FEW US states can enjoy a growing international visitor market for both the summer and the winter months when temperatures are near freezing.
The Rocky Mountain states of Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Idaho are the exceptions.
Their national parks and dramatic, elevated scenery provide a backdrop for summer touring, hiking and outdoor activities, while in winter, superb ski facilities and other winter sports complement those of neighbouring Colorado.
The organisation that represents and markets the four states, Rocky Mountain International, attributes the increasing range of product appearing in tour operators’ brochures to the twice-yearly workshops staged in the region. Called Round-Ups, they are essentially marketplaces at which tour operators do business and learn more about the destination.
RMI UK director Kate Russell-Cobb said: “These have been very successful and are held each summer and winter in order for participants to sample the different seasons.
“Our next Winter Round-Up will be based in the ski resort of Jackson Hole in Wyoming between January 13-21 when we hope to attract up to 14 operators from the UK.
“There will also be opportunities for pre and post-fam trips, one of which will take in snowmobile touring in the national parks.”
The Summer Round-up is set for mid-June in South Dakota and Wyoming, with fam trips to Montana and Idaho.
The organisation’s next exercise is to educate agents about the destination. RMI is planning an educational for 12 agent members of the specialist Pioneer Club run by the UK-based Visit USA Committee.
Russell-Cobb said: “We are currently talking to Delta Air Lines about hosting a four-state educational next September through the gateway of Salt Lake City in Utah. This is one of the major entry points to the Rockies, along with other airline connections over Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver, which more UK operators are featuring in their programmes.”
She added that British Airways’ daily non-stop flight from London to Denver has also greatly helped to strengthen year-round business to the states. “As well as skiing, tour operators are putting together more alternative winter sports packages, including two-centres featuring the resort of Big Sky in Montana and Sun Valley in Idaho,” Russell-Cobb said.
“These also include winter wildlife trips, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.”
Russell-Cobb added that aside from the RMI states’ increasing presence at UK consumer shows, she plans to devote extra time to visiting more agents around the country and increase product training.
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Region: Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Idaho make up the Rocky Mountain International marketing consortium of states.
Main gateways: Denver in Colorado, served non-stop daily by British Airways from Gatwick. Also United Airlines from Heathrow via Chicago; Northwest from Gatwick via Minneapolis; Delta Air Lines from Gatwick via Newark and Salt Lake City.
Major attractions: Wyoming – Cheyenne, Laramie, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Montana – Glacier National Park, Paradise Valley, Little Bighorn Battlefield. South Dakota – Sioux Falls, Black Hills, Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial. Idaho – the Panhandle region, Hell’s Canyon, Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Activities: skiing and other winter sports; in summer, fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, hiking.
Contact details: Rocky Mountain International UK office on 020 7835 0928; fax: 020 7244 0828. Web site: www.RMI-RealAmerica.com