RSAA Welcomes Two New Board Members

RSAA would like to welcome Jessica Sporn (Bonotel Exclusive Travel) and Sevil Arnavutoglu-Le (GTA) to its Board of Directors.  Both of these representatives are filling unexpired board terms.  Their term of office will conclude March 01, 2012.

International Visitation up 11% for First Nine Months of 2010

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that for the first nine months of 2010, 45.3 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an 11 percent increase over the same period in 2009. In September 2010, 5.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an increase of eight percent over September 2009. September 2010 registered the 12th straight month of increases in U.S. arrivals.

International visitors spent $100.0 billion during the first nine months of 2010, 11 percent more than the same period in 2009. In September 2010, international visitors spent $11.7 billion, 17 percent more than in September 2009. September 2010 marks the ninth consecutive month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism-related exports.
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RSAA Headquarters Closed for the Holidays

Please note that RSAA Headquarters will be closed from Dec. 24 - Dec. 31.  To better serve the members, questions sent to headquarters@rsana.com will still be answered in a timely manner while the office is closed.

January 8 - 12
ABA

January 19 - 23
FITUR

January 26 - 27
2011 RSAA Summit
 

Register Now for the 2011 RSAA Summit in New York City!

The RSAA Summit is the premier inbound receptive show of the year! RSAA suppliers and receptive tour operators from across the country will gather for the two-day event for the opportunity to learn, network, build relationships and have fun!

The 2011 RSAA Summit will be held at the majestic Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York City on January 26 & 27, 2011.  The event will feature great educational sessions, several networking opportunities, the annual Gala and the best opportunity to meet one-on-one with the nation's top receptive tour operators and the inbound industry’s leading suppliers from across the country. 

Complete details can be found on the RSAA Summit Web site, www.RSAAsummit.com, or by clicking here.  Appointment scheduling begins January 3, so register now to secure your participation.

Stanley Award Nomination Process is Underway

Receptive tour operator members are reminded that Stanley Award Nomination Forms are due to RSAA Headquarters on Dec. 20.  The forms may be returned by email to headquarters@rsana.com.  Later next week the three companies with the most nominations in each category will become the official nominees.  An electronic ballot will then be distributed to the receptive tour operators for a final vote. 

The award categories this year are Excellence in Sales and Marketing, Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Operations, Chairman's Award (for cooperating with RSAA receptive tour operators) and the Stanley Fisher Award for Outstanding Travel Professional of the Year. Each of the awards, other than the Stanley Fisher Award, are divided into hotel and non-hotel categories.

Did You Know... this year RSAA will be hosting its 12th Annual Auction to benefit Tourism Cares?  If you would like to contribute an item to the auction please complete the auction donation form found at the bottom of the RSAA Summit Web site, www.RSAAsummit.com, under the "Auction" header.