 TIA PLEDGES TO LEAD DISCUSSION ON AIR TRAVEL REFORM
In the wake of the cancellation of over 1,000 flights, TIA called on the three remaining presidential candidates to issue detailed plans to improve the air travel process during their term in office and pledged to lead a broader discussion on the need for comprehensive reforms. Click here for the release.
- TIA’s Roger Dow Featured on CNN
Roger Dow, TIA President and CEO, was interviewed for the story "Foreign Tourists Bypass U.S.: Big Drop in Visitors" that aired March 20, 2008, on CNN. Click here to view the clip.
- TIA Expressed Concern About Communication of U.S.-Canada Border Crossing Requirements
The travel community expressed concern that new rules issued by the Department of Homeland Security regarding documents needed to cross the U.S.-Canada border are not accompanied by a credible plan to inform travelers of changing requirements. Click here to read the release.
 TRAVELCOM'08 ATTENDANCE TOPS 2007;
BRANSON CAPTIVATES
Thank you to everyone who participated in TravelCom'08 in Chicago, IL. TravelCom’08, combined with HSMAI’s Travel Internet Marketing Strategy Conference, attracted almost 800 registrants, exceeding last year’s attendance by more than 10 percent. We would also like to extend a special thanks to our 2008 Sponsors.
TravelCom'08 attendees learned about the industry’s latest developments from 45 speakers, including the Presidents and CEOs of the leading travel technology companies, visited with 40 companies in the Networking and Technology Pavilion, and applauded Innovator of the Year Award winners Travelocity and Kayak.com. Culminating the three days in Chicago, was a captivating appearance by the President and Founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways Sir Richard Branson, who shared his thoughts on the industry and innovation, after receiving TIA’s first ever Steve Fossett Innovation Award.
Click here to view photo highlights from the conference and make sure to save the date for TravelCom'09, March 31 - April 2, 2009, in Atlanta, GA.
MORE OF EVERYTHING AT THE 40th INTERNATIONAL POW WOW
 TIA's International Pow Wow is celebrating 40 years as the travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of Visit USA travel this May 31 - June 4, 2008. The greatest number of suppliers since 2002 and the greatest number of international buyers since 2001 have registered to attend in the exciting and surprising locale of Las Vegas, Nevada. Emerging inbound markets like China and India will also be well represented; for example, over 70 Chinese buyers and journalists are registered.
Booths are still available; however, organizations registering now will not receive pre-scheduled appointments. Online appointment scheduling came closed April 11. Click here for more information about the 40th annual International Pow Wow.
3RD ANNUAL TRAVEL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT SCHEDULED
 Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Travel Leadership Summit in Washington, DC on September 24 - 25, 2008. Walk the halls of Congress with hundreds of your travel industry colleagues from around the nation to educate federal policymakers about the important economic and diplomatic benefits of travel at the local, state and federal levels. This year, our general session will take place just blocks from the Capitol Building at The Washington Court Hotel (525 New Jersey Avenue, NW). Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen and unify the voice of the travel industry and harness the power of travel. Click here to learn more about the Travel Leadership Summit.
SAVE THE DATES FOR MISSIONS TO INDIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
 TIA is organizing two international missions in the fall of 2008: the India Trade Mission October 13 - 15 and the Southeast Asia Exploratory Mission October 27 - 31. On the India Trade Mission to Mumbai and New Delhi, you will come face-to-face with the top tour operators and travel agents to present and discuss your destination/product while learning about the increase in their outbound travel.
Meet with Southeast Asia’s top travel agents, airline representatives and journalists on the exploratory mission to Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. If you are participating in ITB Asia (Singapore - October 22 - 24, 2008), be sure to stay and continue your journey in this promising and emerging market. For more information, please contact Michael Martin.
CHINA: EMERGING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MARKETS REPORT AND
THE DISCOVER AMERICA PAVILION AT CITM
 Over the past decade, China's economy has grown faster than any other economy in the world and it has been predicted that by 2020, China will generate over 100 million outbound trips annually – more than triple its current output. The Emerging International Travel Markets, China report includes information about the economy, government, society, and travel industry in China, as well as ground-breaking original research from surveys of over 7,000 Chinese citizens, including long-haul travelers. Click here to learn more or order the report.
Have direct contact with this emerging inbound market by participating in the Discover America Pavilion at the China International Travel Mart 2008 (CITM) November 20 - 23 in Shanghai. The show attracts over 100,000 attendees and has two days open to the public and two days for trade only. Contact Sarah Dickson for details on the Discover America Pavilion at CITM 2008.
THE 2008 OUTLOOK FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM AVAILABLE
 The 2008 Outlook on Travel and Tourism report compiles the analyses of the challenges facing the travel and tourism industry provided at TIA's 33rd annual Marketing Outlook Forum, held in October of 2007. The report covers many topics including: the ideal vacation trip, leisure travel, business travel, search engine marketing, international travel, geotourism, the economic outlook, and much, much more. Click here to order the report and make plans to attend the 34th Marketing Outlook Forum, October 27-30 in Portland, Oregon.
TRAVEL PROMOTION NETWORKING EVENT IN ISRAEL
 On May 12, 2008, the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Israel will host the US Ambassador's Travel promotion networking event. The nineteenth largest source of visitors to the U.S., Israel is the top arrivals market for the Middle East. Industry leaders will attend this pre-International Pow Wow promotion to focus their attention on the U.S. travel market. The U.S. travel trade are invited to participate in person or via catalogues. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, please contact Skal International Israel at shimon@ofran.com or visit http://www.buyusa.gov/israel/en/travel_reception.html.
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Volume
8: Issue 7 - April 16, 2008 
