BAH increases hotel options in US brochure

Tailor-made market

BAH increases hotel options in US brochure

Report by ALAN MOORE

BRITISH Airways Holidays has increased the number of tailor-made components in its first-edition US 2001 programme.

The operator has four new self-drive itineraries, five additional escorted coach tours, Alaska cruises and a range of new hotels in places such as Phoenix and Scottsdale in Arizona, plus three more properties in New York.

BAH is also including flights on American Airlines as well as BA. There are £40 ticket discounts on 12 US routes if seats are booked before the end of January. Prices start at £270 return to Atlanta, Georgia, or Charlotte in North Carolina.

BAH America commercial manager Brian Eustace said: “Our customers do not buy a straightforward package any longer. They are now so familiar with the US they want the flexibility to create their own itinerary.

“The brochure is designed to supply customers with the widest range of ideas and choice. We have introduced new itineraries, hotels, excursions and more flight, car hire, rail and cruising options.”

He added that car-hire prices have been reduced for next year, with Alamo two-door economy vehicles available from £7 per day, with peak-season supplements dropped.

Three of the four new self-drive tours are based in California, from £225 per person for a seven-night Highway One tour. A 14-night Southern Heritage of the Deep South tour leads in at £395, starting and ending in Orlando. All itineraries exclude flights.

Meanwhile the demand for escorted coach holidays, combined with optional add-ons, has prompted Jetsave to increase its range of themed itineraries in the US for next year.

Newcomers to Jetsave’s programme include Cowboys and Canyons, Eastern Highlife, Western Spectacular, Parks and Peaks of the West and a Southern Hospitality tour.

It has also added combined US rail and coach itineraries called Music and Rail Rhythms in the south, and Sea to Shining Sea, a 19-day Boston to Los Angeles trip priced from £1,668. Add-ons include jazz dinner cruises, theme park visits, resort stays, air excursions and historic railroad trips.

Also new is a 16-day tour, called the Last Frontier, that includes an Alaska cruise and drive through Denali National Park as part of a combined US-Canadian itinerary. Prices start from £1,818 including flights.

On the road: tours including places such as Nashville offer visitors a flavour of the American south