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Group Tour Blog is a public forum for sharing and commenting on the latest news of interest to professional tour planners. It is one more reason why GroupTourMagazine.com is the #1 online resource for the successful group tour planner.


Monday, February 1, 2010

The February '10 issue of Spotlight is online



The February issue of Spotlight e-Magazine is proudly sponsored by
Nebraska Division of Tourism

Greetings from Group Tour Media.

Welcome to the February issue of Group Tour Spotlight e-magazine, which focuses on the Western region.

For this month's interview, I talked with Cynthia Billette, CTP, president of Columbia Crossroads, a receptive operator in Portland, Ore. People are still traveling and while they may be taking shorter trips, more tour operators are turning to Columbia Crossroads in a quest to save time and money.

Articles are organized into three categories: unique Western museums, unique Western festivals, and national parks. So you can discover more about museums devoted to glass, kites, and nutcrackers as well as Mardi Gras in Galveston, Texas, the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the Denver National Quilt Festival. Of the many national parks, we selected Zion, Crater Lake, and the Badlands.

Plus, you will find itineraries from Colorado, Washington, and Wyoming.

This month the survey question is about FAM trips.

Group Tour Spotlight e-magazine delivers informative articles, an interview with an industry leader, itineraries, and a video. If you click on one of the Subscribe Free links, you will receive a monthly reminder when the latest issue is published.

I appreciate receiving your feedback on Group Tour Spotlight and on the print editions of Group Tour Magazine and Student Group Tour. You can send me a note by commenting on this post. Thanks for reading and for helping us make Group Tour Media the place where great tours begin.

Happy touring,
David Hoekman
Managing Editor

P.S. In the next issue of Group Tour Spotlight e-magazine, look for information on the Northeastern region. It comes out in March.

Read Spotlight e-Magazine
or SUBSCRIBE FREE

Spotlight Interview


Receptive renaissance
Cynthia Billette, president of Columbia Crossroads Inc., based in Portland, Ore., notices an increase in receptive work and shorter tours

Spotlight Articles
    3 unique Washington museums:
  • Lighter than air
    A visit to the World Kite Museum is sure to set spirits soaring
  • Forged in fire
    It's all glass, all the time at a remarkable museum in Tacoma
  • Going nuts
    Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum explores the history, utility, art of one of mankind's oldest tools


  • Unique Festivals in the West:
  • King cake and beads
    Mardi Gras! Galveston is tamer than its New Orleans cousin - and just as much fun
  • Art of the ice
    Groups can discover the process of creating works of wonder during the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks
  • Piecing it together
    Denver sews up another quilt festival


  • National parks:
  • Otherworldly
    The primordial terrain of Badlands National Park captivates group visitors
  • Blue waters
    Crater Lake National Park preserves a national treasure
  • Utah, naturally
    Zion National Park showcases the region's natural topography - the way geology intended

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Spring '10 issue of Northeastern Group Tour Magazine is online!

Northeastern Group Tour Magazine Spring 2010
Read this issue online.

This month's features:
Wildlife connections
6 amazing butterfly experiences


Plus...
Second City? NOT!
Boston by the numbers
Tales of a city


Subscribe FREE to ensure every issue.
Be sure and visit the Web sites of our special E-magazine advertisers:
Lake View Hotel - page 43
Woodfield Shopping Center - page 80
Group Sales Box Office - page 129
Foundation For the National Archives - page 149
Coming up in Southeastern Group Tour Magazine Spring 2010
Venus and Mars on vacation Gender specific travel is an industry trend that's here to stay
It's a natural Arkansas welcomes groups with new attractions and old favorites
PLUS... win one of 4 TOUR PACKAGES for two in Arkansas!
Sweet Magnolias travel for Women
Dinner in Appalachia
Germany Auto tours & Oberammergau

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A Grand spring

Think spring! Even with a two-week January thaw in Michigan, it's seems like it's been winter forever. Much of America has seen an even worse winter---snow in Miami, crazy blizzards in Iowa, 7 feet of snow at Lake Tahoe, and inches and inches of rain in Los Angeles. Winter does eventually come to end, and when it does, we're able to enjoy the warm days, beautiful flowers, and sunny skies.


In Michigan, Mackinac Island comes to life in the spring. The charming, car-free island is known for its car-free living and elegant architecture. For 124 seasons, the Grand Hotel has been providing hospitality to island visitors.

Once spring arrives and the hotel opens, the Grand Hotel will begin to offer the Grand Luncheon Buffet to social reservations, in addition to other new packages and promotions. A Pure Michigan Package will be available on select dates throughout the season and will include free golf green fees in addition to a standard room, full breakfast and five-course dinner, and a half pound of Grand Hotel fudge.

For the first time, these packages are also offering free golf green fees: Mother’s Day Weekend (May 7-9), AAA Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31), Lilac Festival Package (June 11-20), Games & Gardens Week (August 29–September 3), Carleton Varney’s Antique Show & Design Fall Festival (September 10-12), Girlfriends Getaway Weekend (September 24-26), Murder Mystery Weekend (October 1-3), Somewhere in Time Weekend (October 15-17), and Ballroom Dancing Weekend (October 22-24). All of these weekends, the weather is sure to be better than it is now!


Reservations for 2010 are being taken at 1-800-33-GRAND or at www.grandhotel.com.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Value of cute

Despite its troubles, 2009 had one thing going for it---it was the Year of Cute. For the first time in years, I purchased one of those page-a-day calendars filled with cute animals and even more clever captions. Every day, I had a new puppy, kitten, or even hedgehog on my desk, ready to make me smile. And as every day went by, I fell more in love with cute. (Any of the co-workers here at Group Tour Media can tell you that).

Have you ever thought about designing a whole tour around cute? Perhaps this would work best for grandparents/grandchild tours or Red Hat groups. Some of the best places to look for cute things are local zoos.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (in North Florida) recently welcomed a baby bonobo, its first in 5.5 years. The baby joins the other newcomers, Twiga the girraffe and Harry the Jaguar. Cute videos are available at the zoo's Youtube channel:

The zoo will also bring back the popular seasonal attraction, Stingray Bay, in March 2010. You'd be surprised how cute an itty-bitty stingray can be.

Photo credit: Jacksonville Zoo/Marian Brickner

Friday, January 1, 2010

The January issue of Spotlight e-Magazine is available online

The January issue of Spotlight e-Magazine is proudly sponsored by
Gray Line of Alaska and Yukon

Hello from Group Tour Media.

Welcome to 2010 and the January issue of Group Tour Spotlight e-magazine. This first issue of the new year features Canada.

For the interview, I talked with Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of Gap Adventures, the Toronto-based group adventure tour operator. He's built a $120 million company, is committed to sustainable tours, and is introducing new product.

We grouped the articles in three major categories: Manitoba, Ontario, and Specialty Canada. Global flavors and world-class museums converge in Manitoba, while you can read about a new marketing initiative in South Western Ontario, Museum London, and the premier collection of Canadian art at the National Gallery of Canada. Specialty Canada includes the Nova Scotia Tattoo, information on Quebec City Tourism, and Tourisme Laval.

Don't forget to answer the survey question.

Group Tour Spotlight e-magazine provides informative articles, an interview with an industry leader, itineraries, and a video. If you click on one of the Subscribe Free links, you will receive a monthly reminder when the latest issue is published.

I appreciate receiving your feedback on Group Tour Spotlight and on the print editions of Group Tour Magazine and Student Group Tour. You can send me a note by clicking on the feedback link below. Thanks for reading and for helping us make Group Tour Media the place where great tours begin.

Happy touring and a happy and prosperous New Year,

David Hoekman
Managing Editor

P.S. In the next issue of Group Tour Spotlight e-magazine, coming out in February, look for information on the Western region.



New explorations
Bruce Poon Tip is CEO of Gap Adventures, a Toronto-based group adventure tour operator that recently added dozens of new destinations, a new trip style, and more activity options.


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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Winter 2010 issue of Western Group Tour Magazine is available online

Western Group Tour Magazine Winter 2010
  • #1 Group Travel magazine in the US
  • Regional issues dedicated to each state
  • More than 20 years of industry experience

This month's feature:
More fun less money
Plan exciting tours that don't break the bank
Plus...
6 satellite cities to savor the savings
On top of enchantment Northern New Mexico's timeless landscapes

Subscribe FREE to ensure every issue.
Read this issue online.

Be sure and visit the Web sites of our special E-magazine advertisers:
Midwest City CVB - page 48
Oklahoma City CVB - page 51

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Friday, December 18, 2009

The Winter issue of Student Group Tour is available online

Student Group Tour Magazine Winter 2010

  • #1 Student Group Travel magazine in the US
  • Regional Coverage
  • More than 20 years of industry experience
  • This month's feature: Digging up the past
    Hands-on digs and dinosaur remains raise prehistoric cultures to live
Subscribe FREE to ensure every issue.
Read this issue online.
Be sure and visit the Web sites of our special E-magazine advertisers:

NY Skyride - page 48
Valley Forge CVB - page 51
Battleship North Carolina - page 60
Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts - page 70
Myrtle Beach Area CVB - page 71

and remember to view the special video enhancement from the
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on page 62.
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