September’s Selling Travel Connect: North America events were held at London’s Caledonian Club, the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds and the Doubletree Edinburgh City Centre’s Skybar. In total, they attracted 143 agents to discover opportunities to sell destinations in the USA and Canda, and latest offerings from airlines.
The events also provided travel agents with opportunities to drop their cards and win prizes provided by the suppliers.
Here’s an overview of key points made to attendees:
Delta Air Lines
- The airline’s new Heathrow-Orlando service starts on May 28, 2025.
- Free Wi-Fi is available on all UK-US flights.
- Additional premium offerings for customers include a dedicated Delta One lounge at New York’s JFK International Airport.
Expedia TAAP
- Expedia TAAP recently introduced a new payment feature allowing agents to book pre-paid property rates without the need for immediate payment, giving flexibility to pay until seven days before the free cancellation date.
- With more that three million properties worldwide, Expedia TAAP is one of the world’s largest inventories for accommodation and 95% of hotels are contracted directly.
- It offers travel agents commission on properties, car hire, activities and airport transfers and exclusive, trade-only rates with an average discount of up to 20% across accommodation.
JetBlue
- The airline turns 25 years old in February and in 2025 will be opening lounges in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport.
- In 2025 daily flights will again operate between Edinburgh and JFK airport from May to September.
- Trade fares are available to travel agents, who can discover more about the airline via the JetBlue Agent World travel trade website.
made
- Jonathan Mountford, Managing Director of made tourism marketing, represented Broadway shows, US attractions and New York restaurants. Bookings can be through partners such as Ticketpipe and Broadway Inbound.
- The company sends information to travel agents about latest offerings on Broadway and beyond via brochures, newsletters, mailings and emails.
- made organises monthly familiarisation trips.
Meet Boston
- Boston is a walkable, historic and forward-thinking four-season destination.
- The city has teams in every major American sport including American football (New England Patriots), baseball (Boston Red Sox), basketball (Boston Celtics) and ice hockey (Boston Bruins) and is 2026 FIFA World Cup host.
- The waterfront plays a big part in Boston’s identity and offers whale-watching trips, sailing and ferries to Cape Cod, the islands and Salem.
Rocky Mountaineer
- The luxury train company operates four routes in North America. The newest is the Rockies to the Red Rocks route between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, the gateway to ‘the mighty five’ national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canon, Capitol Reef and Zion.
- Regionally inspired food and drink, comfortable reclining seats, expert storytelling and beautiful landscapes are aspects of the journeys.
- A new agent portal has just launched and agents can become Rocky Mountaineer specialists with TRACKS training.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- The attraction in New York City often sells out. Make timely sales via B2B channels such as Do Something Different, Attraction World and Gold Medal Clients, which offer sales commissions.
- The mirrored surfaces of Transcendence span the 91st and 92nd floors and reflect skyline. On average, visitors stay around 90 minutes.
- APRES rooftop bar opens for breakfast from 9.00am and the last access is at 10.30pm.
Sun Peaks Resort
- The resort in central British Columbia is an ideal stopping point during self-drive holidays.
- It has a purpose-built village offering value accommodation.
- The West Bowl chairlift will open this winter.
- Sun Peaks is family-friendly and summer activities include golf, horse-riding, stand-up paddle boarding and biking.
State of Washington
- Washington State is home to three national parks, Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic, and more than 140 state parks.
- Spokane, showcases the country’s largest urban waterfall from a gondola ride in the heart of downtown.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the ideal starting point for travel to the Pacific Northwest with more than 30 non-stop flights weekly from the UK and Ireland.
Tennessee Tourism
- In 2025 Tennessee is preparing to commemorate Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday and a century of Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running live radio show.
- Southwest Airlines will be offering a new non-stop flight between Nashville and Memphis from April 2025.
- Tennessee’s attractions include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited in the USA national park, 56 state parks, Shiloh National Military Park, Rock City in Chattanooga and the Titanic Museum and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
Travel Nevada
- Increased airlift is available from the UK and Ireland to Nevada. Norse Atlantic Airways offers a new route from London Gatwick and Aer Lingus flies from Dublin.
- Nevada is a great destination for road trips because it has the highest percentage of open land to explore in the US and varied, beautiful landscapes.
- The state has some of the darkest skies in the US, making it ideal for stargazing experiences.
- Wild West-style experiences are made possible in Nevada’s 600+ ghost towns.
- Agents can complete the NV Trailblazer training programme to improve knowledge and sales.
United Airlines
- United’s extensive route network to over 270 destinations across the Americas, opens a world of exploration.
- Direct flights to the US from Edinburgh and London Heathrow have complimentary meal services, beverages, mid-flight snacks and inflight entertainment.
- Seven US cities (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington D.C.) are served from London.
- Free assigned seating in each cabin, excluding Basic Economy fares, subject to availability.
Virgin Hotels
- Virgin Hotels has properties in the USA and UK.
- The chain has enhanced its digital booking platform to provide agents with seamless experiences.
- Virgin Hotels’ No Nickel-and-Diming policy ensures no hidden fees.
- The chain expresses commitment to sustainability, with eco-friendly practices in place across all properties, a key selling point for conscientious travellers.
Visit Cincy
- There is a direct flight from London Heathrow to Cincinnati and North Kentucky International Airport four times a week in winter and five times a week in summer.
- Every two years the region hosts the largest art and light show in the US, BLINK, which next takes place from October 17 to 20, 2024.
- The Cincinnati Open tennis tournament will take place over two weeks in 2025, offering the public much closer access to players than Wimbledon.
Visit Florida
- Florida is the UK’s favourite long-haul holiday destination and first-time visitors who stay one or two nights outside of main theme park areas are more likely to return than those who don’t.
- The Brightline high-speed train now connects Orlando International Airport and Miami.
- Visit Florida’s accessibility hub details attractions, beaches, parks, events and activities for anyone travelling with accessible needs.
- The Florida Travel Pro online training portal provides destination information, driving distances and maps.
Visit Huntington Beach
- A year-round destination, Huntington Beach is 30 minutes’ drive from Disneyland, 60 minutes from LAX and has 10 miles of sandy beaches.
- Known as Surf City USA, it has numerous surf schools. Mobi Mats help wheelchair users get to the water’s edge and adaptive programmes make learning to surf accessible.
- Mark Wahlberg opened a Mexican restaurant called Fletcha, Sammy Hagar a branch of Cabo Wabo at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort and the Paséa Hotel gave a multi-million dollar makeover to its popular restaurant, Lõrea.
Visit Mississippi
- Agents were informed that the state is a perfect fit for any Deep South road trip as it is in the middle of the four states.
- Known as the Birthplace of America’s Music and Birthplace of the Blues, Mississippi will be commemorating two notable birthdays in 2025. Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo and would have turned 90. B.B. King, from Berclair, would have been 100.
Visit New Jersey
- The state is relatively new to the international market and the New Jersey side of the Hudson River offers outstanding views of Manhattan and easy access to New York City.
- Newark Liberty International Airport is the main gateway.
- For travellers who enjoy cruising, Royal Caribbean sailings depart Cape Liberty Cruise Port at Bayonne.
- The state has 130 miles of coastline and offers tax-free shopping on shoes and clothes.
Visit Pittsburgh
- British Airways’ direct service from London Heathrow to Pittsburgh will be daily from March 2025.
- It is the only international flight landing at that time, meaning no queue and making Pittsburgh an excellent place to start an eastern USA trip.
- Pittsburgh will host the 2026 NFL Draft and its sports, culinary and cultural scenes make the city ideal for a three- to four-night break.
WestJet
- In 2024 the airline introduced seasonal services (May into October) from London Gatwick to Halifax in Nova Scotia and St Johns in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The daily service from London Heathrow to Calgary on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers seating in three cabin classes.
Prize winners
