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Miami (March 26, 2004) -- The National Business Travel Association today announced a new complement to its portfolio of outstanding hotels, leading resorts, and vibrant convention and visitor’s bureaus. Five cruise lines have joined the association – Delta Queen Steamship Company, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Sea Dream Yacht Club.

NBTA also announced related new membership programs. “The addition of cruise lines to our allied portfolio is the latest in a series of initiatives to address the growing need of our members for information on planning groups and meetings,” said Bill Connors, NBTA executive director.

NBTA’s newest standing committee, “Groups and Meetings,” will issue periodic reports and sponsor educational and networking programs, such as the “Groups and Meetings” seminar track to be offered at the NBTA Annual Convention in Orlando August 1-4. NBTA also has established a business partnership with Meeting Professionals International to enhance the service offerings of both organizations.

Each of the cruise lines joining NBTA as an “allied” member – the membership category reserved for business travel suppliers – offers or intends to offer programs, packages, facilities, and activities geared toward the business traveler. These programs complement the familiar incentive cruises long offered to the business community.

“Business travel helps drive the economy and cruise lines can help get business done,” said Bill Connors, NBTA executive director. “Cruises offer benefits to the business traveler, and are an important new resource for our direct members, the professional business travel manager.”

The National Business Travel Association is the source for critical information on the business travel industry.  For more than 35 years, NBTA has dedicated itself to the professional development of its members through advocacy, education and training, and networking opportunities.  NBTA represents over 2,400 corporate travel managers and travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than $170 billion of expenditures within the business travel industry.

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