FTA Member Spotlight: Vacation with Val Travel
Valerie Naiman is a passionate traveler, a loving wife and mother of two. Val embarked on a new chapter in her life after retiring from her career as a school teacher to pursue her lifelong dream in the world of travel. At Vacation with Val, she combines her love for learning about new destinations with…
Read More
Tourism CEO Spent Six Months Driving to One Conference—and Discovered the Future of Travel Along the Way
Most CEOs book a flight when it’s time to attend a conference. Stephen Ekstrom packed the car instead. Over six months, the CEO and cofounder of Learn Tourism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the tourism industry through education, drove from Sarasota, Florida, to Portland, Oregon, where thousands of destination professionals gathered for the Destinations International…
Read More
New Research: Travelers Are Redefining Value
Latest findings from MMGY’s Portrait of American Travelers™ reveal that travel demand remains high, but rising expectations are reshaping destination choice. Travel remains a priority for Americans this summer, but they’re becoming more thoughtful about where they go and how they spend. The latest findings from MMGY’s 2026 Portrait of American Travelers™ reveal that as…
Read More
Beaches® Resorts Adds KIDZ BOP to its Fall Fam Jam Lineup
Beaches Resorts is expanding the lineup for Fall Fam Jam 2026, its annual celebration of family travel running from September through October. The festivities kick off September 1 with all-new Sesame Street® experiences and immersive programming designed for every generation. From September 16-21, viral toddler techno sensation Lenny Pearce brings a series of special performances…
Read More
Summer Packing Essentials
Before setting off on your summer adventures this year, it’s important to consider all the potential factors that could influence how you and your groups pack their bags (and what’s inside them). Come along as we share some of our top summer packing essentials you won’t want to travel without. First thing’s first: get yourself…
Read More
International Trade Administration Releases June 2026 Data
International air travel between the United States and the rest of the world dipped slightly in June 2026, according to new data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), with overall passenger traffic declining 1.6% compared to the same month last year. U.S.-international air traffic passenger enplanements totaled 24.6 million during the month. While…
Read More
Beaches and Sandals Bring Black Friday to July
Travelers looking to plan a Caribbean escape this year can take advantage of a limited-time “Black Friday in July” promotion from Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. The annual summer sale offers significant savings on all-inclusive vacations, giving couples and families an opportunity to lock in tropical getaways at discounted rates. Through July 27, 2026, guests…
Read More
FTA Member Spotlight: Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas is one magical resort with five distinct hotels to experience. The five unique lodging options have a total of 3,800+ rooms: the grand iconic towers of recently renovated The Royal, family-friendly accommodations at The Coral, water-side villas at Harborside Resort, all-suite luxury accommodations at The Cove, and residential-style accommodations with full…
Read More
Nighttime Spectacular ‘Universal Celestial Goodnight’ Debuting at Universal Epic Universe
Featuring captivating lighting, dancing water features, and a breathtaking fireworks display set to an awe-inspiring soundtrack, the new show allows guests to top off their day of thrills with a truly epic nighttime experience. This summer, Universal Orlando Resort are inviting guests to cap off their day of world-class thrills at the groundbreaking Universal Epic Universe theme…
Read More
New Insight: Global Trends, Operator Perspectives, and the Future of International Student Travel
New research, conducted by BONARD Education on behalf of the Student & Youth Travel Association, is shedding light on the future of international student and youth travel from the perspective of tour operators and travel providers specializing in the sector. Not only has international student travel evolved, it has matured from what it once was. And…
Read More
Survival 101: Weatherproofing Your Trip
There’s a reason that the Scouting America motto “Be Prepared” has endured for well over a century. It applies to daily life, as well being ready for any type of weather when we’re away from home. Mother Nature throws at us the expected and unexpected, and the best we can do is plan for both.…
Read More
FTA Advisor Spotlight: Mathy Wasserman, Flying Giraffe Travel
With a passion for curating unique journeys, Flying Giraffe Travel specializes in luxury travel, from exquisite cruises to independent and escorted premium tours that promise adventure and wellness. Having explored all seven continents, the staff leverage their first-hand knowledge and professional certifications to design unforgettable trips. After years in entertainment marketing, co-owner Mathy Wasserman realized…
Read More