The National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) has announced an exciting style of regional meetings called the NACTA Destinationals. One of the first is to be held at the Grand Hyatt New York City  June 7-8, 2009. The Destinational is a combination of valuable training sessions with top suppliers and domestic familiarization tours of New York City. This event is specially designed to meet the unique needs of travel professionals, equipping them with valuable marketing advice and tools of the trade. Participants in this two-day event will hear practical, step-by-step tips and insights on how to build a successful  travel business and have the opportunity to learn about the city they are immersed in.

“At NACTA we have always provided excellent seminars at sea and land fam programs focusing on international destinations but this year we identified a need that has not recently been met... the opportunity to really explore domestic destinations right here in the USA!  Consequently, we have teamed up with New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) and have put together a fabulous program including a ½ day tour of the city, breakfast at Planet Hollywood Times Square, dinner and tickets to the Broadway show “Chicago” and a reception for travel professionals at Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Best of all the NACTA Destinational immediately follows Cruise A Thon in New York City. Agents can stay and take advantage of our program once Cruise A Thon is over!” said Scott Koepf, Nacta President. “In today’s economy it’s imperative that travel agents find additional sources of revenue and a pre or post cruise stay in New York is definitely one way to increase revenue and offer clients a wonderful start or end to their cruise vacation. Of course,  land only packages to New York are also highly requested so agents can gain first hand knowledge!” Koepf added. With an early bird registration fee of just $100, which includes meals, evening social events and supplier seminars, agents will leave with a wealth of information and valuable marketing advice and tools of the trade.

NACTA  has partnered with  NYCVP to produce the event and tour of New York. Additional Destinationals are planned for Monterey, CA June 4-6, 2009 and New Orleans August 1-3, 2009. For more information and to register for any of the NACTA Destinationals visit www.nacta.com and click on events and education tab.  Space is limited so agents are encouraged to reserve their space soon. All home-based agency owners, staff travel agents, and outside agents are invited to attend.