| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 45 |
| Copyright: Other |
America and hawaii programme
United Vacations to offer more choice with range of new offers
Report by ALAN MOORE
UNITED VACATIONS is expanding its 2001 America and Hawaii programme, due out in the middle of next month.The United Airlines-owned tour operator is putting more emphasis on rail travel, flydrives, ranch stays and escorted coach tours, as well as an expanded Florida hotel section and more pre-bookable outdoor activities.
New things to do include hot-air ballooning in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; and float trips along the Colorado River.
Product and marketing manager Zia Bapuji said: “There is a definite move towards more soft adventure and our new product is in response to growing interest from customers looking for activities beyond the standard tours.
“The addition of two new ranches, providing holidays packed with outdoor activity, gives more choice. It follows the success of the ranch programme, now in its third year.”
The additions are the Tanque Verde in Tucson, Arizona and the Dixie Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas. Prices have not yet been finalised. Bapuji said that due to a large number of enquiries for rail-based packages, the operator has also introduced a seven-night Great American Cities by Rail tour.
This includes stays in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC, with Amtrak train service between each city. Amtrak rail passes are also featured separately.
For New York, the operator is introducing pre-bookable tickets for all the major Broadway shows.
New flydrive suggestions are offered to both Alaska and America’s Great Lakes region and there are two additional West Coast escorted tours, including the Best of the Canyon Country covering Arizona and Utah.
n The operator launched its first Web site last month offering on-line research and a holiday quotation facility. Product includes skiing, city breaks, flydrives, cruises, coach tours, ranch stays, motorhomes, private houses and villas. The site is www.unitedvacations.co.uk.
Hot stuff: ranch stays and ballooning are high on the list of new things to do