Internet vital to U.S. travelers, says TIA report
The Internet is no longer the future of the travel industry—it has already arrived. The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) recently reported that 79 million Americans, or 37% of the adult population, used the Internet to research travel in 2005. In addition, 78% of Americans who travel used the Internet last year to get travel information, plan their trip, or book their trip, up from 67% in 2004. And an increasing number of people are using the Internet to actually book trips rather than using it purely as a research tool.

Analysis: The Internet continues to grow in importance for the travel industry, as American consumers seek out the most efficient methods of obtaining information and booking travel. With an average of only 12 vacation days per year (source: Harris Interactive), as compared to 39 days for France, Americans highly value what little free time they have. To capitalize on the Internet’s growing role, TTNA shifted its marketing strategy with its First Quarter Initiative, the “We Dream in Color” campaign. The campaign utilizes primarily online outlets, rather than traditional print, radio, and TV advertisements. As detailed in past updates, preliminary results indicate that the campaign is working well.

International tourism up big, according to World Tourism Organization report
Despite terrorism attacks and several natural disasters, global international tourism increased by 5.5% in 2005, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). A total of 808 million arrivals were recorded for the year. The region of Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, experienced 4% growth in arrivals. International tourism is expected to continue rising in 2006, although perhaps not at the same clip as this past year. Three things threaten to hinder growth, according to the UNWTO: The escalation of terrorism; rising energy prices, inflation, and interest rates; and further spread of the bird flu.

Beneath the Sea
TTNA exhibited at the 30th rendition of Beneath the Sea, a consumer dive show held in Secaucus, New Jersey, March 24-26. Blue Nui Dive Centers and Air Tahiti Nui joined TTNA in a tradeshow booth, one of 325 exhibitors for the almost 15,000 consumers who attended. Booth traffic was moderate, with many consumers excited to learn about the nonstop flights between New York and Papeete. Many serious divers expressed an interest in visiting the Tuamotu atolls for their exceptional drift diving. TOPdive and e-Tahiti Diving occupied a booth adjacent to TTNA and appeared to receive steady traffic. Partners Air New Zealand, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Pearl Resorts, Pleasant Holidays, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts participated in the TTNA booth with collateral.

Beneath the Sea, from left to right: Wendy Zvara, Blue Nui Dive Centers; Brad Balukjian, TTNA; Nancy O'Connell, Air Tahiti Nui

Travel Impressions Training
Travel Impressions, an American Express company, recently became a Preferred Tour Operator Partner of TTNA. To educate them on Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui’s Robin Milano joined TTNA’s Maureen Furedi for three full days of training. Furedi and Milano trained 42 staff from the sales, reservations, groups, marketing, and operations departments in Farmingdale, NY on March 21-22, and trained 39 reservations, groups, and training department staffers on March 23 in Bethlehem, PA.

To access the 2006-2007 Tahiti school calendar, as well as other Tahiti-related documents and statistics, please visit the Partners' section of our Website at www.Tahiti-Tourisme.com/Partners