Like to know more? Visit www.visitusa.org.uk Subscribe to our


fortnightly email newsletter online. Call the information and brochure request line on 0870 777 2213 or email vusa@bhpdirect-mail.com


San Francisco penguins love annual cards


PENGUINS at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, received their own Valentine’s cards. The annual tradition apparently


provides the birds with nesting material and promotes bonding between couples. The hearts were mostly collected by the males and offered to the females or placed into nests in order to encourage the females to breed. In Golden Gate Park, California


Academy of Sciences is a multi-use facility with an aquarium, planetarium, four-storey rainforest and natural history museum under a 2.5 acre ‘living roof’. It’s a combination that allows visitors


to explore the depths of a Philippine coral reef, climb into the canopy of a Costa Rican rainforest and ‘fly’ to the outer reaches of the Universe. New this summer is an exhibition to celebrate the America’s Cup heading to


Virgin’s clients can be rock stars


VIRGIN Holidays, which sends more holidaymakers to Florida than any other UK operator, has launched its new Florida 2014 preview brochure. Highlights include exclusive


Rockstar Service benefits, early booking discounts and various other offers such as free Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Manchester flights to Heathrow when customers book a Miami holiday before April 25. Customers also receive up to £200


off a Florida holiday when travelling in June or September 2014: families booking a seven-night package before April 30 2013 will receive a £200 saving per booking, while couples save £50pp. Prices start from £849 per adult for


seven nights in a villa. virginholidays.co.uk


IN BRIEF United’s a frequent flyer to Houston


United Airlines is to introduce a third daily non-stop service between Heathrow and Houston, from March 31. The additional flight will depart Heathrow daily at 13:35, arriving in Houston at 18:10 the same day. Journey times will be 10 hours 35 minutes (westbound). United.com


Funway gets tactical with Disney Funway Holidays' new 16-page ‘Disney Monster Deals’ brochure, valid for new bookings taken up to April 2 2013, includes a 14-day ticket for the price of seven days which covers access to all six Disney parks. Package deals from £649pp for seven nights. funway4agents.co.uk


Visit USA welcomes new members!


The Visit USA Association has signed up four new members: Wild Florida Airboats: wildfloridairboats.com; SKY Hotels & Resorts: staysky.com; Great Rail Journeys greatrail.com; and American Sky americansky.co.uk. For a full list of members see: Visitusa.org.uk


Kissimmee signals new experience for visitors


EXPERIENCE Kissimmee, the tourism sales and marketing arm of Osceola County, central Florida, has rebranded, with the aim ‘to address the strategic goals of the destination and target a new generation of travellers through a UK promotional campaign’. The refreshed name accompanies a


new logo being rolled out in the US and leading international markets including the UK.


Aside from the neighbouring theme


parks, Kissimmee, which attracts around six million worldwide visitors annually, can point to a number of outdoor adventures and family-fun activities from adrenaline-filled zip lining and air-boat rides to eco-friendly safaris and nature centres to spas, shopping and a wide range of dining experiences. Experience Kissimmee Executive Director Shelley Maccini said: “Today’s


traveller doesn’t simply want to stay in a destination; they want to experience it. "Our mix of attractions and


accommodation, proximity to the world- famous theme parks, natural attractions and smaller entertainment offerings are perfectly suited to giving visitors the involvement and exploration they want in a holiday destination.” destinationkissimmee.co.uk


San Francisco. Built for Speed runs from May 10-September 29 and will explore the adaptation methods of some of the fastest animals in the sea – from sailfish to sharks to spineless squid. Visitors will also get a close-up look at the


assembling of a rare offshore orca skeleton, examine high-speed sailboats designed by the America’s Cup defending champions, and compare the forms that make these boats and marine animals so fast in water. calacademy.org


BOOKINGS LOOKING UP AS USA GAINS FROM BURST OF BRAND RECOGNITION


ONE of the many fortunate things about working in the travel industry is that while just about everyone else battles with the winter blues, we are all (hopefully) too busy to have time to worry about the start of the year being so miserable. In fact, the first couple of months of


any year are traditionally a key booking window and the USA is certainly one of the leading destinations booked during this time. From family holidays in Orlando to


weekend breaks in New York City to fly-drives down the Californian coast, the diversity, value for money and British love of the USA all helps to translate into bookings. Encouragingly, the feedback from


some of our Visit USA members points to another positive year for those selling the USA. This more optimistic mood has been fuelled by the bumper amount of activity in the market including extended travel sections in newspapers and magazines and significant other promotions. The most visible activity has been


the number of travel brands advertising on TV this year. USA-selling travel brands such as


Virgin Atlantic, Thomas Cook, TUI and Royal Caribbean have all been on our screens from the beginning of the year and, more recently, we have seen the return of the Brand USA TV advert ‘Land of Dreams’, this time partnering with British Airways. Visit USA hopes you have had a


great start to the year and all our members look forward to working with you all throughout 2013. Jonathan Sloan Hills Balfour / Visit USA visitusa.org.uk


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