VISIT USA NOW! ISSUE 92 | JUNE 2011 Calm after the storm for South Tourism offices in the UK which
represent some of the southern states hit hardest by April’s deadly tornadoes are urging agents to get the word out that their main tourism centres are up and running and welcoming visitors. More than 350 ‘twisters’ whipped
across Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana in a four-day period, killing at least 350. In the worst-hit state, Alabama,
Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville in the north of the state were affected. “Tuscaloosa bore the brunt of the damage, but it is mainly a university town and not a primary tourist destination,” said Della Tully, account manager for Alabama Tourism Department UK. “In Huntsville, the U.S. Space and
Rocket Center (pictured), Alabama’s most-visited attraction, closed briefly but quickly re-opened for business.” Mobile and the Gulf Coast region did not receive any damage.
In Kentucky, Mike Cooper, commissioner at the Kentucky Department of Travel, said: “All of our tourism attractions are open. Kentucky is a great summer destination, whether a holidaymaker is looking for a city break in Louisville, an equestrian-based break in Lexington, a Bluegrass music experience in Owensboro or an outdoors soft adventure in one of the state parks.” Georgia, which draws visitors mainly to
Atlanta, to its offshore islands and to Savannah, a city full of preserved colonial charm, was also spared serious damage. “Most of Georgia was left unscathed
by the deadly tornadoes,” said Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner for tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Destinations and attractions across
the state are gearing up for the summer travel season ahead,” he said.
Taste a slice
of Brooklyn The A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour’
has been voted the best tour of New York borough Brooklyn by Tripadvisor. Launched in 2005, the tour starts by picking passengers up in Manhattan. From there, it stops at two of Brooklyn's most famous pizzerias: Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn for their award- winning Neapolitan style pizza and L&B Spumoni Gardens in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn for their legendary Sicilian style pizza. In between, passengers are treated
to the history and culture of Brooklyn neighbourhoods such as Sunset Park, Red Hook, Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Brighton Beach and the celebrated Coney Island boardwalk. The tour also includes famous
Brooklyn movie locations from such movies as Scent of a Woman, Once Upon a Time in America, Saturday Night Fever, Goodfellas and The French Connection.
www.asliceofbrooklyn.com
36 June 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com Starwood icons get makeover
will expand the size of all 1,780 guest rooms, grand suites and the Sheraton Club Lounge. The mid-town Manhattan property has completed the renovation of two-thirds of its rooms while the remaining rooms will be completed in April 2012. Meanwhile, in Hawaii The Royal
Two iconic Starwood properties have significantly upgraded their facilities. In New York, The Sheraton New
York Hotel and Towers, one of the city’s largest hotels, is in the middle of a $150-million renovation project that over the next few months will see it receive a floor-to-ceiling makeover that
Hawaiian (pictured) has completed a $70 million renovation with the opening of the new Royal Beach Tower. The 528-room property on Waikiki Beach, known as the ‘Pink Palace of the Pacific,’ dates back to 1927. A new beach-inspired theme has been
incorporated in a complete renovation of the historic Wing rooms.
www.starwoodhotels.com
New connections in Florida British Airways is now flying daily
between Gatwick and Tampa, Florida. Flights start from £624pp, inclusive, for
June 2011 departures. Tampa has a distinct Caribbean influence and many UK holidaymakers also use the city as a gateway to resorts such as Clearwater,
St.Petersburg, Sarasota and other popular holiday
VISIT USA IN BRIEF
US Airways adds Charlotte US Airways launched a new daily seasonal summer service between Dublin and its US hub, Charlotte, North Carolina, last month. The service, which will operate
until September 30, complements US Airways’ daily non-stop service between Dublin and Philadelphia. The Charlotte flight leaves Dublin at 09.15, arriving 12.40. The return flights leaves Charlotte at 18.20, arriving into Dublin at 06.50.
www.usairways.com
Elton still standing in Vegas Elton John is to return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, with an all-new show, ‘The Million Dollar Piano’, beginning September 28 2011, for 16 shows. The singer-songwriter’s Vegas
return will mark the beginning of a three-year residency at The Colosseum and his second as a Caesars Palace headliner. Elton will be accompanied by a full
band and will welcome several different guest artists, such as percussionist Ray Cooper, during his stint at the Palace.
www.visitlasvegas.co.uk
hotspots on the Gulf coast. Twinning Tampa with the Florida Keys
is now also more viable after AirTran Airways introduced a new non-stop daily (jet) service between Tampa and Key West. AirTran also offers non-stop flights between Key West and Orlando.
www.ba.com www.airtran.com
Myrtle Beach is a winner Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been voted the best beach in the United States by travel website Trip
Advisor.com, based on a variety of criteria including the number of hotels and restaurants in the area and activities to accommodate any holiday budget. Myrtle Beach came out on top when compared to all other coastal locations in the US including popular tourist destinations Honolulu and Miami Beach, Cape May, New Jersey and Panama City, Florida.
www.discoversouthcarolina.com
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