usa: the southern states
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f your clients are looking for a destination that is full of contrasts but guaranteed to offer them the warmest of welcomes, point them in the direction of ‘the American South’. The region’s states all have something different
to offer, with music a key attraction for most (particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky,) beaches and theme parks a top draw for Florida, nature galore in Arkansas, mountains and barrier islands in North Carolina, brash and fun Myrtle Beach contrasting with genteel Charleston in South Carolina, and Georgia serving up its own contrast of gateway city Atlanta and historic Savannah. And in 2015 there are even more reasons to suggest a visit. Notable milestones include the 80th
birthday of Elvis Presley – reason enough for America As You Like It to fl y out 130 Elvis fans for the event last month (January). Other keynote occasions to keep front
of mind are the 450th anniversary of the founding of America’s oldest city, St Augustine in Florida; the Bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans; and the 150th anniversary of the ending of the Civil War and the death of Kentucky-born President Abraham Lincoln. And August marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans, since when the city has staged a remarkable recovery, with new hotels and attractions and record attendances at events from Mardi Gras to Voodoo Fest. Other big news includes Virgin Atlantic taking
over from Delta on the Heathrow-Atlanta route last October. Flights will increase to double- daily for the summer schedule in late March, when it also starts a Manchester-Atlanta route.
Georgia Tourism’s UK offi ce will be using the
fl ights to develop a strategic theme with the trade to encourage customers to consider venturing north from Orlando along the northeast Florida and Georgia coasts, taking in St Augustine and Savannah, as a twin-centre option. Virgin’s Atlanta fl ights have spurred tour operators such as Virgin Holidays to increase Southern content in their brochures. Others with expanded product include Abercrombie & Kent, Funway Holidays, Vacations to America and Complete North America. Premier Holidays’ USA & Canada
Reservations Supervisor Cara Martin commented: “Virgin Atlantic taking over the service from Delta provides an exciting premium economy option on this routing.” Another boost should be provided by the scrapping of Air Passenger Duty (APD) for children under 12 from May, which will particularly benefi t Florida. Rebecca Evans, Funway Marketing Executive, said the operator was expecting a record start to the year for family bookings to Florida, thanks to the dropping of APD for children. Visit Florida UK Managing Director Colin Brodie said: “This will greatly stimulate a slowly-improving family market to Florida.” He added: “When the fi nal fi gures for 2014 are in, we believe Florida will have showed a year-on-year increase in visitor numbers of at least three per cent and we will look to grow those numbers even further for 2015.” Florida received 1.5 million UK visitors in 2013. American Cruise Lines is introducing complete Mississippi river cruises from 2015, allowing operators to expand their river cruising portfolios.
“For an optional excursion while in Chattanooga, Rock City
Gardens is a fantastic afternoon with natural scenery and rock formations and has unbelievable
views across seven states” EDWINA COPPOCK, AGENCY SALES MANAGER, TITAN TRAVEL
Premier’s offerings include an 11-night New Orleans to Memphis cruise and stay holiday on the American Queen Steamboat, from just under £5,000 including excursions. Just about all the southern states are active with the trade in the UK. In addition, the Deep South USA promotes tourism to Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Kentucky re-engaged with the UK market in November 2013; the state undertook its fi rst sales mission last May and ran several tour operator fams. Trade events that help put the region in the spotlight include the Travel South International Showcase, which was held in New Orleans last November and will convene in Charlotte, North Carolina, in late 2015, and IPW, which will take place in New Orleans in 2016.
What’s new Attractions: The new LEGOLAND Florida Resort (fl
orida.legoland.com),
Opposite page: Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina; This page, clockwise: brass band in New Orleans; take a tour of Alabama’s state legislature in Montgomery; sunset beach walk in Mississippi
MANTA RAY INN
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INFO@MANTARAYINN.COM
sellingtravel.co.uk
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