Travel Alliance Partners Welcomes New Tour Operators
Newton, Massachusetts - May 22, 2008 - Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) marks growth by welcoming 3 new tour operators to the company!
Travel Alliance Partners continues to grow by welcoming 3 new tour operators into the company bringing the total of participating partners to 33 premier tour operators of North America. This elite group includes current and past National Tour Association Presidents and board members, officers of the American Bus Association and the Student and Youth Tourism Association; an endorsement of TAP’s novel business model and philosophy of partnership and innovation. The newest additions to Travel Alliance Partners, LLC include Larry Larson of Ed-Ventures, David Burns of All American Tours and Bob Cline of U.S. Tours.
The additions were approved by the board and unanimously supported by TAP Founding Partners. TAP President, Serge Talbot said “We are delighted to be welcoming these three tour operators to the TAP organization. The growth of our company is exciting! In TAP we subscribe to the philosophy, that “a high tide raises all boats”, and we welcome these like-minded professionals on board. This marks a turning point in the industry and signals an era of collaboration that hasn’t previously existed in our industry. Buying and selling from each other, cross promotion, sharing ideas and best practices are the foundation of TAP. We strengthen our own companies by eliminating tour cancellations and creating buying efficiencies.”
The process of adding additional tour operators to TAP is stringent. Jim Palmeri, Managing Director oversees the application, screening and acceptance process. Palmeri explained “We want to be sure that our company grows in the right ways; to benefit all operators and ultimately the consumer. Each prospective partner must be recommended by a TAP founding partner; the application is reviewed and voted on by the entire founding membership. Our goal is to diversify regionally and through our tours to build the most compelling and dynamic product available.”
Bob Cline, TAP’s newest member states “I am delighted to be a part of this company. TAP’s innovation and professionalism set them apart from other travel groups and consortiums. “U.S. Tours looks forward to new opportunities as a TAP team member, we feel this association will help us increase both our sales and our bottom line.”
TAP will officially welcome the newest partners at their annual conference, TAP Dance held in Girdwood, Alaska an appropriate setting for pioneers of all kinds.
“Established in 2001, TAP is an LLC company for successful travel professionals who understand the value of collaboration and profitability. Travel Alliance Partners innovative business model is the first and only company of its kind that provides quality consumer experiences through exceptional partnerships based in respect, reciprocity and reward.”
TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS Announces new Appointments
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) adopts a “business to business” approach.
At the Annual Partner Meeting of Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) held at the Gaylord Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas, thirty (30) of TAP’s founding partners, representing the premier tour operators of North America met to plan for strategic success in 2008.
A significant difference in the TAP business model is the importance of creating new, non-traditional relationships within the travel industry. To accomplish this, the Executive Board of TAP determined it needed a more progressive, dynamic approach in its management style. In addition to hiring two new staff members, Kimberly Stever, Director of Marketing and Sue Arko, Director of Sales, TAP has named James J. Palmeri Managing Director of TAP. The title change form Executive Director is indicative to TAPs progression into a larger company with broad capabilities. “Our business goals are diverse; reaching out to growing market segments and audiences.” stated Palmeri. “TAP continues to demonstrate innovation and a spirit of entrepreneurialism that sets us apart in the travel industry”.
Under Palmeri’s management, TAP has grown substantially over the past two years, establishing a culture of partnership and profitability. Returning President Serge Talbot stated “upon assessing the future opportunities and initiatives within TAP, we determined it appropriate to change Jim Palmeri’s title from Executive Director to Managing Director to better reflect Jim’s scope of responsibility and TAP’s progression as a driving force in the travel industry.
Talbot continued “The activities and accomplishment of our company are significant; we are cementing dynamic partnerships and establishing a foundation of professionals that represent forward thinking in the industry. We anticipate great things from our management team and founders”
Established in 2001, TAP is an LLC company for successful travel professionals who understand the value of collaboration and profitability. Travel Alliance Partners innovative business model is the first and only company of its kind that provides quality consumer experiences through exceptional partnerships based in respect, reciprocity and reward.”
TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS Announces new Appointments
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) ended 2007 by establishing a strong foundation for growth in 2008.
At the Annual Partner Meeting of Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) held at the Gaylord Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas, thirty (30) of TAP’s founding partners, representing the premier tour operators of North America met to review the accomplishments of 2007 and to plan for strategic success in 2008. This elite group includes current and past National Tour Association board members and officers of the American Bus Association and the Student and Youth Tourism Association; an endorsement of TAP’s novel business model and philosophy of partnership and innovation .
First order of business was to name new Executive Officers.
TAP’s officers for 2008/2009 are:
Serge Talbot, Talbot Tours, San Jose, CA President
Kate Scopetti, Mid Atlantic Receptive, Arlington, VA Vice President of Marketing
Robert Buesing, East Coast Touring Co, Easton, PA Vice President of Cruise/ Special Projects
Clayton Whitehead, Sports Leisure Vacations, Sacramento, CA Vice President of Products
Richard Durgan, Durgan Travel, Stoneham, MA Vice President of Legal and Membership
Corey Marshall, Anderson Vacations, Calgary, AB Treasurer
David Lange, Tri-State Travel, Galena, IL Secretary
Fred Standeven, A.C.T. Tours, Waterloo, ON At-Large Director
Ann Thomas, Western Discovery, Reno, NV At-Large Director
Corey Marshall and Ann Thomas are new members of the Board of Directors.
Cory Marshall is President and CEO of Anderson Vacations located in Calgary, CA. Corey has been active in the Travel Industry Since 1994 and has served on the NTA Leadership Board Member NTA Board,
SKAL Calgary board member, Southern Alberta Industry of Technology (SAIT) Leadership Board and was the SAIT Leadership Board Chair in 2005 – 2006. Corey is known as a Specialist in strategic cooperative marketing programs/ organizational and business development in the Tourism Industry.
Ann Thomas is the owner/manager of Western Discovery, LLC in Reno, NV. Ann brings a diverse background to her
Company and a passion for the creative opportunities that this type of tour business brings. Ann also is very involved with the National Tour Association and served as the 2005 Chairman of the Board and CEO for that organization. She has also been involved with the Reno-Tahoe Territory Tourism organization and is the recipient of two Voluntourism Awards from the State of Nevada.
President Talbot stated “The activities and accomplishment of this conference are significant; we are cementing dynamic partnerships and establishing a foundation of professionals that represent forward thinking in the industry. Mr. Palmeri’s new title, Managing Director reflects our progressive business model as do the newest additions of Director of Marketing Kim Stever and Director of Sales Sue Arko to spearhead our sales and marketing initiatives.”
Also on the conference agenda were agreements with IHG and Costa Cruise Lines; two international industry giants joining TAP to reshape the industry and move market-share. Once again, TAP blazes new trails in the tourism industry, raising the bar to instill quality and profitability.
Established in 2001, TAP is an LLC company for successful travel professionals who understand the value of collaboration and profitability. Travel Alliance Partners innovative business model is the first and only company of its kind that provides quality consumer experiences through exceptional partnerships based in respect, reciprocity and reward.”
TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH IHG
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP), at its annual meeting held in December, proudly announces that it has reached an agreement to work with InterContinental Hotels Group, (IHG), the world’s largest hotel company by room count.
The IHG family of brands, which includes InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, becomes the “Preferred Hotel Partner of the Americas” with TAP. IHG’s seven hotel brands and commitment are in a unique position to serve the 30 TAP founding partners and their varied audiences.
The collaboration is a natural progression for TAP’s unique business model of forming meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations. TAP’s intent of this agreement is to work with a hotel organization in diverse areas of North America and to keep its brands in the forefront of the group travel market. This relationship with IHG will increase market share within the branded hotel market, while allowing partners to maintain relationships with independent destination properties.
“The agreement is geared towards moving market-share while providing exceptional service. IHG brands are household names trusted by consumers of all kinds” stated Serge Talbot, President of TAP and Talbot Tours “Having a global brand like IHG in our growing family enables us to negotiate savings that we can pass along to our customers; it gives us a competitive edge while delivering a quality product” he concluded.
TAP estimates booking $2 million in revenue for 2008 and even more in 2009. Carmen McCloud, key account director for IHG stated, “We are very excited about our agreement with TAP and look forward to future initiatives”. IHG is a premier sponsor at TAP Dance, Travel Alliance Partners annual partnership conference in June 2008, held in Girdwood, Alaska.
Established in 2001, TAP is an LLC company for successful travel professionals who understand the value of collaboration and profitability. Travel Alliance Partners innovative business model is the first and only company of its kind that provides quality consumer experiences through exceptional partnerships based in respect, reciprocity and reward.”
TAP APPOINTS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DIRECTOR OF SALES
The Board of Directors of Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP), welcomes two new professionals to the company. Kimberly Stever, Owner and President of eastwick marketing and Sue Arko, Owner and President of Free Spirit Vacations will join the TAP team of professionals on November 1, 2007.
"TAP is growing quickly and we recognize the need to bring expert talent to meet growing industry and consumer demand." stated James J. Palmeri, Executive Director of TAP. "Kim and Sue represent more than 40 years of success in the tourism industry and have the knowledge and experience to further enhance TAP's creative approach to the tour and travel marketplace by strengthening its already strong market position. Additionally, the pair will increase sales for all TAP key participants including the travel provider partners, affiliate partners, and the TAP tour operators."
Kimberly Stever, Director of Marketing brings consumer and industry expertise to TAP projects and partnerships. Stever is a tourism veteran whose experience includes work with DMO's and attractions across the United States. She was Director of regional sales and marketing for Busch Gardens Virginia overseeing motorcoach sales domestically and internationally, later becoming part of a select team that marketed all 9 of the Anheuser Busch Theme Parks. After forming her own company, eastwick marketing, she was appointed acting Director of Olympic Marketing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for client, WorldTravel Partners, a division of BCD Holdings. Stever has gone onto working with national consumer products, events and attractions that focus on consumer affinity and increased visitation. Kim is known as a talent to build brands and develop strategic plans for product development.
Sue Arko, a veteran of the recreation and tourism industry, knows the industry first-hand, having starting several of her own tour companies. In 1996, Sue started Arko and Associates, Inc, - a marketing company for tourism-based companies that provides each partner a customized tour or marketing program or tour designed to meet individual needs. Since 1996, Arko and Associates, Inc. has grown steadily based on the concept of relationship building and working towards mutually successful programs. Past and present clients include the Golden Nugget, the Arizona Office of Tourism, Apache Gold Resort, The Dobson Ranch Inn, and The Grand Hotel. A tour division of the company, Free Spirit Vacations, began in September of 1998. In addition to conducting tours, Sue is actively involved in producing and conducting special events that have been awarded one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association. Sue's signature events, Winter BreakR and Celebrate LifeR have become major tourism events. Sue is also a Certified Tour Professional.
"With this infusion of professionalism both within and outside of the travel industry, we are excited about the future of TAP", stated Serge Talbot, President. "Kim and Sue will have a positive impact on our consumer and industry image and relationships to insure a collaborative and profitable initiative that embodies the TAP business model"
"We are very proud of our success and excited about the future of TAP. As executive director, I anticipate unprecedented growth in our company. Our decision to hire Kim and Sue reflect our innovation and profitability in an industry that faces many challenges" said Jim Palmeri, Executive Director. "Kim and Sue will enable us to increase our reach within the industry and insure a high level of industry and consumer participation with a product that offers value.
The addition to the management team comes two year to the day from the company's first hire of an Executive Director. "TAP is growing in the right directions." said Kate Scopetti, V.P of Marketing for TAP and owner of Mid Atlantic Receptive Services. Kim is the second Olympic veteran of the staff and Sue's event and sales skills bring great depth to the company." Scopetti added.
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP), founded in 2001, operates in a unique structure that is innovative in the travel industry. TAP Partners, currently located from coast-to-coast and in Canada, actively support each other through the buy and sell of each other's products. Suppliers have a proprietary audience with TAP. TAP membership includes some of the most celebrated and prestigious tour operators in North America. Several TAP Partners are board members of American Bus Association and previous Chairs of the National Tour Association while some currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Association of America and other Industry organizations.
TAP Releases TravelMetrics® to domestic Destination Management Officers
Newton, Massachusetts, May 17, 2007 — Travel Alliance Partners, LLC announces the release of their TravelMetrics® revenue initiative to Destination Management Officers domiciled in the United States and Canada. This distribution marks the inauguration of this unique project within the domestic tourism industry in North America.
TravelMetrics® is a program that enables destination management officers the ability to gain a specific Return on Investment (ROI) metric from some of North America’s most respected and active tour operators. With several joint marketing projects being operated between DMOs and TAP, the distribution of the revenue and economic impact on tours operated to a particular DMO’s region is imperative.
TAP continues to consistently and diligently develop tour programs that are unique and adventurous for travelers. Each tour that was operated by a TAP tour operator partner was documented for tour days, room nights and revenue spent on Hotels, Attractions, Meals, Guides and other tour components and reported to TAP’s North American Offices. They were then compiled, sorted by region and evaluated for economic impact. “We were actually surprised by some of the economies of scale that we were able to achieve in this process.” Said Serge Talbot, President of TAP and operator of Talbot Tours, San Jose, CA. He continued, “we are so proud of each of our partners that sacrificed many hours to develop internal controls in order to complete this project. They truly proved that they are premier operators”
“Tracking has been a hot button in the travel industry for several years and TAP has actually completed the project effectively and efficiently with great participation by some of the most respected names in the business. I cannot be more proud of how my fellow TAP partners have risen to the occasion and showed our supplier partners that tracking CAN be done.” Said Bob Buesing, V.P. of Special Projects for TAP and owner of East Coast Touring Company, Easton, PA.
Currently, the tracking numbers, TravelMetrics®, are available to all Destination Management Officers who are participating in TAP’s “TAP Into Southern Treasures” and “TAP into Mid Atlantic Treasures” initiatives. Additional DMO’s may request the information for their regions by becoming involved in TAP initiatives or cooperative marketing programs.
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP), founded in 2001, and operates in a unique structure that is rather inventive to the travel industry. Each of the thirty one (31) Partners is an equal co-owner and is obligated to their fellow Partners to promote supplier products as well as support other industry projects. “Preferred Partner Suppliers” have a proprietary audience with TAP, but must be approved by at least a 50% majority of the Partners. TAP membership includes some of the most celebrated and prestigious tour operators in North America. Several TAP Partners are previous Chairs of the National Tour Association and several currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Association of America, American Bus Association, National Tour Association, SYTA, Gray Line International and other Industry organizations. TAP Partners, currently located from coast-to-coast and in Canada, actively support each other through the buy and sell of each other’s products.
For more information on TAP: www.travelalliancepartners.com or contact:
jpalmeri@travelalliancepartners.com
610-923-7477
Travel Alliance Partners ( TAP) Announces Success and High Praise for 2006 Guaranteed Departure Program.
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) announces the success of their inaugural Guaranteed Departure Program and Brochure which ran during calendar year 2006. TAP partners offered a total of 64 tours in their 2006 brochure and were the first to track each customer and each departure for census and profit data. Over $3.2 Million dollars worth of tours were sold during this promotion with over 2100 travelers. Data was collected during the first quarter of 2007.
Each of the 64 guaranteed tours were promoted via brochure and its website, www.guaranteeddepartures.com Each tour operated no matter how many persons were booked.
“It is a very innovative concept in the travel industry and it has seemed to catch on and be profitable” says San Jose, CA based tour operator Serge Talbot, President of TAP. Each of the 32 TAP partners offered tours that ranged from unique fishing trips in northern Canada to group departures on historic trains in the southwest. “We offered various destinations throughout the world and our partners responded by booking each other’s tours.” Said Kate Scopetti, VP – Marketing for TAP and owner of Mid Atlantic Receptive Services in Arlington, VA. “It has made a real impact in the industry. Our customers were happier that their trips were not going to be cancelled due to lack of participation and our travel industry suppliers were thrilled that they did not have to cancel important space at their venues.” Said Scopetti.
This project also marks the first time that a domestic travel organization has tracked the Return on Investment (ROI) on their trips. TAP will be sharing the results of these successful trips with their preferred partners at their conference, TAP DANCE, in June. “We need to share our success stories and numbers with our vendors so that they know which tour operators actually produce for their clients. Financially, this is a very important gauge for both tour operator and supplier.” Said Richard Durgan of Durgan Tours, Stoneham, MA and Vice President of Legal Affairs for TAP.
Early Indications are that the 2007 tour sales are also going very well. “Due to the early success of the 2006 brochure and website, we were able to increase the 2007 offerings to 92 departures. With the proper network of tour operators, bus companies, and travel agents working together, there is no telling where this program will go.” Said James J. Palmeri, Executive Director of TAP. The 2008 Brochure is being prepared and will be available in June.
Any organization interested in selling guaranteed departures may contact TAP at 610 923 7747. Selling of the Guaranteed Departure program is NOT limited to TAP members.
Travel Alliance Partners is a partnership of 32 premiere tour providers in the US and Canada representing over $ 280 million of tourism sales. TAP partners represent geographic and demographic regions in the United States and Canada. They promote tours worldwide and are committed to working together in a cooperative fashion to share best practices and to gain market-share. Now in their eighth year of partnership, they continue to do business with integrity and innovation.
Contact - Jim Palmeri at jpalmeri@travelalliancepartners.com.
Travel Alliance Partners Announce New Newsletter and is seeking success stories for the publication.
Newton, Massachusettes Friday, March 16, 2007 –Travel Alliance Partners, LLC would like to invite Destination Management Organizations to discover the benefits of participating in TAP’s exciting organization as a “Destination” Partner and to share their success stories for our new newsletter. You can be assured that the commitment you have with TAP is going to provide you exciting and profitable relationships in the tourism industry in the months and years to come.
Group travel can be a daunting and challenging venue – every bit as much as capturing the attention of travel operators to the most wonderful travel vistas throughout your part of the country. However, TAP operators have developed a business plan that rewards working together, taking a little less profit per passenger and increasing the number of passengers on their programs. They have found a way to work with tour suppliers as “Partners". They have found a business plan that is unique and aggressive, yet civil within the industry.
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC is in the process of gathering the final data from our 2006 efforts. We have already determined and quantified significant growth relative to the volume of business our TAP partners are bringing into those participating states. We are also finalizing measurements that provide information about the number of people on each tour, the hotels used and the total number of room nights per city, the restaurants that were patronized and their average cost. Everyone can definitely understand how valuable this information is and how it supports your continuing investment into TAP. All of the feedback and data we receive only further serves to secure your continuing investment in TAP.
Travel Alliance Partners, LLC is the only organization that promotes the participating regions they serve and gives them the actual Return on Investment (ROI) results of these efforts. It is what makes TAP unique and helps partners become more successful in the travel industry. If you have a success story that you would like to share with other TAP participants, please let us know about it so that it can be a part of our future TAP Newsletter that is going begin being published over the next month or so. You may forward these stories to our Executive Director, Jim Palmeri at jpalmeri@travelalliancepartners.com.
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