Register now for Oct 10 Webinar on "Faith-based Travel 101" (See details and FREE registration below)

 Webinar: Faith-Based Travel 101

Website link: http://travelagenttoolbox.com/faith-based-travel-101/

Recent studies show 35 percent of travelers want to take a faith-inspired vacation in the future, and religious travel bookings at Globus are up 22% this year compared to 2011.

But, are you ready to tap into this growing market? Are you unsure how to get started, where and how to approach potential faith-based travelers and groups, and how to set up and handle these bookings?

Join us Wed, Oct. 10 (1pm-4pm Eastern/10am-1pm Pacific) for this brand-new online training conference designed to teach travel agents the basics of faith-based travel!

There’s no charge for this program, and you can sign up for one seminar or all three sessions. (You can click the links shown on this page to register for any single webinar or all three webinars.)

And, don’t worry if you can’t make it to the live presentations on Oct. 10- we’ll put the seminar recordings and all handouts on a handy CD that we’ll mail you the next day!

Session # 1 (1 pm-1.45 pm ET/10 am-10.45 am PT)

“The Basics of Faith-Based Travel”Why you should focus on selling faith-based travel

Kevin J. Wright - NTA Director of Growth Markets, NTA (National Tour Association)

• The extra profits you can make working with faith-based travel
• What distinguishes the different types of faith-based travel programs, from Biblical and church history tours to religious pilgrimages and mission trips
• The primary destinations and suppliers involved in this market niche
• What separates faith-based travelers from your other clients (their key motivations and demographics)
• The basic dos and don’ts of selling faith-based travel

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SESSION # 1

Session # 2 (2 pm-2.45 pm ET/11 am-11.45 am PT)
“Finding and Closing Faith-Based Travelers”
Larry McCarthy – Director of Travel Industry Relations, Globus Family of Brands

• How to identify the most promising, profitable individual and group prospects for faith-based travel
• Which itineraries, trip lengths, and destinations are the best matches for individuals and couples and for pre-formed groups
• How to start the conversation and make the initial approach to potential faith-based travelers
• The importance of group leaders in this market niche (and, how to appeal to – and take care of – your group leaders)
• How to promote these trips to faith-based group members to fill every available seat

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SESSION # 2

Session # 3 (3 pm-3.45 pm ET/12 noon-12.45 pm PT)
“Laying the Foundation for Your Faith-Based Travel Business”
Bob Faucett – Vice President and Director of Religious Tours, Unitours

• When it makes sense to specialize in selling faith-based travel, not just a sale here and there
• The best strategies for building a loyal base of church and religious group leaders that will lead to steady future sales
• How to select, check out, and partner with the most dependable suppliers in this emerging market
• Which marketing techniques work best with faith-based travelers – from trifold brochures and email newsletters to social media networks and web sites (plus, the types of content that really appeal to this market)
• How to create a 90-day action plan (customized specifically for your travel business!) to expand into the faith-based travel market as 2013 approaches

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SESSION # 3

Happy World Tourism Day 2012!

Abercrombie & Kent Debuts New Tier of Travel to Tap Growth Market Opportunity

The term "Growth markets in tourism" essentially has two meanings. One meaning is "growth markets within the tourism industry (as a whole)" and the other is "travel growth markets specific to a company."

The latter definition essentially means - every organization in tourism has their own respective growth markets and opportunities that can be tapped.

An excellent example of a company capitalizing on both aspects and meanings (opportunities) of "Growth Markets in Tourism" is Abercrombie and Kent.

Abercrombie and Kent recently announced its new Connections tour program.  This new product line and brand taps a new market specific to A&K, as well as taps into an industry-wide growth market of traveling in smaller groups (Connections journeys are limited to no more than 24-28 guests).

A&K's senior vice president of strategic growth and development, Keith Baron, shared the following insight "Connections will appeal to a new market but it’s still a high-quality product, not mass market. We’re calling it premier, one notch below luxury."

And Phil Otterson, A&K's USA president stated “Today we are launching a new tier of A&K travel that delivers an incomparable local experience at a price point that makes A&K-style travel accessible to a broader range of travellers. Priced on average at 30 percent less per diem than our Luxury Small Group journeys, Connections by Abercrombie & Kent provides the same expertise and support for which A&K is known -- at an unexpected price.”

To discover more about A&K's Connections program including the story behind it, click on the following:
+ http://www.abercrombiekent.com/news/press_releases/Connections-by-A-and-K.cfm?&bcid=1575
+ http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/AK-Expands-Reach-With-Lower-Priced-Tour-Program

To learn more about the Connections program and view its official website, click here:
http://www.abercrombiekent.com/discover/connections-group-travel/

The Travel Industry Needs Intrapreneurs

Yep, that's correct - just like the blog post title states.....the travel industry needs intrapreneurs.

What's an intrapreneur? It's an entrepreneur who turns ideas into profitable products and services as an employee of a company.

In today's challenging economy, intrapreneurship has never been more important for the travel industry and among tour operators, tourist offices, suppliers and other tourism-related organizations.

Intrapreneurs provide companies with an entrepreneurial mindset, approach and spark - which in turns brings new revenues to companies by discovering, developing and tapping new markets and opportunities. 

As intrapreneurship is a vital key to the continued growth of the travel industry and trade, I plan to begin blogging and writing more on this subject in the coming days and months.

In the meantime, you can check out my other blog on the very topic of intrapreneurship. Here is the link:

www.IntrapreneurEntrepreneur.com

Sustainable Tourism Among the Top Trends to Emerge During Virtuoso Travel Week

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Much like 'Fashion Week' establishes style trends for the season to come, leading luxury travel network Virtuoso^® revealed during its recent 'Virtuoso Travel Week' conference the latest developments that will set the standard in upscale, experiential travel. For the first time in the event's 24-year history, Virtuoso^® preferred travel providers presented news and updates to the media in attendance. Virtuoso, which continues to lead the industry as a trusted source for news and information, identified "sustainable tourism" as a key trend, with top destinations and travel providers expressing a strong commitment to products and practices that support the movement. 

"With more than 340 member agencies in 20 countries and relationships with 1,300 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations, Virtuoso is perfectly positioned to determine what will attract and interest travelers," said Matthew D. Upchurch, CTC, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. "Just as 'Fashion Week' is followed by the fashion industry and consumers alike, Virtuoso Travel Week is poised to become the same driving force for the travel industry. This week several of our travel providers shared exciting announcements, combined with some interesting statistics and insight from Virtuoso as well."

Article link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virtuoso-announces-sustainable-tourism-among-the-top-trends-to-emerge-during-virtuoso-travel-week-166955116.html

Israel Tour Ops Respond to Demand for Custom Experiences (by Stacey Zable)

The following article by Stacey Zable and published by Travel Market Report discusses how tour operators are responding to the growing demand of custom experiences in Israel.

Here's the article link: http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Israel-Tour-Ops-Respond-to-Demand-for-Custom-Experiences

Culinary and Agritourism: Stepping Up to the Plate (by Doug Rentz)

(photo courtesy http://earthboundtours.com)

Looking for a great article on the twin topics of culinary and agritourism?
Here's an excellent article that accomplishes just that by Doug Rentz:
http://tinyurl.com/AgritourismSteppingUpToPlate

Title of article:
Stepping Up to the Plate -
NTA Members Offer Creative, Sustainable Options in Culinary Tourism

Publication:
Courier Magazine
 http://tinyurl.com/CourierPublication

Growth Markets News Stories This Week: Culinary, Ecotourism, Faith-based and Family Travel

 Keep current on key industry segments with the articles below, each with a link to an NTA member.

 

Culinary Travel

Summer in Whistler: From Cuisine to Cycling

NTA members to contact: Tourism British Columbia, Thompson Okanagan Tourism

Ecotourism

Top 10 Ecotourist Sites in the Great Plains

NTA members to contact: South Dakota Tourism, Nebraska Travel and Tourism, Montana Tourism Division, North Dakota Tourism Division, Wyoming Office of Tourism, Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association,Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation

Faith-based Tourism

Spiritual Journeys: Faith-based Tours are Gaining in Popularity

NTA members to contact: Ed-Ventures, Faithful Holidays (Mayflower Tours), Globus

For Success in Faith Travel, Do Your Homework

NTA members to contact: The Priscilla Woman's Tours, Select International Tours 

Christians to Converge in Wittenberg, Germany, for Luther 500 Festival

NTA member to contact:

Reformation Tours 

Family Travel

Families are Fueling a New Travel Market

NTA members to contact: Columbia Crossroads Tours, Western Leisure, Collette Vacations, Tauck 

Cruise Incentives: A Promising Specialty for Travel Agents (by Ana Figueroa)

One of the growth markets within the cruise business is incentive travel.

TravelMarketReport.com just published it's second story by Ana Figueroa in a series on cruise meetings and incentives. Here is the opening statement of the article by Ana:

"As the cruise industry sets its sights on the meetings and incentive market with renewed vigor, there are expanded opportunities for cruise-selling travel agents to reel in business clients."

Here is the full article link to Ana's most recent article:
http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Cruise-Incentives-A-Promising-Specialty-for-Travel-Agents

To view Ana's first story in the series published on Sep 13, click here:
Cruise Meetings Sail Onto Meeting Planners’ Radar

AgritourismWorld website joins Group Travel Family

Read full story at:
http://www.grouptravelleader.com/Article.aspx?id=974

Website: AgritourismWorld.com

Agritourism has been growing in popularity among tour planners in recent years, and now there is a site dedicated to helping the group travel planner find farms, markets and destinations that are tourism-friendly. AgritourismWorld is an online directory that lists more than 1,000 agritourism-related destinations and that encourages tourists to visit the countryside.

AgritourismWorld recently joined The Group Travel Family, along with the BankTravel Conference, Going On Faith Conference, Boomers in Groups, the African American Travel Conference and Group Leaders of America. The addition of agritourism to the organization will integrate farm-related tourism into the group travel industry by creating an awareness of the market to more than 12,500 leaders of travel clubs and groups.

“We openly welcome AgritourismWorld to the group travel industry,” said Charlie Presley, founder of The Group Travel Family. “Agritourism is a valued part of every group’s travel plans, and this site makes it easy to visit a farm, market, bed-and-breakfast or one of over 1,000 destinations.”

At the AgritourismWorld site, a group can search for farms that cater to tourists by state or product. The site allows visitors to find farms that specialize in everything from honey production to alpaca farming. Once group leaders locate farms or destinations of interest, they can click on the farms’ websites to find travel details, ask questions of the owners or schedule group visits.

AgritourismWorld is already the top Google site under the search word “agritourism,” and Presley has plans to increase the reach of the site.

“We have over 1,000 farms listed today, and we will double that by year’s end,” he said.

In addition, the site will target international as well as domestic agritourism destinations. There are more than 100 international listings to date.

The wide range of interests the site offers is a true tourism value. Visitors can find information on destinations from Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Illinois to Biship’s Pumpkin Farm in California, Ten Horse Farm in Georgia and Vashon Farmers Market in Washington. The site will help travel planners find more than 75 interests: Listings include seasons, events, animals, food and beverages, gardens and plants, markets, overnight stays and unusual features, such as corn mazes.

Farms and agritourism destinations that are interested in a free listing may visit the site and submit their venue. Groups can go to www.agritourismworld.com and plan a tour year-round.

For further information, contact Gini Dolence at 800-628-0993 gdolence@grouptravelfamily.com.

Business and Educational Seminars on Growth Markets in Tourism at 2013 NTA Convention (Travel Exchange)

If you're looking for a convention or tradeshow featuring a wide range of educational and business seminars on growth markets in tourism, consider attending the upcoming NTA Convention (Travel Exchange), which will be held Jan 2013 in Orlando, FL.

Here are some of the business and educational seminars (on growth markets in tourism) to be held at Travel Exchange: :
+ Adventure travel
+ Accessibility travel
+ Culinary travel
+ Dark tourism
+ Faith-based travel
+ Family travel
+ Sustainable travel

For more information or to view the entire list of available seminars/educational sessions, click here:
http://businessbuilder.ntaonline.com/convention/Education.aspx

300 Trade Professionals & Planners Participated in 9th Annual Going on Faith Conference

Read original article at:
http://www.grouptravelleader.com/Article.aspx?id=991

Rock Hill puts on a show for GOF Conference

By Mac Lacy

Nearly 300 faith-based travel planners, travel industry destinations and tour operators gathered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Aug. 21-23 for the ninth annual Going On Faith Conference operated by The Group Travel Family. The Going On Faith Conference is the group travel industry’s only faith-based travel conference and this year’s event drew delegates from across North America, plus international destinations including Israel, the Bahamas, Jordan and other countries.

“This conference is establishing a loyal following of those travel destinations that truly seek out faith-based travel groups,” said Joe Cappuzzello, CEO of The Group Travel Family. “From pilgrimages to youth retreats and traditional travel groups, faith-based tourism has carved out a recognizable niche within the overall group travel industry.”

Conference highlights included two evening events hosted by the Rock Hill/York County Convention and Visitors Bureau — an opening evening dinner and drama at Narroway Productions, and a gospel performance followed by dine-around dinner options in Rock Hill’s distinctive Old Town.

“Our community believes in family and faith and we embrace opportunities for fellowship,” said the convention bureau’s interim executive director, Mikki Rentschler. “Rock Hill and York County are progressive and bright destinations, and we enjoyed sharing our authentic features with the delegates of Going On Faith.”

Over two days, more than 3,000 business appointments took place between travel buyers and destination representatives, and delegates heard presentations from three distinguished speakers on faith-based travel topics.

Mike Schields, managing director for groups and emerging markets for Globus family of brands, shared his company’s newest research on the $17 billion faith-based travel industry during the conference’s opening session. Jimmy Wallace, former four-time state champion high school football coach and motivational Christian speaker, offered the keynote address. And to wrap thing up, Brian Jewell, executive editor of Going On Faith magazine, shared his outlook on the future of packaged travel for groups based on six travel personalities that tour planners should account for in their programming.

“The educational content this year was superb,” said conference partner Charlie Presley. “Globus’ research validates the huge potential of this market, while Jimmy Wallace was as inspirational as anyone we’ve ever listened to. And Brian Jewell has created a fascinating overview of personality types that today’s travel planners must account for. We appreciate all of their participation in this year’s conference.”

For more information, visit www.visityorkcounty.com and www.gofconference.com.

Join the "Entrepreneurs in Travel" Facebook Community Page

A new Facebook community has just been launched for young entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs or budding ones in the travel and tourism industry. 

To learn more about or to join the community, click here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheTravelingEntrepreneur

Here is the community's official description:
Entrepreneurs in Travel connects young business owners and professionals involved in the tour and travel industry. Share stories, advice, and insight with other upcoming travel professionals to learn and collectively grow our businesses!

Connect with Faith-based Tourism Expert: Cindi Brodhecker

Each growth market in tourism has its experts.  So who are the authorities in faith-based?

Today's feature is Cindi Brodhecker. Cindi has eighteen years in the area of group and religious travel. As an expert, she writes and speaks on the subject frequently.

Her bio states "Cindi’s own faith has given her the passion to pursue this travel market, an industry in itself with 18 billion dollars spent annually on religious journeys and mission causes."

 If your organization is involved or interested in the faith-based travel and hospitality marketplace, Cindi is an important authority and expert to know.

How can you learn more about Cindi and connect with her? Here's her profile on Linkedin.com:

Cindi Brodhecker
President
Faith Travel Development & Consulting
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cindi-brodhecker/16/453/a75

Israel Tour Ops Respond to Demand for Custom Experiences

by Stacey Zable

September 10, 2012

Citing robust demand for customized experiences and family travel, tour operators in the Israel market are launching new products at a wide range of price points.

Israel’s escorted and FIT tour products fall into two broad categories – religious and secular. Tour operators emphasize that both deliver profound travel experiences.

“Israel is one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime” destinations,” said Mike Shields, managing director of groups and emerging markets for the Globus family of brands. “Many travelers return home saying they had a ‘life-changing’ experience.”

To read the rest of Stacey Zable's story, click here:
http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Israel-Tour-Ops-Respond-to-Demand-for-Custom-Experiences

Published Books on Culinary Tourism

The following books as featured on Amazon.com:


Food Tourism Around The World: Development, Management and Markets (New Canadian Library) - 2003

Editors: C. Michael Hall, Liz Sharples, Richard Mitchell, Niki Macionis, Brock Cambourne

View on Amazon.com at:

http://www.amazon.com/Food-Tourism-Around-The-World/dp/0750655038/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/181-1545626-7289364

Food and wine are vital components of the tourism experience, and are increasingly being seen as prime travel motivators in their own right. Food Tourism Around The World: Development, Management and Markets offers a unique insight into this phenomenon, looking at the interrelationship between food, the tourism product and the tourist experience.

Using international case studies and examples from Europe, North America, Australasia and Singapore, Food Tourism Around The World: Development, Management and Markets discusses the development, range and repurcussions of the food tourism phenomenon. The multi-national contributor team analyses such issues as:

* the food tourism product
* food tourism and consumer behaviour
* cookery schools - educational vacations
* food as an attraction in destination marketing

Tourism and Gastronomy (Routledge Advances in Tourism) - 2002

Editors:

Anne-Mette Hjalager and Greg Richards   http://www.amazon.com/Tourism-Gastronomy-Routledge-Advances/dp/0415273811/ref=pd_sim_b_5

In recent years, a growing emphasis has been placed on tourism experiences and attractions related to food. In many cases eating out while on holiday includes the 'consumption' of a local heritage, comparable to what is experienced when visiting historical sites and museums.

Despite this increasing attention, however, systematic research on the subject has been nearly absent. Tourism and Gastronomy addresses this by drawing together a group of international experts in order to develop a better understanding of the role, development and future of gastronomy and culinary heritage in tourism.

Students and researchers in the areas of tourism, heritage, hospitality, hotel management and catering will find this book an extremely valuable source of information.

Culinary Tourism (Material Worlds) - 2003
The following provides a list of several books on Culinary Tourism as featured on Amazon.com:



Culinary Tourism (Material Worlds) - 2010

Lucy M. Long (Editor)

View book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Culinary-Tourism-Material-Worlds-Lucy/dp/0813122929

""From Kosher Oreos to the gentrification of Mexican cusine, from the charismatic cook of Basque communities in Spain and the United States to the mainstreaming of southwestern foodways, Culinary Tourism maps a lively cultural and intellectual terrain."" -- from the foreword by Barbara Kirshenblatt-GimblettCulinary Tourism is the first book to consider food as both a destination and a means for tourism. The book's contributors examine the many intersections of food, culture and tourism in public and commercial contexts, in private and domestic settings, and around the world. The contributors argue that the sensory experience of eating provides people with a unique means of communication. Editor Lucy Long contends that although the interest in experiencing ""otherness"" is strong within American society, total immersion into the unfamiliar is not always welcome. Thus spicy flavors of Latin Aermcia and the exotic ingredients of Asia have been mainstreamed for everyday consumption. Culinary Tourism explains how and why interest in foreign food is expanding tastes and leading to commercial profit in America, but the book also show how tourism combines personal experiences with cultural and social attitudes toward food and the circumstances for adventurous eating.



CULINARY TOURISM: THE HIDDEN HARVEST - 2006

WOLF ERIK (Author), INTERNATIONAL CULINARY TOURISM ASSOC (Author)

View on Amazon.com at
http://www.amazon.com/CULINARY-TOURISM-THE-HIDDEN-HARVEST/dp/0757526772/ref=pd_sim_b_6

Food is an attraction - just like a museum. Had it occurred to you, however, that food and drink are the most overlooked components of the visitor experience? Every traveler eats and drinks, and consequently, the ubiquity of that behavior is something that travel industry and food and beverage marketers usually overlook. The reason is because we all take eating for granted - we do it three times per day. Culinary Tourism is an important new industry that weds two related but distant hospitality cousins - foodservice and tourism. Hospitality businesses have an enormous underexplored opportunity to make a significant impression on visitors with unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences. Culinary Tourism: The Hidden Harvest introduces professionals to the concept of Culinary Tourism and presents ideas how to best promote food and drink as a primary visitor lure. Relevant examples from all over the world help illustrate the importance of this new industry.

Christians to converge in Wittenberg, Germany, for Luther 500 Festival

Media Contact: Rowena Drinkhouse, Reformation Tours,

Email: info@reformationtours.com, Phone: 800 303 5534

(Belleville - Illinois) 

Christians from all around the world are invited to take part in the Luther 500 Festival in Wittenberg, Germany, where the Reformation officially began in 1517. This seven-day cultural immersion experience (June 17-23, 2013) includes morning and evening prayer in historic locations, music by Lost and Found and other bands, service projects, museums, churches, fellowship, and the quaintness of a German medieval town.  Post-festival tours are also available. Reformation Tours is offering packages to the festival starting at $975.00, USD and details can be found on www.ReformationTours.com or at www.Luther500.com.

This pilgrimage to Germany will revitalize participants, who come face to face with the breadth and importance of the Reformation, make new friends, connect with their heritage, and experience firsthand how church history can be a whole lot of fun.

Web: www.ReformationTours.com

Complete Press Details: ww.reformationtours.com/site/490868/page/4568279

Article link: http://travelandleisurenews.com/news/Luther-500-Fest/Luther-500-Festival.htm

 

Wartburg Castle is Germany's real fairy tale castle and possibly the one most-loved by Germans. This castle is not only beautiful and properly medieval, its walls are rich in German history and legend. It is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

For Success in Faith Travel, Do Your Homework (by Ruth Hill - Travel Market Report)

Below is another outstanding article by Ruth Hill on faith-based travel.  The story is actually Part Two of a Series written by Ruth and published by TravelMarketReport.com.  To view the first article in the series (which I previously blogged about as well), click here: Faith Travel Evolves Into Diverse and Profitable Niche,” August 23, 2012.

For Success in Faith Travel, Do Your Homework

by Ruth A. Hill

September 06, 2012

Published by TravelMarketReport.com

Below are the first two opening parargraphs of the article. To continue reading the full story click here: http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/For-Success-in-Faith-Travel-Do-Your-Homework

While the business potential is huge in the faith-based travel market, travel sellers need plenty of education – and patience – to succeed in a complex and nuanced niche that encompasses the oldest kind of travel.

Networking with the experts is one way to glean knowledge. Another is to participate in the tours that cater to this market niche.

Read rest of Ruth's article here:
http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/For-Success-in-Faith-Travel-Do-Your-Homework

Agritourism News Stories - Week of Sep 6

September is Agritourism Month in Kentucky
Kentucky has nearly 340 farms offering travel and tourism opportunities.
http://surfky.com/index.php/news/kentucky/19369-commissioner-comer-enjoy-agritourism-month-at-a-fun-family-friendly-farm-destination

Agritourism program matures into second year
Residents and visitors in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia will soon be able to more easily learn about and enjoy the rich farming and farm-related businesses in the area, thanks to a burgeoning agritourism initiative called Fields of Gold.
http://augustafreepress.com/2012/08/27/agritourism-program-matures-into-second-year/

Agritourism growing industry in Manatee County
Agritourism is exactly what it sounds like: a mixture of agriculture and tourism, two of Manatee County’s largest and most profitable industries.
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2012/08/18/business_and_financial/agritourism_growing_industry_in_manatee_county/

Farm Stays Offer a Taste of Country Life
The appeal of agritourism is growing nationwide, as more people want to see and experience where their food comes from and to escape to a simpler life — if only for the weekend.
http://www.dailyastorian.com/news/northwest/farm-stays-offer-a-taste-of-country-life/article_f7e9cac5-9b29-50b6-b26e-63753be219d2.html

This Week's Growth Markets News Stories Featured by NTA

Market Focus: Adventure, Cruise, Family, Faith and Sports Tourism  

Keep current on key industry segments with the articles below, each with a link to an NTA member or event. If you're an NTA member and have a news story or educational article about your organization's involvement in a key industry market, send it for possible republication to NTA's director of growth markets.

Adventure Tourism
Kentucky Towns Looking to Boost Tourism on Nearby Trails and Rivers
NTA member to contact: Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism

Cruise Travel
Juneau Eyes Biggest Cruise Passenger Day
NTA member to contact: Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau

Family Travel
Family Affair—Feature Story on Family Travel (Travel Weekly)
NTA Event to Attend: Family Travel & Adventure Tourism Leaders Forum at Travel Exchange

Faith Tourism
Faith Travel Evolves into Diverse and Profitable Niche
NTA member to contact: Paul Larsen, Chair of NTA's Faith Tourism Advisory Council

Sports Tourism
Travelers to be Honored with Induction into Baseball Stadium Hall of Fame
NTA member to contact: Sports Travel and Tours 

Travelers to be honored with induction into the Sports Travel and Tours Baseball Stadium Hall of Fame.

Sports Travel and Tours Baseball Stadium Hall of Fame Features Another Breed of ‘Hall of Famer’ in 2013

Sports Travel and Tours Baseball Stadium Hall of Famers

 

Hatfield, MA (PRWEB) August 28, 2012

This coming July, some very devoted baseball fans will be inducted into the Sports Travel and Tours Stadium Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place in Cooperstown, NY and coincides with The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Induction Weekend.

Twelve ago years ago, Sports Travel and Tours (STAT) developed this program for fans that have attended games in all 30 Big League ballparks with Sports Travel and Tours.  “We hear from our avid baseball fans all the time, that their dream is to see a game in every stadium,” said Jay Smith, President of Sports Travel and Tours. “So we contacted the Hall of Fame and they allowed us to honor these special fans in Cooperstown,” said Smith.

Travelers receive a custom Passport to Baseball and a stamp for each ballpark visited. Once a fan has visited all 30 ballparks with Sports Travel and Tours, they are inducted into the Stadium Hall of Fame. At the Hall, there is an exhibit devoted to these fans and an official register of STAT Hall of Famers. “This will be our fourth class since we initiated the program,” said Teresa Weybrew, Director of Sales for Sports Travel and Tours. “In 2001, there were 6 inductees, 2005 brought us 17 fans and in 2009 we had 26. At present, we have nearly 30 fans eligible for Induction in 2013,” said Weybrew.

When McGarry was asked “Why do you go on Baseball Road Trips?”, he replied “As the movie says: For The Love Of The Game!”

“Inductees come from all over the country and have diverse backgrounds,” said Christopher J. Switzer, Creative Director for Sports Travel and Tours. “We have inductees from Tennessee and Ohio, Florida and Missouri, even a husband and wife from Minnesota and brothers from Texas. A resident of the UK has traveled the farthest. The common thread throughout these inductees is their love of baseball and the monumental achievement of visiting every Big League  ballpark,” said Switzer.

The inductees have shared their excitement about being recognized for completing trips to all 30 Big League ballparks and for connecting with other members of this select group of travelers. “We are delighted to go into the Stadium Hall of Fame, and to be honest, we feel that this journey has been just as fun and exciting as the final destination will be. We enjoyed all the trips and working our way through all the stadiums to this Hall of Fame,” said Angelo Volpe who along with his wife Jennette were inducted in 2009. “We have met and become friends with several of the other inductees during our travels and we plan on continuing our baseball trips with Sports Travel and Tours” added Volpe.

2001 Inductee Red McGarry said, “I’ve enjoyed the Baseball Road Trips with Sports Travel and Tours as I’ve gotten to meet baseball fans from all over the world and being in Sports Travel and Tours’ Baseball Stadium Hall of Fame makes for some great conversation when on tour from ballpark to ballpark. I call it a “Cruise of the Ballparks” because all you need to do is sit back and enjoy each port.” When McGarry was asked “Why do you go on Baseball Road Trips?”, he replied “As the movie says: For The Love Of The Game!”

Culinary Tourism - Current News Headlines

Here are some of the culinary tourism news stories circulating:


1) New Website Links Tourism to Vermont Produced Food
    (Bloomberg Businessweek)
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-08-20/new-website-links-tourism-to-vt-dot-produced-food

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — With the growing interest in local food, Vermont has come out with a new interactive website to help link people to nearly 400 food experiences around the state.
DigInVT.com is designed to promote agriculture and tourism. Visitors to the website can learn about locally grown Vermont products and the farmers, producers and chefs who make them.


2)  Peak Season for Culinary Fun Hits Tahoe in Early September
http://www.eatdrinkexplore.com/index.php/destinations/932-peak-season-for-culinary-fun-hits-tahoe-in-early-september

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) – The 27th Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival, long considered one of the region’s premier gourmet events, has increased the number of its programs – now offering nine days of festivities.

“Travelers have a healthy appetite for culinary tourism,” said Chief Marketing Officer Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association. “They are eager to experience the food and wine of a particular region as part of their vacation. With this in mind, we expanded what was already an exceptional event and made it even better, offering nine days instead of three of tastings and classes.”


3) Is Culinary Tourism the Next Big Thing?  (BBC News)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fast_track/9745987.stm
In the wake of the ongoing economic crisis, the Greek island of Crete witnessed a noticeable decline in visitors earlier this summer. But a number of Greeks are rallying around to try to make tourism the driving force towards recovery.  As Rajan Datar reports, with its tradition of local fresh produce - could culinary tourism be the next big thing for the island?


4) In Focus with Martin Sheen to Explore Culinary Trends
In Focus is set to examine how the growing interest in the culinary arts is driving tourism.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/8/prweb9819367.htm
The producers of In Focus with Martin Sheen are pleased to announce an upcoming report on culinary trends that are bringing new tastes to dining enthusiasts.


5) Beers and Bikes: A Match Made in Heaven
http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/beerandbikes0266.aspx

In recent years, cycling culture in metro Detroit has gone from nearly nonexistent to explosively popular, with significant cycling infrastructure being added in major metropolitan centers and small towns alike. At the same time, the same thing has been happening with craft beer culture, evolving from the niche realm of beer geekdom to mass consumption. Coincidence? Never. As bike culture and beer culture have grown exponentially in Michigan, they have also been growing together, in a symbiotic relationship of fun.