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Portland

Do you want to expand into the international visitor market or update your knowledge? Travel Portland and Travel Oregon encourage you to join your industry peers and attend the Learn How to Gain International Business workshops, presented by the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA). 

With an understanding of how to work with the travel trade, you can create new business partnerships while developing the necessary resources to bring international visitors to Oregon. Whether you are new to the industry or a veteran of working with the travel trade, this is an opportunity to update your knowledge and hear from industry peers about what is needed for the return of international inbound travel.

Jennifer Ackerson, president of Alon Tourism Solutions, program creator and expert tourism veteran will guide you through:

A look at the value of working with the international inbound market, the travel trade and how to harness them as powerful opportunities to grow your business.
Achievable step-by-step insight on how to prepare for this market including developing sellable products and services.
Strategic understanding of the travel trade distribution channel to position it to your benefit.
How to develop operational resources that follow the protocols of working with the travel trade.
Designing smart partnerships to create destination itineraries that appeal to international visitors.
Fundamental marketing strategies applicable for varied distribution channels.
Your attendance will be time well spent to collectively promote Oregon as a desired destination that will result in economic impact from international visitation.

BENEFITS OF WORKING IN THE INTERNATIONAL INBOUND MARKET:

Inbound operators are based here in the U.S.
International visitors stay longer, spend more and dive deeper into destinations.
The ability to procure seasonal and off-peak business when you want and need it.
The opportunity to provide repeat, consistent, long-term business.
No entry barrier. You pay nothing to the travel trade until they book.
Diversified income streams.
The ability to increase rates during high demand.
Nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

Attractions/Activities/Tour/Local Tour Guides: You are the reason visitors want to visit!  Learn how to have your business booked in advance.
Tourism Councils/Convention and Visitor Bureaus/Destination Management Organizations: Help your stakeholder tourism businesses achieve success because you understand what is important for their success. In addition to attending yourself, encourage your stakeholders to learn along with you!
Arts/Cultural Institutions/Historic Places: You are the essence of your destination, highlighting the history and uniqueness! Working with the travel trade can increase visitation, increase global awareness and attract key markets.
Accommodations: Are there key need periods or room types you want to sell? Develop relationships with select partners you can rely on for long-term repeat business.
Dining/Breweries/Wineries: Travel trade can bring you visitors — individuals and groups — for all three meal periods and during off-peak periods.
Retail/Services: Shopping is a top activity for visitors globally. Learn to drive visitors to your business before their departure while creating fun partner programs.
Transportation: International visitors are more adventurous and willing to travel by different modes of transportation.
Parks and Recreation: Visitors who arrive through the travel trade make pre-determined choices on where they will visit. These relationships can help push visitors into year-round periods and change visitor habits.
Sports: You can see more bookings in advance and push harder to sell seats during time periods when you want to increase ticket sales.
Events/Festivals: Have partners who promote your events and festivals, fill the venue and assist you in having a successful event.