TravelMole interview: Hank Phillips, National Tour Association
TravelMole interview: Hank Phillips, president, National Tour Association The US tour operator outlook for 2004 is “fairly amazing,” says Hank Phillips, president of the National Tour Association. He told TravelMole: “Based on all the conversations I’ve had and some research we’ve done with tour operators, it’s fairly amazing. I don’t think I’ve talked to a single operator who is not expecting a real uptick in their business for 2004.” Mr Phillips thinks a major reason is that with economic declines and terrorism, some travelers have put off trips and the travel business is now experiencing some pent-up demand. One of his own goals this year is to increase the membership base of the NTA, which counts among its members nearly 4,000 tour companies, tour suppliers and destinations. He is also trying to broaden the base of the organization by adding student tour operators, among others. “They were the ones most hurt by 9-11 because the decision-makers are often parents and school administrators. But that’s potentially a very strong market,” he said. While the group’s emphasis will remain on tour operators, he is also trying to add companies that supply independent packages as well. “We’ve always had a strong contingency from Canada, but we’re also adding non-North American members. We have 40 of them, mainly from Europe,” he said. One member is from South Korea. In discussing continuing hot markets in the US for tour operators, he named New York City, California, New England, Florida and even Branson, Missouri, known for its country music. Europe, particularly such traditionally popular markets such as the UK and Germany, is also picking up in outbound traffic, he said. A possible hot market “when not if” the US decides to let travelers go there is Cuba. Said Mr Phillips: “We see Cuba as a major business opportunity.”
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