01 May 2008

Contiki announces record highs for 18 to 35s visiting the USA

Contiki has announced new departures for US itineraries this week after unprecedented demand saw many of the companyÃ¢â¬â¢s US tours completely sell out.

Contiki has seen phenomenal interest in the US from travellers between 18 and 35, with booking numbers growing steadily year on year, and while this trend was expected to continue in 2008, record highs have surpassed all expectations and seen many 2008 tours sell out already.

In response to this unprecedented demand, Contiki announced additional departures throughout June, July, August and September, 2008 on tours that had completely sold out.

The new departures are available on ContikiÃ¢â¬â¢s Grand Southern, Southern Adventure, Eastern Discovery, Grand Northern, North by North East, Northern Escape and Grand Canadian itineraries.

Tammy Marshall, managing director, Contiki Holidays said, Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe popularity of the US can be attributed to a number of factors including the destinationÃ¢â¬â¢s strong influence on youth culture; from Sex in the City and the celebrity crowd, to the music industry and bigger than life sites, sounds, tastes and experiences. In research we conducted with Galaxy (iTravel Report) the USA ranked number two behind the UK as the next stop on young Australian travel lists (47%), combine with the strength of the Australian dollar and the US has experienced a huge youth travel boom.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe are dedicated to taking young Australian travellers further and have added additional departures to offer consultants the opportunity to continue making the most of the demand."

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe ongoing success of Contiki can be attributed to the positive difference a Contiki holiday offers compared to travelling solo."

"Firstly, value and impact on the hip pocket is important, particularly for young travellers." "Contiki means your clients can budget to the dollar, so there are no surprises."

"Then there is the social aspect and opportunity to really get under the skin of each region with the insight and knowledge available from our tour managersÃ¢â¬~.

Here is an overview of some of the tours with additional departures available:

24-day Grand Northern Ã¢â¬' from $3425 per person, twin share, land only.

Travelling from New York to Los Angeles, this trip highlights the best of the north, including the university city of Boston, a cruise on board the Maid of the Mist where travellers can revel in the awesome power of Niagara Falls, a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the chance to visit the home of the White Sox in Chicago, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks as well as the Grand Canyon and the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas.

13-day Southern Adventure Ã¢â¬' from $1899 per person, twin share, land only.

Experience some of the most famous destinations in the USA; LA, Grand Canyon, Memphis and New Orleans Ã¢â¬' plus, youÃ¢â¬â¢ll see everything in between. Highlights of the trip include the famous Joshua Trees of the Mojave Desert, the Las Vegas Strip, cruising Route 66, hiking the rim of the Grand Canyon, experiencing the Ã¢â¬ËœBig TexanÃ¢â¬â¢ culture and food, visiting the home of the Dallas Cowboys, dropping in on Elvis and touring the Graceland Mansion and getting into the heart and soul of Bourbon Street and New Orleans.

All Contiki itineraries include comfy coach transport (so travellers can kick back relax and enjoy the road trip), a great mix of accommodation, most meals, sightseeing and the benefit of an experienced tour manager and driver who are always happy to impart their knowledge and understanding of local history and gossip. Plus, there is plenty of free-time to tailor the experience on every tour to ensure the trip is exactly as clients would like it.

For more information on the USA program see www.contiki.com/USA.

A Report by the Mole