THE Rocky Mountain states have attracted a wider range of tour operator products which will improve efforts to sell it as a year-round destination.
Trade enthusiasm for Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and South Dakota has led to increased options in 2000 brochures. These include additional types of ranch holidays, new flydrives and escorted coach touring as well as more winter sports to supplement the ski product.
United Vacations product and marketing manager Zia Bapuji said: “We have expanded our tailor-made Rockies flydrive product for 2000. We are appealing to the more experienced traveller looking for a flydrive which offers the best in spectacular scenery, and the opportunity to enjoy soft-adventure activities.”
Premier Holidays North America general manager Rob Haynes said holidaymakers seeking the ‘real America’ have boosted demand for the Rocky Mountains region.
“Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota are ideal for people looking for a taste of the Wild West. It is a rural region with stunning scenery and great characters,” he added.
“Yellowstone National Park is the biggest attraction, but we are also seeing demand for Mount Rushmore and the Badlands in South Dakota.”
The region is also appealing to the coach-tour market.
Cosmos America general manager Graham Mumford said: “The introduction of our 17-day Rockies itinerary, which includes Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, is helping to change the general direction of escorted coach touring in the US.
“Clients spend two nights at Whitefish in Montana where they can join a float trip on Flathead Lake or take a jetboat ride through Hell’s Canyon. The tour includes a stay at Sun Valley for alpine activities including hiking, biking, fishing or white-water rafting.
“Most are taking up these excursions, which are widening the appeal of coach touring to a more active audience.”
Specialist Ranch America reports a big growth in demand for ranch stays in Montana.
The operator has increased the number of ranches from 10 to 15, plus two extra working ranches. Re-introduced is the four-star Colorado Trails Ranch near Durango, while the Black Mountain Ranch, 2hrs northwest of Denver, makes its debut during January-April with a winter sports package.
This includes seven nights’ snowmobiling, dog-sledding, sleigh rides and a day’s skiing in Aspen and Vail. It costs £1,565 and includes British Airways flights to Denver, transfers, all activities and full-board.
Managing director Ron Harris said: “We have completely redesigned our new brochure to give a more Western feel to it. Montana has been a big sell this year and trips are getting booked up much earlier.
“We have increased the number of ranches because demand for some types of properties has exceeded supply.”
In its first US programme, Hayes and Jarvis has introduced some independent touring product in the region.
Co-ordinator for USA and Canada, Henry Scovell, said: “We are aiming our first Rocky Mountains flydrives at professional couples who want to explore the area and take in some soft-adventure activities en route.”