show report News from Pow Wow, LA
Pow Wow 2012 was held in Los Angeles April 21-25. Alan Orbell and Sally Parker report on some of the show’s major stories…
SeaWorld turns turtle SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has
just opened its new TurtleTrek at SeaWorld Orlando, said to be the first-ever 3D, 360 degree domed theatre with animated film using 34 projectors on a screen of 26million pixels. The film is combined with two saltwater and freshwater habitats with sea turtles, Caribbean-native fish, manatees and freshwater fish. Also in Orlando, this month (May)
sees the opening of Freshwater Oasis at
More for NYC Having achieved its 50 million visitor
target a year ahead of schedule, New York City has now set a new target of 55 million by 2015. Some 10.3million of the 2011 total were overseas visitors (up from 9.7 million) although the UK has been knocked off the top spot by Canada for the first time in a decade. UK visitors totalled 1.014million
(down 4% on 2010) with a further reduction – to 0.998 million – forecast for 2012. George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company expects increased international visitation to come primarily from Latin America, China, South Korea and India although there will be no cutbacks in marketing expenditure within established markets. “We will never forget or overlook our established friends such as the UK.” Emulating London’s bike share
programme, a similar scheme is being introduced this year in New York and, among other developments, Manhattan’s South Street Seaport Museum has re-opened after three years' closure.
www.nycgo.com
12 May 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Discovery Cove where guests can swim, wade and float in a tropical habitat among marmosets and Asian otters. Further May openings are a combined
roller coaster/animal attraction at SeaWorld San Diego (May 26); Busch Gardens Williamsburg has the new Verbolten roller coaster; and Aquatica Texas opens in San Antonio. Biggest new project is ‘Antarctica –
Empire of the Penguin’ opening spring 2013.
www.seaworlodparks.com
Fort Lauderdale’s Super Summer Greater Fort Lauderdale is
offering 2-for-1 specials worth $200 for all stays of two nights or more between May 1 and September 30. Vouchers or a Super Summer Savings card can be ordered at
www.sunny.org The east coast resort also has a
'Vacation Like a VIP' programme from June 1 - September 30 when 14 Lauderdale Luxe Collection hotels treat guests like a star with a two-night minimum package that provides a room upgrade, $100 resort credit for food & beverage, golf, spa, pool/beach cabana, water activities, kids' programmes,
IN BRIEF
A new Golden Gate perspective The Golden Gate Bridge’s historic
art-deco Round House is the hub for new guided 45- and 60-minute tours featuring stories surrounding the building and operation of this iconic marvel. Day and evening (when the sidewalks are normally closed) tours will be available. Reservations advised.
www.goldengatebridgetour.com
Olympic art heads for London Original artwork exhibits from Fort
Myers Sanibel’s Art of the Olympians museum will be on show at University College London during the 2012 Olympics between July 27 and August 12. The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge and the Games will also be watchable on a giant screen.
www.artoftheolympians.org
West Virginia’s activity accolade West Virginia’s Adventures on the Gorge gravity zipline in Lansing at the all-inclusive Adventure Vacation Resort has been voted one of the top activities in the world by Time and Leisure Magazine Online. The zipline is a mile long and more than 200 feet above the ground at its highest point.
www.adventurewestvirginia.com
Orlando savings
parking and $25 AmEx gift card. GFL has also introduced 12 ‘Off The Beaten Path’ ideas including first-time nightime Red Eye Everglades airboat tours to see the alligators.
Visit Orlando has launched an exclusive savings programme for the travel trade with around 20 special offers across accommodation, attractions, car hire, dining, and golf between August 15 and September 30. ‘Global Hospitality Days’ samples include a $69 rate (plus tax) including breakfast in the Hampton Inn South of Universal Studios, 20% off car hire and off any ATV, dune buggy or Jeep off- roading experience. www.
VisitOrlando.com/hospitality New tools to help agents sell at
www.VisitOrlando.com/trade
“It’s critical that we partner with the Visit USA associations” CHRIS PERKINS
Chief Marketing Officer, Brand USA
ALEX ORBELL
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