Americas
Walking in Dolly’s footsteps
In Dolly’s Footsteps, a self-guided walking tour designed to share important moments from Dolly Parton’s early years as told through the places and people of her hometown, Sevierville Tennessee will open in October.
Adventure World launches 2027 Canada campaign
Adventure World has a new Canada campaign highlighting immersive wildlife encounters, Indigenous-led cultural experiences, scenic rail journeys and self-drive adventures across the country.
Savings on Canada and Alaska
APT Travel Group has launched APT’s Best of Canada & Alaska Sale and Travelmarvel’s Explore Canada & Alaska Sale offering savings on 2027 departures.The sales run from 15-30 September with choices including rail, ocean cruises and guided land journeys.
Staying on a salt flat
A&K Sanctuary, the boutique luxury lodge, camp and riverboat collection from A&K Travel Group, will open Samkani Camp on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni in late 2027.
Globus’ new tours across North America
Globus has released new North America tours for 2027.
Brett Simon, head of commercial ANZ, Globus family of brands, says North America remains one of the most in-demand regions for New Zealand travellers, and the some new additions reflect where that demand is heading.
Destination DC winners
Destination DC has wrapped up its August Special Agent Academy incentive, which encouraged travel advisors across New Zealand and Australia to enhance their Washington, DC knowledge through the online training programme.
Eclipse extends to Canada, Alaska
Eclipse Travel has brought its tailormade approach to the wilderness regions of Canada and Alaska.
The new collection combines rail, road, sea and wilderness experiences across the destinations and has partnered with Rocky Mountaineer for the destination launch campaign to created three hero itineraries that pair daylight rail journeys through the Canadian Rockies with selected experiences on the ground.
More to come for Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills has seen a wave of dining openings, hotel investments and luxury retail arrivals in the first half of 2026, with a number of major projects still to come as the city builds towards the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Rail and cuisine in Western Canada
Adventure World has launched Sip & Savour Canadian Flavours, a 14-day tailor-made journey created in collaboration with Rocky Mountaineer.
Cosmos launches US, Canada savings
Cosmos has launched a new save $500 per couple offer across all North America 2027 departures. The deal allows New Zealand travellers to explore Canada and the USA from $368 per person, per day.
Canyon Spirit adds extensions
Canyon Spirit is giving guests the opportunity to experience more of the American Southwest with the introduction of two new extension packages for the 2027 season.
Rocky Mountaineer’s refined option
Rocky Mountaineer has launched its Rockies Refined package, adding to its First Passage to the West journey with a collection of Canada’s Fairmont stays and private experiences.
Incentive to become a Washington, DC expert
Destination DC is giving New Zealand travel advisors another reason to become Washington, DC experts in August, launching a month-long incentive with the chance to win one of 10 Visa gift cards worth more than $1,500 in total.
Nevada road not so lonely
Nevada’s Loneliest Road in America is marking the 40th anniversary of receiving its famous moniker and encouraging New Zealand travellers to discover the famous self-drive adventure.
USA to fans: Get back soon
Brand USA has launched ‘More to Love,’ a social-first series featuring Take Me Home, Country Roads that encourages international fans who travelled to and through the United States during the World Cup to return and experience more of the country.
Another side of Chile
Adventure World has a new four-night luxury escape to Chile’s Chiloé Archipelago, with a limited-time launch offer. Travellers who book a three-night stay at the boutique Refugia Chiloé by 31 July 2026, receive their fourth night free.
Canada promotes paddle tourism
Destination Canada is promoting canoe paddling related experiences throughout the country.
Often associated with the fur trade and the romantic figure of the voyageur, the canoe’s role as a symbol of resilience, resurgence, and nationhood for Indigenous Peoples is frequently overlooked. Its history is rich, complex, and intertwined with the story of Canada.
ANZ trade rep for West Hollywood
Visit West Hollywood has appointed La Collection as the destination marketing organisation’s (DMO) New Zealand and Australian travel trade agency.
River cruising comes to Oklahoma
The launch of American Cruise Lines’ inaugural Arkansas River Cruise is one of the most significant new tourism developments in Oklahoma.
Brand USA names NZ ambassadors
Brand USA has announced the travel advisors selected to join its 2026 Ambassador Programme.
The new cohort includes eight from New Zealand, who will represent the region as part of the expanded global programme.
Music and outlaws
A revamped self-drive Music & Outlaws tour has been launched in the American South.
AW’s Peru savings
Adventure World has savings available across a selection of its signature tailor-made Peru journeys.
Anaheim reveals new brand
Anaheim has released new branding designed to encourage trade and their clients to view the destination in a wider context than they may have in the past.
Air and Space Centre opening date
The California Science Center has announced that the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles, the permanent home of Space Shuttle Endeavour, will open on 13 November 2026.
Colorado’s trail to the stars
Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) has launched the Colorado Stargazing Trail, a new statewide guide.
Hawaiian visitors say aloha for incentives
Emphasising that there are plenty of new options in Hawaii for corporate incentives and meetings was a major objective for a delegation visiting Auckland from the state yesterday.
Fun art, serious message in Washington DC
CityCenterDC is launching A Wild Race Against Time – a free public art exhibition by Australian artist duo Gillie & Marc.
AI arts museum’s works at LAX
Dataland, described as the world’s first museum of AI arts, has opened at The Grand LA in Downtown.
‘All Y’all welcome: South comes with key message
Emphasising the ‘All Y’all welcome’ message and addressing current misconceptions in market are two key objectives of a trade delegation from USA’s southern states this week.
Grand Canyon reopenings
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park reopened recently, signalling the start of the area’s annual summer visitor season.
Beyond the cities: the other side of California
Travel agents are being encouraged to promote and sell ‘the other side of California’ to clients who may already be familiar with the state’s major cities and coastal drives.
Adventure World’s new Canada itinerary
Adventure World has expanded its tailor-made Winter Collection with the launch of its Yellowknife & Blachford Winter Retreat itinerary – a seven-night Arctic escape designed for travellers seeking an immersive Canadian winter experience.
LA prepares for fans beyond the footy
New Zealanders visiting Los Angeles in June and July for FIFA World Cup will find plenty of fun and festivity before, between or after the game – and can enjoy the occasion even if they don’t actually get into SOFI Stadium, says Ana-Gabriella Garcia of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Bureau.
Palm Springs – tram, trekking and more
Taking a two and a half hour drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, riding the famous tram there and visiting Joshua Tree is a ‘mini-road-trip’ that was being recommended at the IPW US travel exchange last week.
Alligators aplenty in the Everglades
Clients heading to Miami or Fort Lauderdale can easily get a taste of the world’s largest wetland ecosystem without making the trek to Everglades National Park.
Turning to jelly – ancient species gets own museum
Florida is now home to America’s first jellyfish museum – a three-year project which opened in Pompano Beach near Fort Lauderdale about a month ago.
The complex was showcased to some of the delegates at the IPW exhibition this week (along with the nearby Oceanic Restaurant looking over the beach and the impressive Fisher Family Pier).
US travel moves to address concerns, valid or perceived as inbound travel takes a hit
The US travel industry will continue to resist the adoption of policies which it feels are damaging to the sector, while at the same time clarifying the situation for intending travellers and promoting positive changes which have occurred, delegates at the IPW American travel exchange in Fort Lauderdale heard this week.
Just up from SFO
Clients travelling to San Francisco can reach one of the most historically significant parts of California (and the state’s capital) within a 90 minute drive.
Delta and Memphis give agents a city insight
Delta Air Lines and Memphis Tourism recently hosted a group of agents as part of an incentive to the USA. Chris Ingram from Memphis Tourism curated an extensive itinerary that offered a deep dive into the city’s rich musical heritage and cultural history.
America outdoors focus of new brand
World Expeditions Travel Group (WETG) has launched Great American Trails, a dedicated adventure travel brand offering guided and self-guided hiking and cycling itineraries across the United States.
Tauck’s new national park options
Tauck has opened bookings for its 2027 North America portfolio including two new US national parks itineraries: Yellowstone Awakens: Spring & Fall and Bryce & Zion: Sculpted by Time.
Bears a big draw for Canada
A large proportion of the itineraries World Journeys sells in Canada include a bear viewing experience.
Marketing manager Caroline Clegg says clients may glimpse a bear by the roadside, from a train, on a small-ship cruise or during a wilderness lodge stay.
Visitors highlight that easy feeling in the USA
Having a quick, no hassle entry and then being able to easily find authentic and friendly American culture were among the factors emphasised by two visiting tourism representatives this week.
Time out in Oregon
The state of Oregon is in a perfect position to act as a ‘midway stop’ for clients travelling on the West Coast of North America, delegates at the recent International Media Marketplace in Sydney were told.
Boots and all: BC set to boost FIFA focus in NZ
Destination British Columbia has released its full series of Iconics, highlighting ideas and itinerary suggestions for agents who have clients heading to FIFA World Cup games in Vancouver this year.
Interest likely to peak for new AW itinerary
Adventure World has launched a Rails, Peaks & Parks itinerary, an 11-day journey designed to allow guests to spend more time in the Canadian Rockies and surrounding area in the high season.
Globus 2027: Cowboys, national parks, Alaskan cruise
Globus has expanded its North America and Canada portfolio, with a new tour and the full suite of 2027 tours now available for booking.
Destination Vancouver incentive chance to win spot on World Cup famil
Two exclusive famil opportunities to attend a World Cup match in Vancouver are on offer in a trade incentive launched yesterday.
US inbound trade addresses ‘real challenges’
The USA’s Inbound International Travel Association says it recognises that the new national parks surcharge for international visitors has created confusion, and it is working directly with the National Park Service to clarify and smooth procedures for the travel trade.
Brand USA expos’ return coincides with big events
Agents are being urged to mark their calendars for the return of New Zealand’s biggest trade expo dedicated to the USA in February 2026. Brand USA will be hosting the events in Auckland on 18 February and Christchurch on 19 February. Registrations open 13 January.
Showcasing the South of USA
Andrew Gay of Travel USA is currently attending the Travel South international showcase in Kansas City.
Winners in Alaska
Three New Zealand travel agents – winners of the Sell Your Way to the USA 2025 incentive – travelled with air partner American Airlines to Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska this month.
Infinity's Rocky Mountaineer, Canyon Spirit campaign
Infinity Holidays has launched a rail campaign in partnership with Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit, bringing New Zealand agents access to limited-time Black Friday savings on 2026 departures.
Kiwi agents back from Utah
Three top-performing New Zealand travel advisors are newly equipped to sell the diverse landscapes of Utah, following their participation in the Sell Your Way to the USA 2025 incentive programme.
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South America for first-timers
World Journeys is promoting its 20-day Highlights of South America tailor-made itinerary for clients visiting the continent for the first time. Designed to give an experience of the top highlights, it covers Argentina, Brazil and Peru.
Colorado mountains upgrades
Colorado has a variety of on-mountain upgrades at the state’s 28 ski areas and resorts this northern winter. These include terrain expansions and new lifts to enhanced snowmaking and elevated après offerings.
Galapagos stay-put an option to cruising
Agents with clients keen to visit the Galapagos but want an alternative to cruising are now easily catered for – either with an island-hopping itinerary or an extended ‘slow travel’ stay on a single island.
Viva Expeditions’ new Patagonia tour
Viva Expeditions has launched a new four-day itinerary in Patagonia’s Southern Carretera Austral.
