NTA and United Motorcoach Association in Strategic Alliance
KANSAS CITY, MO, November 6, 2007. The National Tour Association and the United Motorcoach Association have established a partnership to collaborate on their annual conventions. UMA will coordinate the Motorcoach Exhibit at the NTA Annual Convention, and the UMA Expo will feature the NTA Destination and Attractions Aisle.
Both NTA and UMA recognize each other's expertise and focus in the travel marketplace, and will support each other's members from those positions.
"The motorcoach is an important component in the tour operator product," said NTA Chairman and CEO Randy Julian of Julian Tours. "UMA's expertise will further enhance NTA operators' knowledge of new motorcoach product that will assist them in product development at the NTA Convention and beyond."
"We are pleased and excited to formalize our relationship with NTA," added UMA Chairman Brian Scott of Escot Bus Lines. "The membership make up of the two organizations are a natural fit bringing together the best of the touring and motorcoach industries. The future possibilities are endless as we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."
The UMA Motorcoach Expo 2008, which will take place Jan. 16-20 in San Francisco, California, will feature the NTA Destination and Attractions Aisle. NTA members will have the opportunity to attend the convention and promote their destination or attraction to UMA professional bus and motorcoach companies.
"NTA members represent the full gamut of destinations and packaged travel," noted UMA President and CEO Victor Parra. "We want NTA members' diverse product to be featured for our members at the UMA Expo to ensure UMA members are a part of the NTA tour operator product. This new partnership will profit not only members of NTA and UMA, but also the industry overall."
Additionally, the UMA Motorcoach Exhibit will debut at the 2008 NTA Convention, Nov. 15-19 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"This strategic alliance between two leading industry organizations opens doors to new business opportunities and synergies," said NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP. "Members of both NTA and UMA will benefit from this progressive move."
The National Tour Association has a global membership of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. Its membership includes 600 tour operator companies - group, independent, inbound and outbound - and the destinations and suppliers that partner with them. The association is committed to providing business results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative, caring environment in which to build relationships. For more information, please visit www.NTAonline.com.
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