Visit North Carolina has launched Dream Big in Small Town NC, an initiative to boost economic recovery by attracting travellers and potential workforce to small towns in 16 counties facing population loss.  The campaign showcases natural beauty and small-town charm in places with special challenges resulting from the pandemic.

Rated amongst the top three opera houses in the world, the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires reopens this week for the first time in two years, reports World Journeys.

The theatre’s history goes back to  1908, with more recent restorations resulting in exceptional acoustics and stunning architectural features rivalling La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera and London’s Covent Garden. 

World Journeys reports Covid testing is no longer required for entry to Uruguay, providing visitors are fully vaccinated. 

‘This is great news for travellers looking to travel to South America and include several countries in their itinerary, which is the current trend,’ says director and South America specialist Chris Lyons. 

As Kiwis start to find their wings again and the direct Air New Zealand flight to New York draws closer, Washington DC is emphasising reasons for the trade to make the city and surrounds a key stop on any East Coast itinerary.

Chris Ingram, director - Australia / New Zealand at Memphis Tourism says last week's border announcement is ‘timely news’ from the Government.

‘Without a doubt it has taken some courage for them to arrive at this decision and so full credit to them. Of course the decision means that Kiwis around the world can now return home to reconnect with loved ones, but it also means that Kiwis and Kiwi businesses can start to travel again and reconnect with the world, in my case the US.

APT has launched its most popular Canada and Alaska holidays for 2023 early so travel agents can secure the best deals for clients.

The 16-page brochure showcases five key itineraries with multiple departures dates from April to September 2023. Savings of up to $3,500 per couple are on offer for bookings made prior to 29 April 2022.

World Journeys reports that Rapa Nui (Easter Island) will reopen its doors to tourism with the resumption of regular flights on 3 February 2022 – more than a year since the island closed its borders.  World Journeys director and South America specialist, Chris Lyons says the significance of this is that Rapa Nui, as a special territory of Chile, is actually the last South American destination to reopen.

The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Barossa Grape & Wine Association held a virtual media Paint and Wine event this week for some of Australia and New Zealand’s top media partners and VIP’s.

The focus of the event was to highlight the Grapevine’s Rock Art Trail which has earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, as well as highlight the importance that wine plays in the USA’s fifth largest wine producing state.  Grapevine’s Urban Wine Trail as well as Grapefest® wine festival were also shared with media.

World Journeys advises that it is now possible to book Inca Trail trekking permits for travel in 2022. Agents should be aware that capacity in 2022 has been reduced to 200 tourists per day, and this, combined with travel postponed from 2021, means there will be pressure on availability. 

‘Agents should get their clients booked as soon as possible.  We recommend hiking the Inca Trail in the April to September period which provides more reliable weather,’ says Chris Lyons, director and South America specialist. 

World Journeys offers a four-day, three-night Inca Trail trek from $1,560 per person share twin, three-star, as well as alternative options such as the Choquequirao Trek and the Salkantay Trek. For the itinerary CLICK HERE.

Destination DC has reappointed Canuckiwi Ltd as its representative agency in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Pre-pandemic, the markets produced more than 90,000 visitors per year for Washington, DC, keeping them in the top 10 overseas arrival markets for the nation’s capital. During the pandemic, there have been new attractions, renovations and exhibits that have extended growth in DC’s neighbourhoods and will continue to be the draw card for visitation.

In Cuba the vaccination rates are advancing rapidly and there are some advances with respect to tourism, according to Viva Expeditions.

Managing director of Viva Expeditions, Rachel Williams reports that Havana has already lifted many of the restrictions, having opened restaurants and other recreational places, and it was announced that on 15 November the country will begin to open more widely to tourism. Several Spanish hotel companies such as Melia and Iberostar have already announced the reopening of their hotels, and 23 airlines will resume flights during October.

World Journeys reports that a new attraction offering the ‘ultimate natural high’ has opened on Vancouver Island, BC.

The Malahat SkyWalk immerses visitors in nature as they embark along a wooden walkway through the forest, then ascend a circular ramp gently rising to the top of a 10-storey, spiral tower lookout.

At the top, guests are 250 metres above sea level and enjoy 360-degree views of two countries, including islands, inlets, fjords, forests and mountains in British Columbia and Washington State.

After enduring some of the worst of the Covid pandemic so far, Peru’s cases are dropping, vaccines are increasing, and the country is welcoming tourists back.

Viva Expeditions’ hotel and operations manager, Nick Macciocca has been at Casa República in Lima and reports an increase in occupancy month on month with August now having 50% occupancy during the week, growing to 70% on weekends following a trend nationwide. All hotel staff are back on full hours and the hotel has had to increase its staff numbers to meet increasing demand.

Visit Anchorage is re-entering the New Zealand and Australian markets with the re-appointment of Canuckiwi Ltd as its representative agency.

‘Pre-pandemic our markets were ranked as Alaska’s number one international market for visitor arrivals,’ says Corey Marshall, director of Canuckiwi. ‘With the rise in interest for wide open spaces and independent travel vacations post pandemic it is an extremely important time to ensure awareness amongst trade partners of the offering Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska has available for when international travel resumes in 2022.’

Destination British Columbia in Canada is preparing to welcome the world, launching ‘Open to More’. The concept aims to encourage wider exploration and new adventures throughout the province.

A trip planning tool supporting Open to More has been developed on-line at exploreBC.com, highlighting ideas to experience British Columbia in a new light. 

Destination British Columbia identified the top 10 BC experiences over spring, summer and autumn:

Active Adventures reports a shift in American clients’ eagerness to travel; one that is likely to be observed among the New Zealand market also. The company says clients are turning their nervousness into readiness to travel. In June, Active Adventures had its largest sales month in its 25-year history.

‘We are seeing a new type of client as we approach a post-Covid-19 era – one who is eager to travel with a company which can ensure its guests are in safe hands and every detail is taken care of. They are also seeking premium and sustainable travel,’ Active Adventures CEO Wendy Van Lieshout says.

Despite an increase in leisure travel, a new report released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows that the road to recovery for the industry remains a long one.

The new data from benchmarking specialist STR, shows that 21 of the top 25 US hotel markets remain in a depression or recession. Urban hotels are still in a ‘depression’ cycle while the overall US hotel industry remains in a ‘recession’.

Getting clarity around what post-vaccination travel from New Zealand will look like is crucial for US destinations intending to allocate budget to this market, trade heard at a pre 4 July event.

Corey Marshall, of Canuckiwi, told a Skal Auckland lunch at Bald Eagle Diner that with other markets starting to open up it is a frustrating time for USA representatives in New Zealand and Australia.

A record turnout of presenters for Visit USA NZ’s ‘Independence Day Virtual Roadshow 2021’ illustrates yet again the vital role the trade will play in the reboot of travel between New Zealand and the United States.

With more than 20 organisations participating including airlines, destinations, hotels, tour operators, and others, the Independence Day webinar event will be streamed live from the Hawaiian Airlines Auckland office on Tuesday 6 July, at 9.30am. The atmosphere will be enhanced by an on-site audience including invited Auckland-based travel trade.

Rocky Mountaineer is extending the inaugural season of its new route in the United States, Rockies to the Red Rocks, by four weeks due to strong sales from the domestic US market.

Peter Armstrong, founder and interim CEO of Rocky Mountaineer says some high-demand dates are nearing capacity.

Rockies to the Red Rocks is a two-day train journey between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

American Queen Steamboat Company will sail the Ohio River region during its largest season in the Midwest. In 2022, the company will have three paddlewheelers operating a full season with 30 Ohio River sailings.

The voyages will introduce guests to major urban centres like Louisville, Kentucky; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; through to port towns like Madison, Indiana; and Brandenburg, Kentucky.

Ohio River itineraries in 2022 include Louisville to Pittsburgh or vv, Memphis to Louisville or vv, Louisville to Nashville, Clarksvilleor vv. 

The Visit USA committee is assuring travel agents and brokers that the organisation and its members continue to be active in the market and are ready to support the trade whenever necessary.

The new chair of the committee, Chris Ingram, says despite the challenges and (specifically) closed borders, Visit USA’s members continue to be committed to the industry here.

‘We’ll be running an event around the 4th of July and details will be released to the trade soon. It will be mainly virtual but there will also be a physical element to it, with some people from the trade and media joining us. We’re likely to have up to 20 presenters there.’

Agents can now book 2022 packages for Rocky Mountaineer’s Canadian routes via the sales centre or agent portal. 

Travellers booking a Rocky Mountaineer 2022 package for the routes in western Canada will benefit from a 20% risk-free deposit, fully refundable until 3 December 2021. The final payment is due 60 days before travel (45 days for wholesale bookings).

Viva Expeditions has advised that Tierra Hotels in Chile have confirmed reopening dates after long closures due to strict Covid lockdowns in Chile. Tierra Hotels offers accommodation in spectacular locations in Chile.

Tierra Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama will re-open 3 September 2021, Tierra Chiloé on the Island of Chiloé will re-open 30 October 2021 and Tierra Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park on 1 October 2021. The hotels will close again for the winter period in 2022 – Tierra Patagonia on 30 April, Tierra Chiloé on 31 March. Tierra Atacama is currently planning on being open until the end of April 2022.

Viva Expeditions’ double Tierra  Hotel experience starts from $8945 for eight days and includes luxury accommodation, all meals and drinks, internal flights, guided activities and more. Click here for details.

xtravel is again privately chartering a Latam Dreamliner 787-8 to help get South American passengers back home given there are still no direct commercial services between NZ and South America.

The company is advising other agents in New Zealand who have any passengers who may be interested in this flight.

The flight schedule is 26 February depart AKL at 18:10pm, 26 February arrive SCL at 13:40pm. Times are subject to change a little depending on landing slots.

This flight includes two pieces of baggage weighing up to 23kgs per person plus carry-on of 7kgs. Additional pieces can be purchased directly at the airport for US$200 per piece.

Add-ons to regional South America are available and should be booked in conjunction with this flight .

The recommended retail price (NZ$) is $2590 per adult, $2370 per child and $359 per infant. xtravel is able to offer finders’ fees of $200 per adult, $175per child and $35 for infants.

Agents should check other conditions and details. info@xtravel.co.nz

Graceland in Memphis has introduced virtual live tours.

The tours will provide fans from around the world with behind the scenes access and never before seen highlights of the complex.

Hosted by one of the world’s foremost experts on all-things Elvis Presley, vice president of Graceland Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese, the virtual live tours will provide an in-depth look into Elvis’

National Geographic’s Destinations On The Rise For 2021, notes that while the pandemic has brought global journeys to a standstill, travellers’ curiosity is still evident.

Canada is recognised in two of the report’s categories.

In the Family Journeys category, learning about indigenous culture in British Columbia’s Vancouver and Vancouver Island are noted, with emphasis on a guided forest ramble with Talaysay

How to grow consumer confidence so New Zealanders will travel again to Latin America post Covid-19 was on the agenda when Viva Expeditions managing director Rachel Williams caught up with the Latin American ambassadors in Wellington recently. The group also discussed creative ideas to be able to market the various destinations within Latin America with limited resources available in the short to medium term.

Rocky Mountaineer plans to take its luxury train journeys to a new route in the Southwest United States in 2021. The Rockies to the Red Rocks route will be a two-day rail journey between Denver, Colorado; and Moab, Utah; with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Rocky Mountaineer will launch the route with a preview season of 40 departures across 10 weeks from 15 August to 23 October 2021. The company is working with local tourism

TRAVELinc Memo has had an audience with Paul W McCallum, the executive director of Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau in Texas. The result has been a series of articles that have run over the past few weeks. Within a stone’s throw of Dallas Fort Worth, Grapevine will be a logical and attractive stop for Kiwis when borders reopen and the American Airlines service begins between AKL and DFW.

TRAVELinc Memo has had an audience with Paul W McCallum, the executive director of Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau in Texas. The result is a series of articles that have been running over the past weeks. Within a stone’s throw of Dallas Fort Worth, Grapevine will be a logical and attractive stop for Kiwis when borders reopen and the American Airlines service begins between AKL and DFW.

TRAVELinc Memo has had an audience with Paul W McCallum, the executive director of Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau in Texas. The result is a series of articles that will run over the next few weeks. Within a stone’s throw of Dallas Fort Worth, Grapevine will be a logical and attractive stop for Kiwis when borders reopen and the American Airlines service begins between AKL and DFW.

TRAVELinc Memo has had an audience with Paul W McCallum, the executive director of Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau in Texas. The result is a series of articles that will run over the next few weeks. Within a stone’s throw of Dallas Fort Worth, Grapevine will be a logical and attractive stop for Kiwis when borders reopen and the American Airlines service begins between AKL and DFW.

TM: The Vintage Railroad appears to be one of the top experiences in Grapevine. Is there anything new to report on that activity – and what are some of the other top family attractions in the area?

PW: We are always adapting the activities on board the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Our newest addition is a ‘whodunit’ experience that takes place between Grapevine and the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Events, such as the Kiss Me I’m Irish Train, Jazz Wine Trains, Witches Brew Train, North Pole Express and Christmas Wine Trains are examples of how we highlight the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and continue to enhance the on-board experience.

Grapevine offers a wide variety of family-friendly attractions. LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center encourages children to bring out their inner architect. Clients can view sea turtles, sharks, stingrays and other sea creatures at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium. Peppa Pig World of Play brings the popular children’s show to life at Grapevine Mills mall. Round 1 Entertainment offers family activities including bowling, karaoke, arcade games, pingpong and more. Main Event is another great family entertainment venue, with laser tag, bowling and an arcade. Corky’s Gaming Bistro provides the popular axe throwing activity along with an arcade and escape rooms. Including Corky’s, Grapevine has three escape room attractions, all with multiple themed rooms to master. Summit Climbing Gym provides the opportunity to try your hand at one of the newest Olympic sports. Lake Grapevine provides numerous water activities, including boat rentals, canoeing, paddleboards and even an on-site waterpark called Whoa Zone! Sticking with outdoor activities, Grapevine is also home to three golf courses, including Cowboys Golf Club, named for the Dallas Cowboys and the only National Football League themed golf course in the world.

https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com

Caption// The Grapevine Vintage Railroad

TRAVELinc Memo has had an audience with Paul W McCallum, the executive director of Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau in Texas.

Brand USA will be highlighting its Giant Trees and Ancient Forests Insider Guide itinerary (amongst other things) at its travel trade webinar tomorrow, 5 August, at 10.30am.

Oklahoma Tourism has debuted in the Australia and New Zealand market with the appointment of Linkd Tourism to handle trade, PR and marketing activity.

Michael Cassis will lead the trade development and marketing programme positioning Oklahoma as the heart of Route 66.

Memphis Tourism’s first recovery training webinar is back on.

The webinar was rescheduled in a sign of respect for the global civil rights movements unfolding in recent weeks. The significance of the global anti-racism movement is particularly poignant for Memphis, a city that has played an integral role in the US Civil Rights Movement. 

In light of current events across the USA, Memphis Tourism has announced the postponement of its recovery training webinar, originally planned to take place tomorrow, 4 June. 

 ‘A city with civil rights at its core, and the home of the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis has been rocked by the recent tragedy of George Floyd’s death. Proceeding with the training would not be appropriate at this time,’ says Australian and NZ director Chris Ingram.

Memphis Tourism has announced its first recovery training webinar, giving agents fresh insight into the city that remains ready to rock when the world is again ready to roll.

Kiwi agents have been punching above their weight when it comes to demonstrating a willingness to keep learning in these tough times, say the organisers of a recent USA focused series of webinars.

Corey Marshall, founder and co-director of Canukiwi says the New Zealand trade made up considerably more than half of strong turnouts for Australia-NZ focused webinars on Utah, Nevada, Anchorage and Washington DC recently.

Viva Expeditions has partnered with the MAD project and Kiva to provide microfinancing for small businesses operated by women in poorer countries across Latin America.

Viva Expeditions has partnered with the MAD project and Kiva to provide microfinancing for small businesses operated by women in poorer countries across Latin America.

A LATAM aircraft chartered by Viva Expeditions and the New Zealand Government set off from Lima in Peru towards Santiago in Chile this week, making a stop in the popular tourist destination of Cusco (the base for visiting Machu Picchu) to pick up more stranded tourists.

Viva Expeditions is recounting a March tour led by guides Franco De Antoni and Melinda Cleaver.

Canuckiwi is running destination webinars at http://www.canuckiwi.com/sell-yourway-to-the-usa-2020/ to help agents upskill from home.

Agents are being encouraged to still look at opportunities to continue earning points towards Sell Your Way to the USA, despite the incentive being put on hold through to mid-April at this stage.

A group of travel agents are currently on travel&co’s 2020 SKI BC, Canada agent famil, run in conjunction with Air Canada and Destination BC.

The growth of New Zealand numbers into western Canada, much of it driven by bookings through trade, has prompted a number of operators to plan increased efforts in this market.

The New Zealand trade is being told this is the year to see New York’s icons ‘renewed and reinvigorated’ – a timely message for both new and repeat visitors as Air New Zealand gears up for direct services to the city from AKL.

Canada is a star player in North America’s incentive travel scene, corporate agents in New Zealand were told yesterday.