The organization offers educational programming to keep members on the cutting edge of the marketplace
Gary Schluter
Education and Advocacy top the list of priorities for the International Inbound Travel Association. The association provides the opportunity for industry leaders and experts to work together for long-term health and growth of international inbound travel to the United States. Through IITA, the international travel trade can access the most knowledgeable, professional and innovative inbound operators, travel suppliers and destination marketers here in the U.S.
With a concerted focus on education, IITA paves the way for industry improvement, best practices and innovative products and services for international visitors.
Our Inbound Insider Steps to Success education and training program is specifically geared to professionals on the travel industry’s supply side as a means of readying them to work more effectively with inbound operators and to be prepared to greet and care for international visitors. The program is presented throughout the country by ALON Marketing Group, the country’s leading training and inbound marketing firm. ALON has successfully helped destinations develop their B2B international inbound tourism strategies for 20-plus years. The six-step program emphasizes understanding sales cycles, developing diverse itineraries and collecting a library of promotional assets.
Steps to Success helps travel suppliers be better prepared to provide services for leisure and business travelers, groups and FITs and to customize itineraries based on destination, special interest and activities that are important to your clients.
Additionally, IITA’s annual Summit features the latest information and a slate of industry experts offering up their perspectives on today’s cutting edge ideas and concepts in travel and tourism. This insider knowledge offers a major advantage for international operators looking to include the U.S. market when they partner with an IITA member operator. Be sure to register for this year’s Summit, which will be held in beautiful St. Pete-Clearwater on February 2-5, 2020.
The culmination of these many educational opportunities available to IITA members results in better-prepared and connected partners for international operators. We’re making sure the U.S. travel industry is “international ready” for visitors from around the world.
IITA also actively educates U.S. policymakers in Washington D.C. about issues impacting international visitors like changes in National Park access, visa and entry processes and air travel regulations. Through committee work and public-private partnering in the travel industry, IITA members are not only educating themselves about governmental policies impacting their business, they are helping to shape those policies. We are steadfastly committed to being proactive in building the future of international inbound travel.
IITA has established working partnerships with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office and Commercial Service, the National Park Service, Brand USA, U.S. Travel Association and others.
We invite you to learn more about IITA and its membership benefits. IITA members stand ready to provide the best and broadest range of products and services, and the IITA brand offers international operators a stamp of reassurance as they seek out experiences for their clients traveling to the U.S.
Safe Travels,
Gary Schluter
Chairman
International Inbound Travel Association
