May 2011 Shows Record Setting International Visitor Spending

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent a record-breaking $12.6 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of May - $1.4 billion more (12%) than was spent in May 2010 - marking the seventeenth straight month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism exports. Travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, nearly $1.4 billion a month in 2011.

• Travel Receipts: Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $9.6 billion during May, an increase of 12 percent when compared to last year. These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel.

• Passenger Fare Receipts: Fares received by U.S. carriers (and U.S. vessel operators) from international visitors increased by nearly 14 percent to $3.0 billion for the month, setting a new all-time record for monthly passenger fare receipts from international visitors traveling America.

International visitors have spent an estimated $61.0 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date (January through May), an increase of 13 percent when compared to the same period last year. In fact, the U.S. travel and tourism industry is on pace for a record-setting year for travel and tourism-related exports.
Americans have spent nearly $44.5 billion abroad year to date (up 6%) - resulting in a $16.5 billion trade surplus for travel and tourism through the first five months of 2011.

Showcase USA - Italy Registration

Showcase USA-ITALY is the only marketing event exclusively dedicated to promoting Italian tourism towards the United States. Created by the Visit USA Association Italy and the U.S. Commercial Service Italy, it gives the Italian travel and tourism industry the opportunity to keep up to date with the wide variety of “Made in the USA” travel products and destinations available.

At this, the 14th annual edition, U.S. exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet individually with the major Italian tour operators and incentive planners, as well as media representatives (about 25 appointments). This is an ideal event for new-to-market companies as well as for repeat exhibitors wishing to reconfirm placements with their current clients or find new ones.

The Visit USA/Commercial Service team will provide matchmaking appointments for U.S. exhibitors with Italian companies, logistical assistance, on-site business counseling and support, as well as a pre-event briefing.   Read more ...

 Aug 19 - 24: SYTA | New York City, NY



 

2011-2012 RSAA Membership Renewal Period Now Open

RSAA members may now renew their membership on-line using a major credit card.  Paper invoices have also been mailed and should be in your offices soon.  RSAA anticipates many exciting things over the next year and we want to make sure that you are part of every aspect of the association.  International visitation numbers are on the rise and RSAA is your link to those new visitors.

Step-by-Step Renewal Instructions:

• Click here.
• Login with your RSAA Username and Password. (If you have forgotten your username or password please contact RSAA Member Services at headquarters@rsana.com or 866-939-0934).
• Pass your mouse over the “Membership” tab at the top of the page. Click the “Renew Membership” text that appears.
• Click the text that indicates “Click Here to Renew”
• Once you are on the “My Transactions” page simply click “Pay Open Orders”
• On the “Payment” page click the box beside of your company’s name and then click the “Next” button.
• You can then enter your credit card information and proceed with your payment.

Tourism Cares Valley Forge

Tourism Cares is once again bringing the travel and tourism industry together to make a difference by giving back! In commemoration of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, that designated September 11th as a day of service and remembrance, Tourism Cares will hold its Volunteer Day, at the Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia, PA (a 30 minute drive from downtown Philadelphia) on Friday, September 9, 2011.

Reduced and stretched budgets have put a strain on maintenance and upkeep at National Parks throughout the country. Tourism Cares is inviting travel and tourism industry volunteers to donate their time and talent to make a significant impact at beautiful and historic Valley Forge.

Volunteers will be involved in a number of landscaping projects throughout the park including invasive species removal, tree planting and the removal of brush and other debris.

Be sure to join Tourism Cares on September 9, 2011 from 9am – 4pm. For more details and to register, please click here. It will be one of the best days of your year.

If you have any questions about this special project, please contact Jessica Ahern at jessicaa@tourismcares.org or call 781-821-5990, x212. 

RSAA Stanley Awards Format to Change

In a recent decision by the RSAA Board of Directors the RSAA Stanley Awards process is going to be modified and enhanced.  The awards will now be presented on an annual basis beginning at the 2012 RSAA Summit.  Nominations for the awards will be made by an Awards Nominating Committee that consists of a group of RSAA members that are tenured in the industry.  This committee will nominate a suitable number of companies in each award category and the regular members will then vote for one nominee in each category. 

The awards will be presented at the RSAA Annual Awards Dinner which will be held in lieu of the RSAA Gala.  This dinner will be the highlight of the RSAA year and will serve to recognize the outstanding companies that have contributed to the inbound industry's success over the previous year.  More details about the Stanley Awards and the RSAA Annual Awards Dinner will be available this fall.

Did You Know... 2011 RSAA Connect West information will be distributed very soon.  Stay tuned for more information and plan on joining us in late-October.

Turtle Reef Now Open - Sea World San Diego

Turtle Reef is now open at SeaWorld San Diego. Park President John Reilly and local conservation organizations commemorated the opening by cutting a kelp ribbon in front of hundreds of park guests, who were among the first to see threatened and endangered sea turtles swimming in their brand new 300,000-gallon aquarium.

Turtle Reef allows guests to get an up-close look at more than 60 threatened and endangered sea turtles and learn about the threats the species face. In addition, it features thousands of tropical fish, interactive educational activities and an exciting ride.

A coral reef themed habitat, the attraction’s focal point, features adult hawksbill and green sea turtles — some more than 50 years old — tropical fish, and juvenile green sea turtles that hatched at the park in 2009.

As guests make their way through Turtle Reef, they embark upon the life cycle of sea turtles, learning about how they nest, where they live, what they eat and the threats they face in the wild. This total immersive experience includes Turtlelink, a touch-screen map that highlights SeaWorld’s rescue and conservation efforts, as well as tracks sea turtles in the wild. Turtle Reef also includes Race for the Beach, an educational, motion-controlled video game that pits participants against other to illustrate sea turtles’ daunting sea-to-shore journey.

Dual cylindrical-shaped aquariums — one with jellyfish, another with plastic bags that can be mistaken for food — help illustrate how sea turtles often confuse trash for food. To further demonstrate SeaWorld's commitment to conservation and the environment, the park has eliminated all plastic bags from gift shops. This move will save more than 1 million plastic bags from circulation each year and educate millions of guests.

A new ride in the plaza at Turtle Reef called Riptide Rescue, enhances the attraction’s adventures as passengers spin in gondola-raft boats on a turtle rescue mission of their own.