In a move that marries savvy trade marketing with the lure of luxe travel gear, New York State’s tourism arm has launched a clever “Watch & Win” programme aimed squarely at Australian and New Zealand travel agents. From now through to 31 December 2025, agents can tune into a freshly-made training webinar and, via a short quiz, enter the draw to win top-tier luggage from renowned Australian brand July.
One lucky victor will walk away with a personalised 80-litre July checked suitcase. Two runners-up will each bag a carry-on July case. The hook? Watch the webinar, answer a few quick questions, and submit your entry. Easy. Rewarding. Cleverly targeted.
Going Beyond the Concrete Jungle
The webinar doesn’t dwell solely on the familiar skyline of New York City. It takes the viewer on a lively tour of America’s original “vacation state” – recounting the 11 distinct regions across New York State: from the beach-and-vineyard scene of Long Island, to the cascade-rich saddles of the Finger Lakes, from the frosted peaks of the Adirondacks to the thunderous power of Niagara Falls. Key experiences, fascinating facts and must-do activities across the seasons are laid out appealingly.
It is deliberately pitched at agents looking to craft memorable itineraries, whether city-centric escapes, self-drive touring, scenic rail journeys or mix-and-match regional stays. The message is simple: New York State isn’t just Manhattan. It’s mountain trails, wine regions, historic mansions, craft food scenes and all-season outdoor thrill.
What’s in It for You, the Agent?
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Watch the on-demand webinar via the link on the trade page.
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Answer the destination quiz and fill in the entry form by 31 December 2025.
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Then await the draw to win either the grand prize or a runner-up carry-on.
In short: minimal fuss, high reward. And while the incentive is sweet (hello, luxury July suitcase), the longer game is far more substantial: equipping agents with more profound product knowledge to sell New York State more confidently to clients.
Why This Matters – For Agents and Destination Alike
In an industry hungry for high-yield international travellers, destination awareness matters more than ever. According to a recent I LOVE NY campaign update, “international visitation is key to New York State’s tourism economy,” and this includes an essential push into Australia.
By training agents on the nuances of all 11 regions, rather than relying on a single city, the state strengthens its proposition: longer stays, more spending, more profound experiences, all of which enhance the value of an Aussie client choosing New York State. It’s an innovative pivot away from “just another fly-in-stay-two-nights-in-NYC” toward something richer, more varied, more memorable.
What Agents Will Walk Away With
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A rounded knowledge of each of the 11 regions across New York State is key to tailoring itineraries.
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Practical detail: seasonal highlights (skiing in the Adirondacks; autumn foliage; summer beaches on Long Island).
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The ability to differentiate their offering in a competitive marketplace: sell “beyond the skyline”.
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And yes — a shot at that snazzy July suitcase for themselves (or perhaps a prize-draw winner they refer).
Final Word: Don’t Just Watch – Win and Know
This incentive may look like a nice bit of swag, but it’s anchored in a robust trade-education strategy. If you’re an Australian or New Zealand travel agent whose clients keep asking, “but what else besides New York City?”, then this webinar is worth the half-hour investment. It’s one thing to sell a city; it’s another to sell a state of endless possibilities. And when you add the lure of winning a piece of travel-gear luxury into the mix, well, it’s a dead-set winner.
Agents, mark your calendar: webinar, quiz, enter. And by the time 2025 rolls over, one of you could be unpacking a July 80 L checked suitcase while your clients unpack their New York State memories.
For full details, visit the trade portal: linkdtourism.com/partners/i-love-new-york.
By Christine Nguyen – (c) 2025
Read Time: 2 minutes.
About the Writer
Christine’s journey is one of quiet courage and unmistakable grace. Arriving in Australia as a young refugee from Vietnam, she built a new life in Sydney brick by brick, armed with little more than hope, family, and a fierce curiosity about the wider world. She studied Tourism at TAFE and found her calling in inbound travel, working with one of Sydney’s leading Destination Management Companies—where she delighted in showing visitors the real Australia, the one beyond postcards and clichés.
Years later, when the call of the sea and a gentler pace of life grew stronger, Christine and her family made their own great escape. She turned her creative hand to designing travel brochures and writing blogs, discovering that storytelling was as natural to her as breathing. Today, she brings that same warmth and worldly insight to Global Travel Media, telling stories that remind us why we travel in the first place.
