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| Photo: ASTA |
ASTA has launched its enhanced Tour Operator Program (TOP) program, beginning in 2010, to provide tour operators greater value and exposure through year-round interaction with the travel agency community.
“Recent research has found that travel agents accounted for 69 percent of tour operator sales in 2008. Now, ASTA is giving tour operators even more reason to become a TOP member, not the least of which is increased access to one of their strongest distribution channels,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo.
While TOP membership currently provides tour operators with virtual exposure to the travel agency community through Web-based marketing and e-newsletters, the enhanced TOP membership package will also feature maximized exposure for its tour operator members. ASTA’s TOP program now offers three levels of engagement—TOP, TOP Silver, and TOP Gold—one to fit every budget, and each offering substantial benefits and opportunities, including: mention in TOP’s monthly e-newsletter, a listing on ASTA.org, use of the TOP logo and up to two Tweets per month on TOP’s Twitter feed, a new benefit to all levels. Additionally, each level includes a “New Exhibitor” promotion on THETRADESHOW Twitter feed and a ten-by-ten booth at THETRADESHOW (excluding décor), a new benefit for TOP packages.
The Silver package also offers a fifteen-minute presentation to promote a tour package (part of a forty-five-minute Webinar to travel agent members), a full copy of the 2009 Supplier-Travel Agent Relationship Marketing Report, three complimentary Allied Associate memberships in ASTA (a total value of $375) and a complimentary banner ad on ASTA.org.
Those buying the Gold package will receive space at a presentation pavilion at THETRADESHOW, a forty-five-minute webinar to promote your tour package to travel agent members, the 2009 Supplier-Travel Agent Relationship Marketing Report, the U.S. Packaged Travel Landscape Research Study executive summary, five complimentary Allied Associate memberships (a total value of $625) and a complimentary banner ad on ASTA.org
To be eligible to participate, tour operators must first be an ASTA Allied Company member. To learn more about the program and how to participate, members may visit www.ASTA.org/top or contact the ASTA Membership Department at 800-440-2782.
Source: ASTA
