Tourism Expert Network - TEN

26/05/2022

Are you Ready for the Travel Demand? - https://mailchi.mp/2c1ed1acda54/are-you-ready-16347731

24/05/2022

Are you Ready for the Travel Demand? - https://mailchi.mp/c31c70c4d135/are-you-ready

01/02/2022

Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you, your friends and families lots of happiness and good fortune in the year of the tiger.

Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas, is hosting activities to celebrate including traditional fan dancers, lion blessings, exciting exhibits and retailer offers and a special gift with purchase.

Tell us how you will be celebrating Lunar New Year?

17/09/2021

Great night at the Oasis at Death Valley building relationships between US destinations & attractions with international travel buyers, after a great day at the Furnace Creek Golf Course.

16/09/2021

The CA Cup and the America's Cup Golf Invitational have been combined this year and have begun! Both are unique travel industry events involving networking, business development and great golf.

Intentionally scheduled immediately before IPW, the Cup enhances your IPW attendance by offering extensive networking opportunities with high-ranking decision makers from travel selling companies around the world, many of whom do not make appointments during IPW.

US destinations and attractions are engaging with 30 + senior decision makers from travel selling companies around the world
including wholesale leisure tour operators, receptives, incentive companies, golf specialists, retail travel agency networks, airlines, media, other.

15/09/2021

In-person professional meetings & events pose a
near-zero (0.001%) risk of COVID-19 transmission to
attendees—even for large events. We’re meeting
safely NOW. Explore the Data > bit.ly/PMEData

17/08/2021

Great to be back with colleagues at !

26/07/2021

Interesting to see how different countries are approaching the reopening

,… And other notes on the German travel market. ● A plurality of Germans supports the lifting of all COVID-19 measures for fully vaccinated people by September, according to a recent YouGov survey.  In the survey, almost half (48 percent) of the survey respondents opposed a lifting of the gener...

16/07/2021

Canada plans to reopen to American tourists by mid-August, other countries by September

https://thepointsguy.com/news/canada-reopening-mid-august/?utm_source=TPG%20Daily%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2599855&utm_usr=06407711aa3a8e9bd28802d991d3863984be5c2257c1290cfea3038d6b0c3158&utm_msg=0894ab1a7dba4bbfaf071dc6816cc707&utm_date=2021-07-16

Canada is looking to reopen its borders to Americans by next month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that Canada could begin allowing American

08/07/2021

Quarantine to end for vaccinated Britons arriving from amber list nations-media

Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from countries on Britain's "amber list" for international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to avoid quarantine from as early as July 19, British media reported on Tuesday.

08/07/2021

American Airlines has postponed direct flights to the US mainland from Auckland and Christchurch that were due to begin this summer. While the move is unsurprising, since US tourists cannot travel to NZ without time in managed isolation, Auckland International Airport chief executive Adrian Littlewood fears the postponement risks becoming a permanent cancellation and a sign of things to come as airlines shift to markets where passengers can easily travel.

29/06/2021

United bets on travel with the biggest airplane order in its history

https://www.axios.com/united-biggest-plane-order-in-its-history-bf07b4b1-367f-4a29-bf5a-fcbe2f356002.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top

The company is betting business travel will come back big, and plans to hire 25,000 people

17/06/2021

Give our LinkedIn & Twitter accounts a follow!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tourism-expert-network/posts/?feedView=all

750 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

17/06/2021

Vaccination is key to bringing back tourism from the brink, industry leaders say

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/tripcom-airasia-and-oyo-on-global-travel-recovery-from-covid-vaccines.html

Global travel and tourism took a massive hit last year as the coronavirus pandemic shut down borders and suspended most international travel.

10/06/2021

Tourism Expert Network has solutions for those that want a presence at IPW but perhaps don't have staff or adequate budgets. Space is filling fast - deadline to take advantage of this amazing opportunity is June 21.

17/05/2021

Here's another great career opportunity in travel in beautiful North Lake Tahoe - apply directly.

JOB TITLE: Sales Manager
DEPARTMENT: Sales
SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Director of Global Sales
JOB SUMMARY:
The Sales Manager, under the direction of the Director of Global Sales, will be responsible for promoting and selling North Lake Tahoe as a premier meeting & incentive destination consistent with the annual goals and objectives established in the annual CVB Strategic Goals and Action Plan. The Sales Manager will be
responsible for lead generation, qualification, and solicitation of their market. The Sales Manager will also be expected to develop and maintain professional relationships with clients and hotel partners.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Responsible for generating and distributing sales leads to North Lake Tahoe lodging partners.
• Responsible for meeting sales goals set forth by the CEO and Director of Global Sales. These sales goals will be individualized based on your identified market and a primary responsibility of this role is to meet quarterly and annual sales goals set based on, but are not limited to: new lead generation, booked business, booked room nights, mid-week bookings and more
• Focus on the solicitation of new business opportunities for North Lake Tahoe lodging partners with an emphasis on mid-week and off-peak season business
• Solicit group business through, but not limited to, existing account relationships, personal sales calls, promotional events, tradeshow representation, bid presentations, RFP distributions, and site inspection tours
• Plan and execute effective lead generation strategies
• Follow up on leads and inquiries with the appropriate action in a timely manner
• Ability to sell all hotel tiers to multiple market segments and geographic territories
• Identify and explore emerging markets. Stay current on competition, industry trends and practices.
• Ability to work with people at all levels
• Exhibit positive and involved team attitude• Actively participate in community and trade organizations that best fulfill the mission and goals of the organization
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Maintain thorough product knowledge of the destination including general area, hotels, activities and partners
• Experience using a CRM database and willingness to learn iDSS
• Provide monthly metrics and reporting to Director of Global Sales including lead generation, room night generation and definite bookings
• Assists and attends special community and association events as requested
• Regularly attends meetings, such as Tourism Development Committee and internal meetings as assigned by Director of Global Sales
• Execute all other duties as assigned by the Director of Global Sales
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITIES:
• Minimum of three years of hotel or CVB sales experience. Or, three years of meeting planning experience for a state, regional or national association or corporation.
• Highly motivated, outgoing personality with successful sales background
• Excellent reporting and communication skills
• Takes direction, prioritizes, and works independently
• Excellent customer service skills
• Experience with iDSS, CRMs, MS Office and Excel
• Able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and nights
• Able to make multi-day sales trips throughout the United States
• Demonstrate professional judgment in work related issues
• Strong understanding of current trends in the travel industry and leisure sales, marketing and advertising
• Experience in the creation and ex*****on of annual budgets, departmental goals, and marketing programs
• Excellent organizational skills
EDUCATION:
• Minimum Bachelors Degree in marketing or related field
ORIENTATION PERIOD:
• 90 days
LICENSES/PERMITS REQUIRED:
• Valid CA/NV driver’s license
• Valid ID, Green Card or Resident Card if not a US Citizen
• Valid Passport
SALARY:
• Salary based on experience
• Benefits
• Incentive compensation
All cover letters and resumes must be submitted by May 26, 2021 to Sarah Winters.
Director of Global Sales – [email protected]

14/05/2021

Another career opportunity - please apply directly.

Tour Sales Manager
Western Leisure Inc. is a Tour Operator providing custom tours private-labeled for groups. We sell to other Tour Operators, group leaders, Bank clubs, AAA Clubs, and Motorcoach operators.
We are currently seeking to hire a Director of Sales to join our team! You will be responsible for developing and selling custom tours to prospective and current clients.
Responsibilities:
• Responsible for selling custom tour programs to prospective clients.
• Responsible for maintaining relationships with existing customers.
• Responsible for prospecting new customers.
• Follow-up all proposals and quotes in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain proper sales opportunities in computer.
• Maintain liaison with customer during and after program.
• Responsible for research on markets and keeping current with overall industry trend. • Responsible for the development and sales for all Package Partner tours.
• Coordinate all contracts and final products.
• Research areas and design new itineraries.
• Attend planning meetings with various clients.
• Adhere to advertising timeline, materials, and budget for department.
• Maintain contact with necessary tour and travel industry associations.
• Actively participate in industry trade shows.
Qualifications:
• Solid communication skills: telephone, writing, grammar
• Previous experience in sales, tourism, and travel
• Familiarity with CRM platforms
• Proficient with Microsoft products: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Strong leadership qualities
• Ability to build rapport with clients
• Knowledge of the Western United States and National Parks preferred
Michele Michalewicz
Owner/CEO
[email protected]
801-233-0600

26/04/2021

Some interesting trends are starting to emerge for future travel to many destinations - the situation remains very fluid and dynamic.

The launch of the ETIAS travel authorization required for Americans to visit European countries such as Germany, France, and Italy is being delayed until the end of 2022.

29/03/2021

The World according to TEN:

It is spring break – and you can clearly see it in TSA screening numbers. US airports have seen more than a million passengers each day for the last 11 days. That had not happened since February of 2020. Increasing demand, with more than 100 million vaccine doses administered in the US, is driving up fares for the first time in 14 months. And three-quarters of corporate travel planners say business travelers will be back by the end of summer according to GBTA (Global Business Travel Association).

US Airlines and travel companies are petitioning the White House to end all international travel restrictions to boost long haul demand. At the very least, they want to be able to carry vaccinated travelers across borders. The CDC says it is still not safe for anyone to travel. The US, Canada, and Mexico have extended border closures through, at least, the end of April. The organizations calling for relaxing international restrictions include the chief trade group for the nation’s largest carriers, Airlines for America, the US Travel Association, and the US Chamber of Commerce. They set a May 1 target for the government “to partner with us” on a plan to rescind year-old restrictions on international travel.

US Hotel Industry shows signs of recovery - monthly US hotel occupancy and revenue per available room rates in February were the highest since October 2020, while the average daily rate was the highest since September 2020. February's occupancy declined 27% year over year to 45%. Still, that was an improvement from January’s 39% occupancy level. The average daily rate (ADR) was down 25% compared with February 2020, but the February 2021 ADR of $98 compared favorably with January’s $91. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 45% year over year to $45, but that, too, was an improvement over last month’s RevPar of $36.00.

Vaccination Passports - A handful of states have been pushing the White House to develop criteria that would allow for the use of vaccine passports, but the concept is facing resistance from bioethicists and public health experts who argue that disadvantaged populations would likely be left out.

COVID 19 Economic Impact - Travel’s economic footprint in the United States shrank a staggering 42% in 2020, from $2.6 trillion to $1.5 trillion, according to new end-of-year totals prepared for the US Travel Association by the research firm Tourism Economics. The employment devastation was similarly massive: travel-supported jobs fell by 5.6 million in 2020 (16.7 million to 11.1 million) — a whopping 65% of all American jobs lost to the economic fallout of the pandemic. Travel and tourism had supported employment for 11% of the US workforce prior to the onset of COVID.
England Imposes fines for international travel - To crack down on international travel while its lockdown begins to ease, England has instituted a £5,000 ($6,900 in USD) fine. Since England issued its latest stay-at-home rule, it has generally banned international travel. However, the rule is set to lapse today, with the country’s lockdown coming to an end. It is currently only possible to travel internationally for a legally permitted reason, such as for work purposes. That portion of the lockdown will remain. The country’s health minister said, “The earliest date by which we will allow for international travel… is the 17th of May. That has not changed.” Those entering England also face a few restrictions, with all required to undergo at least three COVID-19 tests, and some required to quarantine in hotels for 10 days.

So, recovery is coming, and we might not have all the answers, but we do know that being prepared and informed is going to be the key. Understanding that everyone will be chasing down the same customers, and it will be important not to overwhelm them with outrageous offers, common sense and the basics will prevail. Good luck to everyone, be patient we are almost there.

TEN is on a mission - To support the industry we love by providing expertise and resources for success in every tourism sector.

15/03/2021

This week we spotlight Hermann Global - a partner of Tourism Expert Network. Here's more:

Where are you based and have additional offices?
Herrmann Global is headquartered in Lander, Wyoming with a European office in Düsseldorf,
Germany.

What is the background of HG? How did the company get started? What was the vision?

Herrmann Global began with a suitcase and a mission. German-born CEO, Florian Herrmann, stepped foot into the United States to find the American Dream. To his surprise, he found it in the
most unassuming place – Small town America. With his tourism expertise and experience, Florian founded Herrmann Global to uplift the small communities like the ones he’d grown to love. Rooted in sustainable travel, Herrmann Global works to offset overtourism by promoting lesser-known destinations and well-known destinations during their off-seasons.

What clients in the tourism industry do you currently represent?

Through our travel inspiration brands, Visit USA Parks and Untraveled, Herrmann Global represents a growing global client-base of about 100 destinations. Among several others, we work closely with the Arizona Office of Tourism, Utah Office of Tourism,
Mesa Verde Country in Colorado, Fossil Basin in Southwestern Wyoming, and Park City, Utah.

What services do you provide for your clients?

As a focused digital marketing company, Herrmann Global provides top-of-the-line social listening research, authentic storytelling, and digital marketing services. We recently launched Herrmann Global Insights which adds an insightful edge to our storytelling capabilities. Using this consumer insight platform, our content creators craft stories that matter to consumers through visual and written mediums. We continually strategize the best methods to
get our content to the right people through social media advertising, search engine marketing, website optimization, and search engine optimization.

What are you communicating to your clients for this year in how best to adapt to the wake of and pivot to impact by the pandemic?

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Herrmann Global took to the drawing board to plan for clients’ recovery — no matter how far in the future recovery would be. Using social listening to keep
a finger on the pulse of travel recovery and consumer sentiment, Herrmann Global created campaigns to target travel dreamers, keeping the clients’ destinations top-of-mind among key consumers. Relying on data and leaning on digital media allows us to stay nimble and adapt to the changing news about the pandemic. Arguably most important, however, we built close, trusting relationships with our clients. Understanding that the pandemic is a challenge for everyone in the industry, we strive to
communicate clearly and frequently, empathize with clients’ challenges, and create—and adjust, when necessary—best strategies based on consumer data and clients’ current realities.

Feel free to add anything you think relevant that was not specifically asked for here.

We are thrilled to be partnering with TEN in 2021. We feel that our combined fields of expertise present an opportunity to service small to medium sized destinations that have previously only
been affordable by larger destinations. This collaborative approach is the future of the tourism industry and exactly what US DMO's need for an efficient and effective recovery of their tourism economies.

18/02/2021

This week we spotlight Augustine Agency - a marketing partner of Tourism Expert Network. Here's more about Augustine:

Where are you based and have additional offices?

Augustine Agency is based in the Greater Sacramento area with a sister office in the DFW metroplex and satellite offices in Reno and Las Vegas.

What is the background of Augustine Agency?

Augustine Agency was founded in 1996 in the Greater Sacramento area and is now one of the top fully-integrated marketing agencies known for their award-winning creative and unparalleled service.
Starting in the homebuilder industry 25 years ago, Augustine has morphed into a multi-vertical marketing agency, continuously offering a greater return on investment and driving higher brand performance through their suite of creative and digital tech-led marketing solutions. Augustine represents a diverse set of local and national clients including food, destination, homebuilder, and government verticals, among many more.
Currently, the agency has nearly 50 full-time employees specialized in consumer and category insights, brand development, creative strategy and design, public relations, media planning and buying, website design and development, social media and digital marketing.
Over the years, Augustine’s energetic mix of visionaries has helped hundreds of brands with their marketing. Some client highlights include selling more than 100,000 homes, increasing consumer package goods sales by 75% and putting dozens of destinations on the map.

What prompted Augustine to transition into the tourism and hospitality space?

After more than a decade in business in 2007-08, Augustine Agency had a lion’s share of homebuilders in Northern California and Northern Nevada that they represented. That time period also marked Augustine’s diversification into the travel/destination industries and beyond. If they could move people to make the biggest purchasing decision of their lifetimes (a home!), they were confident they could move people to action when trip planning.

What clients in the tourism industry do you currently represent?

Discover Torrance, Visit Conejo Valley, North Lake Tahoe, Downtown Napa, Visit Yolo, Visit Tuolumne County, Ukiah and Visit Bastrop.

What services do you provide for your clients?

Anything and everything! Augustine is known as the get it done agency, you need it, we’ll make it happen! Augustine is a full-spectrum agency specialized in consumer and category insights, brand development, creative strategy and design, public relations, media planning and buying, website design and development, social media and digital marketing which ensures consistency across all marketing efforts and allows clients to maximize their budgets.

What are you communicating to your clients for this year in how best to adapt to the wake of and pivot to impact by the pandemic?

As we continue to navigate the pandemic into 2021, we communicate to our clients a recommended phased approach that is flexible enough to pivot back-and-forth pending COVID-19 changes county, state and worldwide. These plans encompass all earned, owned and paid media channels, with each playing an important part within the various phases and using the best channels to reach target audiences. We’re in this together with our clients and we have hope for the future this year and beyond.

Feel free to add anything you think relevant that was not specifically asked for here.

Augustine Agency is typically listed year-after-year as one of the top Sacramento Area Advertising Agencies by the Sacramento Business Journal. Throughout the past 25 years, Augustine has won multiple honors including a Visit California Poppy Award, Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence (MAME) Awards, American Advertising Awards, BANN-ER Awards, a National Association of Home Builders Award, PRSA awards and many more.

27/01/2021

This week we spotlight Robert Kaufman - Founding Partner of Tourism Expert Network (TEN). Get to know Robert a little better:

What is your hometown?

Born in Brooklyn, NY and moved west (had no choice at 5 years old!) to the San Francisco Bay Area where I’ve lived ever since. Currently, residing in Marin County.

How did you get started in the travel industry?

After graduating college, I worked a dozen years as a freelance photojournalist traveling extensively and compiling a portfolio of credits, including national magazines such as Time, Newsweek, People, Forbes, Business Week, as well as worldwide syndication through a France-based photo agency. In 1987, I transitioned my career to publishing with the founding of Northern California’s first monthly golf publication, Golf Today. Having become firmly entrenched in the golf arena and strengthening my global network in the tourism arena, I partnered with Visit California to promote the state as a major golf destination. That opportunity laid the foundation for assisting other golf courses and destinations with their promotional efforts.

Favorite destination and why?

Having traveled to all 50 states and six continents (missing the obvious), this is never a fair question. Every destination amazes with its own unique qualities and experiences. But in an effort to play along, New Zealand rises to the top with a complete package of scenery, outdoor adventure, culture, culinary, the most welcoming people and, of course, world-class golf!

Road warrior story? (G rated please)

Back in my pioneer photographer days, I was sent on assignment to shoot aerial photos of an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the southern Texas coast. While buckled in next to the open door of a Coast Guard helicopter and shuffling the three cameras around my neck, one of them, lens and all, took a nose dive into the Gulf.

Goal place to travel to post Covid-19?

I’m visualizing Hawaii...beach, weather, calming trade winds, and yes, golf! As soon as it’s feasible, I’ll be on the morning flight to the islands for some decompression time

Pets?

Our rescue dog, Beany is a 7-year-old cairn terrier that magically appears at the drop of every food crumb and thrives on playtime the moment of my evening relaxation.

Previously undiscovered talent because of Covid-19?

Aside from realizing some new handyman skills (thanks YouTube), I “rediscovered” the art of doing nothing during extended idle times and being perfectly ok with that.

07/01/2021

Some great press for the Tourism Expert Network (TEN). An amazing group of travel industry professionals.

Ten veteran industry experts can help clients individually or in customized groups. Rolled out in a soft opening during the waning days of the third quarter of 2020, the Tourism Expert Network (TEN) is gradually making its/their presence known in the consultancy branch of the travel and tourism indu...

07/01/2021

Today we spotlight Rafael Villanueva - a Founding Partner of Tourism Expert Network (TEN). Here's a little about Rafael:

What is your hometown? I was born in Gomez Palacio, Durango Mexico – yeah, you’ve never heard of it. Our family moved to Las Vegas when I was very very young and continue to call Vegas home.

How did you get started in the travel industry? Officially I got started in 1998 when I started working for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Prior to that, I spent 15 years in advertising and public relations, doing work for banks, hotels and home builders. But you can actually say I started when I was in college in 1980 when I was selling Spring Break “College” Tours to Mazatlan, Mexico on campus. I did that for four spring breaks. Besides giving me a free trip, I was able to make some good spending and drinking money.

Favorite destination and why? I’ve been blessed to travel around the world several times. But one of my favorite destinations to visit is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The views, the people and the food, especially the Feijoada, oh the feijoada.

Road warrior story? (G rated please)
Many years ago, I traveled to Curitiba, Brazil to attend a trade show called ABAV. Me, a Las Vegas showgirl and my colleague arrived after two long flights but unfortunately our luggage didn’t. So, we went shopping and went two days without our luggage. After the trade show, they traveled home, and I traveled to Mexico. My flight was delayed out of Curitiba, arriving late and missing my connection in Sao Paulo. I had to stay the night in SP at a hotel where they locked the front door of the hotel once I entered. The next day my new flight included two additional connections to get me to Monterrey, Mexico. Of course, my luggage does not arrive, so I had to go shopping to get some clothes for my meetings the next day. My luggage arrived just in time for me to pick it up at the airport when I was to take my next flight to Leon Mexico where I had another event. Fortunately, my luggage made that flight, BUT, as I was waiting for our Elvis impersonator to arrive, he was performing at out event in Leon, his luggage did not. So, we spent that night looking for anything Elvis could wear for our lunch event the next day. Fortunately for us, Leon has some incredible and reasonably priced leather goods.

Goal place to travel to post Covid 19? Anywhere. But I would love to visit the amazing network of partners we have developed around the world.

Pets? We have a precious Pomeranian, and of course his name is ELVIS.

Previously undiscovered talent because of Covid 19? Not sure if it’s a talent, but patience. I’ve learned to have more patience and understanding, not only with others but especially with myself.

23/12/2020

Today we spotlight Mike Fullerton - Mike brings a wealth of Public Policy experience to the Tourism Expert Network. Here's a little bit about Mike:

What is your hometown?
I grew up in Stoneham, Massachusetts and Southington, CT.

How did you get started in the travel industry?
My second job was working at an amusement park in high school. My parents owned a hotel in Maine while I was in my twenties, so that was my first direct experience, assisting them in my free time. Before working for Brand USA, I worked on travel and tourism issues while at the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security.

Favorite destination and why?
It is so hard to pick a favorite, but I always enjoy going to London, Charleston, SC or Arizona.

Road warrior story? (G rated please)
I was able to take my picture at the door of 10 Downing Street after talking to the police that guard it---after a few pints. Never underestimate the power of a challenge coin.

Goal place to travel to post Covid 19?
Back to London and add a trip to the Cotswolds. Cartagena would be next.

Pets?
I have two French Bulldogs, Olive and Louie.

Previously undiscovered talent because of Covid 19?
I wouldn’t say I have any undiscovered talents, but I started playing (or attempting to) the guitar and have been working on my golf game.