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National Tour Association Travel Exchange 2023 to be Held in Shreveport-Bossier

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Visit Shreveport-Bossier

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August 10, 2023

Shreveport-Bossier, LA – The National Tour Associations Travel Exchange Conference for 2023 will be held in Shreveport, Louisiana. November 12 - 15, 2023, more than 500 NTA members and travel professionals from around the world have the opportunity to explore Shreveport-Bossier as a destination for business appointments, education, community-building experiences, and group touring capabilities.

“We are so excited that Shreveport-Bossier has been chosen as the host city for NTA’s Travel Exchange this year,” said Stacy Brown, Visit Shreveport-Bossier President, and CEO. “This conference will give us the opportunity to showcase who we are as a truly unique travel destination and give tour operators and travel industry professionals from across North America a chance to see that we have enough flavor, style and soul for two cities!”

Travel Exchange, or TREX ’23, allows tour operators and travel advisors to meet with representatives of destinations and tour suppliers as they seek to renew and develop itineraries for multiday tours. NTA members listen and learn during one-on-one appointments and in the show’s education sessions.

“The NTA community is very excited to be in Shreveport and Bossier City this fall. Our members are signing up incredibly fast—especially tour operators,” said Catherine Prather, NTA president. “While I know NTA members look forward to getting together to conduct business and reconnect with friends, I am certain they are also eager to experience the unique sights, tastes, and sounds of Shreveport-Bossier.”

Attendees of the Travel Exchange, which will include certified tour directors and travel guides, will have the opportunity to explore Shreveport-Bossier throughout the four-day conference. Visit Shreveport-Bossier will guide them through various sightseeing tours and evening events at local hot spots. The group tours, A Taste of Northwest Louisiana , East Bank District Pub Crawl & Art , Experience it All Downtown , and Wicked Shreveport , are already sold out. These tours will highlight the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport, Gators and Friends in Greenwood, multiple locations in Bossier City’s East Bank Arts District, and so much more.

“Bringing the National Tour Association’s Annual TREX conference to our community during November 12 – 15 creates an opportunity to showcase the region's attractions, history, food, and hospitality to hundreds of the top tour operators and industry leaders,” said David Bradley, Vice President of Business Development at Visit Shreveport-Bossier.

The National Tour Association (NTA) has a global membership of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. Its membership includes tour operator companies - group, independent, inbound and outbound - and the destinations and suppliers that partner with them. The association is committed to providing business results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative, caring environment in which to build relationships.

Visit Shreveport-Bossier is a metropolitan area of about 350,000 people. It is situated in northwest Louisiana about 15 minutes from the Texas border on the west and 30 minutes from the Arkansas border on the north. The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau works to increase visitation to the area creating a positive economic impact. For more information, visit www.Shreveport-Bossier.org . For a complete list of events, visit www.SBFunGuide.com .

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From November 12th, 2023

To november 15th, 2023, nta travel exchange 2023, event information.

The National Tour Association (NTA) is proud to present the NTA Travel Exchange.

Held at the Shreveport Convention Center, the NTA Travel Exchange is the perfect platform for companies to network and build relationships with industry professionals, academics, and other businesses. With a focus on travel, tourism, and hospitality, the event is a must-attend for those looking to stay ahead of the curve and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry.

The NTA Travel Exchange is the perfect opportunity to get your products and services in front of the right people. With a wide range of exhibitors, attendees, and speakers, the event is the perfect place to make connections, gain insights, and grow your business.

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Group Travel’s Crystal Ball

Which trends will shape the future of group travel in 2023— and beyond?

If the past few years of the travel landscape could be summed up in one word, we would likely agree on “unpredictable.” But for today’s tour operators, destinations, and travel leaders to succeed, they must understand current trends and traveler tendencies, and speculate what the future of group travel will hold in 2023 and beyond.

To help, we spoke with three leaders of national group travel associations to better understand what challenges and opportunities tour operators across their networks face today. They also shared what current trends may influence the group tour landscape this year.

5 Predictions

1. tour bookings will continue to climb.

Despite a tidal wave of challenges over the past several years, travel demand has bounced back from pandemic lows. The details are in the data: Results from a late summer member survey by the National Tour Association (NTA) found that tour operators’ packaged-travel clients are returning in droves. The same is true for customized travel bookings, which the association says its members are seeing grow at a remarkable rate. Two-thirds of tour operators reported bookings are meeting or exceeding expectations, with 33% claiming business as stronger than expected. International travel business sentiment was nearly identical, with 30% of operators reporting bookings that were stronger than expected.

Growth in bus tour bookings also grew immensely in 2021, according to the American Bus Association (ABA), and the organization anticipates continued demand for even more tours, particularly across youth and school groups, in the future.

“Our team at the American Bus Association kept hearing about this incredible demand for travel in 2022—and from everything we’ve seen, there really was,” says Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of the ABA. “Today, people are saying they’re just about at full capacity, whether it’s a bus tour, hotel, or restaurant. Everybody’s doing well right now. It’s a great thing to see.”

2. Tourism workforce shortages will rage on

It’s no secret that tour operators and destinations continue to face many staffing and service challenges due to the impact of COVID-19. To protect their clients’ experience and meet the ever-changing needs of travelers, tourism industry leaders urge tour operators to take a proactive approach to understand potential staff-, service-, and experience-related issues at their planned destinations and attractions.

“Staffing shortages among tour partners and destinations, including at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and entertainment venues, will continue to impact tour operators and their clients’ experiences,” says Catherine Prather, president of the NTA. “From fewer servers and lower-quality service to eliminated services like baggage claim and valet parking, tour operators must keep in mind the ever-evolving landscape of the service industry in the wake of COVID-19 disruption.”

Prather says proactive communication is key. She recommends tour operators call destinations well in advance to check they can adequately and efficiently accommodate their groups—and then pivot to adjust as needed based on both real and perceived challenges. In addition to destination and attraction staff, the bus industry is also reeling from the side effects of the post-COVID-19 workforce shortage. Driver shortages are a huge issue for an industry that’s experiencing a flood of bookings.

“I think one of the biggest trends that we saw in 2022, and even more so one of the biggest challenges, is certainly the driver shortage on the motorcoach side of the house,” Pantuso says. “If you don’t have a bus driver, the bus isn’t going anywhere.”

He describes the problem as a “pandemic of its own kind.” He also says it’s a trending challenge the entire industry must be aware of and account for.

“Operators on the tour side of the house have to be aware that this was a tough year, and it’s going to be even harder next year,”

Pantuso adds. “We’re going to see a lot more demand coming back for group travel in 2023, especially for student travel and certainly for adult travel as well.”

3. Flexible itineraries will become a standard

One major lesson from COVID-19 for both individual travelers and tour operators was learning to be flexible in the wake of unforeseen challenges. As such, tour operators today are increasingly adding more flexibility and free time into their itineraries so that they can accommodate travelers’ differing needs.

“Our tour operators are hearing a call for flexibility, choice, and individual experiences within group itineraries,” Prather says. “Examples of this could look like tour operators booking fewer group meals in restaurants, and instead, allowing clients to choose their own dining experiences. This could also look like providing unstructured time in the itinerary so their travelers can choose how to spend this free time.”

Many tour operators across the NTA network are developing itineraries with many alternatives versus a strict, single-track schedule. Itineraries across the board are more innovative and flexible than ever before—and are often broad and detailed rather than specific.

“A lot of this transition is to allow for changes that will undoubtedly arise before the tour even operates,” Prather adds. “It’s really just a symptom of everything that’s happening right now in terms of labor shortages and supply chain issues.”

4. Operators will book smaller tours

In addition to flexibility, many tour associations like the NTA and the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) are seeing more of their members booking smaller, more customized tours with more choices and individualized experiences built into the itinerary.

“Prior to COVID-19, we already saw the trend toward smaller groups—and we expect [that] to be the stronghold for our membership moving forward in 2023 and beyond,” says Terry Dale, president of the USTOA. “That doesn’t mean a traditional escorted or guided experience of a motorcoach with 48 or so seats will go by the wayside. But we are seeing that people are looking at smaller group trips that can be more individualized and catered.”

Prather says the NTA has anecdotally seen an increase in customized tour planning. Traditionally, scheduled tours have made up the bulk of tour operators’ business, where preplanned itineraries and catalog bookings were more commonplace.

“I really do think that COVID-influenced factors have played a part in this shift, including smaller groups, itineraries with alternatives, and individual experiences within a group itinerary,” Prather says. “Are tour operators still producing brochures and presenting scheduled departures to customers? Absolutely. But the continued shift in group traveler preferences for smaller, custom travel experiences will only continue to grow.”

5. Travelers will want more meaningful trips

Where, how, and even more importantly, why, groups travel is also changing. Groups and individuals are becoming more mindful of their impact on, and their experiences with, the local communities in which they travel.

“We’ve all seen examples over the last five to six years of over tourism, where communities are reacting in a negative way toward our industry because we have too many people and not enough resources to support the volume of travelers,” Dale says. “I think this will cause us to rethink and reimagine the kind of travel experiences we can create and offer to our customers.”

The USTOA strongly believes tour operators will (and must) play a key role in providing more authentic and meaningful travel experiences for individuals who want to travel with more purpose and intention.

“I think we will see a growing effort toward meaningful and purposeful travel and the ability for us in the tour operators space, and as an industry, to help get our economic impact to neighborhoods and communities who can most benefit [from] it,” Dale says. “So, whether that’s visiting a women’s cooperative making textiles, ceramics, and weavings in Jordan where the participants are largely the breadwinners for their families or supporting local community efforts and initiatives that help the greater good, I think we will see meaningful and purposeful travel continue to grow and expand in the near future.”

Tourism Cares , the NTA-founded nonprofit organization focused on positive social, environmental, and economic impact through group travel, is one specific effort helping tour operators plan local, community-centered experiences and stops in their itineraries. The nonprofit’s Meaningful Map of North America serves as a resource for tour operators to identify local businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises across the United States.

Operators can leverage the Meaningful Map to build custom itineraries encompassing more authentic and hands-on cultural experiences. It also helps drive local economies by encouraging purchases of products and services from eco-conscious, sustainable, and local businesses. NTA, USTOA, and many others in the industry also believe that incorporating more purpose-driven experiences in itineraries creates a competitive advantage by providing not only a unique experience but also a more positive one for travelers and local communities alike.

“Awareness is the first step in building a more authentic travel experience,” Prather says. “It requires working directly with destinations and DMOs—telling them exactly what you’re looking for and discovering those authentic experiences from the experts who know their destination best.”

Article by Erica Zazo

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2023 NCHA NATIONAL CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

FORT WORTH – Taking home the championship title in the $50,000 Amateur is Jan Dunham of Loomis California aboard Bohemiann Rhapsody.

Bohemiann Rhapsody is owned and shown by Dunham. In the $50,000 Amateur, Dunham showed Bohemiann Rhapsody to a score of 214. The pair will go home with an estimated $8,100.00, not including bonus incentives, along with the coveted title of $50,000 Amateur Champion.

In the $5,000 Novice, Sonny Martin of Steelville, Missouri, aboard BTR Stylish Rey ran away with the championship title.

BTR Stylish Rey is owned by Ronald Var Vera of Fredricktown, Missouri. In the $5,000 Novice, Martin showed BTR Stylish Rey to a score of 224. The pair will go home with an estimated $9,161.00, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $5,000 Novice Champion.

Winning the $35,000 Non-Pro is Claire Sterling of Parma, Idaho, aboard Hes A Hot Spots Cat.

Hes A Hot Spots Cat is owned and shown by Sterling. In the $35,000 Non-Pro, Sterling showed Hes A Hot Spots Cat to a score of 222. The pair will go home with an estimated $7,529.00, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $35,000 Non-Pro Champion.

Congratulations to Brittany Overstreet of Kenansville, Florida, aboard Kit Kat Sugar Daddy on their Unlimited Amateur championship at the 2024 NCHA National Circuit Championship.

Kit Kat Sugar Daddy is owned and shown by Overstreet. In the Unlimited Amateur, Overstreet showed Kit Kat Sugar Daddy to a score of 222. The pair will go home with an estimated $7,961.00, not including bonus incentives, along with the coveted title of Unlimited Amateur Champion.

Kolby Moore of Williston, Florida, aboard Smarrt Lil Pepto, took home the $25,000 Novice championship title at the 2023 NCHA National Circuit Championship.

Smarrt Lil Pepto is owned by Erica Walton of Fort McCoy, Florida. In the $25,000 Novice, Moore showed Smarrt Lil Pepto to a score of 223. The pair will go home with an estimated $8,100.00, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $25,000 Novice Champion.

Congratulations to Bryce Karl of Longview, Alberta, aboard Look Both Reys on their $2,000 Limited Rider championship at the 2023 NCHA National Circuit Championships.

Look Both Reys is owned by the Stampede Ranch. In the $2,000 Limit Rider, Karl showed Look Both Reys to a score of 219. The pair will go home with an estimated $8,211.00, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $2,000 Limited Rider Champion.

Dean Holden of Marietta, Oklahoma, aboard Walk Thru The Fire, took home the championship title in the $5,000 Novice Non-Pro.

Walk Thru The Fire is owned and shown by Dean Holden. In the $5,000 Novice Non-Pro, Holden showed Walk Thru The Fire to a score of 220. The pair will go home with an estimated $9,100.65, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $5,000 Novice Non-Pro Champion.

Coming all the way from La Spezia, Italy, Vittoria Antonini aboard Trendzetter showed up and showed out to take home the championship title in the $15,000 Amateur.

Trendzetter is owned by Silvia Viaggi. In the $15,000 Amateur, Antonini showed Trendzetter to a score of 223. The pair will go home with an estimated $8,284.00, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $15,000 Amateur Champion.

A special congratulations to Kate Gaughan Banuelos of Las Vegas, Nevada, aboard Queso Cat and Gavin Mesalam of Weatherford, Texas, aboard Take It Eazee on their championship at the 2023 NCHA National Circuit Championships.

In the $25,000 Novice Non-Pro, both showed to a spectacular score of 223. Each pair will go home with an estimated $7,824.00, not including bonus incentives, and the coveted title of $25,000 Novice Non-Pro Champion.

Taking home the title in the Junior Youth is Isabella Banuelos of Las Vegas, Nevada, aboard Queso Cat.

Queso Cat is owned by Kate Gaughan Banuelos of Las Vegas, Nevada. In the finals, Banuelos showed Queso Cat to a score of 216.5. The pair will take home an estimated $1,282.50 and the coveted title of Junior Youth champion at the 2023 NCHA National Circuit Championships.

In the Senior Youth, Preslie Green of Perrin, Texas, aboard Taliate, secured the championship title.

Green is the owner and operator of Taliate. The pair scored a 222 in both the first round and the final round to earn an estimated $1,406.00, along with the coveted title of Senior Youth champion at the 2023 National Circuit Championships.

The Open champion crowned at the inaugural 2023 National Circuit Championships is none other than Monty Buntin of Lincoln, California, aboard Dual Cat Pepto.

Dual Cat Pepto is owned by the Stryker Family Trust of Loomis, California. Buntin showed Dual Cat Pepto to a score of 221 in the finals. The pair will go home with $9,300.00 and the coveted title of Open champion at the 2023 NCHA National Circuit Championships.

Taking home the championship title in the Non-Pro is William (Monty) Nix of Blackville, South Carolina, aboard Reyl Metallic Rebel.

Reyl Metallic Rebel is owned by Madeline Nix of Blackville, South Carolina. Nix showed Reyl Metallic Rebel to a score of 221 in the final round. The pair will go home with an estimated $8,211.00, along with the coveted title of Non-Pro champion at the 2023 NCHA National Circuit Championships.

The National Circuit Championships would not be possible without the National Cutting Horse Association’s continued partnership with the following: Norris Cattle Company, Adams Tack, Kubota, PK Cutters, and Texas CHA.

Running concurrently with the NRR Cat King Cole Super Stakes, the 2023 National Circuit Championship made its debut in the Watt Arena from April 3 - 14, 2024. This event highlighted the local champions and reserve champions, plus the top ten in the 2023 year-end standings from 14 different circuits. Those who competed in Fort Worth entered the showpen with a clean slate and took part in a single go-round followed by a working final. 

To learn more about the National Cutting Horse Association, including upcoming events, please visit nchacutting.com.

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For Travelers

Tour operators occupy a vital role in the travel industry and allow travelers to let someone else get on with the business of organizing accommodations, meals, sightseeing and transportation, while they get on with the pleasure of traveling. Travel packages allow for a customized travel experience based on budget or preferences and NTA helps connect travelers with the best tour operators in the industry.

To find a tour operator who suits your destination and needs, use our “Find a Tour Operator” application. Here, you can find NTA tour operators to arrange packaged travel for individuals or groups.

Why Look For the NTA Logo?

Travelers want to enjoy the camaraderie of travel, to enjoy meals and accommodations that meet their needs and expectations. They want to go home with fond memories and the satisfaction of knowing that all of this was achieved at a reasonable cost. That’s value.

NTA tour operators succeed because repeat customers have come to trust their commitment to value. NTA members provide value through buying power, ease of planning and high-quality, professional services.

Security and safety are not just travelers’ top priorities — they’re our members’ top priorities too.

We know this because not just anyone can achieve NTA membership. Members businesses must have a senior management employee with at least three years of experience in the packaged travel industry and must maintain a current certificate of insurance with NTA that demonstrates at least $1 million USD in general liability insurance.

NTA members are subject to a peer review process where the entire membership is notified of their intent to join. The Board of Directors votes on their acceptance.

Convenience

Today’s active lifestyles demand that convenience is no longer a bonus service; for many people, it’s a necessity.

Whether you’re embarking on a one-day jaunt or a cross-country odyssey, traveling with an NTA tour operator makes the journey easier. NTA members’ commitment to value and quality takes care of every detail. They arrange accommodations, plan meals, chart routes, provide transportation, take care of tipping and baggage handling, offer knowledgeable guides and select interesting stops.

All travelers need to do is turn up on time — what could be more convenient?

The world’s your oyster: When it comes to travel, there are thousands of exciting destinations and attractions awaiting discovery. The selection is mind-boggling and only limited by the knowledge of what exists.

NTA members can open travelers’ minds to what is possible. In order to provide experiences that last a lifetime to their customers, NTA operators constantly search for different destinations, unique experiences and new ways to fulfill travel dreams.

Helpful Websites

Below are links to some helpful resources that may assist you in your travel planning. Remember to always check to see if your travel agent or tour company is a member of a professional association such as NTA.

• Federal Trade Commission
• Better Business Bureau
• State Attorney General’s Office
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization

Travel Tips

Traveling outside of the U.S.?

As of June 1, 2009, the U.S. government requires most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security . Make sure you are ready. To learn more, go here .

Tips for Student Travel

The following is a list of tips for students and parents when traveling abroad.

• Verify that the travel agent or tour company is a member of a professional association such as the National Tour Association, the United States Tour Operators Association or the Student & Youth Travel Association.
• Parents should ask the company for references, find out the adult chaperone to student ratio and how long the company has been operating in the destinations it features.
• Verify that the tour company has coverage.
• Make sure the company has errors and omissions, professional liability insurance coverage. Professional tour companies should have this coverage.
• Make sure your student has insurance that will cover emergency medical needs.
• Check for travel warnings and public announcements before you go. Visit  travel.state.gov  for information.
• Remember to fill in the emergency information page of your passport and make copies of your passport data page and any visas. Keep a copy separate from the originals while traveling, and leave one at home with your family.
• Leave an itinerary with someone at home, and make sure that someone knows where you are at all times.
• Carry your hotel information, including name and address, with you. You also should include a phone number to reach your tour company in case of emergencies.
• Avoid looking like a tourist. Try to blend in with your surroundings and never go off on your own.

Tips for Avoiding Travel Scams

NTA urges travelers to use this list when making spring break or vacation plans:

• Verify that the travel agent or tour company is a member of a professional association such as the National Tour Association, the United States Tour Operators Association or the American Society of Travel Agents.
• Verify that the tour company has errors and omissions, professional liability insurance coverage. Professional tour companies should have this coverage.
• Don’t be taken in by an attractive website. An eye-catching website does not ensure the reliability or integrity of the company.
• Carefully read the company’s cancellation and refund policies.
• Use a credit card to purchase tickets whenever possible, and if cash must be used, always get a receipt so you have a paper trail. Beware of companies sending a courier for a check, requesting direct bank deposits or a certified check. Prior to payment, you should ask for all the details on any trip in writing and review them carefully.
• Ask the company for client references. Attempt to get a reference on a client or group with whom you are familiar.
• Avoid high-pressure sales with a limited time to evaluate the offer.
• Decline offers requiring a property sales presentation.
• Request specific hotel and airline names, addresses and phone numbers — broad terms such as “all major hotels” and “all major airlines” are warning flags. Insist on a local phone number if given an 800 number — this will establish that the tour company or travel agency has a central office from which it operates.
• If you receive a vacation certificate in the mail, take it to a local NTA tour operator who can evaluate it.

Consumer Travel Insurance

Travel insurance remains one of the most important considerations for anyone preparing a trip. It is impossible to overstate the importance of being properly insured for any trip, home or abroad.

In addition to offering you a tour that will meet your every desire, many NTA members also offer insurance programs for consumers that you won’t find anywhere else. Safety and security is their priority — it should be yours too.

Travel Protection Plans

Many NTA tour operators can provide customized travel insurance products, offering travelers the peace of mind — about cancelation, illness or injury — they need. The variety of comprehensive insurance products is yet another way that NTA tour operators stand head and shoulders above the competition.

• Travel Exchange is worth every penny. The networking is great, and there is always business to be made to show ROI for your decision makers. The investment is worth the reward. Cory Mace, Badger Bus
• What NTA does is provide the right buyers. They provide the right people who make decisions. This is what makes this organization one I can’t afford to take off my list. John Stachnik CTP, Mayflower Tours, NTA member since 1979
• I came to NTA to build a business, and that’s exactly what it did for us, as sales came in. For me, it’s the only outlet for new ideas. Matthew Squire, Select Travel Service (UK), NTA member since 2002
• The No. 1 member benefit of NTA has to be all the great professional and personal connections we’ve made over the past decade. Taunya Wolfe Finn, CTP, Wolfe Adventures & Tours, NTA member since 2005
• We have not found a more reliable, more profitable or more consistent tourism venue in which to acquire new business than NTA. Diane Hohnstein, Hospitality Management Services, NTA member since 1999
• You guys at NTA have the best bunch of members I have ever come across. I had one of my best shows ever. Everybody was so nice and welcoming, and the organization of the event was spectacular. I am so happy to be a member and be assured of my continued support in the future. Bernard O'Reilly, Joe O'Reilly Ireland DMC
• NTA events provide us with beneficial networking with many top tour operators. It’s national and international in scope providing a global perspective. Tim and Elaine Moulder, Brilliant Edventures, NTA member since 2015