Future Forecast of Travel: Sunny Skies Ahead, Growth, Opportunities, Perspective
The 2008 RSAA Summit Conference, was held in balmy St. Petersburg, Florida at the Trade Winds Resort. This year’s annual event, Future Forecast of Travel: Sunny Skies Ahead, Growth, Opportunities, Perspective took place on Thursday and Friday, January 10-11, 2008. RSAA supplier and receptive tour operator members from across the country gathered for the two-day event for the opportunity to learn, network and build relationships.
Malcolm Noden, a retired senior lecturer in management, economics, marketing and tourism at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, kicked off the conference with his informative three-part general session presentation. During The Airline Industry: Chaos-Change-Cash, attendees learned about the changes in civil aviation policies and the economics of the industry that will affect the future of travel in both domestic and international markets. In the second portion of Noden’s presentation, More Room, Or No Room At The Inn, attendees learned about changes in hotel operating models that will alter the traditional methods of operation. Noden’s final segment, Where Have All the Inbounds Gone, addressed political, security and social issues that will shape the future of the inbound market.
Following the morning session, attendees enjoyed lunch under the sun in the courtyard at the Trade Winds. Lunch provided members time for networking and the opportunity to learn about products offered by Sapphire sponsors Choice Hotels International, St. Petersburg Clearwater Area CVB/Visit Florida and Wyndham Hotel Group.
The afternoon breakout session covered a wide variety of topics. Sheema Vohra of Sartha Marketing Consultants provided an enlightening presentation on the inbound Indian market. The Indian travel market is booming. The open-skies agreement between United States and India has resulted in increased air services between the two countries. More direct flight choices and lower airfares have benefited travelers and boosted tourism and trade. Additionally leisure travel from India has increased. Indian travelers enjoy shopping, sightseeing and visiting historical monuments and amusement parks.
Dr. Peter Tarlow, a tourism expert specializing in the impact of crime and terrorism on the tourism industry, event risk management, and in tourism and economic development, lead two breakout sessions. In the first breakout session, Considerations in Emerging Markets, Dr. Tarlow
provided insight into some of the areas that affect emerging markets, from economics to politics.
Political and Social Issues, the second of Dr. Tarlow’s presentations dealt with the issues of security, safety and risk management.
Beyond Web 2.0 was an instructive session delivered by Joe Buhler, the owner of Buhlerworks, a strategy, marketing and e-commerce consulting service for the travel and tourism industry. Attendees learned that one way communication, where companies develop a marketing message and deliver it on the internet, a one-way Web 1.0 concept is no longer viable. Today’s Web communications are a dialogue.
Hotel Interactive’s Editor-In-Chief, Glenn Haussman, delivered the presentation Hotel Luxury Marketing. Participants at this session learned that hotels providing extraordinary experiences and service have limitless pricing opportunities.
This year, Receptive 101, the ever-popular session for suppliers new to the industry focused on the basics of working with receptive operators. A panel of receptives and suppliers discussed how to build and maintain relationships with receptive operators and provide the products receptives require.
The Friday schedule included the always important Marketplace. The 2008 Marketplace featured ten-minutes appointments. In previous years, Marketplace appointments were seven-minutes in length. Representatives from the top receptive tour operator companies met one-on-one with supplier members to learn about the products suppliers can provide to meet receptive operator needs.
The Summit Conference included the eighth annual Silent Auction. Supplier venues provided an array of prizes including premium get-away packages to city and resort sites. Once again all proceeds will be donated to Tourism Cares. Tourism Cares brings the tourism industry together to help restore historic sites in need of care and rejuvenation, provide grants for restoration projects and provides scholarships and educational opportunities to students studying hospitality and tourism.
The Summit concluded with a dinner dance hosted by the Sirata Beach Resort and Sapphire sponsors Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Visit Florida. In addition to dining and dancing, attendees were treated to fireworks on the beach.
The annual Summit Conference continues to present an excellent education forum and business opportunity for the inbound industry. It’s the perfect opportunity for industry representatives to come together to network, develop business relationships and learn about industry issues. Maria Wahby, of Hotel Connect said: “The Summit was great for us!”
RSAA extends thanks to the Education/Summit Committee for their efforts in providing a successful educational program.