Catching up with…Lisa Simon
For more than two decades Lisa Simon, CTP, has been involved in the association management field. Simon currently serves as the president of the National Tour Association.
So we ask Lisa…
1. Why/ How did you become involved in the travel/ tourism industry?
Believe it or not, I started my career in travel and tourism with the National Tour Association. I started with NTA shortly after graduating college, and although I’ve come and gone a couple of times from the management staff, I’ve worked with NTA for the better part of 20 years. In various roles with NTA, I’ve learned a great deal about the travel and tourism industry by planning education, marketing packaged travel and assisting the organization with strategic decisions based on industry trends and dynamics.
2. What advice would you give to a group travel organizer to recruit someone who has never experienced a group tour before?
First, I would note that tours are for anyone – throw out the stereotypes and help your clients see that tours and travel packages offer lots of activities, flexibility and the opportunity for fun and camaraderie while experiencing new things. I’ve been traveling on tours for 20 years and have seen how they’ve evolved, and frankly, I’ve become spoiled by them.
I don’t have to worry about any of the planning, figuring out transportation or the best routing, OR toting my luggage around from place to place. Everything is taken care of for you and that’s a luxury that I truly enjoy. Tour operators can customize trips to suit anyone’s tastes and style, while still offering the convenience and security customers want.
Probably the best advice for the group travel organizer is to focus on the experience – group tours provide an intimate experience – not only with the people you’re traveling with – but with the destination itself. You learn so much from the tour director and locals and experience things that you would never get to do on your own. Focus on those messages with your group members – using examples and testimonials from your previous travelers — and they’ll certainly want to give it a try.
For full article please click here
Courtesy of grouptravelblog.com
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