United States Tourism News
Emirates to bring A380 to Washington D.C as United withdraws
Emirates has announced that it plans to upgrade its Dubai-Washington D.C. service, with the introduction of its flagship Airbus A380 on the route beginning February 1st. Replacing the existing Boeing 777-300ER used on this route, the A380 will serve the strong customer demand and restore route capacity following United Airlines’ planned withdrawal from the Washington route after January 25th.
United States-Cuba to relaunch scheduled air services
The governments of the United States and Cuban governments have agreed to reinstitute scheduled air service between the two nations. It is hoped the deal could jumpstart economic relations between the two countries, paving the way for thousands of visitors to the island on a daily basis.
United States seeks to tighten visa waiver programme
Officials in the United States have revealed plans to tighten travel restrictions for visitors using the visa waiver programme. Approximately 20 million people from 38 countries presently enter America each year under the visa waiver programme, which allows travel without needing full visas.
New leadership for Colorado Tourism Office
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade has confirmed Cathy Ritter will serve as director of the Colorado Tourism Office. Ritter will take up the role at the start of December.
Papal visit pays off for American hoteliers
Among the three Top 25 Markets that hosted Pope Francis during his visit to the United States, Philadelphia experienced the most significant year-over-year increases in revenue per available room, according to data from STR, Inc. New York and Washington, DC also reported double-digit RevPAR growth during days on which Pope Francis visited the respective markets.
STR reveals US hotel investors spent $28bn on property in 2014
Hotel investors spent $27.8 billion on property acquisitions and developments in the United States during 2014, according to the Hotel Transaction Almanac and the Hotel Development Almanac compiled by STR Analytics. During the year, $18.5 billion in hotels changed hands while another $9.3 billion in new hotel projects opened their doors.
UK visitors drive up demand for USA travel
An increase in visitors from the United Kingdom and Ireland has contributed to a record number of 34.4 million overseas visitors to the USA in 2014. This is up eight per cent from 2013, according to the latest figures released by US under secretary of commerce for international trade, Stefan Selig. The UK retains its position as the top overseas market for international travel to the USA (excluding Canada and Mexico) as visitation to the country increased by 3.6 per cent, rising from 3,835,308 visitors in 2013 to 3,972,655 in 2014.
ITB Berlin 2015: United States leads tourism boom in Americas
The economic situation in the United States and Canada is improving and with it has come a renewed increase in foreign trips in 2014. People in North America travelled more often than last year and stayed longer at their destinations, with stays of more than four overnights increasing by eight per cent.
Cuba set for US travel boom as restrictions eased
Cuba is expected to receive a boom in visitors from the United States after the Obama administration took a series of steps to normalise relations between the two countries. At present, travel between the two destinations is heavily restricted, with direct commercial flights banned, special visas compulsory and visitors required to join strictly controlled groups.
New leadership for Visit USA Association
The UK’s consumer and trade association representing the USA has appointed a new chief executive at a time when membership is at its highest and the USA remains the UK’s top outbound leisure travel destination. Tracey Spuyman, previously founder and managing director of the marketing agency Teamspirit which is now part of Chime Communication, has joined to lead the Association as it develops new programmes and activities for its 200-strong membership.
Luchford to represent Beverly Hills in UK
Following a three way pitch, Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau has appointed luxury lifestyle agency Luchford APM as its UK in-market representative to act on behalf of Beverly Hills with immediate effect. The agency won the 12 month consumer and travel trade contract based on its creative ability to develop Beverly Hills from being a luxury travel brand to a luxury lifestyle consumer product, playing on its brand pillars of gourmet dining, five-star accommodations and high-end shopping.
Lee Country takes UK representation to boost visitor numbers
The Lee County, Florida Visitor & Convention Bureau, a leading travel destination marketing organisation branded as ‘The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel’ has appointed Four Communications to handle its sales, marketing and public relations in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia following a competitive pitch process. Four Communications has been appointed to promote this region of south-west Florida to consumers, the travel trade and media with the aim of raising awareness of the destination and increasing visitation across target segments.