NTA President Pam Inman Named to U.S. Travel & Tourism Advisory Board

Pam Inman, CTP, president of the National Tour Association (NTA), has been appointed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to a two-year term on the U.S. Travel & Tourism Advisory Board.

In this role, Inman will work closely with fellow board members to develop recommendations on strengthening the competitiveness of the United States travel and tourism industry.

The board, comprising up to 32 members, advises the secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing the proposing solutions to industry-related problems.

"Pam is a personable, insightful leader, and she absolutely deserves a seat at this table," said Chris Babb, NTA board chair and owner of D.C.-based The Group Tour Company. "She will provide a strong and knowledgeable voice for the packaged-travel industry."

Inman, who guides NTA's strategic direction, has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality and trade association industry, in leadership positions at the national and state level. In addition, she held executive positions in state government including two gubernatorial offices, tourist development, environment and labor agencies. Inman also has more than 15 years' experience working on political campaigns and 25 years in lobbying to the state legislature and members of Congress on tourism issues.

"For more than 30 years, I've been in the industry in different segments: hotels, tourism development—and now packaged travel," said Inman. "I work on behalf of NTA members who are providing unique experiences while owning and operating their businesses, along with those members who represent the destinations and businesses that offer those experiences. I want to bring their challenges and successes to the table as I work with the Department of Commerce."

Having attended these meetings as an observer ever since she joined NTA, Inman wants to be sure Secretary Ross and his team understand the issues and concerns that affect the travel and tourism industry as a whole—and especially NTA members.

"Tourism has such a positive and important effect on the U.S. economy, and we want the secretary to understand how his department can help our members."

For more information, visit NTA.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Staff Writer for Groups Today.