The National Tour Association (NTA) welcomed a record-setting 104 new tour operators into its membership in 2008, bringing NTA's total tour operator membership to nearly 700.
"NTA began seeing a rise in tour operator applications this spring despite the troubled economy," said NTA Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher. "Companies look to associations to offer assistance in dealing with the challenges of running a business and NTA gives them the tools and connections to help them succeed in today's marketplace."
New NTA programs, such as the China Inbound Program, as well as proven programs and services including tour operator partnering at the NTA Annual Convention, continue to attract the industry's leading professionals. Also, innovative approaches such as the Destination Pavilion, introduced last year at the Annual Convention, give tour operators access to diverse tour product and allow them to do business in ways no other associations offer.
NTA tour operators are the primary decision makers who plan all components of packaged travel. Averaging 23 years in the industry, these professionals represent all segments of the industry, from the group market to independent travelers, domestic to international, student to seniors. NTA membership also includes tour suppliers, such as motorcoach operators, hotels, restaurants and attractions and destinations.
Visit www.ntaonline.com.