IITA Trains Industry on the Vital Role of the Travel Trade

IITA's Inbound Insider Steps to Success™ training program is making its way around the country educating suppliers and DMOs on the international travel industry and how to work effectively with inbound operators.

IITA members understand the crucial role inbound operators play in attracting visitors to the U.S. and that the travel trade remains highly effective in reaching a wider audience across multiple markets through various channels.

However, there are a lot of new faces in the international travel space who need education, training and support on how to build international visitation. IITA's Inbound Insider Steps to Success™ program, powered by Alon Tourism Solutions, provides just that. DMOs from New England to Kentucky to Galveston, Texas are providing the training to their tourism stakeholders to ensure their destinations are international ready. 

"IITA, in partnership with Alon Tourism Solutions, created this nationwide training program to help DMOs and tourism stakeholders fast-track to long-term, profitable relationships with international inbound operators," said Jennifer Ackerson, president of Alon Tourism Solutions. "Steps to Success offers DMOs the opportunity to engage with their tourism partners and help them understand the value of the international market and develop travel trade-ready products in order to capitalize on inbound travel's growth."

The program includes a series of workshops with each one getting deeper into the how to and practical exercises that lead to the destination's / supplier's readiness.

Those 'inbound insiders' who complete the program earn IITA's Stamp of Approval complete with a certificate of achievement for having sellable product ready for inbound operators to take to market. Inbound Insider Specialists are easily accessible to member inbound operators on IITA's website. (Note, members must log in to access the list.)

DMOs interested in bringing the Steps to Success™ program to their destinations should contact IITA at headquarters@inboundtravel.org.