THE six-state Discover New England marketing consortium, in conjunction with American Airlines, is introducing two agent training seminars during World Travel Market.
There will be a morning and afternoon session on Thursday, November 18 hosted by DNE managing director Jackie Ennis and other members of the board.
Ennis said: “We hope to attract a total of 60 agents, and there will be a free prize draw for all attendees with the opportunity to win a one-week trip to New England for two.”
Those interested in taking a place on one of the seminars should ring the DNE UK office on 020-8891 1999.
Ennis recently held UK agent training days in partnership with Premier Holidays and Kuoni, and is encouraging other interested operators to contact her during her visit to London to set up similar events.
In June 2000, DNE is to stage its fifth Annual Tourism Summit for the six member states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine to further promote product. It will be held between June 5-7 in Stowe. Last year’s record event saw more than 250 New England suppliers come face to face with the UK and German travel trade.
It resulted in British operators such as Travel 4, United Vacations, Prestige Holidays, British Airways Holidays and Osprey all expanding their programmes to New England. Other specialists increasing their product range next year include New England Country Homes and New England Connections.
Ennis said operators keen to attend the Summit with a view to starting or developing a New England programme should contact her at WTM.
On the consumer front, DNE is participating in the Manchester Consumer Show in January and the Destinations 2000 event in London next February, as well as offering co-operative advertising in national press and joint flyers in information packs sent out on request.
The key message that DNE will be trying to get over at WTM is that New England is a four-season destination, which is reflected in the variety of holidays now available .
These include summer holidays on the coast and in mountain resorts for both water sports and recreational pursuits such as hiking, biking, fishing and canoeing; skiing and other wintersports; the traditional fall foliage season; and city shopping breaks. The region is also keen to promote the spring season for its wide range of festivals, as well as its antiques fairs, character inns and rich history.
Ennis said: “New England will continue to market these year-round holiday opportunities by educating both the consumer and travel agent. We are pleased to see a number of new dedicated brochures entering the marketplace.”
key members attending wtm
n Jackie Ennis, Discover New England.
n Tom Altemus and Frederick de Jong, Vermont.
n Dann Lewis, Marjie Wright, Maine.
n Mary Jane McKenna, Rick Apel, Massachusetts
n Joyce Fredericks, Connecticut.
n Jayne Panarello, Rhode Island.
n Andrea Tindel, New Hampshire.