The National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) has announced their popular regional meetings called the NACTA Destinationals. One of the first is to be held in Charleston, SC at the Holiday Inn Historic District March 5-8, 2010.  Additional Destinationals will be held in Baltimore / Washington, DC area May 29-April 2nd, Vancouver, BC June 6-9, San Diego, CA August 20-23 and Kissimmee / Orlando , FL September 14-18, 2010.  The Destinationals are a combination of valuable training sessions with top suppliers and domestic familiarization tours of the city in which they are held. These events are specially designed to meet the unique needs of travel professionals, equipping them with valuable marketing advice and tools of the trade.  Participants in these multi-day events 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 and our Destinational program  debuted last year to rave reviews by all the travel agents and suppliers who participated. It is obvious we identified a need that had not recently been met… the opportunity to really explore domestic destinations right here in the USA and Canada!  Consequently, we have teamed up with local convention and visitors bureaus and have put together a fabulous program including  in depth tours of the city and surrounding areas, meals and attractions and even theater options on some itineraries… there is something for everyone. Best of all the NACTA Destinationals immediately follow some of the industry trade shows many agents are already attending like Cruise 360 June in Vancouver and THETRADESHOW in Orlando in September. Agents can stay and take advantage of our program once the other events are 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 these destinations 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 all of these cities are also highly requested so agents can gain first hand knowledge!” Koepf added.  With an early bird registration fee of just $100, which includes  most 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 Trafalgar Tours and The Group Tour Company to produce these events.

NACTA is the travel industry’s leading national trade association representing independent contractors, outside sales agents, cruise and tour oriented agents, group oriented travel professionals and traditional ARC-appointed host travel agencies that provide services and support to such professionals. Established in 1986, NACTA’s mission is to represent the interest of independent travel entrepreneurs and to promote professionalism and recognition for the professional independent agent. NACTA is an affiliate of ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents, the world’s largest travel trade association.