A program by NTA is launching now to rejoice the 100-year anniversary (2026) of Route 66, the cool and iconic freeway that runs from Chicago to the California coast.
The Nationwide Tour Affiliation is getting an early begin on the Route 66 centennial celebration. Route 66, the well-known freeway often known as The Mom Street, turns 100 years outdated in 2026, and beginning this yr, NTA helps tour operators create itineraries for multiday excursions alongside the eight-state thoroughfare that remember the heritage and highlights of the long-lasting roadway.
At Journey Trade 2024, NTA’s annual conference and appointment present in November, journey planners can collect info and meet with representatives of locations, sights, eating places, and expertise suppliers situated alongside Route 66, which runs from Chicago to the California coast. Tour operators can request enterprise appointments and go to representatives stationed in cubicles on a particular Route 66 hall on the conference ground. On the four-day convention, set for Nov. 17–20 in Huntsville, Alabama, NTA members may also attend a Route 66 reception and a Route 66 seminar, amongst many different instructional and networking choices.
“We first advised members about our Route 66 celebration in early March, and the response has been fantastic,” stated NTA President Catherine Prather, CTP. “Our tour operators inform us that late 2024 is strictly once they need to gather info for Route 66 excursions they’ll conduct in 2026, and members situated alongside the freeway – locations and tour suppliers – are looking forward to tour teams to hitch the celebration.”
Within the months previous Journey Trade, locations and tour suppliers can share with NTA tour operators their Route 66 tales, occasions, and actions by sponsored content material: articles collected and revealed by NTA. The affiliation will submit the articles on its journal web site, NTAcourier.com, initially of September after which distribute them in print to tour operators at Journey Trade ’24.
NTA surveyed its tour operator members firstly of March to find out their curiosity in growing a tour surrounding the Route 66 centennial. “We discovered that fewer than 20 p.c of responding operators at present provide a tour devoted to Route 66, however we realized there’s great alternative for progress,” Prather stated. “About 40 p.c at present bundle locations on the freeway and are fascinated by growing a brand new tour to commemorate the 100-year anniversary, and one other 28 p.c don’t know a lot about Route 66 or aren’t at present packaging its states, however they assume it’s an excellent hook for his or her purchasers and wish extra info.”
Prather stated NTA is gathering sources and specialists on Route 66 to make sure that all operators can be taught in regards to the freeway’s wealthy historical past and iconic quirkiness, though the very best sources of data are the members situated on or close to the route.
“Tour operators are asking for concepts and recommended itineraries, and no one has extra data of an space than a DMO – what’s there and what’s on the best way,” she stated. “We’ll do every thing we are able to to assist our members work collectively and create fabulous adventures for all vacationers – Individuals, Canadians, and abroad guests – who need to discover Route 66.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Community the place she is the Editor-in Chief. She can also be liable for the day by day operation and the monetary coverage. She holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Tourism Enterprise Administration from the Technical College of Athens and a Grasp in Enterprise Administration (MBA) from the College of Wales.
She has a few years of each educational and industrial expertise throughout the journey business. She has written/edited quite a few articles in varied tourism magazines.
