The East Coast USA partners of Destination DC, Meet Boston and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau will be on a week-long sales mission to Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney from 7 – 11 August 2023.
Supported by Delta Air Lines and Marriot International, travel advisors and media partners can look forward to a thoroughly engaging experience that will include a series of one-on-one appointments, workshops, entertainment and prizes up for grabs.
“Destination DC is excited to bring our team to Australia and New Zealand to meet with the travel trade as part of the East Coast USA mission, alongside our partners, Meet Boston and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO of Destination DC.
“Australia has historically remained within Washington, DC’s top 10 overseas markets, and according to preliminary data (TMII), Australian travel to the city is up 123% over 2022,” he added.
Destination DC also shared that with the creation of a Tourism Recovery District, the organisation is benefitting from a 1% increase in hotel taxes, which has in turn increased their budget by about US$20 million in FY24. This will allow for increased marketing investments in international tourism.
“Given the similarities of Australia and New Zealand in terms of market preference and behavioural trends, we know it’s important to further invest in travel from both countries, and to show off Washington, DC’s iconic attractions, cultural neighbourhoods and delicious cuisine, to increase our market share in Australasia.”
Equally thrilled to be part of the East Coast USA Mission, Martha J. Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston, said, “Australian visitors to Boston numbered nearly 50,000 annually before the pandemic and we are eager to regain that market share.”
“Travellers from this region of the world share many cultural and historical attributes with New England; in many ways we have a common heritage,” she said. “Not only does this trip represent a critical opportunity for us to engage with the travel industry to promote both new and iconic Boston experiences, it is also a chance for us partners to position the Northeast Corridor of the United States as a compelling, dynamic and diverse visitor experience.”
Gregg Caren, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, who is also optimistic to re-engage with the ANZ trade and media, said, “There is so much to look forward to in Philadelphia. We’re eagerly preparing to host tens of thousands from across the country and around the world for WrestleMania next spring. Then in 2026, when the nation will be celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the United States – Philadelphia will welcome several major sporting events including FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. With new and additional flight options, we see a tremendous opportunity for growth, as travellers now have a greater incentive to stay longer and enjoy all that Philadelphia has to offer.”
“Our team plans to showcase our top-tier events and extensive variety of historic, cultural, dining, sporting, and outdoor attractions and experiences that can only be found in Philadelphia,” he added. “As America’s founding city and the country’s largest Certified Welcoming City, we look forward to inviting Australians and New Zealanders to Philadelphia for multi-day visits within their American journey.”
Starting in Auckland on Monday 7 Aug, the East Coast USA delegation will head to Melbourne on Tuesday 8 Aug for two nights before concluding in Sydney. The mission will also remind the industry of Delta Air Lines’ expanding capacity from Australia and its new flight from Auckland to Los Angeles, which connects seamless to the East Coast.
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