Sep 16, 2025
Special Offer to NYSTIA Members: Online International Inbound Travel Training Program
New York State Tourism Stakeholders Gain Access to National Online Training Program
New York State tourism partners now have exclusive access to the highly regarded Inbound Insider Steps to Success™ online training program, developed by Alon Tourism Solutions in partnership with the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA).
Overall revenue generated from “inbound travel” (visitors from around the globe) to the U.S. in 2024 totaled $181 billion dollars. These travelers arrived from all over the world, and they visited destinations from coast to coast. Upcoming major events, including the 250th Anniversary of America and the FIFA World Cup in 2026, will drive even greater interest in traveling to our country. Brand USA, the marketing organization that promotes travel to the U.S. has been aggressively promoting “America the Beautiful” and the “Great American Road Trip” at trade shows and sales missions all over the world, conveying a myriad of experiences available to travelers that are unique to our country and individual states.
If there ever was a time to become knowledgeable of how to bring more global travelers to a specific destination or destination products, this is it! International travelers plan and reserve trips much further in advance than domestic travelers. In turn, Tour Operators (TO’s) in countries around the world woo their clients with products considerably earlier as well. They are currently contracting with Inbound Operators/Receptive Tour Operators (IO’s/RTO’s) for accommodation, attraction and tour bookings for 2026 and beyond.
Why This Matters
Working with the Travel Trade (B2B) is a learned process; Alon Tourism Solutions in partnership with IITA has recreated their in-person training program to be more cost-effective and easily accessible by offering it as an online training course. The Online STS (Steps to Success™) Comprehensive Overview of How to Work with Inbound Operators training program begins with responding to the “why”—how inbound international travelers positively affect overall uptake of a destination or destination products and “how”—what are the operational steps regarding B2B sales. The program also includes quizzes, videos, and real-life scenarios. Most importantly, the training process explains specifics regarding the development of sellable product, preparing outreach materials (suitable for the travel trade) and lays out expectations of clients who arrive from around the world.
Opportunities for NYSTIA Members
The program is available to DMOs and TPAs to offer to their stakeholders or use internally as members of NYSTIA. NYSTIA members can now access the program at a reduced rate per person, instead of the standard rate of $595. For more information about how NYSTIA has partnered with IITA & Alon you can visit the NYSTIA website. This offer is valid through December 31st 2025.
International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) is the nonprofit trade association for international inbound travel to the USA. IITA members includes U.S. inbound operators, DMOs and travel suppliers from across the country.
Alon Tourism Solutions is the country’s leading training and inbound marketing consultancy firm and has successfully helped tourism suppliers and destinations with B2B inbound tourism strategies for more than 20 years. In 2017, IITA partnered with Alon to launch Inbound Insider: Steps to Success™, an international inbound travel training program that has been implemented in destinations across the USA.