The Texas Explorer
Weekly Travel & Tourism Industry Update
March 23, 2010
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Greetings!
Welcome to the new weekly edition of the Texas Explorer. In response to member feedback, we are working hard to provide a more timely and focused e-newsletter in 2010. We hope you find this new format valuable - but if you have suggestions for improvement, please let us know!
U.S. Travel Promotion Act
A victory for the travel and tourism industry, but there is still more work to be done

by David Teel, TTIA President/CEO
David Teel
The travel and tourism industry received a hard won and well deserved victory this month when President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act into law enacting the first ever nonprofit, nationally coordinated travel program. The bill is estimated to drive $4 billion in new consumer spending annually, provide $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year and create 40,000 U.S. jobs nationwide. With no cost to the American taxpayer, it is funded by a $10 visa waiver fee and matching private industry funds. This program will provide tremendous benefits for Texas helping us to promote our state internationally and attract new visitors.
 
Spring Break Brings Record Crowds to Texas Attractions
Business is booming for many Texas attractions this month, with spring break travelers arriving in record numbers.
Last week was Spring Break for the majority of Texas schools, and many of our member attractions reported they were seeing a record number of visitors. Could this be a sign of a recovering economy?
Read More...
 
TTC

TTIA's newest educational program kicks off this June in San Marcos at Texas State University
TTIA's Travel & Tourism College is a rigorous week-long educational program for travel industry professionals, and you have the chance to be a member of its inaugural class! The schedule is packed from start to finish with classes, discussion groups and networking events, and our instructors include both university professors and industry experts.
Find Out More...
 
Next Stop... Corpus Christi!
If you're not already registered for the Texas Travel Fair and/or the Cultural and Heritage Tourism seminar next month, there is still time to be included. Click on the links below for further details, or contact Jennifer Roush, Director of Events, at jenniferr@ttia.org for more info.

Texas Travel Fair
April 26-27 - Corpus Christi

Cultural and Heritage Tourism Seminar
April 26 - Corpus Christi
In This Issue
U.S. Travel Promotion Act
Spring Break Brings Record Crowds
Travel & Tourism College
Travel Fair in Corpus Christi Next Month
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Future Leaders

TTIA has created a new committee to actively engage our younger members - those in their 20s and 30s - the future of our association and our industry.  The Future Leaders Subcommittee will operate under the Membership Committee and will focus on recognizing and developing ways this important and growing segment of our membership can more actively participate.

Engage your younger co-workers and staff in TTIA!  Have them follow us online through Facebook, Twitter and TTIA.org.  Ask them to subscribe to our email updates and bring them to the next event. We want to grow our membership through our best resource - YOU!
Now Accepting
Scholarship Applications

TTIA will once again be offering multiple scholarships through the Texas Tourism Foundation Scholarship program. The scholarship is open to TTIA members and their immediate family members (children or spouse). Applications are due June 11th. Learn more about scholarships and get an application packet.