VISIT USA NOW! ISSUE 94 | OCTOBER 2011 New looks for VUSA online
The Visit USA Association has upgraded its activities online to provide a new-look, more motivational website for UK consumers. The site has been redesigned and
reworked to make it easier to use and more inspirational to those considering a trip to the states. New features have been added to the
site including a ‘get inspired’ section where visitors can click on any US state to see a range of inspirational ideas, news and offers related to that destination. Search facilities are also now available
based on ‘states and destinations’, ‘attractions and services’ and ‘type of holiday.’ There is also a 'Frequently Asked Questions' area and an ‘Ask An Expert' section where consumer queries can be forwarded to association members for answering. In addition, visitors will be
LA's big appeal The Natural History Museum
of Los Angeles, a top attraction in the 'City of Angels', is laying claim to be the 'dino hub' of America after reopening its newly-revamped Dinosaur Hall. A 25-foot-long Triceratops now
greets visitors who enter the 1920s gallery, while other highlights include the world's only T-Rex 'growth series' and a Stegosaurus-fighting predator, the Allosaurus. Two-thirds of the dinosaurs and Mesozoic specimens have never been exhibited before. T-Rex is something of a regional American icon: it is thought to have only existed in western North America.
www.nhm.org
VISIT USA IN BRIEF
AA on demand American Airlines is rolling out an
‘Entertainment On Demand’ streaming video product. across its fleet of 15 Boeing 767-200s. Customers can wirelessly stream films and TV shows from an in-flight library to Wi-Fi- enabled laptops, tablets and mobiles.
www.americanairlines.co.uk
26 October 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
CityPASS goes mobile Attraction ticket specialist CityPASS
has launched a mobile version of its website that lets travellers use their iPhones, iPod touch devices, and Android smartphones to compare prices, watch destination videos, and pull up directions, visitor tips and maps.
www.citypass.com
Scare nights in Virginia Virginia's Busch Gardens is again running 'Howl-O-Scream' throughout October. The park, which also has thrill rides and animal encounters, transforms at night to 'horrify' guests with ghosts, spooky creatures, haunted houses and scary shows.
www.buschgardens.com
US states featuring Route 66 are
hoping for a surge of visitors after being featured in ITV’s current four-part ‘road trip’ series, featuring Billy Connolly. The Big Yin turned Easy Rider on his journey from Chicago to Santa Monica, as he travelled the length of the 2488- mile long iconic road, taking in sights such as Chicago’s skyscrapers, the St Louis Arch, the Grand Canyon, and the Wild West badlands of Oklahoma and
able to use the site to sign up for the Visit USA e-newsletter and view members' travel brochures and videos. The UK market is also set to benefit
from a new worldwide marketing campaign being planned by the new
Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) in the USA. The campaign will launch in November to tie in with World Travel Market. It has appointed JWT to lead the country’s first ever global marketing campaign.
www.visitusa.org.uk
Big Yin gets kicks on Route 66
Texas. Along the way he meets ‘disciples of Route 66’, from seasoned 'roadies' to first-timers living the dream. In Oklahoma, the state with the longest
stretch of road, with 400 miles, Connolly feels 'the wind sweeping down the plain' as he meets the ‘new faces’ of cowboy country, describing them as “Ranch hands from New York, with dreadlocks, baseball hats and low-slung jeans.” He also enjoyed a cattle drive to In Oklahoma City's stockyards and was left perplexed at a cattle auction, which he described as ‘like listening to a blue-grass banjo”. The Big Yin’s conclusion? “How many
other roads do you know that people sing about? It’s just one of those places you long to see. Ever since I was a wee boy in Glasgow I have fantasised about getting my kicks on Route 66,” he said.
www.TravelOk.com
The recent coverage of Hurricane
Irene may still be giving agents cause for concern when booking America’s East Coast. We’ve been in touch with the most-affected areas to find out how serious the damage is and how the states are recovering. In New England Vermont, which is
always hugely popular at this time of year for its fall colours, did experience some substantial damage to roads in the central and southern region of the state. For example, the ski resort of Killington, which is popular with British winter sports enthusiasts, saw the roof of its base lodge bar collapse, but repairs are already underway and will be ready ahead of the upcoming ski season. Commissioner of Tourism Vermont, Megan Smith, commented: “I am prouder than ever to live in Vermont after our recent trials and tribulations. The state has really demonstrated its true New England pioneering spirit; everyone pulled together quickly to return Vermont to its full glory and we are up, running and ready to welcome. "There was little or no significant damage in the northern half of the state and the leaf peeping season (late September to mid-October) is set to be as spectacular as ever." New York City was also in the flight
path of Hurricane Irene, but no substantial damage was reported. There was some flooding in low level areas, but this resided within hours. North Carolina was forecast to be
badly struck by the storms but, amongst other residents, the wild Shackleford horses, which have roamed on North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks for over 400 years, weathered the storm stoically. Only hours after 90+ mile per hour winds struck Shackleford Banks, a brand new foal was born. Appropriately named 'Aftermath', the plucky foal is perfectly healthy, serving as a testament to the fortitude of these wild Spanish Mustangs. Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair WixHill Ltd
www.wixhill.co.uk
Contact information for specific US states is available in the Visit USA Travel Planner.
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