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| It's All About Groups!
April 11, 2008 |
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 Dear Jeff,
If you've already filed your income taxes, you can
breathe easy. Some of us this weekend will have to
scramble to meet the April 15 deadline. The happy news:
Most of us will get a tax rebate from the IRS next month, so
let's go out and stimulate the economy!
Hopefully, many Americans will use their tax refunds
and economic stimulus payments on travel rather than a
big-screen television. Some hotels and tour operators
are offering "Tax Rebate" packages and promotions to entice
consumers flush with funds. With all that "extra money"
floating around this spring, we all should be thinking of ways
to turn this development to our advantage.
In this issue of InSite, our Midwest Travel Tips
feature encourages group organizers to think "Beyond
Broadway," offering community theater options in various
states. Also read about what's new in Milwaukee this
summer. In the Southwest, discover Arizona cultural
heritage sights that attract a special breed of traveler, the
"geotourist."
Thanks always for visiting with us at InSite.
Happy travels,
Randy
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 This Week's News
From Group Travel
Blog
Santa
Fe School of Cooking, Culture & Cuisine Tour 2008 &
2009
Special
Sealife Experiences Await Groups at the Texas State
Aquarium
Mayflower
Tours Launches 2008/2009 World Brochure
See more breaking news
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Future of Travel Distribution Debated at
TravelCom 
By Jeff Gayduk
The annual TravelCom Conference, produced by the Travel
Industry Association of America (TIA), featured top-level
executives from Forrester research, consumer brands like
Travelocity and Priceline, plus GDS companies and software
providers - all providing their unique perspective on the
state of the online travel industry, and more importantly,
where we're headed.
Read more on the full show
report |
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 Midwest Travel
Tips:
Beyond Broadway
By John Kloster
When one thinks of theater, visions that come to mind
encompass Broadway or other large cities' major
productions. However, most of us actually experience
theater through community productions, dinner theaters and
outdoor dramas that provide more widespread
accessibility. Let's take a look at some of the
Midwest's varied community performance venues.
Check out these varied community
theaters |
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 Amazing Arizona
By Sue Arko
Geotourism, defined as "tourism that sustains or enhances
the geographical character of a place—its enviornment,
culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its
residents," draws visitors to Arizona. Blessed with
special places, special events and special people, the Grand
Canyon State is a perfect geotourism destination.
Read More |
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 Reunion Trips
By Edith Wagner
The future of reunion business is going to come mostly from
families. Family reunions are growing both in the number of
events and in the number of people attending. While they have
grown way beyond Sunday afternoon picnics in the park, most
still include a picnic in their activities.
More and more reunions are three-day weekends involving
travel to, from and during the reunion. And more are hiring
motorcoaches to get there (particularly when a large
contingent is going from one area) and for local travel. While
many tours are standard city introductions, some are to sites
significant to family or local history, or to the reunion
place.
Read how to capture more reunion
business |
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 Searching For a Group Tour Package Has Never Been
Easier!
GroupTravelDirectory.com 4.0 places you in direct
contact with over 6,000 group-friendly suppliers worldwide.
Planning your Perfect Group Tour is easy to do because Group
Travel Directory allows you to narrow your search by Category
Search and sub-category.
Are you trying to decide where to take your next
group? Trying to find a package that is right for you?
Simply search for Tours and Packages with our easy-to-use
category search. You can even narrow your search with
our sub-category search feature. Just click Tours &
Packages and then choose a region. It's that
simple. Grouptraveldirectory.com provides you with the
tools you need to make your planning easier.
Search for Tours & Packages
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Catching Up With... 
Larry Dessler, Executive Director of the Niche Cruise
Marketing Alliance
This week, InSite E-Zine interviews Larry Dessler.
Larry Dessler is an acknowledged expert in travel
marketing and product development. As President of
Dessler Associates, Larry provides marketing solutions to
destinations, ports, cruise lines and tour operators around
the world. Larry also serves as the Executive Director
of the Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance.
During his 12-year assignment with Holland America Line
Westours Inc., Larry held positions involved with all segments
of the marketing process. As Director of Product
Development he oversaw the creation of new deployments,
itineraries and on-board product improvements. Larry
also served as Director of Marketing.
Prior to his Holland America Line experience, Larry was
the Cruise Industry Marketing Consultant to the Port of Miami,
and was the Director of Marketing at the Port Everglades
Authority. Larry also served on the executive committee and
the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Tourism
Organization.
Larry has a MBA degree from the Andreas School of
Buisness and served as an Adjunct Professor of
Marketing. He is also a fellow of the Seatrade Academy
and has lectured at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Larry lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife and
two daughters.
Read Larry's Interview
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