Key updates from Selling Travel Connect: North America

A North America-themed Selling Travel Connect event was held in London to update agents on key messages
Aerial view of Clearwater Beach in Florida, USA
Aerial view of Clearwater Beach in Florida, USA. Photo: Courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Everything from a craft beer trail to a new Dolly Parton-themed hotel were on show at Selling Travel Connect: North America.

Here’s some of the exciting updates that partners shared with agents at the networking and educational event.

Air Canada’s Manchester-Toronto flights to become year-round

Air Canada Boeing 787-9 flying over the Canadian Rockies. (Photo: Courtesy of Air Canada)
An Air Canada plane flies over mountains in the destination

Starting October 26, Air Canada’s Manchester to Toronto route will become year-round. Operating four times a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the service will use the airline’s new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

From London Heathrow, the airline operates the highest frequency of non-stop flights to major Canadian cities, including Toronto, which has multiple flights each day.

The frequency of services to Montreal rises to twice a day in summer. Daily services are operated to Calgary, Halifax and Vancouver. The Ottawa service recently became year-round, operating three to four times a week.

aircanada.com

Discover Prohibition history in Cincy

02 Findlay Market scaled
The historic Findlay Market

British Airways is expanding its nonstop London Heathrow to Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. Six weekly flights will fly from March 29, 2026. The route remains the only nonstop connection to the United Kingdom across Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

And the timing could not be better. The Cincy Region is gearing up for a standout year of landmark events, culinary innovation and major cultural moments.

Visitors can explore Cincy’s brewing heritage on a guided tour of 19th-century lagering tunnels, built by German-born beer barons, filled in and forgotten during Prohibition, but now being rediscovered and reopened for public exploration.

visitcincy.com

Florida’s ‘Sunshine City’ has an eye-catching arts scene

Umbrella on St. Pete Beach in Florida (Photo: Marcus Oania/Courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com)
A typical Floridian white sand beach

The city of St. Pete holds the Guinness World Record for most consecutive days of sunshine – a massive total of 768 sunny days in a row.

The area has 35 miles of white-sand beaches, nature trails, plus a wealth of culture and arts.

Notably, the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg houses the largest collection of Salvador Dali artworks outside of Spain. The Chihuly Collection of hand-blown glass sculptures and walking tours, to view murals, are other aspects of the arts scene.

Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are consistently listed among America’s top beaches, helping make the area a popular destination for holidays by the sea.

A craft beer trail with more than 40 breweries runs from Tarpon Springs to Treasure Island, and the area is dotted with independent restaurants and boutique shops.  

A 30-minute drive from St. Pete-Clearwater, Tampa International Airport has daily flights from London with both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.

visitstpeteclearwater.com

There’s a VIP service at London Heathrow

RC2439 2025 01 09 THE WINDSOR SHOT 13 2391 scaled

The Windsor by Heathrow is a private terminal for travellers which offers a luxurious airport experience for First and Business Class passengers travelling on any airline, from any terminal.

From a chauffeur-driven BMW i7 or Mercedes-Benz V-Class, guests are welcomed into one of eight private lounges. Each is designed to celebrate the ‘Best of British’ with personalised service and fine-dining menus created by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton.

The terminal has its own security, immigration, baggage and check-in services, plus expert personal shopping across Heathrow’s boutiques.

Some of the year’s most anticipated sporting moments, including the FIFA World Cup, are taking place across North America this year, and with up to 110 flights a day between Heathrow and North America, clients have opportunities to begin and end their journey at The Windsor by Heathrow.

heathrowvip.com

New Dolly Parton hotel and exhibition to open in Nashville

Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, is a key location in the development of rock 'n' roll (Photo: Stuart Forster)
A street corner featuring an iconic brown-brick building in Nashville

A new Nashville hotel, Dolly Parton’s SongTeller, will open in June. Its third-floor will be dedicated to the Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum – the largest Dolly Parton exhibition yet.

The state of Tennessee is synonymous with music. Memphis is renowned for rock ‘n’ roll while Nashville is famed for its country music. Related attractions include Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

East Tennessee is home to the Great Smoky Mountains, which adventurers can explore while trekking and view waterfalls. That part of the state is home to the U.S.’s largest underground lake, the Lost Sea – visitors can join tours at Sweetwater, an hour’s drive from Knoxville.

Tours are also a way of learning about the heritage and uniqueness of the Tennessee whiskey produced at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg.

The state’s mouthwatering barbecue scene is also worth travelling for.

tnvacation.com

Exclusive experiences with Travelpack

The Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.
The Grand Canyon, Nevada

Travelpack offers UK agents a broad and flexible choice of North America itineraries, tailoring trips to fit clients’ needs. The company works with all major low-cost airlines, ensuring unbeatable options and competitive prices, combining flights with rail, cruises or unique excursions.

The company offers an extensive portfolio, from flights with leading airlines to tailor-made luxury escapes, tours, cruises, car hire, rail journeys and excursions.

It’s also possible to book exclusive, off-the-beaten-path experiences through Viator, with guaranteed price parity.

travelpack.com

Big easter sale with United Parks and Resorts

2024 DCO The Grand Reef G0039164 scaled
A couple at Discovery Cove

United Parks and Resorts is running a sale to coincide with easter.

Bookable until April 13, 2026, the Discovery Cove Ultimate Non-Dolphin Swim Ticket costs from £181pp, which includes:

  • Full day at Discovery Cove
  • Breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited drinks throughout the day at Discovery Cove
  • Unlimited access to the Wind-Away River, Explorer’s Aviary, Serenity Bay, Freshwater Oasis and The Grand Reef
  • Complimentary use of snorkel equipment, wet suits/ vests, showers, changing rooms, lockers and animal-safe sun cream
  • Plus unlimited admission to SeaWorld Busch Gardens and Aquatica for up to 14 consecutive days
  • Free self-parking at all Parks

Also on offer is the SeaWorld Parks 3-Visit Ticket plus 3 x All Day Dine Ticket, priced from £174pp and includes:

  • Entrance fee
  • Flexible open-dated ticket to activate anytime during the client’s holiday
  • 3 x single-day admissions to clients choice of either SeaWorld Orlando Aquatica Orlando, or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Free all-day dining on each park visit

unitedparks.com

Snaps from the night

Prize winners

Travel agents present had opportunities to win fabulous prizes. Travel Counsellor Sarah Mott took home the grand prize – a FAM trip to downtown St. Pete and Clearwater Beach from June 8-12.

What’s next?

Like the idea of playing fun games and meeting fellow agents while finding out about America’s Sunshine State? Sign up for Selling Travel Connect: Florida in April.

Fill up your diary for 2026 with our Connect calendar.

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