48 the review
Visit USA news... Seaworld’s killer project
Hogwarts Express reaches one million
THE cheers of guests filled the air at Universal Orlando
Resort’s
Hogsmeade Station this summer as the Florida theme park celebrated its one millionth rider on the Hogwarts Express.
The train transported Harry Potter and his friends between Hogsmeade Station and King’s Cross Station and to celebrate the milestone nearly 200 guests were treated
to Express complimentary
Butterbeer ice-cream. Park guests board the Hogwarts to travel between The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. The journey, which requires a park-to-park
ticket, combines
powerful storytelling, live special effects and lifelike animation.
universalorlando.com
Roadshow return
THE Visit USA Travel Agent Roadshow, now in its eighth year, is taking place next month. It’s an opportunity for travel agents and tour operator counter staff who actively sell holidays to the USA to meet US suppliers and destinations and to learn more about vacation opportunities in the USA. Dates are November 25 - Chelsea Football Club, London; November 26
-
Nottingham; and November 27 - The Europa Hotel, Belfast. The evening starts at 5pm with
registration and reception drinks.
Visitusa.org.uk
SEAWORLD Entertainment plans to build new killer whale environments that it says will fund new programmes to protect ocean health and killer whales in the wild. The first ‘Blue World Project’ will be built at SeaWorld San Diego, where the killer whale environment will have a total water
gallons, nearly double the
existing facility. With a depth of 50ft, a surface area
of nearly 1.5 acres and spanning more
than 350ft in length, the
planned new environment will also feature 40-ft views. Seaworld says the enlarged environment will support the whales’
broad range of behaviours and provide choices that can challenge the whales both physically
and mentally.
Kansas and Oklahoma on the road
For
volume of 10 million that of
example, planned is a ‘fast water current’ feature that allows whales to swim against moving water, thus functionally increasing speed and diversity Guests to the park will be able to walk alongside
the whales, watch them
interact at the depths found in the ocean, or enjoy a bird’s-eye view from above. SeaWorld has also pledged $10 million in funds for killer whale research. The San Diego environment is
expected to open in 2018 with new killer whale homes to follow at SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Antonio.
seaworldparksagents.co.uk
KBC to spearhead leading US trade show’s UK activities
THE US Travel Association, the non- profit organisation representing all components of the US travel industry, has appointed KBC PR & Marketing to promote its annual international marketplace, IPW (formerly known as International Pow Wow), in the UK. KBC, which currently represents 12 US states, Washington DC and the Florida Keys & Key West, secured the
three-year appointment following a competitive tender issued by the US Travel Association in July. The agency says it has already commenced work activities in support of IPW 2015, scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida, from May 30 and June 3 2015. KBC Account Director Jo Thomas will lead activities on the project. The three-day IPW sees more than
1,000 travel organisations from every US region and industry category connect with more than 1,300 international and domestic buyers. KBC Managing Director Helena Beard added: “For those who promote and sell the US, IPW is an essential fixture in the industry calendar and plays a crucial role in product and marketing decisions.
Ipw.com;
kbc-pre.com
THE UK tourist office for the states of Kansas and Oklahoma has been turning heads with its eye-catching branded van. Last month the vehicle enjoyed a prime position at the Bournemouth Air Festival, in a promotion organised in association with Bon Voyage Travel & Tours. Matt Bates, who represents both states in the UK, (Bournemouth
said: Air Festival) is
exactly the type of cooperative project idea that we will be pursuing in the future. It is important we work with those partner-operators
who feature
Kansas/Oklahoma – perhaps a ranch stay or a self-drive product – online or in their brochures. “We are currently discussing projects
other with our travel
partners in the UK and Ireland, particularly for the fourth quarter, when agencies are a little quieter.” The van, with the facility to train up to five agents, will be used to introduce the two states to agents.
Travelksok.co.uk
Crowne Plaza Hotel,
“This
sellingtravel.co.uk
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