Americas
More rail to Grapevine, Texas
Visitors now have another convenient way to reach Grapevine as the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line commuter rail opens service.
Brand USA Ambassador spotlight
When it comes to crafting memorable travel experiences for her clients, Kay Gregan believes there’s no substitute for first-hand knowledge.
Salt Lake City: temple, train, airport
Travellers with an interest in religion as well as architectural and cultural landmarks will have a rare opportunity to walk through the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of the Latter Day Saints in 2027.
US reps on the road
Exhibitors at the three city Visit USA roadshow this week have been shouting a ‘US is open and we’re here to support you’ message.
GTN agents visit Canada
A group of Global Travel Network (GTN) members, joined by Kate Tagataese from the GTN Support Team and Sheryn Ambler from Fiji Airways, has returned from an educational exploring Canada.
Red rocks, snow, movies: Utah promotes tourism range and is open despite govt shutdown
Combining ski with a road trip, exploring a new film trail and experiencing ‘slow travel experiences ‘ like the Canyon Spirit (previously Rocky Mountaineer) are among the reasons to visit Utah currently being promoted by its tourism office.
Dedicated support for VIA Rail
International Rail has strengthened its partnership with Canadian operator VIA Rail.
Park City: snow, ski and summer
Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah will be doubling in size next year with new lifts and runs. Park City Mountain is also adding new gondolas.
Santa Monica beachside base
Agents are being urged to consider recommending Santa Monica as a base for clients heading to any of the big events in Los Angeles over the next few years.
Travel Manitoba’s new podcast
Canada’s Travel Manitoba has launched a new podcast, Been There, Never Done That, streaming on major platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
New AW itineraries in Canada
Adventure World has launched a new campaign, Authentic. Custom. Canada., running now through to 28 November 2025 across Australia and New Zealand.
Agents can win South America adventure
Viva Expeditions is giving Kiwi travel agents the chance to win a South American experience through its latest travel trade incentive.
Trail of the Bison across Canada
Adventure World has expanded its Canada portfolio with the introduction of Trail of the Bison.
DL ups premium offer on Auckland route – says it’s ‘got the configuration right’
Delta Air Lines is taking a premium heavy approach to the LAX-AKL route for its third season and is confident it has the right mix of seats for the service, says Rob LeBel, managing director international and special sales with DL.
GTN agents experience Memphis
A group of Global Travel Network agents recently took part in a famil to Memphis and Tupelo, designed to showcase the culture, music and history of these Southern destinations.
Stomping in Texas with Fiji stopover
Ten New Zealand travel agents have just returned from a fam trip hosted by Fiji Airways and Grapevine, Texas, as part of the 39th annual GrapeFest – A Texas Wine Experience.
GFOB's 2026 North America
Globus family of brands (GFOB) has new 2026 Canada and USA brochures from Globus and Cosmos, featuring the most popular tours and introducing new itineraries from the touring brands. These are now available for advisors to order.
Brand USA ambassador's tips
Encouraging clients to upgrade their flight coming home is among the tips that Brand USA Ambassador Rebecca Gilbert is offering to trade colleagues.
Destination DC works to counter negative rhetoric
Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, has announced sales and marketing strategies for 2026 that aim to shape perception and counter negative rhetoric about the district.
Self-famils, hotel specials, island add-ons highlighted at Aloha Downunder event
By Megan Singleton
A travel agent self-famil programme, with a trove of discounts from operators, was launched at Hawaii’s annual Aloha Downunder visit when it kicked off in Auckland this week.
California’s Ukiah to get profile
Gate 7 has been awarded a year-long PR retainer to one of California’s smaller destinations, Visit Ukiah, helping bring it to an international audience.
West Hollywood appoints Canuckiwi
Canuckiwi Ltd has been appointed as the public relations and media representation agency for Visit West Hollywood in New Zealand and Australia.
Peru’s hidden gems showcased over breakfast
Viva Expeditions held two breakfast events in Auckland and one in Christchurch last week, with special guest Rebeca Espinoza from Unique Latin America giving agents a fresh perspective on travel in Peru.
Webinars focus on Route 66, highlight tourism partners
Brand USA has launched Route 66: A Deep Drive. The new webinar series has been developed in collaboration with Destination Webinars, and is designed for travel agents across New Zealand and Australia.
Obama Centre takes shape
The opening of the Obama Presidential Centre next year is expected to provide another major drawcard for international visitors to Chicago, as well as providing a significant community asset.
G Adventures' new Canada tours
G Adventures has launched nine new itineraries across six provinces in Canada.
Latest Sell Your Way to the USA incentive opens
The latest iteration of the fam trip opportunity Sell Your Way to the USA is now up and running.
Chicago’s building blocks revealed by river
An architecture cruise along Chicago’s river not only gives visitors a feel for the layout of the city but also offers a glimpse into its history and the people who shaped it.
Chicago’s building blocks revealed by river
An architecture cruise along Chicago’s river not only gives visitors a feel for the layout of the city but also offers a glimpse into its history and the people who shaped it.
Religion and writing exhibit at new museum
The American Writers Museum, one of Chicago’s newest museums, will open a new exhibit exploring the intersection of religion and writing from 21 November 2025 and into next year.
Plenty of potential for trade in USA camping
A continuing desire by travellers to get into USA’s great outdoors is driving international business for RV (campervan) specialist Cruise America.
NYC develops tools for trade to take advantage of luxury product offerings
New York City is placing emphasis on the affluent traveller and ways to assist agents in selling to the sector, attendees at the USA tourism showcase IPW last week.
Still room for clients at GrapeFest
Clients wanting to experience a Texas style festival packed with wine, food and live entertainment still have time to plan a visit to Grapefest from 11-14 September 2025.
Brand USA launches new agenda to drive tourism as funding talks continue
Brand USA is currently engaged in an ‘unprecedented level of dialogue with all levels of government including the White House’, according to Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA.
Message from America: Rhetoric may confuse but welcome is genuine
At any conference delegates are thanked for attending, but the expression of gratitude had a rare poignancy at America’s tourism showcase in Chicago this week.
Visit USA puts balance on border
The travel trade is being urged to get up to speed with the latest tools their clients can access to get through US customs and immigration easily and quickly.
Brand USA launches new agenda to drive tourism as funding talks continue
Brand USA is currently engaged in an ‘unprecedented level of dialogue with all levels of government including the White House’, according to Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA.
Message from America: Rhetoric may confuse but welcome is genuine
At any conference delegates are thanked for attending, but the expression of gratitude had a rare poignancy at America’s tourism showcase in Chicago this week.
New activities around Vancouver
A number of new tours and adventures have been launched in and around Vancouver.
Grapevine, FJ incentive gets push, big interest in webinar
About 70 Kiwi agents (and another 100 who requested the recording) took part in a webinar on Wednesday that updated trade on the Grapevine-Fiji Airways incentive that culminates in a September famil to Texas.
Trade’s support crucial as Anaheim set for ‘golden era’
Anaheim is set to have a ‘golden era’ over the next few years, with a number of significant events and developments on the way, says Lisa Linn, who represents Visit Anaheim in New Zealand.
Scenic train and jazz combo
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in California has announced the return Yosemite Jazz Train for 2025.
Infinity-Brand USA partnership
Infinity Holidays and Brand USA are collaborating on the RoadTrips USA itineraries within the New Zealand market.
Oklahoma's music trail
The Oklahoma Music Trail offers clients a chance to experience the stories, sounds, and spaces that shaped American music.
Brazil’s Untamed Pantanal itinerary
World Journeys is promoting a new 11-day Untamed Pantanal itinerary in Brazil which highlights an array of wildlife in the area, ideal for those who have enjoyed African safaris.
Solid figures for Hawai'i
New Zealand arrivals into Hawaii were slightly up in Q1 this year compared to the same period in 2024, product managers and other industry partners heard at a Month of Lei lunch in Auckland yesterday.
Visit USA ready to help NZ agents overcome headwinds amid current ‘sense of caution'
The Visit USA New Zealand committee is encouraging clients to continue selling the destination with confidence.
Summer vibes in Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine, near Dallas and Fort Worth, has a number of attractions and activities lined up for the USA summer.
travel&co's USA ski famil
travel&co, in partnership with Air New Zealand and United Airlines, recently hosted a premium USA Ski Famil for nine New Zealand travel professionals, immersing them in the ski offerings of California’s Lake Tahoe region.
Get Seattle Certified
Visit Seattle has launched Seattle Destination Training, a free interactive online programme for travel professionals.
WJ releases Galapagos brochure
As demand hots up for travel to South America, the Galapagos Islands continue to be the ‘star of the show’ according to World Journeys.
Out and about in Texas – new self-drive itineraries coming
A new initiative to get travellers exploring more of Texas after they arrive in the gateways of Houston or Dallas-Fort Worth is likely to be released over the next few months.
Agents can earn a Fiji-Texas combo famil
Fiji Airways and Grapevine, Texas have launched an exclusive opportunity for New Zealand travel agents to experience the new direct Fiji Airways route from Nadi (NAN) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).
Chilled vibes in San Diego
If clients are visiting Los Angeles and/or Disneyland in Anaheim, it’s worth suggesting a trip south to ‘chill out’ in San Diego.
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Manitoba wilderness gives trade opportunities
The complexity of travelling to Churchill – known as the polar bear capital of the world – in Manitoba, Canada provides an ideal opportunity for travel agents.
Destination DC releases new modules, agents can win trip
Destination DC has a new agent incentive through the Washington, DC Special Agent Academy, an interactive training programme that is designed to equip travel professionals with the tools they need to become experts on the US capital.
Ambassador Panel highlight of Brand USA expos
Brand USA launched its inaugural retail agent Ambassador Panel in New Zealand and Australia this - a first-of-its-kind programme for the organisation globally.
Miami nice: Florida city plants the seed for trade to sell ‘next step’ in USA
Growing interest in Florida from the New Zealand market encouraged the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to take part in this week’s Brand USA Expos in Wellington and Auckland, says the organisation’s director, travel industry sales Joe Docal.
