Phillips, she is on Facebook at: get involved in this, right?’ American Bus Association (ABA) facebook.com/sandy.a.phillips and Not long thereafter, Sandy and Marketplace luncheon in 2013 in facebook.com/JessisMessage/

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 33 Top 10 News Stories FROM THE INBOUND REPORT BASED ON VOLUME OF READERSHIP from the past year he election of Donald Trump and the reaction of travel as major OTAs such as Price- professionals, along with concern over the strong U.S. line and Expedia effectively T dollar, were the dominant stories until we witnessed the dictate room prices. The acquisi- biggest shake up in the tour and travel industry since 1999, tion signals to mid-size RTOs that making for a disruptive year in terms of consolidation. the commoditization of hotel rooms has now entered a new phase of open warfare and 1. Thomas Cook India 2. And Then There survival. With a de facto single, Acquires AlliedTPro Was One Bedbank global bedbank, receptives will AlliedTPro, one of the The industry’s largest have to return to their roots— cre- MAY oldest receptive tour APRIL bedbank, Hotelbeds, ating unique product and 2017 2017 operators in the U.S., was announced that it is packaging it in a way that appeals acquired by Thomas Cook India as acquiring the second largest, GTA to their clients. part of their acquisition of the Swiss from Kuoni, just two months after company Kuoni Group’s destination buying the third largest, Tourico. 3. Stronger U.S. management businesses worldwide. The presence of such a large B2B Dollar Thomas Cook India is owned by bedbank in the distribution system The Inbound Report’s Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., a should provide a sense of relief for JANUARY Outlook for 2017 proved 2017 Toronto-based firm that previously hotels, which have seen the to be one of the most acquired the Kuoni brand in India and strength of widely read a few years after guaranteed articles in the acquiring Thomas Cook India. pricing decline publication’s

Covering the inbound tourism industry since 1996, NAJ’s Inbound Report is now a weekly online newsletter, InboundReport.com. Subscribe! It’s FREE!

34 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM history. The overarching theme Pitbull, who had a million-dollar 8. TUI Sells was that the decision by the U.S. contract to promote the state was Travelopia Federal Reserve Board to enough to enrage state legislators After speculation that increase the benchmark interest and cause the firing of the top JANUARY Kuoni might be in the 2017 rate would result in a stronger three officials at Visit Florida, hunt, the TUI Group dollar due to investors seeking including its CEO Will Seccombe. reached an agreement with New higher yields from bonds and York-based private equity firm other financial instruments. A 6. Ctrip Forms KKR, to sell Travelopia, its stronger dollar on currency Strategic U.S. collection of 50 specialty tour exchange markets is certain to Partnership operator brands. The transaction make an already weak euro and China’s largest travel followed TUI’s sale of its bed- NOVEMBER pound sterling even weaker. 2016 company, Ctrip, made a bank, Hotelbeds, to the move into the USA in a London-based private equity major way. At a New York City group Cinven and the Canada news conference, the company Pension Plan Investment signed a strategic partnership Board. agreement with two U.S.-based Top News Stories Ctour 10 receptive tour operators: 9. Hotelbeds Buys from the past year based in Los Angeles with the Tourico largest Visit USA market share on Hotelbeds announced FEBRUARY the West Coast; and Universal 2017 that it was acquiring 4. NYC Receptive Vision a New York-based Orlando-based Tourico Shuts Down receptive tour operator. Included Holidays, one of the largest In mid-February Consor- in the partnership is Tours for receptive tour operators in the FEBRUARY tium Tours of North Fun, a Los Angeles-based OTA U.S. Headquartered in Spain, 2017 America (CTN), a that caters predominantly to Hotelbeds has an extensive NYC-based receptive that had been Chinese visitors. inventory of properties in Europe in business for nearly 35 years, and the Middle East, while Tourico closed its doors. A company 7. Trump Elected is strong in the Americas. statement, later disputed by other President receptive operators, cited “the Even though he 10. Impact of impact of OTAs, loss of business in NOVEMBER JANUARY received 2.8 Proposed Travel Ban 2016 2017 prime markets, political and million votes Fears that President economic upheavals, low profit less than his opponent, Donald FEBRUARY Trump’s proposed ban 2017 margins and the ever growing Trump became President of the on travel from seven impact of technology on our trade United States. Quite unpopular in Muslim majority nations would hurt have all severely ravaged our some major country markets, the travel to the USA from abroad were receptive wholesale travel industry.” new President’s planned travel confirmed by ForwardKeys, the ban from some countries, along travel intelligence analyst, which 5. Heads Roll While with his proposal for a wall monitors travel patterns. The Derrieres Rule between the U.S. and Mexico has numbers showed that bookings to The indignation of public helped decrease interest in the U.S. from Northern Europe DECEMBER officials over a “Sexy visiting the USA. However, most were down 6.6%; from Western 2016 Beaches” video that U.S. travel suppliers are operating Europe, down 13.6%; from featured scantily-clad women under the assumption that Southern Europe, down 2.9%; undulating on Florida beaches travelers will still want to enjoy the from the Middle East, down 37.5%; along with the rapper, U.S. product, if not its President. and from Asia Pacific, down 14%.

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 35 investors to earn slightly higher dividends on bonds and other financial instruments. This means that inbound travelers using euros, pounds, Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos will look elsewhere Top 6 to holiday this year. The One-Man RTO Inbound Company Acquisitions, consolidations and Trends downsizing in recent years of receptive tour operators in key U.S. Learning to Play markets, the U.S. dollar will remain cities brought out the resourceful- Defense strong versus other major curren- ness in some of those who were After eight years of playing offense, cies. The U.S. Federal Reserve downsized or RIFFED. There are a the game has changed. Following Board seems intent on keeping number of them who’ve leveraged the Great Recession of 2008- the dollar strong by pushing up the their long-standing relationships 09, during which the overseas prime interest rate and allowing with groups to launch their own popularity of the United States and its President were at an all-time high driving international arrivals to record levels, the USA now has TREND: CHAIN HOTELS President Donald Trump’s travel —WHERE ARE THEY? ban, which is immensely unpopu- lar in Western Europe, Middle East and other source markets. Destina- ≥ As more tour operators find what happened earlier this tions and travel suppliers will have themselves circumventing year when the InterContinen- to defend their market share by hotel’s leisure sales staff to a tal Hotels Group eliminated appealing to the loyalty of opera- group booking platform or to its entire leisure sales depart- tors and their clients, and in the program of one of the ment relegating operators to stressing how they welcome all major online travel agencies direct connections to the hotel visitors, regardless of race, (OTAs) and, by doing so, booking system. This means nationality or religion. eliminating the need for no IHG booths at this year’s signed paper contracts, it is IPW and at other trade shows. Strong US$ = Weaker becoming a threat to devalue Other hotel chains may see Demand leisure sales and FIT. “It” is this as a signal to follow suit. On the currency exchange

36 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM one-person operation out of their apartments or in small or shared office space to save on overhead. With most business transactions now paperless, a sales call or sale is no further away than an e-mail, text, facetime phone call or a QR code.

TREND: WELCOME TO THE SOUTH, Y’ALL

≥ The 11 states that comprise the U.S. South (Alabama, Arkansas, Bedbank Receptive Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kentucky, South Consolidation Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia) have moved to the top Consolidation in the receptive tour of many new itineraries. They are becoming favorites for new FIT operator industry in order to and self-drive tours—the result of increased international promo- compete with OTAs has continued tions, additional lift capacity, both direct and connecting—and apace and will likely go on as RTOs price points that are lower than one finds in most U.S. cities. Repeat try to reinvent themselves or grow visitors to the U.S. are especially interested in the region for its food in size in order to create a scale of and music culture as well as the swelling interest in Bourbon. economy that enables them to compete with online travel agencies and group booking 20.6 million. The year also forecasts that, from 2017 to 2021 platforms. Last February, Tourico brought more than 4 million air visitation to the USA from China Holidays—one of the largest U.S. travelers (a first) from the USA to and India will increase by 65 receptive tour operators with a Canada. With Europeans and percent and 42 percent, respec- huge hotel inventory. And then, Mexicans looking for an alterna- tively. Both countries have two months later, Hotelbeds tive to the USA because of a burgeoning travel-ready popula- acquired the other remaining strong dollar or a President they tions, increased airlift with major global bedbank—GTA, a do not like, Canada is poised to connections to the U.S. and Kuoni brand based in London. be a stronger North American currencies that have remained destination than ever. relatively stable vs. the U.S. dollar Canada is Hot (although China’s RMB has A strong dollar, a weak loonie and China and India declined by 10 percent in the past the yearning to travel brought Remain Strong year). While “mature” markets international visitors to Canada in Midst declines or barely modest such as Europe and Latin America near record numbers increases in the volume of visitors are less likely to be targets of in 2016, just sent to the USA by most vigorous promotions by DMOs, four-tenths of a international source markets, U.S. travel suppliers, China and percent lower the U.S. National Travel and India are perceived as a safe bet than 2002’s Tourism Office (NTTO) for marketing investment.

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 37 MAKING AMERICA Affordable LOW COST CARRIERS Again TO THE RESCUE

ow Cost Carriers and LOW COST CARRIERS Fares Keep Package ROUTE FARE CARRIER LPrices Competitive. Reykjavik—Los Angeles (1) $129.99 WOW air Helping tour operators and London—Miami (1) $149 WOW air travelers offset the impact of Amsterdam--Chicago (1) $149 WOW air the strong U.S. dollar vs. the London-New York (1) $229 WOW air Copenhagen—New York/JFK (r) $499 airberlin Euro is the mix of low-cost Zurich—New York/JFK (r) $575 airberlin carriers serving destinations Barcelona—New York/JFK (r) $499 airberlin from Europe, a phenomenon —New York/JFK (r) $516 airberlin that is barely a decade old, but Venice—New York/JFK (r) $578 airberlin which has kept leisure travel a London-Gatwick—Denver (1) $199.90 Norwegian London Gatwick—Seattle (1) $199.90 Norwegian competitive product. Copenhagen—Oakland (1) $169.90 Norwegian London Heathrow—Boston (r) $673 Delta Air Lines These carriers include: Paris (de Gaulle)—Atlanta (r) $833 Delta Air Lines • airberlin: founded in 1978 —Chicago (r) $669 United Airlines as a charter carrier effectively entered the long-haul market in Paris (de Gaulle)—Houston (r) $682 United Airlines 2007 and, through acquisitions Brussels—New York/JFK (r) $487 British Airways and expansion, became the carrier London Heathrow—N Orleans (r) $537 British Airways it is today by 2012 London Heathrow—DFW (r) $1,016 American Airlines • Norwegian Air Shuttle, or London Heathrow—Miami (r) $885 American Airlines Norwegian: a regional carrier Frankfurt—New York/JFK (r) $347 Lufthansa Airlines established in 1992 went to the Frankfurt—Los Angeles/LAX (r) $488 Lufthansa Airlines low-cost model in 2002 and (1) One-way. (r) Roundtrip. started flights to the USA in 2009,

38 TOUROPERATORLAND.COM in the midst of the Great Recession However, airlines also withdrew 23 mained the three biggest, with • WOW air: the Iceland-based services between Europe and the British Airways and Lufthansa carrier began flights in 2012 USA since last summer, leaving a the two biggest European carriers. • Level: a Spanish long-haul net gain of 28 services. Overall seat capacity across all low-cost carrier established by IAG Anna.aero’s analysis of seat carriers is up 6 percent, but none (which includes British Airways, capacity for this summer shows of the five leading carriers have Iberia and Vueling) will enter the that the three legacy U.S. carriers— changed their capacity (either up market in June 2017 from its American Airlines, Delta Air or down) by more than three Barcelona home flying to four Lines and United Airlines—re- percentage points. European destinations in North and South America. Combined, these carriers LONDON HEATHROW SHANGHAI TO effectively connect every top and TO NEW YORK JFK SAN FRANCISCO second-tier U.S. gateway airport Leave June 15, return June 22 Leave June 15, return June 22 with every major European point of LOWEST LOWEST departure and, through airline PUBLISHED PUBLISHED AIRLINE FARE † AIRLINE FARE † partnerships, beyond. Listed fares Aer Lingus* $510 Korean Air* $677 for one-way travel are regularly $99 Air France* $583 United Airlines $725 or even less. However, extras KLM* $572 Asiana* $745 usually include fees for baggage Alitalia* $602 China Southern* $757 ($40 is standard), larger seats and Icelandair* $617 Air Canada* $775 convenient departure times. Delta $627 ANA* $816 To provide an idea of what air Lufthansa* $637 China Eastern $837 carriers have been charging for American Airlines $648 Delta* $871 roundtrip flights, we did a quick Virgin Atlantic $648 Philippine Airlines* $946 survey in March 2017 of fares China Airlines* $1,439 charged from four major interna- British Airways $652 tional airports to three U.S. cities. * One-stop flight. † Figure rounded to nearest dollar. * One-stop flight. † Figure rounded to nearest dollar. Using a major online travel agency, SÃO PAULO TO we assembled the tables to the TO MIAMI NEW YORK JFK right: Leave June 15, return June 22 Leave June 15, return June 22

LOWEST LOWEST Increased Air PUBLISHED PUBLISHED Capacity to USA AIRLINE FARE † AIRLINE FARE † Europe and the USA may both be Aerolineas $677 Aeroflot* $698 Argentinas* experiencing more than usual KLM* $796 Avianca* $725 political uncertainty, says the airline Air France* $797 Copa* $745 network news publication anna. Delta* $816 Aeromexico* $757 aero, but it seems like the demand British Airways* $816 LATAM* $775 to travel between the two is on the Qatar Airways* $821 American $816 rise, based on anna.aero’s review American Airlines* $838 Delta* $837 of the number of new services that Royal Jordanian* $881 United* $871 will be on offer this summer. Swiss Int’l Airlines* $1,046 Gol* $946 According to its analysis of United Airlines* $1,071 schedule data for 2017† and Boliviana De $1,439 Aviacion** * One-stop flight. † Figure rounded to nearest dollar. comparing it with 2016, it identi- Note: The lowest fare offered by Emirates Airlines, which * One-stop flight. **Two-atop flight. † Figure rounded to is based at Dubai International Airport, was $1,307 fied 51 new services offered. nearest dollar

TOUROPERATORLAND.COM 39 Airfare Wars

flag-carriers are joined by three TOP 15 AIRLINES EUROPE TO USA non-flag carriers in the Top 15. Two One-Way Seats in S17 (Millions); Change vs. S16 of these three (airberlin and NO. OF ONE-WAY Norwegian), are the fastest-grow- AIRLINES SEATS S17 CHANGE VS. S16 ing among the Top 15. Delta Air Lines 3.91 +2% The new and increased air service United Airlines 3.32 -2% is driving growth for many U.S. cities. American Airlines 3.32 +3% Icelandair launched its new British Airways 2.79 +1% seasonal non-stop service between Lufthansa 2.32 +0% Reykjavik to Philadelphia in May Virgin Atlantic Airways 1.54 -1% 2017, making Philadelphia a top Air France 1.44 +5% gateway for travel to the east coast. Norwegian 0.82 +42% This new flight increases access to Aer Lingus 0.78 +21% Philadelphia from Scandinavia and Turkish Airlines 0.75 -6% offers convenient connections from KLM 0.69 +10% more than 25 European cities. The new and increased air Airberlin 0.68 +57% service is driving growth for many SWISS 0.58 +3% U.S. cities. Icelandair launched SAS 0.57 +9% its new seasonal non-stop service Icelandair 0.55 +17% between Reykjavik to Philadelphia Note: S17 runs from end of March to end of October 2017. Source: anna.aero/OAG Schedules Analyser S16 and S17 in May 2017, making Philadelphia TOP 15 FASTEST GROWING AIRLINES a top gateway for travel to the east coast. This new flight EUROPE TO USA Increase in One-Way Seats in S17; Change vs. S16 increases access to Philadelphia from Scandinavia and offers NO. OF ONE-WAY AIRLINES SEATS S17 CHANGE VS. S16 convenient connections from more than 25 European cities. airberlin 247,402 +57% International travel to New Norwegian 244,814 +42% Orleans, Louisiana got much WOW air 197,178 +142% easier in 2017, and will get more Aer Lingus 136,339 +21% luxurious in 2018. Two new American Airlines 84,583 +3% non-stop flights launched this Icelandair 78,218 +17% spring: British Airlines flies four Emirates 76,818 +69% times a week from London’s Delta Air Lines 72,434 +2% Heathrow, and Condor flies Air France 71,121 +5% twice weekly from Frankfurt. Aeroflot 58,536 +26% These are the first direct European Condor 67,303 +52% flights into New Orleans since the Thomas Cook Airlines 66,857 +24% 1980s, adding to daily non-stops KLM 60,089 +10% from Air Canada (Toronto), 4x TAP Portugal 54,346 +28% non-stops from Copa Airlines LOT Polish Airlines 48,698 +30%

(Panama), and 2x non-stops from Note: S17 runs from end of March to end of October 2017. Source: anna.aero/OAG Schedules Analyser S16 and S17 Choice Aire (Honduras). According to the Mayor of New New Orleans International Superdome,” which is the largest Orleans, a new $826 million Airport promises to be “the most fixed domed structure in the terminal at Louis Armstrong transformative project…since the world.

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