Explore Marketing Update - Issue 16
Australia and New Zealand Market Snapshot
Last month, we participated in the annual Discover America Roadshow with stops in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Christchurch and Auckland. Jointly organized by Brand USA and the Visit USA Committee, the events attracted more than 1,200 travel agents. Events included a full-day of one-on-one meetings with product managers from leading wholesalers, and a day of meetings with top travel media. Needless to say, it was a great opportunity to connect with the travel trade Down Under to learn about the latest market trends and update agents with the latest product news. Prior to that, Explore Marketing also conducted sales calls, webinars and agent trainings in Sydney and Brisbane.In 2016, the U.S. welcomed 1.35 million visitors from Australia, an 86 per cent growth since 2009. Australia ranked 10th largest inbound market, and 8th highest spending market with a total spend of $8.7 billion.
Data showed 73 per cent of visitors from Australia and New Zealand to the U.S were repeat visitors and due to the distance, they also tend to stay longer and visit more destinations than most other inbound markets. On average, they visited 2.1 states per trip with an average length of stay of 22 days. With increased airlift and reduced air fares, this will further strengthen the U.S.’ position as a top tourism destination amongst visitors from this region.
To support the large number of visitors from Down Under, United Airlines launched its daily nonstop service from Sydney and Houston on January 18, 2018 and Qantas will follow suit with four weekly flights between Melbourne – San Francisco from September 1, 2018.
Most visitors from this region were leisure travelers with the peak season for travel between June – September, and between December and January whilst peak booking periods were February – March and July – August.
Though technology-savvy, a consumer would research online and offline, and then book with a travel agent. Thus, it is important to continue to educate tour operators and travel agents on your products. Major wholesale distributors in Australia and New Zealand are Flight Centre Travel Group (Infinity Holidays), Helloworld Travel Group (Qantas Holidays and Viva Holidays), Adventure World, Freestyle Holidays, Venture Far (formerly Venture Holidays), Excite Holidays, and House of Travel. We will continue to work with the travel trade and media in this region to promote tourism to the U.S. and for further information on working with this market, email Stefan Merkl.
New Client Announcement
Explore Marketing is pleased to announce Tower Tours as our newest client. Established in 1991, Tower Tours is the premier San Francisco sightseeing company. Locally-owned and operated, Tower Tours offers comprehensive guided motorcoach tours of San Francisco and Northern California where guests can relax and experience a taste of San Francisco. As the travel trade and marketing communications representation firm for Tower Tours, Explore Marketing is responsible for expanding Tower Tour’s presence online and in international key markets through travel trade efforts and creating awareness of the products through media and public relations campaigns. Learn more about Tower Tours here.
Explore San Francisco and the Surrounding Regions
Qantas and United Airlines already fly from Sydney to San Francisco, and with Qantas’ new addition between Melbourne – San Francisco from September 1, 2018, the San Francisco Airport projects 191,000 Australians will travel to San Francisco this year. For travel trade looking for products to include in their packages, Tower Tours offers half and full-day sightseeing excursions aboard its newest fleet of comfortable and luxurious motor coaches. Sightseeing day trips include visits to California’s redwood trees in Muir Woods National Monument, wine tasting in the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country north of the Golden Gate Bridge, scenic coastal drives down California’s Highway 1 to Monterey and charming Carmel, plus the popular San Francisco Grand City Tour with a breathtaking Golden Gate Bay Cruise around Alcatraz Island.
Complimentary door-to-door hotel shuttle service from select hotels in San Francisco and near San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is provided for all guests participating in the daily departures. In addition to motor coach excursions of San Francisco, Tower Tours can also help clients create the ultimate private and customized San Francisco experiences for sightseeing, convention and airport transfers, and private or corporate events.
Spring in Central Park And New CPS Contact Info
With spring’s arrival, it’s time to take advantage of the great outdoors. Central Park in New York City is one of the top attractions that even locals love. For those who want to discover the history and story behind iconic landmarks within this world-famous urban park, why not join a walking bicycle, horse and carriage or pedicab tour with Central Park Sightseeing? With daily departures and available in English, French and Spanish, this is the one way to get an insider’s tip. Book your trip now and please note new contact information below.
New York Pass Goes Digital
The New York Pass is now available digitally for customers and will be rolled out to the travel trade in the coming months. Delivered instantly via email as a digital pass along with a digital guidebook and map in multiple languages, travelers can load the passes directly onto the Leisure Pass Group mobile app. Alternatively, they can print the PDF pass or present it right on their mobile device for entry into each attraction without having to pay any additional entry charges at the gate. This global distribution of passes via email allows tour operators to purchase directly at any time and eliminates inventory management requirements. Instant, real-time and reliable delivery. Offering entry to 90+ top attractions in New York City and savings of over $187 on ticket costs with a 3-day New York Pass, the New York Pass now also includes attractions such as to the Ground Zero Museum Workshop: Hands-on 9/11 Tour, Catacombs by Candlelight tour that takes place in the undercroft of the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, Surrey Real on Governors Island, and others. Hard copy passes will still be accepted and available.
Burst Into Spring At Pier 39 And 7D Experience
The skies will illuminate with a fireworks display as we celebrate the start of Spring at Pier 39. Guests can begin the evening with interactive rides suitable for all ages at 7D Experience and dinner at one of the many restaurants at Pier 39 before closing the evening with a dazzling fireworks display over San Francisco Bay. Learn more about the fireworks and rides.
Mountain Travel Symposium In Tahoe South
South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort have been selected to host the 2018 Mountain Travel Symposium, the largest gathering of mountain travel and tour professionals, ski clubs, lodging and property management companies in North America. Over 1,300 delegates will convene in Lake Tahoe from April 14 – 18, 2018 for this prestigious event. This event is an amazing opportunity for the trade to see South Lake Tahoe and experience the many adventures it offers clients. Read more here or register here.
TourOperatorLand.com Training
TourOperatorLand.com is a one-stop-shop designed to help professional travel planners create trips for their clients without having to search 80 different destination websites for trade content, TourOperatorLand.com aggregates sample itineraries, verifies destination contacts, offers royalty-free hi-res images for download, and includes commissionable products from over 100 "Content Partners" so you have it all in one place. Training is offered during major tradeshows and sales missions to help the travel trade learn the features and fully maximize the benefits this site has. For a calendar or to schedule an appointment, click here.
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