The Official Travel Publication of the ABA

Advertising in ABA’s premier travel publication—available in both print and digital formats—offers highly visible exposure. Produced 6x annually, Destinations includes state and region-specific coverage and special industry guides in every issue.

ABA Media Influences 12,500 Operators and Group Tour Decision Makers*

  • 91% of readers prefer to receive ABA publications in print and electronic formats; Destinations advertisers are automatically included in ABA’s digital edition that is hosted on buses.org all year long
  • More than 75% of owner/operators view ABA as a high-value, trusted sources of information relevant to their business
  • 65% of readers have taken action in the prior 12 months as a result of reading ABA communications

* ABA Communications Effectiveness Study 2016 - Readex Research

 

 

 

 

 

Issue
Issue Focus
Deadlines

January/February 2021

Cover: ABA members share how group tourism has changed and reopening tips. Preparation for Baltimore's Marketplace.
Feature: ABA member downtowns share how they are welcoming groups and the safety and cleaning protocols they have in place
Travel Resource: Marketplace Host City 2021: Baltimore; Marketplace Host City 2022: Grapevine
Guides: Brantford, Ontario

Ad Close: 12/10/20

Art Due: 12/17/20

March/April 2021

Cover: Mystery Tours and booking schedule changes
Feature: Co-partnering with various travel sectors as a result of COVID-19: (cruises, destinations, bus companies, all transportation)
Travel Resource: The West: AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA; South: AL, AR, LA, MS
Guides: Traverse City, Michigan

Ad Close: 2/16/21

Art Due: 2/23/21

May/June 2021

Cover: ABA members share lessons learned during the pandemic including unconventional education tours
Feature: Make the most of your time at Marketplace; What's new for 2021
Travel Resource: Southwest: AZ, NM, OK, TX; New England: CT, NH, ME, MA, RI, VT; Western Canada: AB, BC, NWT, NU
Guides: Topeka, Kansas

Ad Close: 4/13/21

Art Due: 4/20/21

July/August 2021

Cover: Marketplace 2022 Coverage: Grapevine, Texas
Feature: Highlighting ABA members that offer guilty pleasures to survive times of crises including wineries/breweries; shopping; food
Travel Resource: Southeast: FL, GA, NC, SC; Great Lakes: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Guides: Lexington, Kentucky

Ad Close: 6/3/21

Art Due: 6/10/21

September/October 2021

Cover: Route 66 (itinerary of members along Rt. 66)
Feature: Business/Technology
Travel Resource: East Central: KY, TN, VA WV; Rockies: CO, ID, MT, UT, WY; Central Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC 
Guides: Springfield, Massachusetts (Western Massachusetts)

Ad Close: 8/13/21

Art Due: 8/20/21

November/December 2021

Cover: Best of the Best
Feature: Education sessions for Marketplace 2022
Travel Resource: Mid-Atlantic: DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, DC; Northern Plains: IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD; Eastern Canada: NB, NL, NS, PEI
Guides: Sherbrooke, Quebec

Ad Close: 10/12/21

Art Due: 10/19/21

Deadlines subject to change

RATES

Net Rates
1x
3x
6x

2-Page Spread

$6,760

$6,420

$6,085

Full Page

$4,270

$4,060

$3,845

2/3 Page

$3,760

$3,575

$3,385

1/2 Page

$2,470

$2,350

$2,225

1/3 Page

$2,125

$2,020

$1,915

1/4 Page*

$1,695

 

 

1/6 Page

$1,445

$1,375

$1,300

Covers 2, 3, or 4

$5,125

$4,870

$4,615

Opposite TOC

 $4,700 $4,460 $4,230

*Offered in Sept/Oct Best of Best section only.

AD SPECIFICATIONS

Placement
Size

2-Page Spread

Trim: 17" x 10.875"
Bleed: 17.25" x 11.125"

Full Page

Trim: 8.5" x 10.875"
Bleed: 8.75" x 11.125"

2/3 Page

Vertical: 4.875" x 10"

1/2 Page

Horizontal: 7.5" x 4.875"

1/3 Page

Vertical: 2.375" x 10"
Square: 4.875" x 4.875"

1/4 Page*

Vertical: 3.5" x 4.875"

1/6 Page

Vertical: 2.375" x 4.875"

*Offered in Sept/Oct Best of Best section only.

GUIDE SECTION RATES & SPECS

Rates Guide Section

Net Rates
1x
Specifications

1/3 Page

$1,595

Square: 4.875" x 4.875"

1/4 Page

$1,340

Vertical: 3.5" x 4.875"

1/6 Page

$1,085

Vertical: 2.375" x 4.875"

 

 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND FORMATS

  • A high-resolution PDF/X-1a file is required for all ads.
  • Colors must be CMYK. No ICC profiles, RGB, or Pantone colors.
  • Resolution of all photography and scanned illustrations must be at least 300 dpi. Line art should be 600 dpi.
  • Vital copy and images must be at least 1/8" away from trim. Spread ads must have at least 3/8" total gutter.
  • Materials should be submitted without crop marks, but full-page ads should include the required 1/8" bleed.
  • All fonts used must be embedded in the PDF file.
  • Using the bold, italic or other style keys is not encouraged. Please use the bold or italic version of the font. (For example, instead of making Adobe® Garamond bold with the style key, use the actual font for Adobe® Garamond Bold.)
  • Flatten all layers and set transparency to highest setting.
  • Ads must be suitable to print as-is. ABA is not responsible for any errors in content.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Materials that do not meet the stated advertising specifications will be rejected.
  • Necessary alterations are the responsibility of and at the expense of the advertiser. All materials must be submitted in accordance with the published deadlines and meet the criteria stated in the advertising policy.

 

PRODUCTION CONTACT

sendmyad@theygsgroup.com

The YGS Group
3650 West Market Street
York, PA 17404
Tel: 717.505.9701

Best of the Best

SPECIAL SECTION

Destinations - November/December issue

Best of the Best honors outstanding travel industry members who go above and beyond for the group tour industry. Categories include Adventure, Culture, Entertainment, Festivals & Events, Food & Beverage, Lodging, and Shopping.

Winners will be showcased in the November/December issue of Destinations and at ABA's Marketplace!

Winners should consult with your sales representative for package options to ensure year-round promotion of your Best of the Best award.