FROM THE EDITOR
Bob Rouse Editor 101 Prosperous Place , Suite 350 Lexington , KY 40509 USA + 1.859.264.6548 bob . rouse @ ntastaff . com
THIS ISSUE is a keeper . I encourage you to read and keep every issue of Courier , of course , but July just seems especially noteworthy .
One reason is , well … two . NTA is conducting two conventions in 2017 — a result of our switch to fourth-quarter dates — and both host cities are featured this month . Gabe Webb put together an enticing look-ahead to St . Louis ( page 25 ), where we ’ ll convene for Travel Exchange in February . And we ’ ve turned the City Spotlight to San Antonio ( page 30 ), our rendezvous point for December 2017 .
NTA ’ s China program also comes together in this issue . Pat Henderson ’ s story on page 20 is a satisfying compilation of what the China Inbound Program has done for U . S . -based members in the past few years . It ’ s followed by Haybina Hao ’ s account ( and amazing photos ) of a trade mission that took 14 NTA tour operators to central China .
But wait … there ’ s more . Gabe ’ s interview with three NTA members ( page 14 ) gives you an idea of how two DMOs and a supplier have capitalized on the ever-growing number of Chinese visitors to the U . S . And these members aren ’ t in L . A . or Vegas . They ’ re from Virginia Beach , Oregon and upstate New York .
We cover other excellent North American destinations this month , too , from the Pacific Northwest ( page 39 ) to my neck of the woods : Kentucky , Tennessee and West Virginia ( page 34 ). On page 6 , Pam Inman gives her perspective on NTA ’ s dual focus on domestic and international markets . ( And I hate to be that guy who gives away the ending , but it turns out that NTA can walk and chew gum at the same time .)
You can chew on this , too : insights from our friends in Washington , D . C . ( pages 10 and 12 ), new ideas about social
Members of the Mightily team , responsible for NTA Online ’ s facelift , took a break from their Churchill Downs programs to read Courier ( or at least hold it for the camera ). Mightily hosted members of NTA ’ s communication team during Kentucky Derby week in Louisville . Clockwise from Rich Barber ( in front with the paisley tie ): Andrew Dewson , Michael Getz , Jessica Condro , McKenzie Onkst and Kelli Corney .
Got a snappy photo of your crew with Courier ? Then take one and send it to bob . rouse @ ntastaff . com .
media tools and apps ( page 16 ), and our monthly lineup of member updates and intros .
Don ’ t let me keep you any longer . Dive on into July . It ’ s a keeper , you know .
Read on ,
July Courier Destination Index
British Columbia 41
Florida 18
Germany 42
Ghana 54
Kentucky 36 , 38
India 45
Oregon 40 – 41 San Antonio 30 – 32
St . Louis 25 – 29
Switzerland 18 , 42 , 44
Tennessee 34
Vermont 18
Washington 39 , 41 West Virginia 37
Wyoming 19
On the cover : San Juan Cruises takes passengers out on the waters off the northwest coast of
Washington , where they can see pods of orca , Mount Baker and area landmarks such as Patos Island Lighthouse . Photo : San Juan Cruises
4 July 2016