Our organization continues to offer unrivaled connectivity and programming as the industry weather the global pandemic
It is a challenging time for all of us in the travel industry. The coronavirus COVID-19 brought travel to an unprecedented halt across the world as governments took actions to stop, or at least slow, the spread of the infectious disease. All signs appear to indicate that a full industry recovery will be halting given the regulations that differ radically from country to country and even state to state. If there’s been any solace in this worldwide shutdown, it’s that we’re all in the same situation. We know we’re not alone at this difficult time, and that knowledge and feeling of belonging to a community gives us strength to power on at times like these.
When the coronavirus hit, we knew it would be devastating to travel. But we also knew that there would be a recovery for the travel industry. From the first reports of the virus, which came around IITA’s annual Summit (Feb 2020), our members were saying “Travel will recover – it always does.” “The travel industry is resilient.” And, “As with any disruptions we’ve experienced in the past, there will be pent up desire to get out and see the world.”
From even those early moments of the crisis, our members demonstrated their readiness to help our international partners with their USA travel plans and support the travel community. This resiliency was heartening, and it was yet another sign of how committed our members our to promoting American travel across the globe. International travelers may not come all at once, but they will come, and IITA members are ready to help our international booking partners with the best possible rates, programs and expertise that our members can offer.
IITA works to keep our community – inbound tour operators, destination marketers, hotels, attractions, restaurants, and transportation companies – connected, informed and prepared. They also look to the future to see how new technology and means of interconnectivity will accelerate changes in our community as well as the international travel industry as a whole.
Gary Schluter
Through their involvement in IITA, members have access to robust education programs and expert speakers on business continuity topics. Our Inbound Insider Steps to Success education program, powered by ALON Marketing Group, trains travel professionals and marketers across the country to develop their destinations and products to serve international markets. The program has been meet with universal acclaim, and we plan to host more events and outreach opportunities as soon as it is safe to do so.
In this edition of Inbound Insider, you’ll find profiles for IITA member inbound tour operators that serve various markets and types of travelers with an array of products from hotel bookings to full inclusive itineraries. In the following pages, you’ll find a directory of our supplier and destination members too. Page through these sections to find the partner(s) who meet your needs.
Collaboration and coordination are key. IITA has proven time and again that by working together, we can – and do – overcome challenges and achieve great things. The future will look different, and as we all adapt to this new normal, we will rebuild international travel and tourism together.
Gary Schluter
Chairman
International Inbound Travel Association