COMMON SENSE PREVAILS ON PASSPORTS
Travel industry leaders backed a move by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security on June 8 to temporarily allow U.S. citizens to fly back from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and other Western Hemisphere countries without a passport if they show valid photo identification and proof that a passport application has been submitted.  The new process will be in effect through September 30, 2007. Click here for full release.

MUCH ANTICIPATED "2007 OUTLOOK FOR TRAVEL & TOURISM" RELEASED
It's here! TIA's 2007 Outlook for Travel & Tourism has just been released. This report documents the presentations and discussion sessions of the 2006 Marketing Outlook Forum, providing a series of expert analyses of the biggest technology and marketing challenges facing the industry today. Topics covered include: demographics of the consumer; leisure travel; technology; international travel; niche markets; strategic business alliances; air travel; the hotel market; the attractions industry; packaged travel; cruise travel; restaurant industry; student travel; and the recreational vehicle market. This report is included in TIA’s 2007 Basic, Comprehensive and Premier Research Subscription Packages. Click here to purchase.

UPDATED ANALYSIS FOR 25 KEY TOURISM MARKETS AVAILABLE
TIA’s proprietary Market Share Indicator database (MSI) has just been updated with the most recent data profiling the economies and key tourism indicators of the top 25 international travel markets to the United States.  The MSI will help you analyze the United States’ share of these markets’ long-haul travel, the sizes of these countries’ outbound markets, and the relationship of these statistics to a number of economic and other travel factors.  Premier and International Subscribers can access the data by clicking here.

COMING THIS FALL: TIA’S MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM
With its global perspective, high-caliber presentations and discussions, and premier networking opportunities, the Marketing Outlook Forum is the most comprehensive travel industry conference of the year. This year’s conference will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina (October 22-25, 2007).   Start your engines at our opening evening event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and take “stock” of NASCAR’s marketing and sponsorship successes. Follow that with two full days of critical insight into the latest travel industry performance and market trends, forecasts, and marketing intelligence with high-level speakers including Geoff Ramsey (CEO, eMarketer) and Peter Yesawich (Chairman & CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell). But wait….there’s MORE. This year we’ve added an additional half-day of professional development seminars, brought to you by the renowned Walt Disney Parks & Resorts research team.  From start to finish, the 2007 Marketing Outlook Forum is not to be missed. Visit www.tia.org/marketingoutlook for more details. 

ONE WEEK LEFT FOR ODYSSEY AWARDS ENTRIES
Deadline for entries in TIA’s Odyssey Awards is only one week away, June 22. Presented in partnership with National Geographic Traveler magazine, this is the premier awards program recognizing the best in the travel and tourism industry; from marketing and advertising campaigns to public awareness programs and sustainable tourism. Click here for a list of categories and entry guidelines. Remember, if you're not in, you can't win. Winners will be recognized at a special awards banquet at Marketing Outlook Forum, October 22-25, 2007, Charlotte, NC.

SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR EXPLORATORY MISSIONS
Space is available on both of TIA’s upcoming exploratory trips but deadlines are approaching fast. The first is India, (September 18-21), the second most populous country in the world with outbound travel expected to grow sharply by 2010. The second is the Southeast Asia market including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (October 5-12). These exploratory missions will put you face to face with key players in the local travel industry and U.S. Embassy officials from each country. You will learn and evaluate their needs as well as your own. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your destination/product. Join us this fall and ensure your chance for a piece of the pie. To maximize the missions’ effectiveness space is limited to 15 participants so sign up today.