One of the best parts of being in the Tourism industry for many years is the people I meet. Our industry has an endless list of talented, hardworking, fun-loving and creative professionals. I decided to interview my friends and give you a peek into their lives and careers. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section, and I will follow-up with the guest interviewed. This week we hear from one of the leaders of the tourism industry, Pam Inman of NTA. NTA conventions are one of my favorites of the year. Will I see you in San Antonio at Travel Exchange?
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Tell us a bit about how you got started in the tourism industry.
My first job in the industry was with the Tennessee Department of Tourism. I had worked in the governor’s office and the Department of Finance and Administration, and the Commissioner of Tourism tapped me to be his legislative liaison. I worked there for 10 years and was also a sales manager to bring conventions to the state; the last job I had there was the Assistant Commissioner of Administration. In Tennessee State Parks, I was Assistant Commissioner for Marketing of the seven resort parks. I was also president of the Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association and the Greater Nashville Hotel & Lodging Association before moving to Washington, D.C., as COO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
2.What is your current job and what are your primary responsibilities?
I am honored to have served as the president of the National Tour Association for the last three years. Our association has more than 700 tour operator members who create packaged travel to, from and within North America. In addition, we have another 1,500 DMOs and suppliers as members, representing more than 40 countries.
3. What are some of the changes you have seen since you began your career?
Tourism gets a lot more respect from the government now than it did in the ’80s, but we still struggle with being accepted as a revenue driver like other industries. Every time new leaders are elected to office on the local, state or national level, there’s an education process that must start all over again.
4. What tourism trends are you seeing that will impact your job and how you work in the next 2 years?
What impacts the ability for our tour operators to do business will also impact our association. Economic trends have been improving, and our operators say that they are booking more business in 2018.
5. It’s vacation time – where do you go?
I never want to go to the same place twice because there are so many places I haven’t seen. Along with a friend, I started a golf group called Links & Drinks, and we travel to different places. Last year it was a cruise on Norwegian Pride of America around the Hawaiian Islands, and we played golf on all the islands. This year it was golf in Wisconsin on Lake Geneva. Next year Nova Scotia.
6. What is your favorite app and tell us a bit about it.
It seems like the app I use the most is the Delta app because of my travels, but I have to admit to a favorite app that I use a lot – it’s Netflix.
7.What is your favorite tradeshow and why?
Travel Exchange, of course, because that’s where our members make connections.
8.What advice do you have for someone just getting started in the tourism industry?
Once you get into tourism in any aspect, you get hooked. I always tell young professionals that once you get in, you will never want to leave. Because of that, don’t burn your bridges, because you will see that person or company again in your tourism career.