VISIT USA NOW! ISSUE 93 | SEPTEMBER 2011 Life’s a winning beach for Sarasota Sarasota in Southern Florida is already
reaping the benefits of being able to claim America’s best beach. Siesta Key Beach, an eight-mile-long
crescent-shaped barrier island, was named as the nation’s best beach in May by Dr Stephen Leatherman, aka 'Dr Beach', and curious visitors have been flocking to see what all the fuss is about. “We’ve noticed an increase in visitor
numbers this summer, to the beach and Siesta Key’s hotels and restaurants, said Erin Duggan, communications director for Sarasota and her Islands Convention and Visitors Bureau. Over 50 criteria are used to determine the annual top 10 list of America’s top beaches, the most important of which are sand and water quality and environmental management. Said Dr Beach: “Siesta Key Public
Beach extends along a half-mile of the most pristine white sands in the world. The pure quartz, pulverized to a fine powder, has a magical quality. Your feet
Welcome to the first Visit USA
monthly column! I hope these pages have both educated and inspired you to sell the USA over the past few years and will do so for many more years to come. We hope our new column will also
squeak when you walk along the beach. It has shallow grades and the waves are measured in inches, which makes it a great family beach." Most accommodation on Siesta Key
Island are small, family-owned affairs while Siesta Key village has restaurants, delis, cafes, bars and galleries.
“Florida is a great-value destination
and Sarasota offers something very natural and unspoilt, which appeals to British travellers,” said Duggan. British Airways has direct daily
flights to Tampa, from which Sarasota is an easy 40-minute drive.
www.sarasota.org.uk
Visit USA plans
a winter trip The Visit USA Association is
urging members not to miss out on its popular winter roadshows. Scheduled for Lords Cricket
Ground (November 29), Radisson Hotel Manchester (November 30) and Bristol Hotel, Bristol (December 1), each road show will attract up to 120 travel agents. “Those who have been involved in
previous Visit USA roadshows know how popular these events are with members and agents alike...we always get great feedback from agents," said Visit USA chair Kate Burgess-Craddy. Each roadshow is limited to 34
Visit USA members. The evenings comprise the
workshops plus a dinner with entertainment. Shared stands are still available at £1500 each. This cost covers event participation but not travel or hotel expenses. Contact Angela: angela@
visitusa.org.uk; 020 7495 4814.
36 September 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Funway adds Dallas and Lake Tahoe The first edition of
Funway Holidays USA Brochure 2012/2013 is launched this month (September) featuring an expanded
North American programme Best-selling destinations this year are
led by Las Vegas, Orlando, New York and San Francisco, although other regions are gaining in popularity, said product manager Casey Hurford. “We have also seen significant growth in sales to San Diego, as a result of
been changed for this first edition, we have carefully selected a broader range of products to encourage more tailor- made bookings and flexibility.” New additions to the programme,
which is valid for departures between September 2011 and March 2013, include Dallas, Texas, and Lake Tahoe, California. 0844 557 0626
www.funway4agents.co.uk
VISIT USA IN BRIEF
Motorhome experts get seasonal Customers booking a minimum
seven-night rental with The Motorhome Experts, starting from Cruise America locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas, can benefit from an offer of $49 a day for the C25, which sleeps five, or $59 a day for the C30, which can accommodate up to seven. This special applies for rentals starting September 7 and lasting until December 31 this year. Unusually, there are no exclusions
during the Christmas holiday period, which should appeal to families looking for some off-season sunshine on the road Stateside. A typical one-week booking, including
all ‘live aboard’ equipment and 500 miles a week, starts at around $130 (or £82) per person. Campground fees and petrol are additional costs. 01444 233289; quotation@
cruiseamerica.co.uk;
www.cruiseamerica.co.uk
Virgin marks 25 years of Miami Virgin Atlantic is celebrating
25 years of flying between London and Miami. Flights launched in 1986, Virgin's second route after New York. The daily VS005 is operated by an A340-600 from London Heathrow. The flight departs at 11:50, arriving in Miami at 16:20. The return flight departs Miami at 20.45, arriving at 10.25am next day.
www.virgin-atlantic.com
help keep you up to date with the latest news and developments from across The Pond along with providing some insider’s views on the US travel industry and why the destination should be top of your list for promotion and sales. Encouragingly, the latest arrival figures
from the UK to the USA show that more Brits choose the USA as their number one long-haul holiday option. The data from the US Department of Commence show that the number of UK visitors to the USA in the first four months of this year were up by 6%, with bookings for the rest of the year also proving strong. With a competitive exchange rate and
British Airways’ new non-stop flight, and city break sales in Chicago are also strong," she added. “While destination coverage has not
some amazing value deals on flights and hotels, there's really never been a better time to visit the USA for clients looking for choice, value and quality. See you next month for another Visit
USA Association update. Jonathan Sloan Visit USA Association
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