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VISIT USA ASSOCIATION RECOGNISES LEADING MEDIA CONTRIBUTIONS
Get high with Atlantis at Space Centre
FLORIDA’S Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has opened a major interactive attraction devoted to NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Programme. Space Shuttle Atlantis is the focal point
of a $100 million, 90,000 sq ft attraction containing four multimedia and cinematic productions and more than 60 interactive experiences that invite guests to ‘be the astronaut’. Atlantis is one of the three space-flown orbiters distributed by NASA to science centres and museums throughout the country. Visitors come nose to nose with the actual space shuttle orbiter that flew in space 33 times and still bears the scars, scorch marks and space dust of its last mission in space. They also get a nearly 360-degree view
of Atlantis as only astronauts have seen it before, tilted on its side at a 43.21-degree angle, seemingly floating in space with its payload bay doors open and its robotic arm extended, as if it has just undocked from the International Space Station (ISS).
Other highlights include a Shuttle
Launch Experience where guests can ‘get vertical’ and strap in to experience the sights, sounds and sensations of a space shuttle launch.
Guests can also climb aboard a high-
fidelity replica of the International Space Station gallery (ISS). All 135 space shuttle missions, from 1981 to 2011, were launched and processed at Kennedy Space Center.
kennedyspacecenter.com
THE Visit USA Association Media Awards, held this summer, recognised 12 UK journalists for their work in promoting the USA as a destination over the previous year. In what was one of the mostly hotly competitions
contested since the L
awards started almost 10 years ago, the Visit USA Association received over 230 entries across the eight categories. In the travel trade category, Selling ong Haul’
s very own Jo Austin scooped USAirtours looks to welcome more USAexperts
USAIRTOURS, which sells exclusively through independent travel agents, has launched a new online training programme called USAexperts. Two training modules per month will
be released between now and December – a total of 12 – covering the key selling points for popular cities as well as specific products and attractions. “Our training portal has been designed
to provide bite-size training modules that busy agents can complete in
between their normal tasks or at a dedicated time of the day,” said Rachel Healey, National
Sales Manager for
USAirtours. Agents who successfully complete all 12 modules will receive a USAexpert certificate and priority selection for fam trips. Their agencies will also qualify for additional co-op agreements. The programme can be accessed at
usaexpert.co.uk or via the operator's Agent Zone at
usairtours.co.uk/agent-zone
New York New York in Las Vegas unwraps Hershey’s Chocolate World Experience
THE New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will get a whole lot sweeter when Hershey's Chocolate World retail experience opens this winter. The flagship store will occupy two
floors, boast a 70-foot façade and provide guests with the chance to immerse themselves in candy brands Hershey’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s,
Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers and many more. There will also be a towering Hershey’s Ice Breakers,
Milk Chocolate bar, an 18-foot Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and entrances in the shape of Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates. Once inside Hershey's Chocolate World, guests will be able to create their own ‘Hershey’s happiness’ through interactive experiences such as customising sweet wrappers and personalising Hershey’s Kisses plumes.
newyorknewyork.com
Collette shows some forward thinking
AGENTS can now book almost all Collette Worldwide Holidays’ escorted tours as far ahead as April 2015. The nine-day ‘Islands of New England’
itinerary is priced £1,899pp, with highlights from including
visits to Providence, Newport, Boston, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod. The tour also includes a range of experiences such as visiting a traditional New England cranberry bog, stepping back in time at Plimouth Plantation, touring a recreated 17th century
village and enjoying a
traditional New England lobster feast. The price is based on two sharing and includes flights, accommodation in four- and five-star hotels, most meals, the services of a Collette Worldwide tour manager and free door-to-door pick-up within 100 miles of UK departure airport. Also available are a range of US
tours developed in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society.
colletteworldwide.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Jonathan Sloan Hills Balfour
the top prize for best travel feature writer for her piece entitled My New England Journey, which documented her trip through three USA states. As often is the case with travel writers these days, Jo was out of the country on the day of the awards, but Alan Orbell (pictured with Visit USA Association Chair Kate Burgess-Craddy), Managing Editor of Selling L
ong Haul was there to collect
the award on Jo's behalf. This year the Visit USA Association also gave a special one-off award to Jonathan Thompson and Mark Chilvers, who visited 50 states in just 30 days, while keeping a daily blog of their adventures around the USA. Catch up on their travels at:
aa.com/ unitedstatesofadventure If you have a USA travel feature that
you would like to be submitted for next year’s awards, please contact us through the Visit USA website:
visitusa.org.uk
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