DESTINATIONS SHOPPING THE US
RIGHT: Indoor rollercoaster,
Mall of America
FAR RIGHT: The Forum
Shops, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
ASK THE EXPERT
Edna Hischer, Europe travel trade representative, Simon Shopping Destinations “Shopping is such an integral part of any holiday experience to the US, so we always encourage travel agents to bring shopping into their sales conversation and into the booking process. Travellers are looking for recommendations and tips shopping- wise – especially those who have not been to the US before and are not aware of the incredible shopping to be had. By highlighting the benefits and savings to be made at Simon Shopping Destinations, it helps agents confirm that booking, plus the customer will appreciate the advice, making them more likely to come back to the agent to book their next holiday.”
traveltrade.simon.com
an expansion in the pipeline, with a host of shops due to be added over the coming months. Beyond LA, Sawgrass Mills in Fort
Lauderdale is a good bet for family fun and mid-range shopping. It features a 23-screen cinema, Imax and more, and is so popular it ranks as Florida’s second-biggest tourist attraction. Meanwhile, in Bloomington there’s the Mall of America, the largest centre in the country, where fashion shows, celebrity book signings, workshops and performances rub shoulders with the likes of a comedy house, museum and indoor theme park. Who said shopping was just about shops?
w SPLURGE: SPLASH OUT If all that’s not exciting enough and you’ve got clients looking to flash a little more cash, there’s only one thing for it: the infamous Las Vegas Strip. This sparkling, neon world of extravagance is bursting at the seams with designer stores, and wandering through The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace – admiring the Trevi Fountain and elaborate spiralled escalators – felt like another world altogether. As one of the highest-end malls on the Strip, The Forum is a good destination for clients seeking an exclusive, behind-closed-doors shopping experience, and the Dior there has just opened a small spa room where customers can get a mini-facial. Beyond that there’s Crystal Shops –
an ultra-luxe, glittering complex that’s home to the country’s flagship Louis Vuitton store. And here’s a secret:
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travelweekly.co.uk 7 July 2016
all around in time with the soothing, powerful music in a mesmerising spectacle, I just knew I couldn’t have been anywhere but Vegas. It’s not all limited to Sin City though.
Over in LA, the Carrier Concierge can arrange for clients to be shown around by stylists from local personal shopping service LaLaLuxe (from $400 per hour). And back in New York, several
clients planning on spending big in the store can book an appointment to a little-known James Turrell exhibition held in one of the back rooms. Meanwhile, at the Louis Vuitton store in the Bellagio, there’s a terrace where high-spending shoppers can arrange a private viewing of the famous fountain show, drink in hand. I managed to get a sneak peek – and as water sprayed
Shopping news
Orlando Premium Outlets has introduced a complimentary Shopper Shuttle to transport guests from key hotels to Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland and International. The 50-passenger vehicle runs one pick-up each morning and a return each day from hotels including The Floridian Hotel & Suites, Crowne Plaza Universal Orlando and The Palms Hotel & Villages. Fans of Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas could take part in a meet-and-greet
with the singers at Premium Outlets including Woodbury Common, Desert Hills, Orlando International, Las Vegas North and Phoenix. To enter, visit
simon.com/vipevents. Passengers transiting through New
York can take advantage of new Shop- Over packages. The Mills at Jersey Gardens is close to New York Newark airport and served by half-hourly shuttles, while JFK is less than half an hour from the newly expanded Roosevelt Field mall.
companies offer private limo excursions to upgrade a visit to Woodbury Premium Outlets ($699 for six hours with All Occasion Limo). There’s even a private jet service available from Manhattan with Liberty Helicopters – which might come in handy if, like me, clients overdo it and need a little extra room for the bags.
lalaluxe.com alloccasionlimo.com libertyhelicopter.com
FAST FACT
Funway reports high demand for shopping holidays around Black Friday, Independence Day and Memorial Day
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