MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM STRONG TO THE FINISH LINE
With more than 600 travel industry marketing and research leaders in attendance, TIA’s 2007 Marketing Outlook Forum,  held October 22 – 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina, was the most successful in the event’s 33 year history. The conference opened with a "night at the races" at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway where several attendees got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride along with a professional driver. Stimulating and information-packed presentations from dozens of research and marketing experts addressing all sectors of the industry, as well as relevant economic, consumer, and on-line trends,  inspired confidence about the upcoming year, despite challenges from a slower growth economy, major policy issues and an evolving traveler market.  Delegates left armed with new ideas and tools to help them succeed in 2008, along with great memories of the many social and networking activities offered courtesy of our many partners and sponsors. Thanks to all our delegates and to our North Carolina and Charlotte hosts for their contributions to a very successful event!  Click here for highlights.

FIRST-EVER SUMMIT OF CHINESE AND U.S. TOURISM OFFICIALS
For the first time in the history of both nations, 29 leading Chinese tourism officials met with more than three dozen U.S. state tourism directors during a day-long summit in Charlotte, NC, to explore ways for the two countries to increase cooperation on travel-related matters. During the summit, the selected representatives of travel industries from both countries expressed their ideas, interpreted the China-U.S. tourism exchanges and cooperation from professional point of views, and analyzed the two travel industries, especially the outbound travel markets. The summit ended with both parties signing the “Initiative on Establishment of China-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Framework in Tourism.” The initiative is the first major milestone for cooperation between the travel industries of China and the United States of America. Jointly signed by Dr. DU Jiang of the National Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China and Bruce Bommarito representing TIA, this initiative calls for a strengthened relationship, enhanced dialog and sharing of resources to advance travel and tourism in and to the two countries. It was signed in the presence of tourism directors of Chinese provinces and the U.S. state tourism directors on the event of a first-ever bilateral travel and tourism summit hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina (U.S.A.) on October 25, 2007. Click here for highlights of the Summit.

MODEST GROWTH IN TRAVEL PROJECTED FOR 2008
According to TIA’s highly anticipated annual forecast the U.S. travel industry is expected to post moderate gains in nearly all sectors again in 2008. Travel spending by domestic and international visitors in 2008 is forecast to increase more than 5 percent to $778.2 billion, up from projected full-year 2007 travel spending of $740 billion, which would be almost 6 percent greater than 2006. Domestic leisure trips are expected to continue an upward trend of modest growth in 2008, following a similar trend in 2007. A slight increase in travel for business is expected in 2008 which will offset a projected decline of close to 2 percent in business travel for 2007, compared with a year ago. International travel (including visitors from Canada and Mexico) to the United States is expected to rise close to four percent in 2008, following a projected five percent increase for 2007. However, the year-over-year data mask an 11 percent decline in overseas visitors to the U.S. from 2000 – 2007. Overseas travelers, primarily from Western Europe and Japan, represent the United States’ top inbound visitors and spend the most money. For details, click here. Members can access the full summary here.

As part of a new partnership with the U.S. Government, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has commissioned and donated a multi-media initiative for use in international arrivals areas at U.S. airports and other ports-of-entry, embassies and other venues. DiscoverAmerica.com, the Official Travel and Tourism Website of the United States, is hosting the Welcome: Portraits of America video which features film and still portraits showcasing the friendliness and diversity of the American people and beauty of the American landscape.  DiscoverAmerica.com, which is being developed under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will launch in March of 2008 and serve the five leading inbound markets – Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany and Japan.   Visit the temporary splash page on DiscoverAmerica.com today to learn more about its upcoming launch and to view Welcome: Portraits of America.

DISCOVER AMERICA WEEK BRAZIL GETS RECORD ATTENDANCE
The 7th Annual Discover America Week Brazil started successfully in São Paulo, Brazil on October 22, with a record attendance of 248 Brazilian travel trade and U.S. and Brazilian travel experts. The week-long USA-focused conference consisted of a series of events including Media Marketplace, Travel Writer Award Reception, Media Dinner & Discover America Educational Seminar. The seminar program featured audio-visual presentations by TIA members and partner organizations on U.S. destinations, and travel-related products and services, including: Las Vegas CVA, U.S. Commercial Service, Orlando Tourism Office & Theme Parks, Los Angeles CVB, Dollar Rent a Car, SeeAmerica Vacations Group and State of Texas. Media Marketplace saw two new U.S. representations in the Brazilian market : NYC & Company and State of Texas. Participants were very pleased with this year’s turn out.

TRAVELCOM COUNTDOWN
The opening of registration for TravelCom is just days away. Top 10 reasons for being in Chicago on April 8-10, 2008? When you attend TravelCom, you will: 1) Network with real innovators; 2) Find out how to most effectively use your marketing budget; 3) Get facts on the latest trends minus the hype; 4) Explore new web technology without a heavy sales job; and 5) Learn how technology can deliver results. Stay tuned to TIA's Newsline for reasons 6 to 10. Until then, bookmark www.tia.org/TravelCom to be sure to take advantage of the special registration rate of $995 being extended  to TIA members.

INTERNATIONAL POW WOW EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED
The early bird discounts for International Pow Wow 2008 registration have been extended until November 9 for exhibitors. If your organization attended International Pow Wow in 2007 you should have received your login codes which will allow you access to submit your registration online. You can update your contact and organization profile information, register delegates and submit payment - everything you need to do with the click of a few buttons. If your organization does not have login codes, please click here to submit the brief Login Request Form.  You will receive your login codes within 24 hours. For further information on International Pow Wow, click here.