Meeting Point North America/FTI Touristik
European Familiarization Trip
Staff hosted a familiarization trip with the North American product manager of FTI Touristik, along with its senior sales managers from Switzerland, Austria, France and Germany. FTI Touristik is based in Germany and is one of the largest tour operators of the German-speaking market. As FTI Touristik owns Meeting Point North America, a subsidiary of the company and their receptive tour operator, several hotel site inspections were covered as well as opportunities to expand their ancillary product development. Germany continues to be an important source market from Europe and gives our destination exposure through its reach, which helps to create more awareness on San Antonio and our region.
Mexico City
Fall Event Preview
Staff spearheaded a new Mexico City evening event Oct. 9 at the Sebastian Foundation to showcase the coming fall events in San Antonio. The office partnered with the San Antonio International Airport and the city’s Department of Arts & Culture as sponsors. Focus events included the coming Day of the Dead activities; the “Sebastian in San Antonio” project, consisting of the yearlong, citywide presentations of the Mexico artist and his 50th anniversary; the opening of Ruby City, the new contemporary art museum; theme park seasonal activities; and the Spurs game in Mexico City on Dec. 14. In addition, staff promoted special holiday travel offers from our coming holiday campaign on Despegar.com. Attendees included top operators, OTAs, airline contacts, travel trade and consumer/trade media.
Australia & United Airlines Australia Familiarization Trip
At the end of October, the Tourism Department will be hosting a group from Australia that will consist of Travel Texas Australia, United Airlines Australia and six sales staff from various agencies throughout the country. This will be their first time visiting San Antonio and our efforts will help them find opportunities to produce further itineraries outside of the international gateway cities. United Airlines has recently launched its Sydney-to-Houston intercontinental route. Australians and travelers from New Zealand now have several options to consider when traveling to Texas, including Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand. As a long-haul destination from Australia, travelers from the country rely heavily on the travel trade to help with trip planning, especially as it relates to beyond the international gateway cities.
Spurs game in Mexico City on Dec. 14, 2019
Staff is spearheading a consumer and trade promotion in Mexico City, centered around the San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns game on Dec. 14, which is part of NBA week in Mexico City. Visit San Antonio is coordinating with the Mexico City Arena, contracting two suites to be used by Tourism Development and Communications for inviting Mexico VIP travel trade and media guests. In addition, the Visit San Antonio destination video will be shown throughout the arena, prior, during and after the game. Areas showcasing the video include all the arena common areas, the scoreboard and on one of the exterior walls of the area.