LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The National Tour Association, which specializes
in North American group and packaged travel, took steps to becoming
an international trade group.
The board of directors voted to drop the words "North American"
from the association's mission statement, which says NTA is
dedicated to "North American professionals" in the packaged travel
industry.
Hank Phillips, NTA executive director, said the deletion
"doesn't carry with it any policy implications, but the purpose is
to leave the door open for NTA to engage in non-North American
endeavors."
The board also instructed NTA staff to review association bylaws
to identify "elements that would serve as barriers" to membership
by international tour operators, said Phillips.
Current NTA bylaws require tour operator members to have at
least one office in North America and offer travel programs in
North America. Many members have expanded from their North American
base to sell outbound travel to international destinations and
offer inbound services to international operators.
"Even small companies are telling us that their travelers are
interested in international travel in more significant numbers than
they've ever encountered in the past," he said. "Tour operators
have to respond to consumer demand and, as their trade association,
we have to work with their needs."