VISIT USA NOW! ISSUE 91 | MAY 2011 Visit USA heading for San Francisco America’s major international trade


show to promote its wares to overseas tour operator buyers is taking place this month, and Visit USA members will be there in force to source new product for agents to sell. The 43rd annual Pow Wow will be


held in San Francisco (May 21-25) and will attract some 115 UK leisure travel buyers, by far the largest contingent from anywhere in the world. San Francisco last hosted the event in 1992. Virtually every state and most other


travel providers, from airlines and accommodation to sightseeing and shopping, exhibit at the event, more than 1000 exhibitors in all. For UK buyers in general, it’s an essential part of their travel calendar; for Ruby Briggs,


managing director of North America Travel Service, it’s critical. “It’s the only US contracting show


between buyers and sellers that we attend every single year. We occasionally go to regional shows but Pow Wow is a constant on our calendar. “The show comes at just the right time


for us to plan our next year’s programme and from an overall moving business forward point of view, has got to be worth around $20million,” she said. Briggs is also pleased with the choice


of venue. “In terms of it being in a new city – the first time for 19 years – it’s important and the show is sold out.” Look out for a full report on the main


Pow Wow news stories in the June edition of Selling Long Haul.


Virgin resumes


Chicago service Virgin Atlantic will reinstate a


direct service from London Heathrow to Chicago on May 9. The seasonal service, on an Airbus A340-300, will operate four times a week, gradually building up to a daily service from May 22. The flight will return to Virgin Atlantic’s schedule for the winter season in October 2011. The Great Lakes of North America is emerging as one of the key US destinations for 2011. US Airtours and Complete North America recently added tours to the area, along with Virgin Holidays. The Virgin Holidays Great Lakes itinerary is a 12-night fly-drive that starts and ends in Chicago. It takes in the region’s big cities


and small towns, with time for tax- free shopping in Minnesota and island-hopping in Michigan; as well as excursions in Wisconsin. Prices are from £1,439pp including return flights, accommodation and car hire. Return flights from London- Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare start from £402pp. www.virginatlantic.com www.greatlakesnorthamerica. co.uk


44 May 2011 • www.sellinglonghaul.com Amtrak's 40 on straight and narrow


Amtrak is celebrating 40 years as ‘America's Railroad’, providing intercity and high-speed passenger rail service throughout America and offering the main transportation for urban and rural communities. This month (May 7), a special 40th


anniversary ‘exhibit train’ will make its debut at the National Train Day event in Washington, D.C. and then travel across the country for a one-year period. It will have two locomotives with historic paint schemes and use renovated


baggage cars to display educational exhibits focusing on each decade of the railroad's existence. Among other planned commemorative activities is a book entitled Amtrak: An American Story and a special anniversary web site with historical information about Amtrak, a schedule of celebration activities, a photo archive and video library, and a virtual tour of the exhibit train. A record 28.7 million passengers


travelled on Amtrak in 2010, on more than 300 daily trains (excluding commuter trains), at speeds of up to 150mph that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces. For more information in the UK, contact Jane Wilson, UK marketing representative for Amtrak on 020 8948 2388 or email: amtrak@ attachecommunications.co.uk


West Virginia targets history buffs


The West Virginia Bed & Breakfast Association (WVBBA) is stepping up its efforts to win business from international visitors. Made up of 53 members throughout


the Mountain State, the consortium of quaint log cabins and restored farmhouses, classic mansions and historic inns, is preparing to launch a


Civil War Passport targeting history- loving travellers in the year of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. For a listing of West Virginia bed and


breakfasts as well as special packages available, visit www.wvbba.com. For more information about events and activities in West Virginia, visit www.wvtourism.com


VISIT USA IN BRIEF


Express service to US Low-cost airline Iceland Express will launch its new seasonal route between London Gatwick and Boston, via Reykjavik, on June 2, as well as Edinburgh to Boston via Reykjavik on June 10. www.icelandexpress.com


Newport Beach in Harrods As part of a month-long promotion with Harrods, starting on May 15, Newport Beach has teamed up with Virgin Holidays and Hyatt to offer travellers the chance to experience the luxury OC lifestyle this November with a five-night fly- drive package from £849. Bookable until June, for travel November 3-24, the package takes travellers to a chic seaside destination famed for its picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, 50 miles south of LA. www.VirginHolidays.com www.visitnewportbeach.com/uk


NYC landmark hotel expands The Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, one of New York City's largest and most iconic hotels, is to undertake a $150-million renovation project. The prominent landmark will receive a floor-to- ceiling transformation, expanding the size of all 1,780 guest rooms, grand suites and the Sheraton Club Lounge. Work will begin in December and finish by April 2012 www.sheraton.com/newyork


Atlantis finds permanent home The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been selected to permanently display space shuttle Atlantis when it retires from the Space Shuttle Programme. Atlantis, one of three orbiters in the space shuttle fleet, will be retired later this year. www.kennedyspacecenter.com


A premium growth for Vegas Premium Outlets Las Vegas has expanded. The growth means there are now 140 top designers at the new south venue including Guess, True Religion and Michael Kors. www.premiumoutlets.com


LAURA GELDER BMI PUBLISHING


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