‘I made more than 20 US bookings using first-hand experience and digital tools'
As the US prepares to celebrate 100 years of travellers getting their kicks on Route 66, Brand USA is encouraging visitors to embrace the thrill of an American road trip.
Last month it brought The Great USA Road Trip to the UK and Ireland, training agents on itineraries around the US. Nine partners helped to bring some of the highlights to life too. These included headline sponsor United Airlines and a range of destinations: Visit California; Discover Flagstaff; Grapevine Texas; Illinois Office of Tourism; Greater Miami Convention & Visitor Bureau; Visit Pasadena; Visit Salt Lake; Visit Springfield, MO and Travel Texas.
Gold Medal sales consultant, Josephine Lucht, was among the attendees. Having joined last year's MegaFam on the Western Delights itinerary, she explored San Diego, Twentynine Palms and Scottsdale, Arizona with a finale in Chicago.
Lucht says: 'My personal highlight was Scottsdale. You hear of Phoenix but not the surrounding area. Scottsdale felt very safe and the people were so friendly. There were lots of fun excursions too such as e-biking through the desert and our guide told us about the cholla cactuses that jump on you! Now it's generating more and more interest and we are sending more customers there.'
New insights
As well as discovering new destinations, Lucht explains that going on the MegaFam has impacted the way she sells destinations.
'I was able to put things into proportion. In San Diego, for example, I got to grips with where everything is and how easily you can get around. The Sheraton hotel we stayed in was close to the airport and the marina. Now I know you can easily get to Downtown from there, it is a great location and it can help bring the price down as well,' she asserts.
Lucht also notes how she has been able to sell golfing holidays to Scottsdale – reassuring customers about the reliable weather and varied additional activities.
Since attending the trip she has made at least 20 bookings to the areas she visited – to San Diego in particular.
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