More than 30 travel agents braved wet weather to board luxury motor yacht Ghost 2 and hear the latest updates from the Utah Office of Tourism and Ski Utah while admiring the Vivid lights on Sydney Harbour last night – plus the chance to win a trip.
Despite the wet night, guests enjoy the wealth of information on offer plus a few canapes and glasses of sparkling on the cruise which followed on from the success of last year’s inaugural event.
The night covered North America’s largest ski fields including Park City, Brian Head and Heber Valley, plus non-ski destination Greater Zion National Park. The ski sided included new terrain and chairlifts opening in the 2024-25 season, ahead of schedule.
The event coincided with encouraging data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), released this month, which revealed an eight percent year-on-year increase in visitors from Australia and New Zealand to the USA in April. This surge saw 94,000 arrivals compared to 87,000 in April 2024. Increased air capacity from the market, coupled with the Easter holidays falling in April, are likely contributing factors to this positive growth.
Corey Marshall, account director, Canada, Australia & New Zealand for Utah Office of Tourism, MC’d the showcased ski resorts from across the state of Utah, 10 of which are within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport.
“We’ve had an incredibly successful mission in Australia, and the enthusiasm for Utah’s winter offerings is at an all-time high,” said Corey Marshall, Account Director for Utah Office of Tourism in Australia,” Marshall said. “The recent NTTO data highlighting the growth in Australian visitors to the USA is very encouraging, and we’re confident that this winter mission showcasing The Greatest Snow on Earth, combined with the breathtaking landscapes and National Park and state parks in the Greater Zion region, we can continue to inspire Australians to choose Utah for their next winter adventure.”
Special guests included Alison Palimintere from Ski Utah, Joyce Kelly from Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office, Raelene Davis from Ski Utah, Nicole Laurie from Delta Air Lines, and Megan Underwood from Park City.
Ski Utah’s Davis is currently celebrating 40 years in the ski industry.
Steph Laurenson from Skimax won the night’s trip, which included a 10-night stay and return flights for 2 from Delta Air Lines.
Trademarked “The Greatest Snow on Earth” as the snow falls light and dry, Salt Lake City-Utah will host the XXVII Winter Olympics, from February 10–26, 2034.
