Travel Alliance Partnership

This week on the Destination on the Left podcast with Nicole Mahoney, listeners will enjoy a fascinating exploration of emerging travel trends discussed at the 2025 ABA Marketplace in Philadelphia. This episode brings together five industry experts who dig into key topics in our industry: - Jennifer Tremblay Moore discusses nature-based travel growth at the Wild Center, with new trails and exciting animal exhibits aimed to reconnect visitors with the beauty of nature. - Jana Kaylor highlights Eureka Springs as an idyllic escape, uncovering its hidden gems of cultural and outdoor adventures. - Barry Surman explores the movement toward bespoke, niche travel experiences and the powerful support network at ABA Marketplace. - Annette Morejon introduces Whisper Systems USA's tour-guide innovations with AI, enhancing cultural connections and tour experiences. - Adam Halay shares his passion for an upcoming exhibit on Japanese-American baseball at the National Baseball Hall of Fame Nicole and her expert guests help destination marketers get a better understanding of what the future holds for travel and tourism. Be sure to listen in; you’ll definitely gain some valuable insights that will inspire your own strategies: https://bit.ly/3FubdX7 #DOTL #DestinationMarketing #TAPintoTravel #TravelAlliancePartnership #TourismIndustry #TourismMatters #ABA2025 #TravelIndustry #Networking #Collaboration #AmericanBusAssociation #ABAMarketplace #TravelTradeShow

In honor of Women's History Month, we’re thrilled to celebrate this client win! Tour Cayuga County recently hosted Evita Robinson, Emmy Award-winning storyteller and founder of NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, in Harriet Tubman’s chosen hometown. Check out her recognition of Harriet Tubman Day with this post and video documenting this truly meaningful experience.

Recently several of our TAP team members have been out and about visiting our client destinations on team FAMs, which are part of our Research & Discovery phase of building a Strategic Visitor Attraction Plan for tourism organizations. Camille Zess, Sarah Martin and Adena Miller toured Madison County, NY. They took in the area’s charm and had the opportunity to connect with a variety of passionate community members to gain an understanding of the experiences available to visitors. The trip included a visit to the 1890 Brewster Inn overlooking Cazenovia Lake, touring the historic Oneida Community Mansion House, Maxwells Chocolates & Ice Cream, the Shako:wi Cultural Center, a lavender farm and more. This week, Sarah Martin and Colleen Knopeck Onuffer visited the campus of the @Saunders Finger Lakes Museum to learn about current operations and future plans. #TravelAlliancePartnership #TAPintoTravel #DestinationMarketing

In this webinar remix, travel and tourism industry leaders share their thoughts on the impact of new tariffs on tourism. The episode, hosted by Nicole Mahoney, included panelists Vince Accardi, President of the Ontario Motor Coach Association; Corey Fram, Director of the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council; Richard Arnold, Owner of Atlantic Tours Canada; Catherine Dawson March, Travel Writer and Editor of The Globe and Mail; and Christopher Mitchell, a Canadian Travel Influencer from Traveling with Mitch. Our discussion explores the significance of the Canadian market for U.S. tourism and vice versa, as both countries are top source markets for each other. Panelists discuss how the Canadian travel industry is adapting to these changes, with Vince Accardi pointing out that although there might be immediate pushback, the sector's resilience should not be underestimated. Catherine discusses the shift in Canadian sentiment toward travel to the U.S. due to current trade issues. Richard Arnold poignantly reminded us of the historical ties and mutual aid between the U.S. and Canada, emphasizing the role of tourism as a bridge-builder. Meanwhile, Chris Mitchell and Corey Fram stress the importance of personal connections and local storytelling to maintain engagement and interest in a politically charged environment. The overarching message from the discussion is patience, strategic investment, and the importance of maintaining open lines of communication. Communities on both sides of the border should hold on to the narrative of cooperation, recognizing that while current events may pose challenges, the spirit of collaboration can pave the way for recovery and growth. Tune in to hear the whole discussion: https://bit.ly/3XIzCya #DestinationMarketing #CrossBorderTravel #ResilientTogether #TAPintoCommunityConversation #TourismIndustry #DOTL #TourismMatters #ImpactThroughCollaboration #CommunityCollaboration #Canada #CanadianTravel #USCanadaTravel #CrossBorderCollaboration

Big thanks to ITG Travel for their generous support as a platinum sponsor of TAP Dance 2025! As a specialized air provider, ITG Travel serves a diverse range of businesses, offering unparalleled group travel experiences. Discover more about their offerings at https://itgtravel.net/. #TravelAlliancePartnership #TAPintoTravel #TAPDance2025

Entering the tourism industry can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when attending major trade shows like the ABA Marketplace for the first time. These events are pivotal for networking, learning, and establishing your presence in the industry. To help newcomers make the most of these opportunities, we've compiled insights from seasoned professionals on how to effectively navigate trade shows and understand what makes events like the ABA Marketplace truly special. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gTTzEZQq #TravelTradeShow #TradeShowSuccess #ABAMarketplace #Networking #ABA2025 #TourismCommunity #DestinationMarketing #TAPintoTravel #TravelAlliancePartnership #TourismIndustry #TravelIndustry #AmericanBusAssociation

At our recent Community Conversations virtual event, travel industry leaders from Canada and the US shared insights on navigating economic shifts, policy changes & cross-border traveler sentiment. The key takeaways? Stay invested, focus on human-centered storytelling & keep the conversation going! Watch the full 1 hour event video replay at https://lnkd.in/gQFkEJuG Big thank you to our panelists Vince Accardi, CAE (Ontario Motor Coach Association), Richard Arnold (Atlantic Tours), Catherine Dawson March (The Globe and Mail), Christopher Mitchell (@travelingmitch), and Corey Fram (1000 Islands International Tourism Council) #TravelAlliancePartnership #TAPintoTravel #ResilientTogether #TAPintoCommunityConversation #CrossBorderTravel #DestinationMarketing #TravelMedia

On this week’s Destination on the Left podcast, Nicole Mahoney launches the first of a two-part series from ABA Marketplace. She brings together some inspirational voices in the travel and tourism industry to share insights on how the industry is evolving and the key opportunities to be aware of in 2025/6. Nicole interviews five remarkable guests as they highlight the value of coopetition and why they find such immense value at the ABA Marketplace. Sally Altman of TravelAdvocates discusses how her company is innovating to meet shorter booking windows and support international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She also shares the importance of attending shows like ABA to build connections, learn, and grow alongside others in the industry. Mitch Bach of TripSchool explains how forward-thinking operators are tapping into the emotion economy by building travel communities and focusing on niche groups—transforming traditional tours into deeper, more meaningful experiences. Marlene Kay Smith, CTIS, CTP of Traverse City Tourism emphasizes the continued growth of slow tourism, advocating for traveler immersion and experiences that form lasting memories while benefiting local tourism partners. Lew Myers, III of the American Bus Association Foundation offers invaluable insights into how data-driven research, advocacy, and education can pave the way for a stronger motorcoach and tourism industry. Joseph Lannan of Visit French Lick West Baden outlines the value of strategic partnerships between anchor attractions and local businesses while highlighting the potential of digital marketing trends for visitor engagement. Throughout the episode, you’ll gain actionable advice on building meaningful relationships, fostering innovation, and aligning with sustainable, community-based travel trends. Listen in now: https://bit.ly/3QKopcS #DOTL #ABA2025 #TravelAlliancePartnership #AmericanBusAssociation #TravelAdvocates #TripSchool #TraverseCityTourism #VisitFrenchLickWestBaden #TourismIndustry #TourismCommunity #Collaboration #TAPintoTravel #TravelIndustry #DestinationMarketing #TourismMatters #Tourism

Today we took a minute to "paws" and reflect on how much we love our furry friends! ?? Happy National Pet Day from the TAP Team—we hope your day has been filled with tail wags, purrs, and unconditional love!

As leaders in the travel and tourism industry, the concept of community can take on various meanings. It might be rooted in the local community you call home or the one you tirelessly serve through your organization. Perhaps it’s the group you actively participate in or volunteer for, aligning yourself with a shared purpose. And let’s not forget our cherished “travel family” – those colleagues across the industry who feel like kindred spirits. Regardless of your perspective on community or where you find it, I firmly believe that being an integral part of a community, or even multiple communities, is essential for making a lasting impact. Read more about how to find and engage with like-minded communities in this week's blog here: https://lnkd.in/gdry47sC #TAPintoTravel #TravelAlliancePartnership #TourismIndustry #Collaboration #ImpactThroughCollaboration #CommunityCollaboration #TourismCommunity