| Washington,
DC � April 2006 � The Travel Industry Association (TIA)
is teaming up with National Geographic Traveler to present the 55th Annual
Odyssey Awards, the premier recognition program for the $645 billion U.S.
travel and tourism industry. This unprecedented move by TIA will expand
the scope of the Odyssey Awards, formerly an awards program that recognized
marketing and public service achievements by its member organizations,
to a global entity inviting participation from travel destinations and
companies from all over the world.
In addition to the global expansion, National Geographic Traveler has created two signature awards as part of the overall Odyssey Awards program, and will recognize all winners in the pages of its magazine. The two awards are part of the magazine�s sustainable tourism program entitled: �Travel to a Better World�. The first is a consumer award: the National Geographic Traveler Geotourism Award, the second, an industry award: the National Geographic Traveler Sustainable Tourism Messages in Advertising Award. �TIA has put the developing trend of sustainable travel at the forefront of the industry in the United States. We are very excited about bringing this program to a global level as well as giving recognition to the many efforts already in place to preserve the cultural authenticity and natural environment of many destinations,� said Dawn Drew, Vice President and Publisher of National Geographic Traveler and a long-time TIA board member and officer. �It is truly the future of our travel business.� In total, there are 9 categories of awards. The remaining awards are: Travel Advertising (domestic and international destinations), See America Marketing (domestic and international programs), Public and Community Service, Publicity and Promotion, and a new award, Partners in Tourism, recognizing the achievements and efforts of non-travel companies that have supported or increased tourism to or within the United States. Examples of non-travel industry organizations include gas companies, auto, retail, etc. Submissions for all entries are also welcome from advertising agencies for these types of organizations as well as travel companies and destinations. �TIA is thrilled about this opportunity to partner with National Geographic Traveler. We have worked with them many times in the past and they always add class and integrity to any event they are involved with,� remarked Roger Dow, TIA�s President and Chief Executive Officer. Dow continued, �The travel industry, as a whole, has moved well with the times and should be recognized for their efforts, be it advances in technology, environmental awareness or partnerships that bring value and resources to our industry.� The deadline for entry is June 2, 2006. All travel organizations, TIA members and official Visit USA Committees are encouraged to submit entries in the Odyssey Awards competition. For a complete list of rules and criteria, click here. Winning organizations will be honored by an audience of their peers at a banquet on Thursday, October 12, 2006, during TIA�s Marketing Outlook Forum at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton, FL. The winning entries, as well as the finalists in each category, will be displayed throughout the Forum and showcased on the TIA website. All winners will be recognized in the January issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. Editors Note: The definition for Geotourism is as follows: �geotourism (n): Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place�its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.� Travel
Industry Association of America (TIA)
National
Geographic Traveler is the world�s most widely read travel magazine. Published
eight times a year, Traveler is available by subscription (800-NGS-LINE)
and on newsstands in the United States ($4.95) and Canada ($6.95). Traveler�s
Web site is at www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler;
AOL Keyword: NatGeoTraveler.
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Small Business Hospitality Association (SBHA) |