Iita Retreat Highlights Key Priorities For Us Inbound Tourism Growth, Focusing On Accurate Information, Policy Advocacy And Global Partnerships

Published on August 29, 2025

The International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) precocious hosted a strategical retreat that brought together cardinal inbound operators and nan association’s Board of Directors to measure nan early of nan U.S. inbound recreation industry. This landmark gathering was an opportunity for IITA members, representing some accepted and non-traditional business models, including FITs (Fully Independent Travelers) and group circuit operators, to travel together and talk really nan manufacture tin navigate existent challenges and group priorities for maturation successful nan years ahead.

As nan request for world recreation to nan U.S. continues to grow, nan IITA retreat saw discussions focused connected really to flooded barriers faced by world travelers. The group, made up of world inbound leaders, identified accurate, unbiased connection arsenic a captious privilege to combat misinformation and reconstruct assurance successful walking to nan U.S. “Despite nan hurdles facing world travelers, we are optimistic astir nan future, peculiarly pinch nan opportunities emerging successful world markets,” said Lisa Simon, CEO and Executive Director of IITA. “This retreat was an basal first measurement to guarantee that IITA remains focused connected issues that matter astir to our members and partners.”

Top Priorities Identified for U.S. Inbound Tourism Growth

During nan retreat, IITA members discussed nan cardinal areas that are important for nan continued occurrence of inbound tourism to nan U.S. One of nan superior goals identified was nan request for meticulous and transparent connection to correct misperceptions astir recreation to nan U.S. This effort is aimed astatine ensuring world travelers, on pinch recreation agents and partners abroad, person reliable accusation that encourages visits to nan U.S.

In summation to communication, different priorities highlighted included advocacy for inbound operators to guarantee their voices are heard successful argumentation discussions, peculiarly concerning safety and security and access to national lands. These issues are basal for maintaining nan U.S. arsenic a safe and welcoming destination for world visitors.

Collaboration for a Seamless Travel Experience

The retreat was hosted by nan Greater Zion Convention and Visitor Bureau and Black Desert Resort, some of which showcased nan champion of location hospitality and attractions. Lena Ross, IITA Chair and COO of America 4 You, underscored nan value of creating much businesslike and rewarding experiences for world partners and travelers. “This convention pinch inbound operators is each astir strengthening world connections and ensuring that travelers bask seamless and memorable experiences successful nan United States,” said Ross.

The IITA Board will now activity connected refining nan six priorities discussed during nan retreat into a broad three-year strategical plan. The relation will align its resources to reside these areas and present nan top effect for nan inbound recreation industry. IITA intends to stock nan outcomes of these strategical discussions pinch members and world stakeholders successful nan coming months.

Insights from Industry Leaders and Key Participants

The retreat was attended by a divers group of cardinal figures successful nan inbound recreation industry, including Richard Groesz, Co-Owner of American Ring Travel, Inc., Nicholas Hentschel, CEO of AmericanTours International LLC, and Oswaldo Freitas, CEO of Easy Time Travel LLC. These experts provided valuable perspectives connected nan challenges and opportunities wrong nan industry, ensuring that nan discussions remained applicable and impactful.

Also joining nan retreat were executives from awesome inbound operators specified arsenic Angela Lasky, VP of USA & Canada astatine OTS Globe – Americas, and Marco Jahn, President & CEO of New World Travel, Inc. These influential leaders collaborated connected strategies to heighten nan early of U.S. inbound travel, moving towards a much cohesive and effective recreation ecosystem for nan years ahead.

Advocating for Local and Global Partnerships

The IITA’s efforts are not conscionable focused connected connection and policy; they besides purpose to create a much businesslike and connected world tourism network. The association’s strategy is to build lasting partnerships pinch world recreation agencies, ensuring smoother business operations and amended experiences for travelers.

The IITA Board besides plans to reside challenges specified arsenic world recreation restrictions, information concerns, and entree to U.S. nationalist lands. Ensuring that inbound operators and overseas partners are included successful discussions astir these important issues is cardinal to ensuring nan continued maturation of U.S. tourism.

Fostering Innovation and Local Talent Development

Part of IITA’s semipermanent strategy involves processing section talent and fostering invention successful nan inbound recreation space. Isabel Hill, nan erstwhile Director of nan U.S. National Travel & Tourism Office, facilitated nan meeting, helping style nan conversations and ensuring that each voices were heard during this pivotal retreat.

To further fortify nan maturation of inbound tourism, nan IITA besides plans to present acquisition programs aimed astatine processing nan skills of section manufacture professionals. These initiatives will lend to a much innovative and well-equipped workforce, fresh to meet nan challenges of a quickly evolving tourism landscape.