FEATURE USA: THE SOUTH WEST
options to dazzle audiences. Meanwhile, Nevada Tourism aims to show the state offers much more than just Las Vegas. Key areas it is promoting including fly/drive holidays – taking in its mining ghost towns, scenic splendour at places such as Great Basin National Park and Valley of Fire and Beaver Dam state parks, Wild West heritage and adventure activities – as well as skiing in top resorts such as Lake Tahoe’s Squaw Valley and Heavenly, and golf at more than 100 courses from the heart of Las Vegas to desert, lake-side and mountain layouts.
New Mexico is often the
forgotten corner of the Southwest, but it certainly doesn’t lack in wow-factor appeal. Among visitor draws are Native American and Spanish cultural heritage (from missions to preserved pueblo dwellings such as at Acoma and Taos Pueblo), natural splendour at sites including the White Sands National Monument dunes, Carlsbad’s caverns and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad; vestiges of the Old West at places including Old Lincoln (synonymous with Billy the Kid) and history-filled cities, among them capital Santa Fe and Alburquerque, where the world’s largest hot-air balloon festival takes place each October. Roswell’s rocket history and alien
mysteries will keep space junkies and sci-fi fans happy while preview tours have begun operating at Spaceport America, where Virgin Galactic plans to launch commercial space flights.
What’s New
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is set to launch a new travel agents’ club in conjunction with its Las Vegas Virtuoso online training programme, rewarding qualified agents with concession rates and quizzes to win hotel stays and fam trip places, and featuring an “ask the expert” instant message service. The LVCVA is planning fam trips in December and June 2012.
Las Vegas looks set to its own
550ft observation wheel, over 100ft
higher than the London Eye. Due to open
in late 2013, the High Roller will form part of a $550 million open-air entertainment district called the Linq. Arizona launches its first online
agent training programme this autumn. Activities, events and exhibits marking Arizona’s 100th anniversary, on February 14, 2012, continue until the end of 2012. Visit the centennial website,
www.arizona100.org.
Tourism Talk RUSSELL MEARA
UK sales and marketing director, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority “The UK is the largest overseas source market for Las Vegas. Our visitor numbers grew by over 12% in 2010, which was a fantastic result. This trend is set to continue this year with British Airways having increased
LBVCB A4 Pub Ad
r6.indd 9/29/11 1:24:49 PM Page 1
Selling Tip Dining
out...The South west is a great
destination for lovers of spicy food and big portions!
METROPOLITAN TUSCON CONVENTION BOARD
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68