DERTOUR is one of the largest tour operators in Germany and Austria and part of the Rewe group, which also owns Meier’s Weltreisen and Adac Reisen. DERTOUR supports employees in more than 11,000 travel agencies (in Germany and Austria) through many ways, including supplementary training, seminars and training courses on location. These measures help ensure continued quality in each travel agency.

One training instrument is the DERTOUR Travel Academy. Every year, this major event takes 700 travel agency employees to destination areas worldwide. After an extremely successful Academy in Los Angeles in 1996, California is a preferred destination to host the Academy again.

The DERTOUR Travel Academy was established in 1974, and is the best known promotion event in the travel industry in Germany and Austria. The event will again be held in California between mid-November and mid December 2010. Participating agents are chosen based on minimum DERTOUR turnover and increased sales figures in different categories; application and successful answering of questionnaire handbook with specific questions regarding DERTOUR and partners; and additional questionnaire handbook for destination only. Agents must have a minimum of two years active counter experience.

Attendees

• 696 qualified travel agents (348 each for two terms) of active counter staff, selected from over 10,000 travel agencies in Germany, Austria and neighbouring countries.
• 60 important partners/suppliers from different fields of tourism
• 80 DERTOUR product managers and DERTOUR staff
• 10-12 journalists from well-known travel magazines in Germany and Austria (participating normally end of first term and beginning of second term)

This program includes the main DERTOUR Travel Academy, plus pre- and post-event fams.

DERTOUR Travel Academy

• Familiarizing activities in the hosting destination
• Social events
• Special workshop/presentation of the hosting country

Transportation

• Air/rail transportation for approx. 840 persons
• 12-15 busses for transportation per term (depending on seating capacity)

Accommodations

• 130 single rooms (for partners/suppliers, DERTOUR staff members, journalists)
• 176 double rooms (for agents)
• All rooms should be in one hotel. If two (maximum) hotels are required, both should be in close vicinity (walking distance).   

Facilities

• 30 rooms for workshops, at least 35 square meters, bathroom not included (could be in hosting hotels, convention center or similar)
• 3 rooms (used as offices)
• Storage for technical equipment (approx. 10 tons of freight) incl. repair shop in the same building where workshops will take place
• Restaurants, conference halls, ballrooms, cinemas for 500-600 people (unique sites for official opening, f&b functions, presentations, closing ceremony, multivision show)

Pre and Post Tours

• Between one and four nights ( to stagger flights)
• All tours should refer to DERTOUR programs
• Small groups between 12, 24, 36 and 48 people (70-90% of agents will apply for tours)
• Moderate flat rate can be charged to agents (fee per night max. $35 USD)
• Pre tour for partners (if applicable, about 15 people) for three/four days; arrival at hosting hotel two days prior the main event for setup 

Tours must include:
• German- or English-speaking tour guide
• Transfers and all entrance fees
• Hotel accommodation in double rooms/hotel inspections (should be included in the DERTOUR program)
• Half or full board
• Food and beverage
• Ground transportation
• Excursions & entertainment