Group Tour Blog
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.
The February '10 issue of Spotlight is online
 The February issue of Spotlight e-Magazine is proudly sponsored by Nebraska Division of TourismGreetings 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-Magazineor SUBSCRIBE FREESpotlight Interview Receptive renaissanceCynthia Billette, president of Columbia Crossroads Inc., based in Portland, Ore., notices an increase in receptive work and shorter tours Spotlight Articles3 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
SUBSCRIBE FREE
The Spring '10 issue of Northeastern Group Tour Magazine is online!
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!
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
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 YukonHello 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 explorationsBruce 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.
SUBSCRIBE FREELabels: Canada, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, spotlight
The Winter 2010 issue of Western Group Tour Magazine is available online
 - #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 bankPlus... 6 satellite cities to savor the savingsOn top of enchantment Northern New Mexico's timeless landscapesSubscribe 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 48Oklahoma City CVB - page 51Labels: 2010, enchantment, group, money, tour, winter
The Winter issue of Student Group Tour is available online
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