| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 39 |
| Copyright: Other |
Pow Wow: Tourism product
USsuppliers add new spice to cultural tours
Themed programmes are a favourite holiday product for UK visitors to the states
EXPANSION of a US tourism project will lead to the introduction of more themed tour itineraries – one of the most popular holiday products for UK visitors to the States.Under a scheme known as American Pathways 2000, US suppliers are being encouraged by the US Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism Industries to come up with first-time, heritage-based tours.
At Pow Wow, the Commerce Office announced the addition of 27 more itineraries to a collection now totalling over 100 offered by US-based companies. Collectively, they feature 48 states and 147 cities.
Deputy assistant secretary for tourism industries Leslie Doggett said: “With close to 250 participants now in the programme, American Pathways 2000 underscores the US travel and tourism industry’s growing commitment to cultural heritage tourism.
“These new itineraries join the collection of tours that can surprise, educate, entertain and highlight the diversity of the American product for the visitor.”
Four of the new itineraries feature this year’s Pathways theme, Food for the Soul, showcasing traditional ethnic foods.
Others already launched include From Sea to Shining Sea, which focuses on the indigenous people of America; I Have a Dream, highlighting the period from slavery to Civil Rights; Lady Liberty, the influence of America’s immigration years; and America’s Cultural Mosaic, spotlighting ethnic influences in US pop culture.
To become a partner in the scheme, suppliers have to devise an itinerary based on a theme that has not yet been sold on the market.
US cultural heritage will be the subject of a UK-based advertising campaign to be launched next spring by the Travel Industry Association of America and its partners. It will be called Distinctly American.
n All of the current themed itineraries in the Pathways 2000 project can be accessed on http://www.americanpathways.com
Food for the Soul: showcasing traditional ethnic foods
Food for the Soul: showcasing traditional ethnic foods
Food for the Soul: showcasing traditional ethnic foods