Tuesday, March 19, 2024
The National Tour Association is leading the charge in preparing for the centennial celebration of Route 66. Known affectionately as “The Mother Road,” Route 66 will mark its 100th anniversary in 2026. Beginning this year, the NTA is aiding tour operators in designing extended journeys that traverse the historic eight-state highway, showcasing its rich history and cultural significance.
During the Travel Exchange 2024, NTA’s premier annual event happening in November, travel professionals will have the opportunity to collect insights and network with key figures from locations, attractions, dining establishments, and experience curators situated along Route 66, stretching from Chicago to the shores of California. The event features a dedicated Route 66 zone where operators can engage in business discussions and explore offerings through booths. Scheduled from November 17 to 20 in Huntsville, Alabama, the conference will include a Route 66 themed reception and seminar, along with a variety of educational and networking activities.
“We first told members about our Route 66 celebration in early March, and the response has been wonderful,” said NTA President Catherine Prather, CTP. “Our tour operators tell us that late 2024 is exactly when they want to collect information for Route 66 tours they’ll conduct in 2026, and members located along the highway—destinations and tour suppliers—are eager for tour groups to join the celebration.”
In the lead-up to Travel Exchange, destinations and tour providers are invited to share their Route 66 narratives, happenings, and endeavors with NTA tour operators via sponsored articles. These pieces will be compiled and featured on the NTA’s NTAcourier.com website in early September, before being disseminated in a printed format to tour operators during the Travel Exchange ’24.
Early in March, NTA conducted a survey among its tour operator members to gauge their interest in crafting tours centered around the Route 66 centenary celebration.
“We found that fewer than 20 percent of responding operators currently offer a tour dedicated to Route 66, but we learned there’s tremendous opportunity for growth,” Prather said. “About 40 percent currently package places on the highway and are interested in developing a new tour to commemorate the 100-year anniversary, and another 28 percent don’t know much about Route 66 or aren’t currently packaging its states, but they think it’s a good hook for their clients and want more information.”
Prather said NTA is gathering resources and experts on Route 66 to ensure that all interested operators can learn about the highway’s rich history and iconic quirkiness, although the best sources of information are the members located on or near the route.
“Tour operators are asking for ideas and suggested itineraries, and nobody has more knowledge of an area than a DMO—what’s there and what’s on the way,” she said. “We’ll do everything we can to help our members work together and create fabulous adventures for all travelers—Americans, Canadians, and overseas visitors—who want to explore Route 66.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
