| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 43 |
| Copyright: Other |
America’s heartland by Alan Moore
Alternative itinerary to spark interest
The five heartland states offer visitors a taste of the Wild West
NEVADA, Arizona and Utah are nearly always foremost in people’s minds when thinking of America’s native Western origins.But the five states that make up America’s heartland – Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri – provide a worthy base for an alternative Western itinerary.
Up to now, Missouri has taken the lion’s share of the UK market because of its gateway city St Louis, which is served daily non stop from Gatwick by Trans World Airlines.
In an attempt to put greater focus on the heartlands as a whole, the regional partners have launched a series of multi-state itineraries they intend to market to UK and European tour operators.
The new product was launched at Pow Wow, where America’s Heartland marketing specialist Tom Crain said: “The UK is our number one target market, even ahead of Canada, and we hope these itineraries will spark new interest in these states. But first we have to raise consumer awareness of what can be experienced in the heartland.
“Little-known states like Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma offer some of the best ranches and reservations where clients can go horse riding and join in traditional Western activities, or retrace pioneering routes on a wagon train trek.
“The territory also stages rodeos, horse shows, native American ‘pow wow’ events and Wild West festivals.”
The new themed itineraries are based on durations of up to 10 days and take in a choice of states. They can be adapted or included in a wider tailor-made holiday arrangement.
They include a seven-day trip called The Wild, Wild West Tour, featuring Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, and another one-week itinerary called On the Trail with Lewis and Clark (two legendary Western pioneers). This trip covers parts of Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.
A slightly longer nine-day trip that takes in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, is called The Heartland Tour of Luck and Chance, and it includes visits to casinos and sporting events, as well as many early immigrant communities.
Missouri: has enjoyed the lion’s share of UK bookings up until now
factfile
Missouri: Saint Louis Arch is a major tourist attraction
DID you know…
n It was once against the law to serve ice cream on cherry pie in Kansas.
n The world’s largest McDonald’s is located on Interstate 44 at Vinita, Oklahoma. The fast-food restaurant stretches over the interstate from one side to the other.
n Kansas City, Missouri, has more miles of boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city except Rome.
n Famous Nebraskans include the dancer Fred Astaire; actor Marlon Brando; the civil rights campaigner Malcolm X and actor James Coburn.
n And finally, did you know it is illegal to get fish drunk in Oklahoma?