Sunshine Matters

Brand USA recently held its “#tasteUSA” MegaFam, hosting 60 of the top-selling travel agents from Australia and New Zealand.  The agents were split into six teams, each traveling to a different state, who were pitted against one another in a social media battle to explore the culinary aspects and attractions of the cities visited within each destination.

“Team Florida” kicked off our itinerary in sunny Miami where VISIT FLORIDA and our industry Partners organized diverse activities that included sampling the local cuisine on a culinary tour of South Beach, touring the Perez Art Museum, a trip to the Deering Estate and a cruise along Millionaire’s Row.​​

Next, “Team Florida” was off to Orlando where the group dined around Pointe Orlando, sampling cuisine from Tommy Bahama, Taverna Opa, BB King’s, Lafayette’s and Itta Bena.  The group then experienced SeaWorld, donned aprons for a character breakfast and site inspection of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and wrapped up the evening viewing Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The next day, it was on to explore Orlando’s Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, followed by an evening show of the Blue Man Group.

The top agents who participated in the MegaFam were chosen by Air New Zealand and were required to have completed the Regional Expert Badge and the Air New Zealand Specialist Badge as part of the Brand USA Discovery Program.  This program provides online training to educate international travel agents on the USA product in order to better sell tourist destinations.

This is the first Brand USA MegaFam to partner with Air New Zealand to showcase their new direct service to Houston from Auckland.  Travel to the United States from Australia and New Zealand is at a steady increase and the addition of the Houston flight only opens the door for more potential travel to Florida.  The majority of agents were selling the Florida product sight unseen, so having the opportunity to experience these destinations first-hand allows them to better serve their clientele back home.

VISIT FLORIDA would like to thank our Partners at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, South Beach Group Hotels, Perez Art Museum, Deering Estate, Visit Orlando, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando Resorts for creating a truly memorable itinerary showcasing the sights, tastes, and thrills of Florida.  For more information on VISIT FLORIDA’s international opportunities, please refer to VISIT FLORIDA’s Marketing Planner or contact me at asuskey@VISITFLORIDA.org.