The
session, which includes a Café con Leche—informal discussion and
networking—will bring together key tourism professionals and
feature Jorge Plasencia, chair of the National Council of La Raza, as
keynote speaker.
With
a growing population—and burgeoning buying power—U.S. Hispanics
are attracting the attention of the travel industry. One noted leader
in Hispanic tourism
is grateful for the attention and sees enormous opportunity with the
NTA-ASTA project.
“The Hispanic community
is thrilled to know that the tourism
industry is
looking at the potential and unique opportunities this market brings
to our industry,” said Olga Ramudo, who chairs the
NTA-ASTA Hispanic Business Development Task Force and has a
seat on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. “The two
largest national tourism organizations have made a historic alliance
to create value for their members by increasing travel and, at the
same time, creating jobs within our industry.”
The
Café con Leche is another example of NTA’s commitment
to market diversity, said Lisa Simon, the association’s
president. “We supply our members with the tools for success, and
that often means entering underdevelopedmarkets.
At Travel Exchange alone, we’re offering programs on faith, family,
adventure, culinary, student and greentravel,”
she said. “Based on sheer size, the Hispanic market will
be significant in shaping the future of travel and tourism.”
The
Hispanics in Travel Caucus is set for 3:15 p.m., Jan. 22, at
the Orange
County Convention
Center during Travel Exchange, the convention and trade
show for
NTA and the United Motorcoach Association. Travel professionals
ofHispanic origin—or those actively involved in developing
travel for the Hispanic market—are invited to attend.
