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A R O U N D T H E W O R L D
www.bepaidtotravel.com
October 2012
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Some of our newest Tour Director graduates from the September 2012 program in Denver.
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WHAT'S NEW WITH OUR GRADUATES:
Barbara Zarzosa:
"I want to thank everyone at IGA for how you have changed my life. After graduating the Tour Director course in Cuernavaca, Mexico I was offered not one, but two jobs! Here I am in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia leading a group of 42 pax throughout the Canadian Maritimes. Every day of every tour I remember and use what you taught me in the course. On my very first tour I had sick pax, missing luggage, late arrivals, and all sorts of situations. I can't imagine handling these issues with such aplomb if I hadn't taken the Tour Director course. You have trained me well and I thank you for it!"
 | | Barb Zarzosa on tour. |
Trish Oliveira,
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the IGA instructors for my in-depth classroom training. Less than 6 weeks after earning my International Tour Director certification, I was headed for my first tour to Cuba! IGA prepared me to be "tour ready" and, indeed, the solid 9-day training came to be extremely valuable while I was on my first tour (which lasted 15 days). I am extremely confident, especially after getting wonderful reviews from the participants on this tour and thanks to IGA, that I will be thriving in this exciting industry and new career. I am currently leading more tours in Cuba and living the dream."
 Trish in Cuba with one of her groups
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As a reminder, your next International Tour Director Certification course with space available is being held in Denver December 1 - 9, 2012 followed by class in Cuernavaca, Mexico
February 10 - 22, 2013.
 | | Tour Director students in Cuernavaca, Mexico |
If you have friends, family, acquaintances, etc. who would benefit from our programs, please let them know.
Details on all of our courses can be found at: www.bepaidtotravel.com/Classes.aspx
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JetBlue Launches Free Wi-Fi on their planes in 2013
The vast majority of airline passengers would like to be able to use wi-fi when they fly. The vast majority also would like to pay little or nothing whatsoever for using wi-fi when they fly. It looks like travelers will get just what they want aboard JetBlue, starting in early 2013 when the airline rolls out high-speed Internet service on aircraft - service that'll be free at least at the start.
Coverage of the airline industry is loaded with news of new fees and the occasional insulting outburst from a carrier's CEO. Airlines get away with this stuff because, thus far, there doesn't seem to be much downside to piling on fees: it's become standard practice, and the most fee-crazed carriers are the most profitable of late, as passengers keep coming back to the Spirit Airlines and Ryanairs out there. 
There are examples of airlines trying to set themselves apart from the pack by not charging fee upon fee - JetBlue and Southwest still allow at least one checked bag at no charge. But for the most part, we travel in an unbundled, fee-mad world, one in which we can increasingly expect to pay for services that used to be included at no extra charge, like sitting near your family on the plane.
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A White House report published this week offers a rare piece of good news for the beleaguered US economy, in the form of a sharp rise in the number of international tourists visiting the States.
The figures show that the first quarter of 2012 saw a 10% increase in visitor numbers over the same period in 2011, spelling cause for celebration for the 7.5 million Americans employed in the tourism sector.
The rise has been attributed to a directive made by President Obama to the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, ordering the agencies to streamline the application process for tourist visas both at home and in US embassies and consulates overseas.
Click here to read more...
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For the past 4 years, IGA has conducted an annual Tour Director certification program aboard an NCL Cruise Ship. The 2012 program being held this October/November is, like the previous ones, completely filled and currently underway.
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Bold move promises new opportunities for S.E. Asian tourism
With 12 million tourists visiting the region in 2011, four countries in South East Asia are set to establish a new single visa zone to encourage intraregional travel and attract 25 million international visitors between 2013 and 2015.
Government ministers from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar met last week at a conference in Ho Chi Minh to discuss the foundation of the unified zone - much like the Schengen scheme that allows tourists to travel between the nations of Europe on a single visa - that aims to streamline and simplify travel between the nations of South East Asia.
12 million international visitors traveled to the region in 2011, though relatively few visited more than one country during their stay. While a lack of adequate air transport, poor ground transport and a relatively undeveloped tourist industry may account for much of this lack of mobility, the cost and effort required to acquire visas for multiple countries played a significant role.
Click here for more...
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Progress Made on Inbound Tourism, Says White House Report
The federal government is making rapid strides toward expediting travel to the U.S. from overseas, according to a report released yesterday by the White House.
The Executive Order Progress Report tracked progress made since President Obama's Executive Order on travel and tourism was issued earlier this year.
"Positive trends are continuing as far as arrival numbers and spending," said Danielle Gray, deputy director of the National Economic Council, during a telephone press conference. "International visitors spent $13.7 billion in July alone, up 3% from last year; and the increase for the year so far is 9%."
Key progress points
According to the report:
* 88% of visa applicants worldwide are interviewed within three weeks of submitting their applications.
* A 40% increase in visa processing capacity has been achieved in Brazil and will be accomplished in China by December.
* Facilities and staffing for processing visas are being substantially increased.
* The Visa Waiver Program, which now allows visa-free travel from 36 countries, is being expanded.
* Also being expanded are the Custom and Border Protection's Global Entry Program and the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program - both of which allow travelers easier flow through airports and other entry points.
Click here for more....
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U.S. Travel Association Statement
The U.S. Travel Association applauded the White House for achieving several milestones mandated by the Executive Order.
"Today's progress report shows that important steps have been made in our collective efforts to welcome more international visitors and facilitate travel here in the U.S., but we know there is more to be done, such as passing legislation to expand visa-free travel to our shores," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
"Travel, which is outpacing all other economic sectors in job creation by 30% this year, plays a critical role in creating jobs and revenue for local communities and states nationwide."
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Russia tourism supports almost as many jobs as financial sector
The travel and tourism industry in Russia is bigger than the size of automotive manufacturing industry and directly supports almost as many jobs as the financial sector.
This is according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) sponsored by American Express and TUI AG, released today during a speech at the "Moscow International Travel Forum" in Russia by David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC.
Click here for more...
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It is always a great time to update your information with IGA. Send us an email with updated information on what you have accomplished, including where you led tours, what companies you have worked for, etc. This enables others to see what you have been doing.
SEND us a picture of you on tour with a group so we can add it to future Newsletters and our Website.
Having your accomplishments out there does not hurt you and might even help in landing that next assignment. Make sure you include that your certification was from the International Guide Academy. This gives reviewers of your social media items, your blogs, your bios, etc. a recognized reference as well as a place to contact for more information about you.
Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter at "bepaidtotravel". If you are on Twitter let us know and we will follow you.
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"If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears. -Cesare Pevace
"Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience." -Francis Bacon
"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sites; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of the living." -Miriam Beard
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Thank you for being a part of our Email family. We want the information we send to you about the Travel and Tourism Industry and about our certification programs to be meaningful to you. If at any time you wish not to continue to receive these emails, please just click on the unsubscribe link below. We hope (of course) that you remain on our growing list of those interested in this industry and we also welcome any suggestions you have.
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Daniel Slater - President
International Guide Academy, Inc.
8700 East Jefferson Avenue 370190 Denver, CO 80237 303.780.0131 |
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