Last month, the Family Travel Association (FTA) held its first-ever virtual event. Called the FTA Spotlight, the online conference replaced the annual live FTA Summit and included an update from the organization; the latest research on family travel; and panels and keynote addresses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Even though we didn’t meet in person this year, the Spotlight programming still delivered on our promise to better inform and inspire our members and the industry at large about what’s happening in this all-important niche market,” said Rainer Jenss, founder of the FTA.
Kenneth Shapiro, president of the FTA Executive Board (as well as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West/Family Getaways), shared the latest news about the association. Shapiro also confirmed that the FTA has officially completed its transition from an LLC to a 501c6 nonprofit.
“As a result of this change, the FTA is finally set up for future growth, including a whole range of new programs to benefit members,” Shapiro said. “As long as we continue to receive the support of our members and our partners throughout the travel industry, we will finally have the structure in place — both organizationally and financially — to deliver on the promise of the FTA.”
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Even though we didn’t meet in person this year, the Spotlight programming still delivered on our promise to better inform and inspire our members and the industry at large about what’s happening in this all-important niche market.
Shapiro also announced that the FTA has been working on a new supplier certification program for the industry.
“We anticipate that this will be the FTA’s boldest and most important initiative to date,” he said. “The FTA Family-Friendly Certification Program is meant to establish industry standards and guidelines for what it means to be ‘family-friendly’ and truly committed to serving the needs and interests of traveling families.”
The FTA Spotlight also featured research related to family travel that was conducted by JP Morgan Chase and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Family Travel program. Among the highlights: 85% of parents anticipate traveling domestically in the next 12 months, and 43% of parents anticipate staying in a hotel in the next six months.
In addition, a panel of industry experts advised FTA members on what to expect in the travel industry in 2021 and beyond, while keynote presentations presented by Peter Greenberg, travel editor at CBS News, and journalist Heather Greenwood Davis shared their perspectives, as well.
During the Spotlight, Shapiro announced that the FTA will be participating in another virtual event in partnership with TravelAge West in March, and that the association is looking to hold an in-person summit in the fall.
A summary of FTA Spotlight content is available on the association’s website.
The Details
Family Travel Association
www.familytravel.org
