Grandparents footing bill for multigenerational travel

May 24, 2012 By Catherine Laughlin, FOR THE INQUIRER
 
Read Full story at
 
Here's a few selections from the above article:

The Urises are trailblazers in a growing trend of multigenerational travel, called “grand travel,” which is big and getting bigger.

More than ever, said Jim Lardear, spokesman for AAA’s travel division, three generations of a family are booking adventure tours and checking into exclusive resorts, with grandparents picking up the tab — and savvy travel representatives are taking notice.

Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, AAA — which has 12 stores in the Philadelphia region — saw an uptick in these kinds of trips at a time when airline bookings were sagging. Families were choosing to spend more time together, and AAA seized the opportunity to publish “Traveling With Your Grandkids,” a guidebook full of tips and splashy ideas for grandparents planning such a trip.
Even more grandparents are footing the bill today.

According to the United States Tour Operators Association, a consortium with 45 members that own and operate more than 150 brands, 50 percent of its clients cited an increase in grand travel in 2011, and of that number, 30 percent reported an increase of 10 percent or more from 2010.

Tauck Tours, an 87-year-old leisure travel company, noticed the grand-travel trend after 2001, and two years later launched Tauck Bridges (as in, build bridges between the ages), offering trips such as Call of the Cowboy Country in Wyoming, Safari Time in Africa, and Jungles and Rain Forests in Costa Rica. All yell adventure for grandkids, grown children, and seniors who are more fit, more hip, and a far cry from the Geritol generations of the past.
 

Faith-based Travel Resources for Agents (Travel Market Report)

Per the Travel Market Report article by Nick Verrastro, below are some of the resources I cited as being helpful to travel agents in regards to learning about the faith-based travel marketplace. Read full story at: http://www.travelmarketreport.com/leisure?articleID=7263&LP=1


RESOURCES FOR AGENTS

Faith-Based Travel Guidebooks: Among recommended works are Wright’s own books, The Christian Travel Planner and Catholic Shrines of Western Europe: A Pilgrim's Travel Guide.

Also: The Pilgrim's Travel Guide series; Every Pilgrim's Guide to the Journeys of the Apostles, by Michael Counsell, and A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey, by Clyde E. Fant and Mitchell G. Reddish.

DVDs and Videos: Suggested titles include: “The Christian Traveler,” starring Richard Kiley and produced by Reader’s Digest; National Geographic’s “Secrets of Jerusalem's Holiest Sites,” and the Public Television series “Walking the Bible.”

Tourist Offices: Among tourist offices that provide print and online resources about faith-based tourism for travel agents are:
•    Jordan Tourism Board: Religion and Faith.
•    Israel Ministry of Tourism: Jewish Themes and Christian Themes.
•    Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Faith Tourism.
•    Egypt Tourism Authority: Spirituality.
•    Switzerland Tourism: Religious Sites.
•    Bahamas Ministry of Tourism: Explore the Islands of the Bahamas.

Periodicals & Blogs: Wright recommended the magazine Going on Faith

Agents Essential to Dynamic Faith-Based Travel Niche (by Nick Verrastro)

Below are the opening paragraphs to the above story published by Travel Market Report.
To read the full story, click here http://www.travelmarketreport.com/leisure?articleID=7263&LP=1


Agents Essential to Dynamic Faith-Based Travel Niche



Message to travel sellers: the $16-billion faith-based travel market is no longer just about church groups visiting the Holy Land. And it needs you.

Because agents have strong relationships with credible suppliers, as well as with affinity and family groups – two primary sources for faith-based travel – they are ideally suited to expand the market even further, say industry executives.

Focus at NTA Forum
Reaching out to travel agents was one of the challenges identified during an NTA Faith Tourism Leaders Forum at the NTA Annual Convention last December.

Developing the faith-based travel market is high on the agenda of the NTA, which last year launched a faith-based travel initiative. Forty percent of NTA’s 700 members are involved in faith-based travel at some level, according to president Lisa Simon.

Read the rest of the story at http://www.travelmarketreport.com/leisure?articleID=7263&LP=1

World's Most Visited Sacred Sites (Travel & Leisure)

As faith-based travel is one of the biggest growth markets in tourism today, it naturally begs the question: What are some of the world's most visited holy and sacred sites?

Travel and Leisure recently wrote a full story on the above subject which included highlighting more than 40 global religious sites.

A glance through the number of visitors to each of the above destinations shows how and why faith-based travel comprises one of the biggest segments in travel and tourism.

Read the full story here:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-visited-sacred-sites

Thank you again to my blog readers from around the world!

I'm so appreciative to all my blog readers and visitors from around the world, so thank you for taking time to visit my blog and keeping up with what's happeniung in today's Growth Markets in tourism.

If you'd like, feel free to add your comments to posts as well as follow my blog.

Want to get sense just how international in scope the Growth Markets are? Here are some of the countries from where my blog readers come from:
USA
Russia
France
China
Germany
Canada
India
Fiji
Croatia
Turkey

What an impressive and diverse list stretching across the globe!

Thank you everyone!

Kevin

Spa Travel Stays Strong, Even in Down Times (by Nick Verrastro)

Another example of a Growth Market is Spa Travel, as Nick Verrastro wrote for Travel Market Report on May 17.

Here are a few select insights and statements from the article. Click on the link at the bottom to read the full article at Travel Market Report:


Consumers are increasingly interested in spa travel for its health and wellness benefits, rather than mere pampering, and suppliers are responding with attractive pricing and product to satisfy the demand.

These developments account for the resiliency of the spa travel segment during the recent economic downturn, according to Susie Ellis, president, SpaFinder, Inc.

“Spas’ greatly expanded focus on health, wellness and prevention, rather than mere pampering – combined with their ongoing attractive pricing – have been the two keys to this travel category’s resiliency over these last tough years,” said Ellis.

Increased customer interest in spa travel specifically for its health and wellness benefits was the number one emerging trend in spa travel identified by travel agents in the SpaFinder survey.

Pampering and pleasure have become less important as motivating factors in consumer desire for spa travel, agents indicated.

Health is very important to people traveling today, whether for business or for leisure, Ellis told Travel Market Report. Understanding that is key to agents developing this niche market successfully.

The growth of wellness tourism shows that “a new vacation concept is gaining traction,” Ellis said.

Read full article at: http://www.travelmarketreport.com/medical?articleID=7234&LP=1

Airfare Transparency Group Says Airline Fees Hit Families Hard

Travel Pulse > Travel News > Airfare Transparency Group Says Airline Fees Hit Families Hard
By James Shillinglaw
May 24, 2012 10:35 PM

Open Allies for Airfare Transparency, a group that is seeking full disclosure of airline fees, said that as millions of Americans take to the skies for the opening weekend of summer, families are encountering “unprecedented” hurdles to air travel that could be eased if airlines truly focused on customer needs and kept fees for seating, boarding and the like transparent through and purchasable from travel agents. Since most airlines fail to do so, the group said, whether it's fees for seating that make it hard for parents to sit with their children, or barring pre-boarding for families with small children, families are particularly susceptible.

“What makes the behavior of the airlines even more exasperating for families is the failure to provide airfares on an all-in (fares, taxes and fees) basis upfront," said Art Sackler, executive director of Open Allies for Airfare Transparency.  "Because many airlines withhold that information, families can't figure out how much more it will cost them to sit together until after they purchase their basic tickets -- and that could be hundreds of dollars round trip.” Sackler also said it was very difficult for families to compare prices among airlines that have fees for seats or other add-ons.

Read full story at:
http://www.travelpulse.com/airfare-transparency-group-says-airline-fees-hit-families-hard.html?fb_ref=top&fb_source=home_multiline

Developing Growth Markets = Entrepreneurial Thinking = Intrapreneurship

For most organizations in tourism, tapping and/or developing growth markets requires an entrepreneurial mindset and thinking. Why is this?

Growth markets represent a new segment of, and a new way of doing, business.

As such, the innovative process by which companies enter or expand their presence in the growth markets is entrepreneurial in nature.

But interestingly enough, when "entrepreneurial activities/efforts" take place within an established company, the actual concept and terminology to describe this is "intrapreneurship".

To learn more about Intrapreneurship (and Entrepreneurship), you can visit my other blog on this topic by clicking here on this link: http://intrapreneur-vs-entrepreneur.blogspot.com/

NTA, Tourism, Canada, and Growth Markets

Last fall our NTA President, Lisa Simon, spoke in Canada about the Growth Markets as a key strategy and plan for rebuilding U.S. tourism to Canada.  Listed below is the news release reprinted in its entirety along with the original webpage link.

See original press release here:
http://www.ntaonline.com/articles/index.cfm?action=view&articleID=2360&menuID=391


LEXINGTON, Ky., USA—NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP, addressed members of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership today at the North American Trade Symposium in Toronto. Simon's message: The path to rebuilding U.S. tourism to Canada lies in tapping growth markets.

"Looking at today's operator marketplace, NTA sees many opportunities involving new business, burgeoning markets and a fresh way of looking at the tried and true," Simon said.

Simon cited a dramatic rise in the number of tour operators and suppliers creating new programs, products and services that cater to the interests of upward-trending markets: intergenerational families, faith-based groups, adventure seekers, students and baby boomers, as well as independent travelers. She advised the audience, comprised mostly of suppliers, to find tour operators who can help them develop new product, as each market has its own nuances.

Along with Simon, presenters at the symposium included American Bus Association President Pete Pantuso; Judy Rogers, president of Research Resolutions and Consulting; Norman Howe, president of Butterfield & Robinson; Victoria Pearson, president of Routes to Learning Canada; and Ann Fairley, vice-president of the Ontario Motor Coach Association.

The number of U.S. travelers to Canada has decreased in recent years, due to factors such as the new passport requirement, a reduction in Canadian marketing promotions in the U.S., and a rising Canadian dollar. Simon reassured symposium attendees that Canada remains the number-one international destination for NTA operators, with more than 300 member companies packaging travel to Canada.

"When looking for ways to increase travel here from the United States, we do have challenges, but with the combination of incredible culture, international flavor and outdoor activities, Ontario has so much to offer any traveler," said Simon. "I applaud Sandra Rice, with Ontario Tourism, for bringing the industry together to discuss these tough issues. The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership has such vision and continues to be a real leader in Canada."

About NTA: Now celebrating its 60th year, NTA is the leading association for professionals serving travelers to, from and within North America.  Our members are tour operators, suppliers and destination marketing organizations from more than 40 countries. For general information, visit http://www.ntaonline.com/ For details about our upcoming Convention, visit the Convention Web page.

About OTMP: The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation collaborates with tourism partners locally and internationally to showcase our province as a premier all-season travel destination. Since launching in 1999, the OTMPC has developed and delivered exciting, integrated marketing programs at home and abroad.

This blog being read around the world

I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for visiting and reading my blog posts.

It's exciting to see people from around the world who are excited to learn more about and getting further engaged in the Growth Markets of Tourism.

 Some of the countries represented who have visited my blog include the U.S., France, China, UK, Canada and Thailand. Thank you again everyone!

Festivals and Events - Resources and News

Festivals and Events are definitely a part of tourism's Growth Markets - and will always remain a staple of the industry. As such, the Internet is full of great resources on the subject. Below is just a sampling of what's out there:

Here are a couple of resources on the topic:
http://www.festivals.com/
http://festivalsandevents.com/about-festivals.php

And it's helpful to know there are many state-based festival associations; here's a sampling:
Kentucky http://www.kentuckytourism.com/events/events.aspx
Washington http://www.wfea.org/
Florida http://www.ffea.com/
Michigan http://www.mfea.org/
North Carolina http://www.ncfestivals.com/
Minnesota http://www.exploreminnesota.com/events/festivals-events/index.aspx
.....and many more!

And there are international festival groups, associations and resources:
China http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/festival/tourism.htm
Tahiti http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/events.asp
Malaysia http://www.tourism.gov.my/events/
Romania http://www.romaniatourism.com/festivals-events.html
Kenya http://www.cdd-ghana.com/2010/09/22/kenya-festivals-the-events-that-bring-in-tourists-from-all-over/

Join our discussions on LinkedIn

If you'd like to join our discussions on Growth Markets, here are our two network groups on Linkedin.com:

1) NTA: A Group for Travel Professionals
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/NTA-Group-Travel-Professionals-1545997?home=&gid=1545997&trk=anet_ug_hm

2) NTA: Faith-based Tourism Network
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4219080&trk=anet_ug_hm

Agritourism Associations

Agritourism is definitely a Growth Market in U.S. tourism.

Here is a link to a list of Agritourism Associations and Networks:
http://bit.ly/AgritourismAssociationsNetworks


As there are nearly 40 state Agritourism Associations, here are just a few sample ones below:
Arkansas http://www.arkansasgrown.org/Pages/default.aspx
California Agricultural Tourism Online http://calagtour.org/
Georgia http://georgia-agritourism.org/
Hawaii http://www.hiagtourism.org/
Kentucky http://www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com/
Michigan http://www.michiganfarmfun.com/
Mississippi http://www.mississippiagritourism.org/
Missouri http://agrimissouri.com/agritourism.htm
Tennessee http://tennesseeagritourism.org/TNFarms/
Washington State Farmers Market Association http://www.wafarmersmarkets.com/

List of Associations for Tourism's Growth Markets

Here are industry (trade) associations for some of tourism's highest profile Growth Markets:

Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)
http://www.adventuretravel.biz/
http://www.adventuretravel.biz/connect/summit/

Agritourism Associations & Networks
(nearly 40 agritourism state associations)
http://bit.ly/AgritourismAssociationsNetworks

Cruise Lines International Association
http://www.cruising.org/

International Congress and Convention Association
http://www.iccaworld.com/

International Culinary Tourism Association
http://www.culinarytourism.org/

International Festivals and Events Association
http://www.ifea.com/joomla1_5/index.php

National Association of Sports Commissions
http://www.sportscommissions.org/

Professional Convention Management Association
http://www.pcma.org/

Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA)
http://www.syta.org/

The International Association of Fairs and Festivals
http://www.fairsandexpos.com/

The International Ecotourism Society
http://www.ecotourism.org/

World Cultural Tourism Association
http://www.kasct.co.kr/eng/intro01.htm


Belleville Pursues Hotel on Illinois Route 15

The Belleville News-Democrat has a story this afternoon about their mayor's desire for a new hotel on the city's west side at Belleville Crossing.

BELLEVILLE -- Mayor Mark Eckert has said for the past several years that the sour economy has kept development at bay, but he thinks the time may be right to tackle new ventures again.

He and The DESCO Group, the developer of Belleville Crossing on Illinois 15, are talking about the possibility of a hotel in that area. He said the two parties agree that, with the economy bouncing back, the area is ripe for opportunity.

"I'm asked all the time: Why aren't we going after a hotel?" Eckert said. "It is time to start to pursue this again."

The story notes a developer backed out after the recession started in 2007 who wanted to build a Hampton Inn.

There's hope yet for Belleville. Marion's two newest hotels, the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the Comfort Inn now under construction were both 2007 projects that were sidelined by the recession but have since made a comeback.

The challenge for Belleville is that the location is in the opposite direction of the interstate highways.

Holiday Inn Express Opens in Marion

The new Holiday Inn Express & Suites opened on The Hill in Marion May 6 just in time for the busy SIU-C graduation weekend. Stephen Rickerl has the story in the Southern which focuses on more about the The Hill's growth itself.

The opening of the new hotel adds 101 rooms for Marion. The former Holiday Inn Express off of Exit 53 is now Best Western Plus Marion Hotel. Meanwhile progress continues on a new Comfort Inn which will add 64 rooms.

The new room count should be around 1273 for Marion and 1411 overall for Williamson County, however it's possible another 50 or so rooms will disappear in the next year as developers eye America's Best Inns for new restaurants. Additional rooms may be lost at another older hotel if the owners go through with a renovation to combine rooms and create new suites.

In another name change, the original Ramada Inn and most recently a Days Inn, switched flags and is now an American's Best Value Inn.

Ecotourism - current news stories

Here are several stories about ecotourism circulating in the news:

'Swamp people' give ecotourism a boost
KUSA - One of tv's most popular reality shows is giving the ecotourism industry some new energy and interest. "Swamp People" tells the story of rugged locals who have hunted alligators in the Louisiana swamps for generations.
http://www.9news.com/news/article/265008/343/Swamp-People-gives-ecotourism-a-boost

Brownback to host ecotourism event
Gov. Sam Brownback will host a gathering April 28 in central Kansas to discuss the state’s potential to develop outdoor sites for ecotourism.
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/17/3559775/brownback-to-host-kansas-ecotourism.html

Costa Rica's First Ecotourism and Extreme Sports Fair
Costa Rica Extrema 2012 is our country’s first expo dedicated to ecotourism, adventure and extreme recreational activities. It brings together the best Costa Rica has to offer to people who enjoy both active and relaxing vacations. The three specific areas of interest at Costa Rica Extrema 2012 will be: extreme sports, ecotourism and adventure travel.
http://news.co.cr/press-release-first-ecotourism-and-extreme-sports-fair-april-21st-22nd/5245/

Ecotourism nets $4B for Delmarva
LEWES -- Outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, camping, cycling and wildlife viewing contribute nearly $4 billion annually to the economy on the Delmarva Peninsula, according to a new study by the nonprofit Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP).
The study, released Thursday, found that some 1.6 million people hunt, fish or wildlife watch on Delmarva and spend an estimated $1.5 billion. Of those, 1.3 million come to watch wildlife.
Recreational boating brought in another $1.3 billion and camping, and biking and trail-based travel contributed more than $1 billion with $830 million in trip-related sales, according to the study.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20120425/DCP01/204250353

(Ecotourism) Guides highlighting La.'s ecotourism now out

Selections from above Business Week article:

Guides touting Louisiana as an ecotourism destination are now on the racks of tourism centers, according to the America's Wetland campaign, a group highlighting coastal wetlands loss.

America's Wetland says the Travel Green Wetland Tour guides take travelers on four routes -- through the coastal prairies of southwest Louisiana, the Atchafalaya Basin, the bayou country of southeast Louisiana and around the Mississippi River region of New Orleans and the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Read full story at: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9U6OP500.htm

(Ecotourism) Book: “The Fundamentals of Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia”

Here are several selections from above article:

* Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopia has eyed at harnessing ecotourism development as an instrument in poverty reduction efforts, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said.

* Speaking at the inauguration of a book entitled ’’ The Fundamentals of Community Based Ecotourism Development in Ethiopia’’ here on Friday, Minister, Amin Abdulkadir said the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) has considered tourism as a tool for development.
The Ministry is exerting an all-out-effort to develop the sector.

* Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

Read full story at: http://www.ethiosports.com/2012/05/08/book-the-fundamentals-of-community-based-ecotourism-development-in-ethiopia/

(Ecotourism) Africa: Bird watching can help eco-tourism fly high in a green economy

Selections from above news release:

* Bonn/Nairobi — Migratory birds undertake some of the most daring journeys in the animal kingdom, often covering thousands of kilometers to migrate. And the growing fan base of these winged adventurers is now presenting economic opportunities through sustainable tourism.

* On 12-13 May 2012, the economic benefits of supporting the world's migratory bird species will be one of the key themes of celebrations to mark World Migratory Bird Day 2012 (WMBD).

* Indeed, the UNEP Green Economy Report shows that global spending on all areas of ecotourism is increasing by about six times the industry-wide rate of growth.

* A survey by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service puts the annual economic value generated by bird watchers (or 'birders') and other wildlife watchers at around US$ 32 billion per year in the United States alone. This amount corresponds to the GDP of Costa Rica, which, coincidently, is a popular destination for US birders.

* Events to mark WMBD 2012 are due to take place in 70 countries, including bird festivals, education programmes, presentations, film screenings and bird watching trips, run by hundreds of volunteers and organizations. WMBD is an opportunity to both celebrate the phenomenon of bird migration and to take collective action to raise awareness on some of the threats migratory birds face.

Read full story at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201205111053.html


National Tourism and Travel Strategy (Official Document released this week)

Link to full report of the National Tourism and Travel Strategy, which is aimed at increasing international travel to the United States by 50% over the next 10 years:
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=295021


Summary of report:
* Tourism is one of the most important economic engines of America.
* $250 billion to be spent per year to create jobs and spur economic growth in U.S.
* Travel supports 14.4 million American jobs and contributes $1.9 trillion to our economy
* Travel exports in 2011: $152 billion (a record)
* The travel industry is the #1 contributor to the country’s balance of trade and #1 services export.
* The report via Commerce Secretary John Bryson and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar outlines specific actions in 5 key areas:
  • Promoting the United States as a travel destination
  • Enabling and enhancing travel and tourism within the United States
  • Providing world-class customer service and visitor experiences
  • Coordinating efforts across government agencies
  • Conducting research and measuring results
* Per Roger Dow, CEO of U.S. Travel Association: "Since the job recovery began, our industry has created more than 250,000 new jobs – nearly 50,000 this year alone – which far outpaces gains in the rest of the economy or by other industries."
* In 2011, the travel and tourism industry generated $1.2 trillion from domestic and international travel and supported 7.6 million jobs.
* International travel to U.S. supports 1.2 million jobs.
* Commerce Department recently released a travel and tourism forecast projecting U.S. can expect 4-5% average annual growth in tourism over the next five years
* 65.4 million foreign travelers are projected to visit the U.S. in 2012 alone.
* Per Russell Hedge, CEO of Hostelling International USA: “Of the 100 million international visitors the Strategy projects to arrive in the U.S. by 2021, youth travelers are a core demographic needing specific focus.  Travel by 18-30-year olds is a large and growing travel segment, making up approximately 20 percent of all international arrivals worldwide and expected to grow by more than 50 percent by the year 2020.
* The U.S. State Department has already added 100 workers and expanded hours to process tourist visa applications in China and Brazil, both seen as key markets for the U.S. tourism market.
* "Perhaps the biggest single step the government could take is expanding the visa waiver program, which enables foreigners to visit the U.S. without a formal visa."
* 17 million travelers from countries without visa requirements visit the U.S. annually — 65 percent of all visitors in 2010, spending more than $61 billion, supporting 433,000 jobs and generating $9 billion in government tax revenues.
* The USTA wants the state department to begin formal bilateral visa waiver negotiations countries including Brazil, Poland, Chile, Argentina and Croatia.
* Besides easing legal requirements, the U.S. could be more welcoming to travelers by increasing staffing and cutting wait times for entry at airports.
* The USTA also wants more transparency, with mandated reporting to Congress in airport wait times.

Note by me (Kevin): The above report is very exciting news to the travel industry.

Connecticut taps into immigrant past to promote tourism

Here are several selections from the full story below:

* Initially costing $100,000, the project stems from an emerging marketing strategy known as cultural or ethnic tourism. With more than 100 heritage or cultural organizations, Connecticut has a strong base of support to launch a cultural tourism initiative, said Kip Bergstrom, deputy economic development commissioner.

* As states compete fiercely for tourist dollars, marketing officials are looking for any angle to promote their communities. In Connecticut, tourism generates about $11.5 billion in spending, $1.15 billion in state and local tax revenue and employs nearly 111,000 workers, according to 2011 statistics, the most recent.

* The National Park Service posts 54 online travel itineraries promoting 2,500 sites of the National Register of Historic Places to tap into a growing interest in cultural and historic tourism.

Read full story at:
http://www.ajc.com/travel/conn-taps-into-immigrant-1432756.html

First fair in the world dedicated to cultural tourism to be held

Here are several selections and summary points from the full story below:

* The first event in the world entirely dedicated to cultural tourism will take place in Florence from May 18-20 (2012).
* The event titled "Art & Tourism" is organized by TTG Italia and will include: 150 international museums, 50 meetings and events, and 200 companies, which operate in the cultural and tourism sector, with educational workshops targeted toward families.
* The event is open to everyone – the general public and trade professionals.
* Exhibitors different facets of international cultural tourism including public administrations, cultural and tourist bodies and institutions, museums, foundations, festivals, events agencies, art galleries, service companies which operate in the cultural sector, historical palaces and prestigious resorts, educational institutions, tourist operators, hotels, and travel agencies specializing in cultural trips.
* According to the article, cultural tourism comprises an industry of 300-plus million travelers. 

Read the full story at:
http://www.eturbonews.com/29172/first-fair-world-dedicated-cultural-tourism

American Cruise Lines Introduces the Culinary Cruise Collection

 Culinary tourism is one of the big growth markets. Here's just the latest example of how its impacting and changing the travel industry as a whole:

American Cruise Lines announced today its Culinary Cruise Collection, a various selection of cruises that place special emphasis on the trademark cuisine of specific cruising regions, including Alaska, New England, Chesapeake Bay, the Mississippi River and the Pacific Northwest

"Theme cruises are extremely popular as they add an extra element of connectivity among our already like-minded guests," said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines.

World Congress on Pastoral Care of Tourism - Cancun, Mexico April 2012

Last month a major conference on religious tourism and pastoral care was held in Cancun, Mexico. Here are a few links related to that event:

http://www.pcmigrants.org/Programma%20Prov%20ENG.pdf

http://en.lpj.org/2012/05/02/in-mexico-the-much-discussed-role-of-pilgrimages/

http://cbci.in/FullNews.aspx?Id=512

http://www.radiovaticana.org/in2/articolo.asp?c=582636

International Conference on Special Interests Tourism 2012

In about two weeks (May 23-26), the International Conference on Tourism will be taking place in Crete, Greece, with the primary focus on "Special Interests Tourism" (think "Growth Markets). :)

You'll find the list of conference topics here http://www.iatour.net/icot2012/conference/topics

One special session I'd like to point out is the one titled "The Future of Religious Tourism, Pilgrimage & Spiritual Journeys".  Here's more info on this special session:


Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

Are you on LinkedIn.com? If so, send me an invite to connect with you and let me know about your background.

My profile link: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

Sports Tourism - Current News Stories

Here are a few of the current news stories circulating on the Growth Market of Sports Tourism

(Montreal Gazette) Spread the Game's Reach
Sample quote from article "Sports tourism, of course, is a growing global phenomenon."
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Spreading+game+reach/6576641/story.html

(Rockford Register Star) Our View: Tourism a local success story
Sample quote from article "People who come into town for sports events and business reasons spend money here. They support nearly 3,000 jobs and generate about $300 million for hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
http://www.rrstar.com/opinions/x1260496275/Our-View-Tourism-a-local-success-story

(SCNow.com) Myrtle Beach sports tourism season in full swing
Myrtle Beach leaders say each athlete that visits the area benefits the economy
http://www2.scnow.com/news/2012/apr/12/myrtle-beach-sports-tourism-season-full-swing-ar-3596306/

(News Press) Sports tourism generates $84.7M impact for Lee County
Sample quote "Calendar year 2011 was the best year ever for sports tourism in Lee County."
http://www.news-press.com/article/20120508/OPINION/305080015/1002/Exclusive-content-News-Press/Guest-opinion-Sports-tourism-generates-84-7M-impact-Lee-County?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Culinary Tourism News Stories

Here's a few Culinary Tourism stories/articles in the news:

Ottawa Tourism invests in epicurean experiences
http://www.obj.ca/Local/Tourism/2012-05-07/article-2972842/Finding-the-foodies/1

New tourism trend cooking in Northern Michigan
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=748422

Culinary tourism - including beer, wine, and spirits - is a big tourism trend (Alaska)
http://www.frontiersman.com/business/tourism-gives-back/article_affb214a-9746-11e1-a994-0019bb2963f4.html

Prince Edward Island (Canada) has recognized culinary tourism as a key tourism sector
http://www.gov.pe.ca/newsroom/index.php3?number=news&lang=E&newsnumber=8345

Top 10 Adventures for Americans 50+

More than 50,000 Americans 50+ Choose Soft Adventure Travel

Selected text from story:
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are more than 94 million Americans older than 50.  Travel is the number one pastime for Americans over 50 [Immersion Active 2010], accounting for four leisure trips per year and making up 57 percent of all leisure travelers [Travel Industry Association 2012].  Today, more than 40% of Americans are single [2012 U.S. Census] with more than 35 million having taken a vacation by themselves in the past three years [Travel Industry Association 2012].   
2012 Top 10 Adventures for Americans 50+
1. Botswana
2. Serengeti (Tanzania and Kenya)
3. Machu Picchu & the Galapagos
4. Turkey
5. Peru
6. Costa Rica
7. India
8. Baltics
9. China
10. Vietnam

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/01/4456621/overseas-adventure-travel-concurs.html#storylink=cpy

Top Family Travel Experts Highlight 2012 Vacation Trends

Media release on the following:
The Best Family Travel Experts, a network of award-winning bloggers, professional travel writers, book authors, marketing consultants, and journalists who are influential voices in the travel industry share key trends and insights for 2012 family vacations:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/04/30/prweb9456294.DTL

Ruth Hill on Growth of "Faith Floats"

One of the purposes of this blog will be to highlight stories about Growth Markets in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. So here's the first of many news and article links to come:
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/contemporary-christian-travel/2012/mar/29/more-faith-floats-2012/
Author Ruth Hill

NTA Sees Growth Markets Driving Inbound Tourism

Here's a recent media release from our company NTA on Growth Markets in Trave, Tourism and Hospitality: http://www.forimmediaterelease.net/pm/6633.html

Joselyn: Travel Agents Should Invest in Future by Specializing Now

Outstanding article by travel agency consulting firm president, Dr. Robert W. Joselyn, CTC, regarding how and why travel agents must specialize and "niche position" in order to remain viable in the coming years.
http://www.travelmarketreport.com/retail?articleID=7167&LP=1
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