Our aims:
"To promote and maintain the highest standards of competence, integrity
and professional conduct on the part of all Tour Managers."
"To promote, protect and improve the welfare and status of Tour Managers."
Tour Operators
Need a Tour Manager? We have 750 professional Tour Manager members worldwide speaking many languages and with a variety of special interests. E-mail us on iatm@iatm.co.uk.
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14 May 2013 - World's most expensive tour?
Veryfirstto.com and Hurlingham Travel are offering probably the world's most expensive tour - two years visiting every UNESCO World Heritage Site - at a price of $1.5m (including a $14,000 donation to UNESCO).
10 May 2013 - ETC reports positive growth in European tourism
The European Travel Commission reports slower, but continued, growth in European Tourism. Read the report here.
08 May 2013 - Have you seen our Facebook page?
You can now follow IATM on Facebook. Take a look - if you like us, let us know by clicking the Like button.
27 March 2013 - IHG rebranding
Priority
Club (Interconti, Holiday Inn and others) is rebranding and will become IHG
Rewards Club. From 1st July Platinum and Gold Members get free WiFi, then all
members from 2014.
15 March 2013 - Why a 'Conclave'?
Ever wondered why the meeting to elect a new Pope is called a conclave? Wonder no longer! Read this article by IATM member Andrzej Pluskowski on the Lonely Giraffe website.
13 March 2013 - New EU flight passenger rights
New EU rules with addtional rights for air passengers are due to come into force in 2014.
26 February - Keukenhof 2013
Keukenhof and its 85 acres of multi-hued parkland. The theme of the 64th show this year is 'United Kingdom - Land of Great Gardens', and will feature the impressive likes of a Big Ben mosaic amongst a whole host of flower displays. It will be open from 21 March until 22 May. On Saturday, April 20 at 9.30, the annual Flower Parade will travel its 40-km route from Noordwijk to Haarlem arriving about 21.00.
Further information from: www.keukenhof.nl/
Oct 19 - Change to Vatican headset policy
ETOA has issued a press release stating that from 02 January, 2013, groups will no longer be permitted to provide their own headsets but must use those provided by Vatican Museums.
Jul 27 - WTTC - "Travel and Tourism accounts for 1 in 12 jobs on the planet"
G20 leaders have for the first time recognized the importance of Travel and Tourism to the world economy.
Apr 27 - Trafalgar says TMs are 'No. 1 element' in group travel
In a debate with Globus over marketing strategy, President of Trafalger,
Paul Wiseman, says that the No. 1 element in group travel is a
professional travel director. Read the full article by clicking the
above link (travelweekly.com).
Mar 13 - US Revenue defines "Independent Contractor"
The United States Inland Revenue Service website offers a definition of
an Independent Contractor in an effort to control abuses and lost taxes.
Jan 12 - Schengen visa waiver for Taiwan
Europe is poised to welcome more visitors from the Republic of China following the decision to permit nationals free access for stays up to 90 days (ETurboNews).
Jan 03 - Rome accommodation tax
Rome City Council has provided further information on the imposition of their new accommodation tax.
Oct 15, 2010 - Rome's Colosseum to open new areas to the public
Starting next week, tourists will be able to visit the upper area of the Colosseum and underground where gladiators once prepared for fights and lions and tigers were caged (MSNBC).
Aug 11, 2010 - Stricter dress code for the Vatican
Wearing shorts or having arms uncovered is no longer allowed on Vatican territory.
Aug 08, 2010 - US to collect entry fees from travellers
Starting 08 September, 2010, a US$14.00 fee will be charged to tourists applying for electronic travel authorization (ESTA) for entry into the USA.
July 05, 2010 - Delayed Rome coach plan now in force
Six months after the initial announcement, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) reports that the new plan for coaches visiting Rome is now operational.
May 11, 2010 - EU drivers' hours
Copies of the full EU regulations governing the hours of work of passenger vehicle drivers and a user-friendly version from the UK Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are now available in the Members area of the website. Members must log-in to gain access to this information. If you are a member and have not yet registered please follow the steps outlined above.
May 14, 2010 - ETOA launches Group Tourism Charter
The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) in co-operation with the International Road Union (IRU) and European Cities Marketing (ECM) has launched a Group Tourism Charter highlighting ten key points for successful group tourism in cities.
Mar 16, 2010 - Tourism "Employs 235 million worldwide"
Underlining the importance of the Tourism Industry is the report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) that it employs 235 million people worldwide, equal to 8.1% of total employment.
Feb 24, 2010 - Green Guide Alliance launched at IATM convention in Istanbul
IATM Chairman, Scott McGraw, launched a new environmental initiative at the 48th Annual Meeting of IATM in Istanbul.
May 12, 2009 - New booking procedure for Vatican
See the link above for details of the new procedure for booking group tours of the Vatican.
June 18, 2008 - MOTO reinstates concessionary meals for TMs.
Following representations from IATM and Tour Managers, MOTO has agreed to reinstate concessionary meals for TMs as well as drivers. Full details of the requirements are given on the MOTO website. IATM understands that the requirement to be in uniform is flexible and that any TM with proper idenitification, dressed for business, and accompanied by the driver will receive the concession.
November 12, 2007 - IATM Board makes statement on employment status of TMs.
At a meeting of the IATM board of directors held in London, 9-11 November, 2007, the board made an important statement of policy regarding the employment status of Tour Managers.
November 23, 2005 - Chair's speech to Peace Summit in Thailand
Read the speech given by the Chair of the IATM Board of Directors, Anna-Lena Soderlund-Tornell, to the 3rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism held in Pattaya, Thailand.
November 8, 2004 - IATM Policy on GVI Class Action
A meeting of the IATM Board of Directors held 5-7 November, 2004, considered the implications of the recent GVI Class Action.
A policy statement was agreed stressing the desire of Tour Managers to retain their freelance (independent contractor) status and encouraging Tour Operators to give greater recognition and value to their Tour Managers.
Read thefull policy statement here.
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