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A R O U N D T H E W O R L D
www.bepaidtotravel.com
November 2012
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Our newest Tour Director graduates from the 2012 program held onboard the NCL Star.
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WHAT'S NEW WITH OUR GRADUATES:
Ignacio Perez: "I wanted to let you know that I have just gotten hired by International Expeditions to lead the People-to-People tours into Cuba. I thank you for the referral that led to my getting this position and thanks for the exceptional training, which was the reason I was hired."
Anna Boulanger: "I decided I was not going to argue with success and so I did exactly what you suggested we do to obtain employment. After having my resume and cover letter reviewed by you I did as you advised. And..... it worked! I leave for Mesa, AR this Friday to work for a touring company there for the months of Dec, Jan, and Feb. Then, I am moving down to Georgia to work for a company there for the months of March, April,May and possibly June. All of the companies I will be working for are on your list that you gave us. By the way, the two companies I will be working for are very excited about my CITM certification from IGA and it played a big part in my getting work with them."
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As a reminder, your next International Tour Director Certification course with space available is being held 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. Read more:
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Carriers Face Passenger Compensation of £72m plus
Airlines are facing a flood of claims for compensation after a landmark legal ruling last week confirmed they will have to pay up to €600 each to passengers whose flights have been delayed.
Passengers are already entitled to compensation if a cancelled flight causes them to arrive more than three hours late. However, a coalition including BA, EasyJet and operator TUI argued that the regulations did not apply to flights that have been delayed rather than cancelled.
The European Court of Justice disagreed, and its decision leaves airlines facing an estimated £72m bill for claims that have been on hold while the case was heard - plus millions more for fresh claims dating back to 2005, when the law was introduced. read more here.....
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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 held this past October/November was, like all the previous ones, completely filled.
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Detailed Data for Canada-to-U.S. Travel
Last year saw a significant increase of Canadian visitors to the United States: up nearly 7 percent for overnight travel and up 15 percent for all travel. And those visitors spent a record-breaking US$24 billion during 2011.
 The U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism Industries has released detailed data for Canadian travel into the United States, including visitors' age and residence, along with their trips' length, purpose and activities. For each category, visitor volume is reported for nine U.S. regions and the 21 states that hosted a minimum number of visitors.
Here are a few interesting points:
- Seven of nine regions, and 19 of 21 states, had visitor increases in 2011.
- The top destination states were New York, Florida, Washington, Michigan, Nevada and California.
- Florida accounted for 16 percent of visitors, but 34 percent of visitor nights.
- Ontario is the leading province of origin, producing 43 percent of all visitors.
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For those of you who like great pictures, take a look at life in, and around, the Great Barrier Reef: Click Here
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Rights for Disabled Cruisers Change as New E.U. Laws Kick in
If your travel agent asks you a series of questions about your health and mobility when you're booking your next cruise, don't be surprised. They will only be complying with new E.U. regulations that come into play on December 18.
From that date onwards, agents and tour operators will be obliged to inform cruise lines of passengers' special needs at the time of booking. This includes whether the passenger needs a specially adapted cabin, assistance in an emergency evacuation, whether they will be bringing any medical equipment onboard or if they require a wheelchair or a mobility scooter.
If the information is not passed on, cruise passengers could be denied boarding. Cruise lines are also entitled to refuse to take a booking provided they inform the customer within five working days.
Click here for more....
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U.S. Travel Overseas Rises 7 Percent in 2012
Through the first eight months of 2012, U.S. travel to overseas markets included 20 million trips. Europe and the Caribbean attracted the most travelers, 7.9 million and 4.7 million, respectively, while the Middle East and Central America recorded the largest increases from last year, 14 percent and 12 percent. 
At 22.2 million, U.S. travel to other North American markets was higher than to overseas destinations. Mexico attracted 13.7 visitors and Canada drew 8.5 million visitors .
Here are the top five destinations from January to August 2012, with market share:
- Mexico, 32 percent
- Canada, 20 percent
- Europe, 19 percent
- Caribbean, 11 percent
- Asia, 7 percent
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The recently concluded World Travel Market held in the United Kingdom saw the revelation of three travel trends prevalent in the global tourism industry today. Focusing on emerging travel trends is one of the best ways to increase interest and conversions for any organization operating in the travel industry.
Use of Smart Phones and Smart Television
The increasing importance of smart devices is well documented by the media and experts all over the world. From the economical point of view, the sales of smart phones and smart televisions can also be viewed as a marker of how the global population is adapting to these new technologies.
This trend has also influenced the global travel industry. The natural evolution of people's interest in smart phones and smart televisions means that they have started using them for their travel needs as well. Such trend can be leveraged by travel industry organizations in a very effective manner.
A good example of how an organization can benefit from the popularity of smart devices is to use specifically designed smart television apps that will allow the users viewing a travel program to immediately book their trips. Thus, the influence of moving images can be used by an organization to form an emotional connection with its target audience.
Increasing Accessibility to Previously Restricted Locations of the World
Previously closed off regions of the world are increasingly becoming accessible to potential travelers. For instance, countries like North Korea, Myanmar, and Cuba have traditionally been off limits to travelers. However, with political landscapes changing in these countries, it is becoming easier for adventurous travelers to consider them more seriously.
In addition to this, improving international ties also contribute to this trend. A good example of this would be the American government easing the visa requirements and streamlining the entire process for its citizens to visit Cuba.
Similarly, North Korea, in 2010, opened up its borders to international visitors for more than just five days. Perhaps, the ideal example of changing travel trends of destinations becoming accessible is that of Myanmar. Improving diplomatic relations between the US and Myanmar have boosted tourism to such an extent that by 2016, Myanmar is expected to see a whopping 71 percent growth of its tourism industry.
Significance of Driving Industries Such As Nollywood in Nigeria
Travel trends are also being driven by other industries and the best example of this would be Nigeria's film industry, Nollywood.
The tremendous growth and development that Nollywood has gone through in the last few years has resulted in it becoming the second largest film industry in the world in terms of volume. Nollywood sees around 2,000 films released every year, which is only second to the Indian film industry.
Nollywood, according to many international travel experts, has a great potential in improving the tourism industry of Nigeria. The growth of the country's film industry has presented the African Diaspora in other parts of the world. For example, the fans of Nollywood are becoming more and more interested in traveling to Nigeria to see the film cities and shooting locations. Moreover, even the business world is sitting up and taking notice because of the economic opportunities that the growth of Nollywood offers.
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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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"Once the travel bug bites there is no know antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life."-Michael Palin
"Not all those who wander are lost." -J. R. R. Tolkien
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." -Ernest Hemingway
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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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