Brand USA, the destination-marketing organisation for the United States, joins American Airlines and British Airways in announcing that travel agents in the UK and Ireland can now enter to participate in the upcoming USA MegaFam 2015.

The third multi-destination familiarisation tour runs 14–21 May and includes visits to 22 U.S. states on seven different itineraries, culminating in a grand finale for all participants in Philadelphia:

·      Sea to Sand Sizzle: California – Arizona
·      Parks and Peaks: Utah – Wyoming – Idaho
·      Routes and Boots: Missouri – Kansas – Oklahoma
·      Deep South Soul: Louisiana – Mississippi – Alabama
·      Ride the Rhythm: Tennessee – Kentucky
·      Great Lakes Gallivant: Illinois – Indiana – Ohio – Michigan
·      East Coast Classic: Massachusetts – Rhode Island – Connecticut – New York
·      Finale: Fantastic Philadelphia

Agents from the UK and Ireland will qualify to win one of 100 places on the MegaFam by the number of American Airlines and British Airways flights to the U.S. they sell between 1st January and 3rd April this year. They must also become familiar with what the two airlines offer travellers through a self-directed learning badge on the Brand USA Discovery Program. Upon completion of the MegaFam Airlines badge, agents are designated as specialists in this aspect of air travel. Entrants are encouraged to pass as many badges on the training site as possible.

Agents can enter the MegaFam and register bookings on the Brand USA agent training site: USAdiscoveryprogram.co.uk/MegaFam.

In addition, a brand new National & State Parks specialist badge has now launched on the site that focuses on how travellers can best experience national parks in the U.S., as well as details on the National Parks Service’s Junior Ranger Program. This latest addition is the 10th badge on the USA Discovery Program and has been launched to promote the approaching centennial of the National Parks Service in 2016.

“The MegaFam has become a hugely popular event with agents and we’re delighted with its continued success,” said Gerry Boyle, Brand USA Travel Trade Director, UK & Ireland. “Already we’ve had an encouraging number of entries to this year’s MegaFam and would appeal to all agents to enter now. The more U.S. bookings they make on American Airlines and British Airways to the USA, and the more badges they earn through the USA Discovery Program, the more chance they’ll have of joining us on the USA Megafam 2015.”

Brand USA’s objective is to rekindle the holidaymakers’ love affair with the United States – reclaiming the USA’s share of the international market and positioning the country as a diverse destination with limitless destinations and attractions.  Through its consumer call to action, DiscoverAmerica.com, Brand USA encourages travellers to explore the United States of America. The consumer website features 250 inspiring travel ideas, highlights of U.S. destinations, plus essential entry information travellers need to know.