Alexandria, VA –The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. ASTA represents approximately 7,500 travel agencies and supplier travel companies employing over 90,000 people.
Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. 98 percent of travel agencies are small businesses and nearly 70% of those small business are female-owned. The travel agency industry’s predominantly small, woman-owned businesses are a driving force in the industry’s recovery
When: On Tuesday, June 20, from 10:00 am – 11:30 am ET, the Society will host a powerhouse discussion with travel industry executives who will outline the travel industry’s forecast, the challenges we face and the opportunities on the horizon.
Where: National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20045. Contact [email protected] to join us in-person. To join us virtually, REGISTER HERE.
What: The Society will kick off their annual lobbying day with a media event at the National Press Club. Travel agencies are an economic lifeline for the entire tourism ecosystem. Significant investment in advisor recruitment and training through the American Society of Travel Advisors will bolster the sales force required to meet increasing industry demand.
Last year, the Society was thrilled to announce that Norwegian Cruise Line committed a substantial investment to accelerate the trade association’s training and education programs for new-to-the-industry travel advisors—the largest single donation from a cruise line to bolster this type of effort. These programs are designed to grow the travel advisor workforce by providing the core knowledge required to meet the needs of today’s traveler, while simultaneously helping the industry secure a bright future for the travel advisor profession.
Who:
Zane Kerby, President & CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors. He’ll discuss the economic impact of travel advisors on the travel economy.
John Chernesky, Senior Vice President, North America Sales for Norwegian Cruise Line. He’ll touch on Norwegian’s support of the Society’s mission to train and recruit a new generation of travel advisor talent.
Keynote from Gloria Bohan, founder of Omega World Travel in Fredericksburg, VA, who transformed her one-person office into a travel agency with sales revenues in excess of $1 billion a year.
Powerhouse panel: What it takes to launch and operate a successful travel advisor business in America. Real stories from women who have done it themselves.
- — Denise Jackson, President & CEO, Balboa Travel Management, Moderator
- — Jackie Friedman, President, Nexion Travel Group; Board Chair, American Society of Travel Advisors
- — Keisha Adriano, CEO at Travelwise International
- — Tiffany Hines, CEO, Global Escapes
- — Melinda Fortunato, Luxury Travel Advisor & Owner of Best Travel LLC.
Topics We’ll Cover:
- — Significant increase in demand for travel. This industry is growing, and it needs a strong workforce to support it.
- — ASTA’s efforts toward recruiting the next generation of travel demand creators.
- — Testimonials from successful travel advisors who entered the industry from unique backgrounds.
- — The role of travel advisors in cruise line distribution. Why Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings felt compelled to address this industry challenge and make a substantial investment.
- — How Gloria Bohan started her billion-dollar career in travel by taking one of ASTA’s courses back in 1973. Her company, Omega World Travel, is ranked as the fourth-largest privately-owned travel agency in the United States by Business Travel News
- — The increase in use of professional fees and their impact on growing travel industry revenues.