FEATURE KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA
Tourism Talk LISA WEIGHT
International Marketing Kansas/Oklahoma Travel and Tourism
“Kansas and Oklahoma are two states that offer the real American deal and visitors seeking the country’s authentic face love the options within this two- state region. “Travellers on the famed Route 66
will find more than 400 miles of interesting, unique, odd, funny and outrageous roadside attractions, as well as delicious diners. “Thirty-nine American Indian nations
are also headquartered in Oklahoma. Many tribes offer visitor access to their cultural centres and to their traditional annual powwows, art markets and western rodeos. “Kansas and Oklahoma are both beef country and the Flint Hills of Kansas is home to grasslands that produce the highest daily weight-gain for grazing cattle in any part of the US. “Ranch holidays in the two states are
also a different type of experience because we have ‘real-deal’, working cattle ranches. “Visitors can also look forward to experiencing proper cattle drives, sleeping under the stars or in 1890-style tents, with meals authentically prepared from chuck wagons.”
From The Front Line RUBY BRIGGS
Managing Director North America Travel Service
“Since North America Travel Service added an Oklahoma and Kansas fly- drive itinerary to the website and brochure we have seen interest generated by our repeat customers who are looking for more experiences in the heart of real America. “Route 66 plays a major role in the
awareness and appeal of this region and on the back of plenty of TV exposure in recent months we have seen a spike in enquiries. “ We also promote the opportunity
to explore the region by Harley Davidson motorbike or trike. “If someone would like to explore the
region by motorbike but they don’t already have a licence to ride a bike, we offer the opportunity of taking a course here in the UK. They learn about the bike and what to expect in the US as well as take their test in the UK before they travel.”
KAREN NIVEN
Product and Marketing Manager, Bon Voyage
“We have added a section dedicated to Route 66 to our website and we have published a small brochure on the route. This is all on the back of Billy Connolly’s television series, which has sparked a lot of interest for Route 66 holidays. It is just one of those great road trips that people want to do. “It mainly appeals to clients in their
40s, 50s and 60s because of all the nostalgia surrounding it. As well as cars, we offer the option of Harley Davidson motorbikes and RVs. Most people tend to do the whole of Route 66 rather than just one section. We recommend they spend at least two weeks doing it. Oklahoma has the largest stretch of the route so it is definitely a highlight, particularly as it has some of the most iconic sights along the way.”
Where To Book It NORTH AMERICA TRAVEL SERVICE – 0845 766 0209
www.northamericatravelservice.co.uk Route 66 and the Flint Hills are among the highlights of a two-week Cowboy Days and Indian Ways fly-drive tour of Kansas and Oklahoma. The itinerary begins and ends in Kansas City with overnight stops in Wichita, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The lead-in price of £1,889pp includes flights, car rental and accommodation.
BON VOYAGE – 0800 316 3012
www.bon-voyage.co.uk A two-week Route 66 – The Mother Road fly-drive tour from Chicago to Los Angeles leads in at £1,625pp. It crosses eight states and includes one night in Oklahoma City. Flights, car hire and accommodation are included. •
KANSAS & OKLAHOMA
Top Selling Tips...
• Sell in summer… “The best time to explore Route 66 is from late April to late October. It can be a pretty bleak drive in winter” KAREN NIVEN Product and Marketing Manager Bon Voyage
• Go Native… “Kansas and Oklahoma are great destinations for anyone who has a passion for Native American heritage and history” RUBY BRIGGS Managing Director North America Travel Service
• Add a touch of romance… “Route 66 appeals not just to the ‘mid-life crisis’ crowd. It’s also great for young honeymooners looking for an unforgettable holiday” KAREN NIVEN Product and Marketing Manager Bon Voyage
• Pitch to repeat visitors… “Kansas and Oklahoma are ideal for repeat fly-drive holidaymakers who are looking to explore and expereince more of the heart of America” RUBY BRIGGS Managing Director North America Travel Service
STEAKS AND STETSONS BY HOWARD CARR
Vegetarians should stop reading now. Even the keenest carnivore may feel a pang of guilt on entering Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, an Oklahoma City institution that has been serving up Desperate Dan- size slabs of tender meat for more than 100 years. Just yards from the city’s famous
stockyards, the smell of cattle hangs in the air outside the restaurant and you can taste the dust kicked up by the animals as they are herded by the wranglers. It’s hard to imagine that steak comes any fresher than here. Business folk and tourists mingle with
cowboys taking time out from the cattle auctions. Photos of famous guests such as John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and George Bush hang on the walls. Yet Cattlemen’s remains true to its
roots – eschewing formal frippery and gimmicky souvenirs in favour of a casual, authentic Western atmosphere. Ditch the designer sunglasses and don a Stetson instead.
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2012 19
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