International Destination Expo - ASTA€¦ · 3 International Destination Expo OFFICIAL IFORMATIO...

International Destination ExpoOVERVIEW AND BID DOCUMENT

2International Destination Expo

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

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Who is ASTA?

ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) is the world’s largest

and most powerful association of travel agents. Our members

include travel agencies, travel sellers and the companies whose

products they sell: cruise lines, tour companies, hotels, car

rental companies, destinations and technology companies.

ASTA is committed to the professional development of its

members through specialized education, extensive networking,

comprehensive industry information, exceptional conferences

and business tailored trade shows.

Membership:ASTA is the world’s largest travel agency trade association, members include the largest and smallest travel agencies, from Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and American Express to the home-based agent. Membership structure includes:

• 39 Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) - Comprised of the heads of the largest travel agency organizations i.e. consortia, franchise organizations, independent agencies, OTA’s, and TMC’s. To qualify, annual revenue must exceed $50,000,000

• 156 Premium Members (2,209 Managers and Employees) - Generally make over $20,000,000 a year

• 2,503 Core Members – Growing, qualified and hard-to-reach agencies with potential reach of 37,545

• 1,035 International Members - IATA-appointed in 140 countries

• $152 billion (63% of market) - Total ASTA agency travel sales including online agencies

• 1985 - When average ASTA agency was established

• ASTA agencies report that leisure products make up an average of 78 percent of total sales and corporate sales make up the remaining 22 percent of sales.

• Over 40% of agencies have a retail location with multiple employees. The second largest percentage is home-based agencies with multiple employees.



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Government Affairs:ASTA is the leading advocate for the travel industry, this department represents the rights of travel agents and the traveling public on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. Recent success stories include:

• Opposing legislation to impose new costs on agencies who use the services of independent contractors;

• Fighting proposed taxes on travel agent service fees in Virginia, Iowa and Massachusetts;

• Working to ensure that no additional airlines shift the cost and risk of credit card transactions onto travel agents; and

• Encouraging Congress to expand access to credit for travel agencies and other small businesses.

• Support for small businesses – ASTA has endorsed legislation to help small business travel agents to navigate the recession, including:

o The Home Office Deduction Simplification Act (H.R. 1509)

o The Small Business Formation and Job Creation Act (H.R. 1552)

o The Small Business Credit Card Act of 2009 (H.R. 3457)

Communications:ASTA works closely with each of the major US travel trade publications—Travel Weekly, Travel Agent, TravelPulse, TravelAgeWest, Recommend and Travel Market Report—to promote our association and its efforts. Readership for these publications follows respectively 48,172, 50,000, 70,000, 61,000 and 34,134.

• 123 reporters from 70 trade media publications - all ASTA press releases are sent

• 444 international reporters and a 375 travel bloggers – press releases are sent to depending on subject matter

• 30,000 subscribers – ASTA’s daily and weekly e-newsletter reach



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What is the International Destination Expo?Starting with Prague in 2006 ASTA launched a new conference the International Destination Expo. The conference was developed from intensive industry research confirming that active travel agents want both out-of-country training to receive specialist credentials and in-depth knowledge of specific countries — presented in a comprehensive business format.

The International Destination Expo will bring travel agents in from around the globe to train as host destination experts. The conference will include:

1. Intensive destination education—travel agents can become destination experts of the host destination at the conclusion of the conference

2. Business-oriented trade show with exhibition hall booths and one-on-one business appointments

3. First-hand travel agent experience through informative sightseeing and pre- and post-tours

The first IDE was held in Prague in March of 2006 and attracted over 1,200 participants from 40 countries. Since then, the IDE has been attracting over 1,000 agents and tour operators globally and has become the industry’s #1 event for destination training.

One-of-a-Kind Trade Show ExperienceThe IDE trade show features suppliers from the region, giving suppliers a chance to meet with agents without the expense of travel to the United States or the logistical challenges of a U.S. road show. The focused trade show allows the host destination to showcase its local and regional industry supplier partners to agent markets interested in developing partnerships and business opportunities.

The trade show features one-on-one, pre-scheduled business appointments ensuring that important connections are made between attendees and the exhibiting companies.

Destination ImmersionThe IDE features intensive training courses that focus on the hosting region, giving the agents the chance to receive in-depth training on your ideal location.

At each IDE, agents who take these destination focused courses receive a certificate of their training.

For example, the 2008 IDE in Lyon featured specific destination training on Lyon, the Rhone-Alps region, France and additional education on topics such as:

• Culinary

• Architecture

• Wine

• Rail Travel

• Niche Tours

• Regional



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In 2010, the IDE in Istanbul featured a Destination Specialization course on how to sell Turkey. ASTA created the course specifically timed to debut at the 2010 IDE event. Host IDE Destinations who do not have an existing Destination course available to travel agents can work with ASTA to create this training to take place during the IDE.

The destination specialization course can also be made available to agents worldwide after the IDE is over. This is an investment in education that will provide long term benefits for the Host Destination.

First-Hand Knowledge: The Destination and Surrounding RegionsThe IDE offers the host destination the opportunity to showcase to the travel agent attendees both half and full day tours so they can immerse themselves in seeing first-hand the charms and sites of the city and surrounding region.

Typically over 1,000 attendees take these tours and experience the unique and exciting attractions of the host venue.

Pre/Post ToursMaximum exposure can be gained for destinations participating with pre/post tours. Hundreds of agents take these tours to further their knowledge of the region. Participating companies can highlight their various tours and company services and allow the agents to experience their hospitality first-hand on one of their tours. Single Country and Multiple Country tours are welcome.

Current years open for bid are: 2015 and beyond.

2006......... Prague, Czech Republic

2007......... JeJu, Korea

2008......... Lyon, France

2009......... Sun City, South Africa

2010......... Istanbul, Turkey

2011.........San Juan, Puerto Rico

2012.........Lima, Peru

2013.........Dubai, UAE

2014.........Cancun, Mexico



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Past IDE Press ReleasesWith More Than 750 Participants, ASTA’s First IDE in Latin America Is Huge

Success According to All in Attendance

Alexandria, Va., March 6, 2012—“ASTA really put together an amazing experience” was a phrase echoed by those who attended ASTA’s seventh International Destination Expo (IDE), in Lima, Peru. The event brought together travel professionals from around the world for in-depth train-ing and education on the culture, unique tourist attractions and travel business of Lima and Peru. Through this one-of-a-kind event, travel agents returned home equipped with business tools, personal experiences and local connections that will enable them to grow their agencies.

“ASTA’s IDE provides travel agents access to and personal contact with a hand-picked set of local suppliers and global educators in an exclusive meeting environment. All of these programs are designed to do one thing: distinguish attendees from other agents that simply do not have the level of professionalism and product knowledge that they have,” said Tony Gonchar, ASTA CEO.

“There simply is no other industry event that brings together this caliber of destination training and networking,” said ASTA President and Chair Nina Meyer. “Thanks to the hard work of Prom Peru and APOTUR, IDE 2012 has been a tremendous success from groundbreaking education and sightseeing to evening events that showcase the style and passion of Peru.”

“We are much honored to have been the first country in South America to ever host the ASTA IDE, and to have had the opportunity to work hand in hand during the event, with the most important travel professionals from around the world, sharing what Peru has to offer, onsite,” said Peru’s Vice-Minister of Tourism Claudia Cornejo. “We believe that the success of the ASTA IDE 2012 is the direct result of the commitment and hard work of all entities involved in bringing this event to fruition. Thus, we would like to thank our partners ASTA, APOTUR, Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, LAN Airlines, and especially, all those travel agents, our main allies when it comes to spreading the world and selling our country.”

Thanks to a series of one-on-one appointments and more than 76 exhibiting companies, agents were able to make individual contacts with many of Peru’s most exclusive brands, most of which could not be made at any North American trade show.

“The IDE concept is wonderful–you cannot sell a destination from a picture, you have to experi-ence it!” said Lidia Slusarek of VIP Travel Service (Rochester, N.Y.)

“As a local tour operator in Peru, IDE in Lima has been such a great unique opportunity to meet potential buyers not only from the US but from other countries as well. I’m very sure IDE 2012 in Peru has helped local travel agents expand business and promise Peru unique attractions,” said Eliu Campos with Lima-based ECS Travel Peru.

Travel agent attendees who completed their Peru Destination Specialist curriculum will be listed



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on ASTA’s consumer website, TravelSense.org, and promoted to the more than 33,000 unique visitors who go to the site each month. Additionally, ASTA will work with attendees over the com-ing year to sustain the investment agents have made in their ongoing education and professional development.

Said Helen Gbala with the College of DuPage (Itasca, Ill.): “The 2012 IDE in Peru was beyond amazing- the venues, entertainment and, of course, the education was not only a surprise but a delight! I am so glad I went- and ASTA really put together an amazing experience.”

Travel agents also had the opportunity to experience for themselves the many offerings and attrac-tions of Lima and Peru through a series of sightseeing and pre- and post-tours. Tour participants had the chance to see Peru from an insider’s perspective, learning about new features that take clients beyond Machu Picchu and allow them to explore a Peru not often found in guidebooks.”

“Absence of information in an area prevents clients from being able to plan trips to different des-tinations. For example, few have heard of river cruises in Peru. As agents, we can go home and sell the destinations we learn about at IDE. We can tell the story of Peru to our clients,” said Brenda Caldwell, Brenda’s Travel (Durham, NC).

Throughout the course of the IDE, agents were treated three gala evening events, including the opening night at The Magic Water Park, where guests were treated to a visual interpretation of Peru’s history as told through more than 200 performers and artists.

Susana Romero, manager of Celebrity Cruises (Miami), said, “We are so excited to be here and there are so many opportunities in working with ASTA Presenting and working with the agents has been a magical experience. The room was full of energy and excitement. And the [opening] event was over the top.”

Friday night found delegates enjoying an exquisite Peruvian gourmet dinner at the 5th-century, pre-Colombian pyramid, the Huaca Pucllana, where guests were entertained by music from re-nowned composer and instrumentalist Manuel Miranda.

For more information about ASTA’s International Destination Expo, as well as photos, testimoni-

als and presentations, please go to ASTA.org.

ABOUT ASTAThe mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representa-tion, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growin and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

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ASTA’s IDE Hailed a Success by Attendees, Exhibitors

Alexandria, Va., May 10, 2010— ASTA, the world’s largest travel trade association, announced today the success of its recent International Destination Expo (IDE) in Istanbul, Turkey (April 19-22). All told, 120 supplier companies (141 booths), were on hand to meet one-on-one with more than 1,200 travel professionals from 18 countries, as they gathered to learn about the culture,



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attractions and travel business of Turkey and its neighboring countries.

“The International Destination Expo offers attendees a rare chance to learn about a country or region at a personal level, allowing them to come home with great insider tips to share with their clients,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “This year’s event was no different. The more than 1,200 people who came to Istanbul to attend the IDE were able to make life-long busi-ness connections that will benefit their companies and their clients for years to come.”

“It was a great pleasure to host the esteemed delegates from the International Destination Expo. Thanks to the enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of the ASTA team, we had a successful show,” said Levent Demirel, Deputy General Manager of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tour-ism. “Thank you ASTA for all of your support and help. We are glad that our relations with the USA, our friend and strategic ally, are ever increasing in every field, including tourism.”

While travel agent delegates came from as far away as Vietnam and Thailand, more than half of those in attendance hailed from the United States. Overall, 33 percent of delegates were first-time attendees, 78 percent were making their first trip to Turkey and 23 percent reported they had booked Turkey before.

Exhibiting companies, more than 90 percent of which were new to the event, included interna-tional tourist offices, hotel properties, travel and tour companies and travel technology firms. The trade show hosted suppliers representing the various regions of Turkey and unique areas such as Palestine, Romania and Kenya. In total, 17 countries were represented among the exhibitors.

This year’s International Destination Expo offered more than 1,200 delegates a chance to explore the wonders of Istanbul and Turkish culture. Tour participants saw, among other sites, the world famous Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace, while others learned about Turk-ish cuisine, Turkey’s myriad religious faiths and the art of belly dancing.

ASTA’s IDE is an annual gathering of travel industry professionals, seeking to immerse themselves in the culture, food and sightseeing of a unique destination, with the purpose of educating their clients about the region. To that end, 550 certifications were awarded during the event in such destination education courses as the Treasures of Southern Europe (Andorra, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Malta, Monaco and San Marino) and Turkey, the Cradle of Civilization, as well as niche programs on faith-based travel in and around the Middle East and Holy Land, Mediterranean cruising and culinary travel to Turkey.

Product seminars, which examined such topics as creating customized groups and FITs to Tur-key, developing the perfect custom Turkey itinerary, and understanding and selling Turkey, were attended by more than 450 travel agents. Supplier seminars, which touched upon the subjects of growing a business with ASTA, working with US travel agents, and finding and working with home-based and independent travel agents, were attended by 300 exhibitors, while 75 people at-tended the International Travel Agents Summit.

Prior to the event, ASTA’s Board of Directors, which held its meeting April 18-19 in conjunc-tion with IDE, was hosted at a lunch by the Foreign Economic Relations Board’s (DEIK) Turkish American Business Council (TAIK). The event, which was attended by numerous Turkish tourism interests, provided the chance for attendees to meet and discuss ways in which U.S. and Turk-



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ish travel entities might better work together for mutual benefit. Haluk Dincer, chairman of the DEIK’s Turkish American Business Council, welcomed the group which included Sharon Weiner, Consul-General of the United States in Istanbul, as an honored guest.

For more information about ASTA’s International Destination Expo, please go to ASTA.org.

ABOUT ASTAASTA’s (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work, invest and do business.

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Alexandria, Va., April 20, 2011- ASTA, the world’s largest travel trade association, announced to-day the success of another International Destination Expo(IDE), this one in San Juan, P.R. April 14-17. More than 700 travel professionals from around the world gathered for unique in-depth exposure to the culture, attractions and travel business of Puerto Rico itself and Puerto Rico as a gateway to the Caribbean.

“This year’s event in San Juan was exceptional, offering attendees top-notch education and net-working opportunities not available through standard industry learning. This masters level educa-tion, bringing together the most knowledgeable instructors with highly motivated agent-”students” - travel agents seeking deep knowledge of the Puerto Rico travel experience. The agents who attended went home with new insights into profit opportunities and an edge over their competi-tion,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “The International Destination Expo is so much more than just a conference. Attendees go home armed with first-hand accounts and insider knowledge to help them better market specific and important tourism markets. No other confer-ence brings agents into the field and offers immersion in local culture and training seminars that take them beyond the classroom into real-life experiences to share with their clients.”

“The PRTC is very proud of the ASTA convention taking place on the island. This event is of tremendous importance for our main objective, which is to promote the strengths and virtues of Puerto Rico as a truly unique destination,” said Mario Gonzalez La Fuente, executive director the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “This is a very special opportunity because we are sending a direct message to travel professionals so they can appreciate our people, culture, gastronomy, infrastructure and natural beauty.”

The IDE trade show hosted suppliers representing regions of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and included cruise lines, hotels and tour operators. The chance to interact with select suppliers continued via “speed dating,” when exhibitors presented their products to an intimate group of agents. This gave agents the opportunity to grow and enrich their business network outside the trade show floor. Every participating agent left this experience with personal contacts and follow-up information with local suppliers that they would not reach otherwise. These agents will then offer truly unique travel opportunities to their clients. Data collected at IDE’s shows that 96% of attendees use suppliers that they have met at the event.

“For the past 17 months we have worked hand in hand with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company



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to create an IDE filled with education, entertainment and options so our travel agents would have a successful convention. We are extremely proud and satisfied of the outcome of this event. We are confident that our travel partners who became certified in Puerto Rico are now better prepared to sell our destination to their clients,” said Daphne Barbeito, president of ASTA’s Puerto Rico chapter.

Specialization courses provided travel agent attendees with in-depth classroom training. The Gas-tronomical Wonders & Island Cuisine seminar was a hands-on “taste-on” experience, for example, where agents learned about and enjoyed the cuisine of Puerto Rico, courtesy of the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. Meanwhile, the standing-room only Discover Why Puerto Rico Does It Better, pro-vided a better understanding about the island’s history, gastronomy, music and heritage.

The learning continued beyond the classroom, offering delegates a chance to explore the wonders of Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands, through sightseeing and pre- and post-tours. Tour participants had the opportunity to see Puerto Rico from an insider’s perspective, learning about new features to promote to their clients, as well as the latest Caribbean cruise offerings. The diver-sity of Puerto Rico’s tourism experience was a pleasant surprise to many delegates and will provide new selling opportunities to clients who think they have seen it all.

At the end of each day, agents were treated to a series of special events showcasing various aspects of San Juan and Puerto Rico, including a virtual recreation of the El Yunque rainforest during the opening night’s general session where guests heard from industry leaders, including Tom Cates, COO Amadeus and Chris Austin Vice President, Global Leisure Sales of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Delegates were personally thanked and welcomed by the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis G. Fortuño; followed by a tropical beach night at Stars of Isla Verde at Municipality of Carolina; an exclusive ASTAPAC and Premium Member cocktail event; and an evening of fine dinner and dancing at the Cuartel de Ballaja in Old San Juan.

The event ended with a fine dinner and cultural entertainment produced by the [Peru], the site of the 2012 International Destination Expo. In 2010 the IDE was hosted by Istanbul, illustrating the global breadth of the IDE as a world-class and worldwide instrument for growing travel agency business opportunities.

For more information about ASTA’s International Destination Expo, please go to ASTA.org.

ABOUT ASTAThe mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representa-tion, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

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Puerto Rico to Host 2011 International Destination Expo

Alexandria, Va. April 30, 2010— ASTA is proud to announce that San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be the host of the sixth annual International Destination Expo (IDE), April 14-17, 2011. New next year will be ship inspections at the Port of San Juan. This is the first IDE to include ship inspections as part of its education offerings. Additionally, travel agents who sign up to attend will receive ASTA membership for only $125.



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Agents who sign up to attend IDE Puerto Rico who are not already ASTA members will receive discounted ASTA membership. For only $125 instead of the regular $277, these agents will not only benefit from the education found at ASTA’s International Destination Expos, but from the many benefits ASTA provides its members throughout the year.

“The International Destination Expo is the only industry event dedicated to destination training. Now, with the addition of ship inspections, it’s even more important for agents to take advantage of this opportunity to experience firsthand the exciting tourism attractions Puerto Rico has to of-fer,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “Attendees will have the chance to discover and sample both the old and new world. National, as well as regional, suppliers and travel agents will certainly return home with a better understanding of Puerto Rico and its tourism offerings, which will no doubt entice everyone to make arrangements to visit this premiere destination.”

“The Puerto Rico Tourism Co. is honored that Puerto Rico was chosen to be the host for ASTA’s International Destination Expo in 2011,” said Gabriel R. Emanuelli, director of sales & market-ing/North America for the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. “While many people may have been fortu-nate enough to visit Puerto Rico in the past, make no mistake there are numerous new develop-ments, starting with our newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art convention center in San Juan which will play home to the 2011 IDE.

“And, while our capital city provides visitors a true cosmopolitan experience with exciting night-life, entertainment, history, culture and shopping, our islands offer even more. Everybody in Puerto Rico is excited to host this event, and we look forward to this unique opportunity to show-case our Islands of Puerto Rico in 2011,” continued Emanuelli.

“The Caribbean Tourism Organization is delighted to welcome ASTA and its members to the first ever International Destination Expo to be held in one of our member-countries,” said Carib-bean Tourism Organization Secretary General & CEO Hugh Riley. “As the world’s most tourism dependent region, the Caribbean relies heavily upon the knowledge and expertise of travel profes-sionals to help guide visitors to a superb vacation experience. Now we’ll have an opportunity to share that experience with the delegates to ASTA’s IDE in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April 2011, while our members throughout the Caribbean get to interact with hundreds of the world’s leading travel professionals.”

The International Destination Expo will empower agents with the resources to sell Puerto Rico and the Caribbean as a lucrative destination. ASTA’s Puerto Rico and USVI chapter, together with the Puerto Rico Tourism Co., will be offering a “Travel Expert” destination certification along with pre- and post-tours in all regions of Puerto Rico. Additional pre- and post-tours will give delegates the opportunity to explore Caribbean islands beyond the shores of Puerto Rico.

For more information about the IDE, visit www.asta.org/events.

ABOUT ASTAThe mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representa-tion, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

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Trade show floor sells out for first time in four-year history

Alexandria, Va., March 31, 2009- ASTA, the world’s largest travel trade association, announced today the success of its recent International Destination Expo (IDE) in Sun City, South Africa (March 8-11), noting that for the first time in its four-year history the trade show floor sold-out. All told, 130 supplier companies (148 booths), were on hand to meet one-on-one with more than 1,000 travel professionals from 29 countries, as they gathered to learn about the culture, attrac-tions and travel business of South Africa and its neighboring countries.

Exhibiting companies, 97 percent of which were new to the event, included international tour-ist offices, hotel properties, travel and tour companies and transportation firms. The trade show hosted suppliers representing regions of South Africa and beyond and unique areas such as Istan-bul, Turkey, the home of IDE 2010. In total, 12 countries were represented among the exhibitors.

“IDE is a unique event that cannot be found elsewhere in the industry. It offers intense, destina-tion specific education that cannot be obtained through classroom education alone,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “The contacts agents made there will enrich their personal knowledge and understanding of the destination and allow them to better share the beauty of the country upon their return home. IDE is more important to travel agents than ever before because of the competitive and ever changing needs of the travel industry.”

The sold-out trade show was just one of many firsts to mark the annual event, not the least of which was the event’s debut on the African continent. This year’s International Destination Expo was also the first to offer attendees a chance to explore the various provinces through a series of two-day Provincial Packages. All told, 506 attendees took advantage of the opportunity to experi-ence the many culturally diverse regions of the country.

The IDE in Sun City was also the first time in which a local travel trade association held its annual meeting in conjunction with the event: the Association of South Africa Travel Agents (ASATA) hosted its annual conference for 2009 at Sun City. ASATA members, 150 in all, were able to join in meetings, evening functions and participate in the trade show, allowing travel agents from very different parts of the world to interact and network on issues of common ground.

“It was such a wonderful thought for us as the South African travel trade to know that 1,000 ASTA members were in South Africa to experience our spectacular country. We are delighted that the event was such a success and enjoyed the privilege that we had to meet our colleagues from the United States,” said Robyn Christie, CEO of the Association of South African Travel Agents. “Events such as this don’t happen every day, and we grabbed the opportunity to maximize it as best we could.

“We were very grateful to the ASTA members who participated in our panel discussions which were most informative, and I would recommend that future host countries do their best to involve their members as much as possible. On behalf of the ASATA Board of Directors and our members



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I take this opportunity to thank ASTA for coming to South Africa and wish them every success with the 2010 IDE in Turkey,” Christie added.

ASTA’s IDE is an annual gathering of travel industry professionals, seeking to immerse themselves in the culture, food and sightseeing of a unique destination, with the purpose of educating their clients about the region. To that end, 589 certifications were awarded during the event in such destination education courses as FUNDI (South African destination course), Botswana and Na-mibia, as well as niche programs on spa and wine travel.

The event also provided attendees the rare opportunity to network with smaller tourism entities from across South Africa thanks to an event hosted by the South African International Business Linkages (saibl) program and the Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP). The event provided South African companies the chance to meet one-one-one and showcase their packages to U.S. travel agents and tour operators during this invitation-only event.

For more information about ASTA’s International Destination Expo in Sun City, please go to ASTA.org.


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ASTA Announces Success at 3rd International Destination Expo

Lyon, France, April 15, 2008- ASTA, the world’s largest travel trade association, announced today the success of its third annual International Destination Expo (IDE) in Lyon, France April 12-16. For five days, nearly 1,000 travel professionals from 47 countries, gathered to learn about the cul-ture, attractions and travel business of the city often referred to as “the gateway to Europe.”

IDE-Lyon offered travel agents a unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with more than 110 supplier companies (totaling 136 booths) that exhibited at the Lyon Convention Center. Exhibit-ing supplier companies included international tourist offices, hotel properties, travel and tour com-panies and transportation firms.

“ASTA’s IDE is the only industry event dedicated to destination training,” said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. “Attendees have had the chance to experience for themselves the beauty of Lyon and the Rhone-Alps region and discover the nuances that set this region apart Meeting one on one with regional suppliers, travel agents now will return home empowered to sell this unique destination. I have no doubt this lovely city will soon be on everyone’s must-see list.”

ASTA’s IDE is an annual gathering of travel industry professionals, seeking to immerse themselves in the culture, food and sightseeing of a unique destination, with the purpose of educating their clients about the region. IDE provides destination-focused seminars and certifications, as well as opportunities for travel agents to build a business network with local suppliers. Delegates leave IDE having experienced all that a destination has to offer. All told attendees took advantage of more than 880 sightseeing experiences while in Lyon.



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The trade show hosted suppliers representing regions of France and unique areas such as Sun City, South Africa, the home of IDE 2009-27 countries in all, an increase of more than 25 percent from the previous year. With respect to the trade show, 91 percent of exhibitors were new to the event.

Among delegates, 62 percent hailed from North America, 14 percent from France with the re-maining 24 percent from countries as far away as Brazil, Fiji and beyond.

ABOUT ASTAASTA’s (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding

place to work, invest and do business.

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U.S. Travel Agents and Korean Suppliers Gather in Jeju for IDE-Asia

Alexandria, Va., April 03, 2007 - ASTA, the world’s largest and most influential travel trade as-sociation, announced today the success of its second annual International Destination Expo (IDE) in Jeju, Republic of Korea, March 25-29, jointly hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and Jeju Self-Governing Province. For five days, more than 1,300 travel professionals from 41 countries, including foreign dignitaries from 15 nations, gathered to learn about the culture, attractions and travel business of the island often referred to as “Korea’s Hawaii.”

IDE-Asia offered travel agents a unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with more than 125 sup-plier companies that exhibited at the ICC Jeju (convention center). Exhibiting supplier companies included international tourist offices, hotel properties, travel and tour companies and transporta-tion firms.

“Jeju is an absolutely wonderful destination, and the people of the island are very warm and welcoming,” said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. “The KTO and Jeju Self-Governing Province have been extremely instrumental in helping make IDE-Asia an event worth remembering and a destination travel agents will surely recommend to clients. Delegates left Jeju with a thorough knowledge of what the region has to offer, which I anticipate will have a positive impact on local tourism.”

ASTA’s IDE is an annual gathering of travel industry professionals, seeking to immerse themselves in the culture, food and sightseeing of a unique destination, with the purpose of educating their clients about the region. IDE provides destination-focused seminars and certifications, as well as opportunities for travel agents to build a business network with local suppliers. Delegates leave IDE having experienced all that a destination has to offer.

IDE-Asia offered delegates an innovative approach to destination training by featuring specialist programs representing 10 countries-Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thai-land, China, India and Myanmar. All told, 860 certificates verifying expertise in these countries will be awarded to agent delegates. These certifications will be published in various media outlets, including ASTA’s Dateline Weekly and SmartBrief newsletters. ASTA will also promote the value of a well-educated agent on its consumer Web site, TravelSense.org.



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The trade show hosted suppliers representing the regions of Korea and unique areas such as Lyon, France, the home of IDE 2008, while related seminars educated travel agents on new products and services.

On Sunday, March 25, 213 delegates experienced the delight of Jeju during four scheduled sight-seeing tours, including The Softer Side (Miniature Theme Park); the Korean Tea Ceremony; the Korean Traditional Five-Day Market; and Learn Korean Ceramics. On Wednesday, March 28, 340 people participated in tours, including full-day tours of Jeju’s Western Natural Wonders and Jeju Traditions.

The International Destination Expo was comprised of 1,348 delegates, 811 of which were non-Korean. Of those, 657 hailed from North America, while 154 came from across Asia, excluding Korea. More than 170 members of the press attended the event, including 30 Korea-based foreign reporters.

ABOUT ASTAASTA’s (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding

place to work, invest and do business.

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ASTA’s International Destination Expo Attracted Travel Professionals from

Around the World

Alexandria, Va., April 12, 2006 - The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is pleased to announce the first ever International Destination Expo (IDE) in Prague featured travel profession-als from more than 40 countries, who came to learn more about the tremendous culture, attrac-tions and travel business of the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Travel agents had the unique chance to meet one-on-one with 140 supplier companies that exhibited on the trade show floor of IDE. Supplier companies exhibiting included 44 domestic and international tourist offices, 31 hotel brand properties, 44 travel and tour companies, 10 transportation firms and media from over 47 publications.

“We were pleased to see that a variety of travel professionals came from all over the world to learn more about travel to Central Europe,” said Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. “With the enormous help of CzechTourism, we were able to put on a successful event that deepened attendees’ understanding of the Czech culture.”

The IDE offered a new approach to destination training by featuring ‘destination specialist pro-grams’ representing 13 countries. Educational seminars were conducted on the following coun-tries; the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania, Macedonia, Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro. All agents in at-tendance were presented with certificates verifying expertise. These certifications will be published in various outlets, such as ASTA’s newsletters Dateline and SmartBrief. ASTA will also promote the value of a well-educated agent on its consumer Web site, TravelSense.org.



IDE13-056 12/12

The trade show floor had suppliers representing 13 regions of the Czech Republic and unique ar-eas such as Korea, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Hun-gary, Egypt, Kenya, the United Kingdom, parts of Asia and more. Suppliers were able to display their products to agents in unique ways, while product seminars gave exhibitors the opportunity to educate travel agents on their new products and services.

Travel agents were able to experience the beauty of Prague and neighboring cities during the seven scheduled sightseeing tours. Six-hundred and fifty agents took advantage of touring opportunities such as the Panoramic Tour of Prague, the Shopping tour, Musical Prague and the Treasures of Lesser Town tours, which took place on Thursday, March 23. On Saturday, March 25 over 550 agents participated in full-day tours to Karlovy Vary, Kutna Hora and Liberec.

The travel agents represented more than 33 countries around the world. Other groups of agents came from Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic and Kenya, which makes the show a truly interna-tional event. The agents were experienced travel sellers and more than half were agency owners or managers.

The International Destination Expo was comprised of 1,226 delegates. IDE delegates also includ-ed 70 reporters from 47 different publications.


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