The Visit USA Expos took to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne last week – all to smashing successes! Hundreds of agents met with over 30 exhibitors to discuss all things USA. The crowds were dazzled and delighted by celebrity MC, Richard Reid, who offered some very useful USA travel tidbits.
Caroline Davidson, president of Visit USA Australia said: “The Visit USA Expo Series 2022 has been an absolute hit with Members and Agents alike. We are all so happy to be back talking about USA travel and showcasing the best of what’s on offer to travellers.”
Suffering from FOMO? Fear not, because we’ve got the inside scoop from key exhibitors who’ve provided the answers to their most regularly asked questions…
Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas
Q: Should I spend nights in both Dallas & Fort Worth?
A: Absolutely, Dallas & Fort Worth offer two completely different experiences. Dallas offers a thriving nightlife scene, iconic professional sports and a surprising art scene. Meanwhile Fort Worth offers a distinct western experience with daily cattle drives and weekend rodeos. Combine them both for the perfect American experience!
US Disney Parks & Resorts
Q: What is the biggest change at the Parks?
A: The biggest change to the US Parks is that you now need a theme park reservation to enter the parks in addition to a valid theme park admission ticket. To enter one of the parks, each guest is required to have a theme park reservation in addition to a valid ticket for the same park on the same date.
We highly encourage our agents to check the availability calendars available online prior to confirming tickets for their clients. Park Reservations are limited, and must be booked by your clients in advance using their Disney account. This has been a challenge and something that we need to make sure is communicated to clients at the time of booking.
For more information head to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
Park City, Utah
Q: Do you need a car to visit Park City?
A: No! Park City is just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City airport, so you can book a shuttle and get straight on the slopes. Once you’re in Park City, clients can utilise the town’s free transportation system.
Q: What events did Park City host in the 2002 Winter Olympics?
A: Park City hosted five events as part of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, including ski jumping, bobsled, skeleton, luge, and the Nordic combined events at the purpose-built,Utah Olympic Park (UOP), just outside of downtown Park City.
Today, UOP houses one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a 2002 Winter Games Museum and is the training site of Australia’s own aerial ski team, the Flying Kangaroos! Clients can visit the park in winter for tubing, bobsled experiences and ice skating or in summer for ropes courses, ziplines, air bag jumps, extreme tubing and summer bobsled, all of which are perfect for the active traveller.
Seattle, Washington
Q: What is Seattle best known for?
A: Seattle is well-known for its buzzing live-music scene with musical legends Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Kurt Cobain all calling the city home. But, if your clients aren’t music fans, there’s something to love about Seattle for everyone, from its stunning natural scenery (the city is surrounded by national parks and incredible mountainous countryside – it isn’t nicknamed the Emerald City for nothing) to its established coffee scene (there’s practically a small-batch roaster on every corner, and the city is the birthplace of Starbucks
New York State
Q: How long would a client need in their itinerary to explore upstate New York?
A: Clients can get a taste of New York State’s gems in as little as a day trip up to Hudson Valley or Long Island, where they can enjoy experiences like dining on farm-to-table produce, visiting local farmers’ markets, browsing boutiques, exploring world-class art galleries and more. Or, if they have a little more time (say four days to a week), they could venture further up to the Adirondacks or Thousand Islands-Seaway (pictured below) to experience the best of New York State’s natural beauty and adventures like hiking, biking, skiing, diving and more.
New York City
Q: Should I go beyond Manhattan and visit the other boroughs?
A: Absolutely! NYC is comprised of five distinct boroughs and the city derives its character from hundreds of communities that feel like cities (and worlds) of their own. Explore NYC like a New Yorker through borough specific travel guides showcasing their multicultural appeal and authentic experiences with information on hotels, attractions, dining, arts and culture, and neighbourhoods.
Hawaiian Islands
Q: What airlines fly from Australia to Hawai’i and in between the islands?
A: Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai’i’s hometown carrier flies from Sydney to Honolulu 5 times a week and operates all the inter-island flights. Connect from other Australian cities to Sydney with codeshare partner Virgin Australia. Other options are Qantas (Sydney to Honolulu 4 times a week) and Jetstar (Sydney to Honolulu 3 times a week, and Melbourne to Honolulu twice a week).
Anchorage, Alaska
Q: When is the best time to visit Anchorage?
A: Anchorage is magnificent in every month! In Anchorage, every month offers something special to experience – from seasonal natural wonders and unique holiday celebrations to sun-soaked summer adventures and cozy winter getaways under the glow of the northern lights.
Colorado
Q: What are the best spots for social distancing and outdoor adventure as clients look for travel without crowds?
A: Colorado is a playground for adventure and road trips that take in the fresh mountain air and steer clear of crowded tourist spots. Colorado has four national parks, 26 scenic byways, and the headwaters of four major rivers. Whilst it’s 28 ski resorts are a mecca for visitors in the winter, they’re deliver just as many thrills and equally beautiful backdrops while they’re less busy in the summer and fall, and activities turn to hiking, mountain biking and leaf peeping.
Rocky Mountain National Park is popular thanks to its epic trails and wildlife, so instead visitors looking for a socially-distanced option can look to other national parks and state parks that generally attract less visitors and offer just as great sights and experiences, try Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, characterised by its steep canyon walls and dark skies.
Warner Bros Studio Tour, Hollywood
Q: How long is the Warner Bros Studio Tour?
A: The Warner Bros Studio Tour is a 3-hour (1 guided 2 hours self-guided) experience where you’ll explore nearly 100 years of cinematic history. See the real sets from your favourite shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Gilmore Girls, and more.
And there you have it! All your burning questions answered.
Visit USA Expo Week will return in February 2023, so stay tuned for more details! Make sure you follow Visit USA for all the latest updates.
