The latest iteration of Road Trip Republic, a campaign encouraging responsible travel and a focus on Native American communities were all highlighted by Visit California at the recent IPW event in San Antonio, Texas.

Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of the organisation says the state is building on progress already made since the pandemic in 2019.

Kiwi agents will be hearing a lot more from New York State with the recent appointment of Linkd Tourism as the state’s representative down under.

Expect to see the state hosting trade events, participating in Visit USA and Brand USA roadshows, and hosting webinars and product development activity.

Preparations for the 100th year anniversary of Route 66 in 2026 are already adding new attractions to the route in Illinois and beyond, says Cory Jobe of Great Rivers & Routes, southwest Illinois.

Jobe points to the Historic Cannonball Jail Tour in Carlinville, which begins in July this year. The building was constructed using surplus cannonballs after the Civil War.

Clients wanting to escape the heat while in Palm Springs can cool down as much as 20 degrees Celsius by riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to Mount San Jacinto State Park. 

Having New Zealand at the beginning rather than at the end of Brand USA’s major activity down-under early next year should encourage more US suppliers to take part in the Kiwi side of the roadtrip, says Corey Marshall, chair of the Visit USA New Zealand Committee.

San Antonio’s San Pedro Creek has been reclaimed as a public culture and art park.

Considered the birthplace of San Antonio, San Pedro Creek was for many years a flood prone waterway, dividing the central city economically into two disparate halves.

The state of Oregon is continuing to gain traction with its Why Guides? campaign and is encouraging travel agents to book local, export ready guiding companies when building an itinerary for their clients.

‘If people use a guide they tend to behave and respect the environment, but at the same time they are supporting a small local business,’ says Greg Eckhart, director global sales at Oregon Tourism Commission.

NYC & Company is encouraging New Zealand agents to ensure their clients slow down and explore when they in the city.

New York City welcomed 24,000 New Zealanders in 2022, a pleasing result considering how late in the year this country opened its borders.

Travel Texas, the destination marketing organisation for the State of Texas, has appointed GTI Tourism as its PR and marketing agency in New Zealand and Australia.

GTI will undertake media relations, social media, consumer promotions, creative services and travel trade relations.

Generating provincial dispersal and encouraging clients to explore the popular cities and then head out further into the regions is a key objective of Destination British Columbia, says Lizzie Doyle, who handles PR and media for the organisation in Australia and New Zealand.

‘Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria are all top of mind for New Zealand travellers. Advisors have some great opportunities to develop bespoke itineraries and get their clients to places in BC that they haven’t considered.

The Alaska Railroad, celebrating 100 years in 2023,  has connected many of Alaska’s most popular destinations - Anchorage, Denali National Park, Girdwood, Talkeetna, Fairbanks and more.

The railroad now offers an array of day trips – such as to Seward for a wildlife and glacier cruise – as well as multi-destination packages that include rail, accommodations and activities.

Chicken N Pickle, a pickleball restaurant and entertainment destination, is opening its second North Texas location in Grapevine in January, 2023. This is the third Texas location for the festive concept that was born in Kansas City and has been growing throughout the country. Chicken N Pickle is rapidly becoming a familiar part of the Texas landscape.

Grapevine Texas is ready to ramp up its work with the New Zealand trade at the same time as the destination is preparing to welcome Kiwi travellers on the new daily American Airlines service between AKL and DFW starting next week.

After a brief pause with its in-market presence in the New Zealand and Australian markets, Travel Oregon is back to re-engage with the travel trade and media here.

Account director for Australia and New Zealand and principal of Canuckiwi, Corey Marshall, says the pandemic has been incredibly challenging to navigate.

Rail Online now gives travel agents the ability to search, book and ticket Amtrak journeys with all prices in NZ dollars.

Chief executive, James Dunne says that by offering live booking capability in New Zealand dollars, Rail Online has made it more cost-effective, efficient and convenient for the trade to book Amtrak journeys.

Brand USA is giving agents the chance to win cash prizes from now until late October when they become a USA expert on the USA Discovery Program.

The USA Discovery Program gives agents more than 60 training badges to complete, covering all regions and states and including themed badges like the Big City Buzz, The Great Outdoors, and music, culture and heritage badges.

World Journeys reports that remote Easter Island (Rapa Nui) has opened its doors to tourism again after more than two years. 

Located 4,000 kilometres from continental Chile, Rapa Nui is famous for its immense and mysterious moais (stone statues), white sand beaches and fascinating local traditions.

The opportunities presented to the trade by the American Airlines flight into DFW starting on 1 November and the logic of recommending Grapevine as a base for clients have been highlighted this week by Heather Egan, director of leisure and international sales for the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A swath of new hotels have opened in Memphis since New Zealanders were last able to set foot in the city.

The only hotel in the destination’s famed Beale Street, Hyatt Centric’s rooms overlook the city skyline or the Mississippi River, and are within a stone’s throw of the entertainment district’s historic landmarks, music venues, and Memphis-style barbecue. The Latin-American inspired on-site restaurant CIMAS has an alfresco area with views of the Hernando de Soto Bridge, and the hotel’s Beck & Call Rooftop Lounge is a place to watch the action of Beale Street.

With the new Tom Hanks film Elvis on movie screens in and with the late singer’s Graceland home also celebrating its 40th anniversary hosting public tours this month, Tauck has announced that guests on its Life on the Mississippi cruise-tour will receive a private after-hours tour of the Memphis mansion and grounds.

Cruise World’s Canada Traveller reports an uptick in New Zealanders planning extended and longer land holidays, or pre/post arrangements for cruises in Alaska.

‘In both cases most New Zealanders are keen to include an iconic Rocky Mountaineer train journey through the Rockies,’ says general manager Cherryl Browne. ‘Western Canada has not lost any of its charm and appeal to New Zealanders, but availability is understandably limited in 2022 for the train, and for hotels in the Rockies.’

Fairfax County, located in the heart of Northern Virginia just across the river from Washington, DC, has a slew of new attractions, retail, entertainment, and experiences on tap for 2022.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon has a new exhibit at the Donald W. Reynolds Museum entitled ‘Becoming Mount Vernon’ that takes a broad look at how Mount Vernon came to be, from Native Americans through Washington’s ownership and into preservation efforts.

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.

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. 

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.