Building Back! While ATA’s study abroad division, CET Academic Programs, has managed to run many virtual and several on-site programs in 2020 and 2021, this fall season will see the most robust return to in-person programs since the beginning of the pandemic across the company. Chef Edward Lee led ATA’s first trip since March 2020—a Kentucky Bourbon experience that exceeded expectations! Here is one traveler’s testimonial: “The level of thought, passion and detail that goes into planning a trip like this is unparalleled. Every detail was well-planned, but there was also wiggle room for going with the wants and whims of the group. We had a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it was utterly incredible.” In the coming weeks, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) head to the Netherlands and will lay a plaque in Amsterdam with the following inscription: “In Gratitude Of Dutch Support For The American Revolution.” Our very own Emma Impavido, Director of Educational Travel Programs, will personally manage the Italy culinary trip she designed called Dinner with Friends Abroad, led by Nancy Silverton, Ruth Reichl and Laurie Ochoa. This trip features a sought-after reservation and experience at Massimo Bottura’s country inn, just outside Modena, Casa Maria Luigia. Finally, New York Times Journeys’ Behind the Scenes of New York Theater, hosted by Scott Heller, Deputy Arts & Leisure Editor of The New York Times, and designed and led by former casting director and current ATA Senior Program Manager Samantha Barrie, departs later this month! Our teams have renewed vigor as a glimpse of normalcy returns and the warm, fulfilling glow of providing enriching, educational experiences fills our hearts. Our Newest Partners National Public Radio Launches NPR Travels ATA is thrilled to be working with National Public Radio on NPR Travels, created to connect listeners to each other and the world. These immersive experiences, built with deep learning and joyful exploration at their core, will debut in 2022 with international trips to Iceland, Chile, the UK, and other countries. Closer-to-home destinations include Memphis, Nashville, and Yellowstone National Park. Please read the full press release here! Repositioning the Great Courses’ Virtual Travel Content as Luxury Educational Experiences The global subscription video-on-demand service known as Wondrium (formally The Great Courses) has partnered with ATA to launch Wondrium Journeys! Subscribers will now have the opportunity to experience—in person—the educational programs that mirror the online curriculum and are led by the world-renowned faculty who teach The Great Courses. Exploring the Mayan World, led by archeologist Dr. Edwin Barnhart, offers travelers the chance to climb temples, swim in cenotes, taste tequila, and make chocolate. Nothing Beats an In-Person Meeting We have sorely missed—and even find ourselves craving—the meaningful, in-person interaction that has always been a cornerstone of our office culture. It is in that spirit that Kate Simpson, our President, and Chase Poffenberger, our Executive Vice President, set off on a road trip to Chautauqua, NY in August to meet their counterparts at The Chautauqua Institution, one of the company’s newest strategic partners. Over the course of a few days, the “magic” of the historic, lakeside learning community became clear: the caliber of the speakers, the contemplative dimension of the environment, and the artistic “electricity” generated by gifted performers. All these qualities and more have kept generations of families coming back every summer. Kate and Chase had inspiring conversations with Emily Morris, Chief Brand Officer, and her team about how to embed Chautauqua’s core values into its travel programs, making them uniquely “Chautauquan” and differentiated in the marketplace. As good relationships make good business, we can’t wait to introduce ourselves to other new partners we’ve only known virtually over the last year, as well as reconnect with those we’ve valued for decades.
News & Announcements
ATA Partners with Wondrium
We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Wondrium, formally known as The Great Courses Plus. Together, we’re launching Wondrium Journeys, immersive vacations designed to bring the company’s vast collection of travel courses, videos, documentaries, and series to life.The first Wondrium Journey is a 9-day, 8-night one-of-a-kind luxury adventure inspired by the virtual tour, Exploring the Mayan World. Read the full press release below and visit their website to learn more about Wondrium Journeys. WONDRIUM JOURNEYS RECREATES THE GREAT COURSES VIDEO TRAVEL TOURS AS LUXURY EDUCATIONAL VACATIONS Wondrium (formally known as: The Great Courses Plus) is excited to announce Wondrium Journeys in conjunction with Academic Travel Abroad, bringing travel enthusiasts the opportunity to experience The Great Courses virtual travel tours as live, luxury tour vacations. Wondrium Journeys will offer the opportunity to book and experience in-person tours that are designed around the itinerary of – and are led by the world-renowned educators who teach – The Great Courses popular video tours. Wondrium is the global subscription video on demand (SVOD) service offering over 7,500 hours of a broad slate of intellectually-stimulating, nonfiction learning content. Wondrium offers more than 50 travel and culture related courses, videos, documentaries, and series featuring leading experts and covering experiences such as African safaris; Washington DC; National Parks; England, Scotland, and Wales; Ancient Egypt, and more. The first Wondrium Journey will include two opportunities (a Gold package and Silver package) 9-day, 8-night adventures of a lifetime with luxury accommodations designed to recreate the experiences found in the virtual tour, Exploring the Mayan World. Travel lovers will be given an opportunity to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure led by famous archaeologist, explorer, instructor and director of the Maya Exploration Center, Dr. Edwin Barnhart to climb temples, swim in cenotes, taste tequila, make chocolate, plus much, much more. Wondrium Journeys will provide: Worry-free travel packages, including accommodations, meals, transportation, and tours. Engaging, educational, and fun-filled itineraries, recreating the learning experiences found in The Great Courses video tours. Group sizes are limited, providing an individual and personal experience. Expert guides on location giving amazing insights and information about every locale. Dr. Edwin Barnhart – who wrote the book, or in this case, taught the course – will lead the Gold Tour exploration. Wondrium Journeys are coordinated through Academic Travel Abroad. For questions and additional information about tour packages and booking a trip, consumers can visit: www.wondriumjourneys.com “Our rebrand to Wondrium earlier this year was really meant to show our commitment to offering learning experiences that go beyond just video courses,” notes Cale Pritchett, CMO. “Wondrium Journeys is a great example of that expansion and we are enthusiastic to offer travel fans the one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience The Great Courses in real life, alongside the expert guides who teach these insightful courses.” “We believe that learning through travel is an enriching, life-changing experience,” said Chase Poffenberger, Executive Vice President of Academic Travel Abroad. “The chance to design trips in tandem with Wondrium’s award-winning programs is a dream come true!” Academic Travel Abroad (ATA) is a 71-year-old, DC-based educational travel company, and creates experiential travel programs for organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, The New York Times, and Hearst Magazine Media. —About WondriumWondrium takes the learning experience to the next level, combining the library and legacy of in-depth content from The Great Courses with the best in entertaining, engaging, and educational content. The service provides a resource that complements people’s daily media habits, allowing them to pursue their passions, dig deeper into subjects, hone their habits, and find something they will love to learn about.Facebook | Instagram | Twitter About Academic Travel AbroadAcademic Travel Abroad, Inc. is an educational travel provider for some of the world’s most prestigious organizations. Riding the post-war wave of interest in travel to Europe, ATA launched operations in 1950 by assisting universities and cultural institutions in the creation of group travel programs for their members. Today, ATA is a leader in educational and branded group travel and offers an array of programs and services that marry travel and learning, such as study abroad programs, call center services, and international conferences.Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Media Contacts:Lisa Hanlon, Wondrium, [email protected] or 914-954-1553Melinda Schrom, Academic Travel Abroad, [email protected] or 202.349.7345
ATA Partners With NPR
We’re excited to announce a new partnership with NPR and launch NPR Travels, a collection of immersive, educational trips designed for public radio enthusiasts with insatiable curiosity about topics such as music, history, astronomy, politics, and climate change. Each small-group trip will be led by an engaging expert who will provide insight and context and special NPR “touches” will be woven throughout. The inaugural departure will be in January 2022. To learn more about NPR Travels, read the the official press release here.
Press Release: ATA Partners with American Girl
Company Release Academic Travel Abroad and American Girl Create New Family-Friendly, Experiential Vacation Packages Curated trips bring the worlds of popular American Girl historical characters to life for fans Washington, DC (June 25, 2021) – Today, educational travel provider Academic Travel Abroad and American Girl®, the beloved brand known for helping girls grow up with confidence and character, launched a new immersive travel program, American Girl Vacations™. Designed for American Girl fans and their families, the first two vacation packages are inspired by two of the brand’s iconic historical characters: Nanea Mitchell, a Hawaiian girl growing up during wartime in 1941; and Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish American girl growing up during the peak of the immigration period in 1914. The fully-guided educational trips will take place in December 2021 and explore the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, and Manhattan, New York. Each vacation package features curated events and activities that bring the American Girl character stories to life in a culturally authentic and unique way. “American Girl has spent decades creating fun, immersive experiences for millions of girls and their families to enjoy,” said Julie Freeland, Senior Director, Global Live Events for Mattel. “Now, by combining the wonder of travel with the magic of storytelling, American Girl Vacations gives fans a whole new way to experience the world of the brand’s beloved characters and create memories to last a lifetime.” Hawaiian Holiday with Nanea™ (December 26, 2021 – January 1, 2022) traces the story of compassionate and courageous Nanea Mitchell in beautiful Oahu, Hawaii, as she and her family watched their world turn upside down after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. In addition to a private tour of the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, girls and their families will explore the breadth of Oahu—from the shores of Waikiki Beach to the verdant mountains of the Kualoa Ranch. During the seven-day adventure, girls can walk in Nanea’s footsteps by learning the art of hula dancing, creating lei necklaces, and attending a traditional luau created just for them. See the full Hawaiian Holiday with Nanea™ itinerary and reservations here. Lights! Camera! Action! Rebecca’s™ New York (December 26-31, 2021) follows confident and charismatic Rebecca Rubin, a young girl growing up in New York City in 1914 who dreams of becoming an actress. During six days in Manhattan, girls and their families will immerse themselves in Rebecca’s New York by re-imagining the culture and traditions of her Jewish immigrant experience on the Lower East Side—the gateway for many who arrived to the U.S. in the late 19th century. In addition to several museum tours, fans will explore the world of stage through a private acting class, including a chance to make a silent film; take a sewing class while learning about mitzvah or doing good deeds; and enjoy some of the city’s most exciting holiday treats and activities. See the full Rebecca’s™ New York itinerary and reservations here. “Travel is a life-changing experience for young people, and we have woven American Girl’s core values of kindness, tolerance, confidence and resilience into these trips,” said Chase Poffenberger, ATA Executive Vice President and a mother of two daughters. Academic Travel Abroad (ATA) is a 71-year-old, DC-based educational travel company, and creates immersive and experiential travel programs for organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, The New York Times, and National Public Radio. Reservations are open now with limited availability per trip. More information about American Girl Vacations™ and bookings can be found at AmericanGirlVacations.com or by calling 1-855-395-6100. ### ABOUT ACADEMIC TRAVEL ABROAD Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. is an educational travel provider for some of the world’s most prestigious organizations. Riding the post-war wave of interest in travel to Europe, ATA launched operations in 1950 by assisting universities and cultural institutions in the creation of group travel programs for their members. Today, ATA is a leader in educational and branded group travel and offers an array of programs and services that marry travel and learning, such as study abroad programs, call center services, and international conferences. ATA’s proud list of partner organizations includes The Smithsonian Institution, The New York Times, and National Public Radio. Facebook: @AcademicTravelAbroad Twitter: @AcademicTravel Media Contact: Melinda Schrom, Academic Travel Abroad [email protected] or 202.349.7345 ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL® American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.(NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in the design and production of quality toys and consumer products. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an inspiring world of dolls, content, and experiences that nourish a girl’s spirit and help develop her strength of character. Best-selling lines include Truly Me™, Girl of the Year™, Bitty Baby®, WellieWishers™, and American Girl’s classic historical characters. The company sells products through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com, in its proprietary U.S. experiential retail stores, as well as at specialty retailers nationwide. By inspiring girls to be their best, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of parents and educators. Connect with American Girl on: Facebook: @americangirl Twitter: @American_Girl Instagram: @americangirlbrand Pinterest: agofficial YouTube: American Girl Download Press Release
2020 Q4 Newsletter
2020 Q4 Newsletter A Special Note About 2021 The first week of 2021 included an historic assault on the U.S. Capitol during a critical certification vote for our Presidential Election. The violence, intolerance, anger and disrespect for American foundational values and democratic systems reinforced how important our work is—to enhance understanding through travel and education. Many who have traveled beyond our shores deeply appreciate the privileges and freedoms we Americans have at home. Hindsight is 2020 It was an extraordinary year! We navigated uncharted territory for our organization, industry, and world. Our resilience was tested and we banded together with partners and colleagues alike to pave a path forward. As is tradition, ATA Executive Vice President, Chase Poffenberger, captured our year in a reflective blog post. Read the full post about both the highs and lows the year brought. We look forward with optimism to the year ahead and building back even stronger. Happy New Year Welcoming New Partners We are delighted to announce several new exclusive ATA partners who will be extending their reach, mission and message with experiential travel programs, beginning in 2021 and 2022. The Chautauqua Institution will take the unique blend of the arts, religion, education and recreation programming that happens each summer in upstate New York into the wider world. Country Living will be kicking off a new travel program for subscribers with a trip to the Country Living Fair in Nashville. will take the unique blend of the arts, religion, education and recreation programming that happens each summer in upstate New York into the wider world. The Great Courses will be working with ATA on itinerary planning and execution for new travel content. Road and Track has added two international destinations—Japan and Italy—to its new membership travel program called “R & T Experiences.” There are even more new partnerships on the horizon for 2021 that are not quite ready to go public, so stay tuned for our next newsletter Valuable Takeaways from Industry Events Our staff has been Zooming around the globe, albeit not by plane. Another silver lining of the pandemic was that events became more accessible, given their pivot to virtual. Here are highlights from just a few of the industry events we attended last quarter: Tourism Cares’ Virtual Meaningful Travel SummitThis virtual summit showcased Tourism Cares’ evolution as an organization committed to sustainability, with a focus on Colombia, a country that uses social and environmental justice to foster stability and peace. The Black Travel Alliance’s Wavelength Networking EventBlack Travel Content Creators (authors bloggers, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, podcasters, social media influencers, and vloggers) came together to increase their representation and visibility. We were delighted to meet these travel professionals who are guiding us as we seek educational travel partners who serve Black travelers, increase the number of People of Color-owned businesses, vendors, restaurants, hotels, venue, and tour staff we work with within the U.S. and in foreign destinations, and assess potential interest from BTA members in serving as content experts and tour managers on future trips. National Tour Association’s VTREXNTA’s first-ever virtual Travel Exchange demonstrated the resilience of the community of operators, suppliers and DMOs who come together each year at TREX as buyers and sellers. The 1:1 meetings were possibly more effective than in “real life” and the speakers top-notch. Chase Poffenberger, NTA’s current Board Chair, hopes to see members in person next November in Cleveland at TREX ‘21! World Tourism & Travel Council’s “One Voice – to Recovery and Beyond”This summit reinforced an important message: governments, businesses, and the health sector need to work together, both seamlessly and globally, to re-ignite the power of the travel industry. There is much to do, but the groundwork is being laid Doing the Work: Our Progress and Path Towards Social Justice After the election in November, we shared our Anti-Racism Action Plan publicly. The Plan outlines our commitment to putting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of everything we do. Since then, with input from our directors and teams, we have committed to concrete 2021 goals to ensure we make progress toward the metrics and loftier 10-year goals we have set for ourselves. We plan to review these formally within the organization and set the following year’s goals every January. We’ve already revised our mission statement to reaffirm our commitment to justice and equality as a central component of our organization
2020: A Year in Review
2020 Year in Review A Year of Darkness and Light As I write this post in December, I join many people who feel that 2021 can’t come soon enough! Before we turn the page on 2020, there are a few things we will never forget about this year that changed our organization. We re-imagined the work we do. As the initial shock of the worldwide shutdown wore off, we quickly pivoted from the tactical to the strategic, and started asking big, lofty questions. How we will keep travelers safe before full implementation of a vaccine? What problems can we solve for US universities? What types of new experiences will travelers seek out? How virtual can we go? The idea “incubators” we created yielded exciting results: We now enroll Chinese and Vietnamese students at our CET centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Ho Chi Minh City Global internships have successfully moved online ATA will be the new production arm for Great Courses, the online teaching company, as it develops new travel content Partnerships with renowned commercial brands have flourished—stay tuned for more specifics in our first 2021 newsletter! We re-prioritized how we work. The pandemic hastened the need to innovate new ways to collaborate, once all staff started working remotely in mid-March. Our investment in technology over the last few years was prescient, allowing seamless cloud-based file sharing, meetings on Teams, and flexibility to accommodate a variety of time zones, from Seattle to Cairo. We implemented “Project Solidarity,” a plan that offered additional time off for all US staff to manage their lives during the pandemic. We joined the racial reckoning that fanned out across the country. The summer protests for racial justice were the catalyst to our acknowledgement of our inherent biases as an organization and to commit to anti-racist work in our workplace, our programs, and our fields. We’re holding ourselves accountable with a 10-year plan and will measure our results each year. Mourning Our Losses This Year We deeply feel the loss of David Parry, our beloved Chairman Emeritus, who died in July. Not only did Dave show us how to manage many types of crises, he also taught us what “living well” over a long life looks like: a deeply committed partnership with his wife Susan; the vigorous pursuit of alpine trails, historic trains and military history; inspiration from young people and their ideas; and a keen intellect, fed by boundless curiosity. While the details of the pandemic are like no other crisis we’ve faced, Dave’s “playbook,” his hopeful optimism, and his sense of humor are never far from us as we navigate our future. We also lost some wonderful and talented colleagues this year, as the pandemic decimated the fields of educational travel and study abroad. We remain in touch with many “alumni,” and continue to support them, however we can. Here’s to 2021! While the world has changed dramatically, our commitment to international travel and education has not. We believe in what we do. May the world that opens up again for all of us be more just, gentle and whole. We can’t wait to see you! With deep gratitude,
