2006 Top Destinations & Activities from American Bus Association
Cities that offer music, history and culture and great shopping and dining top the list this year of American Bus Association’s ‘Best and the Rest Survey’. Each year, ABA surveys its operator members to get their takes on popular cities, up and coming locales, favorite gaming and shopping spots for their groups and much more.
Destinations asked ABA-member operators to name the best in group travel. This year, they selected the best—and the rest—in destinations, attractions, performances, dining and more.
Nashville, the 2006 Marketplace host city, won the honor of top city, while Lancaster, Pa. was awarded the favorite non-big city locale. And the hot seats for this year’s theater tours goes to the delightfully evil musical Wicked, while the Oprah-produced The Color Purple appears to be the next big ticket event. And with such a wide array of performances, its no surprise that theater remains at the top group activity.
Excluding New York, Branson and Washington DC, what are the top 3 U.S. cities in you visited during the past year:
1. Nashville
2. Chicago
3. Philadelphia
Top Canadian cities:
1. Niagara Falls, Ontario
2. Toronto, Ontario
3. Tie: Montreal, Windsor, Winnipeg
Last year, what was your top non-big city destination in North America?
1. Lancaster, Pa.
2. Branson, Mo.
3. Tunica, Miss.
At which North American destination do groups get the most bang for their buck?
1. Washington D.C.
2. Branson, Mo.
3. Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Last year, what new itinerary/attraction is turning into a hot sell?
Tie:
1. Top of the Rock and The Color Purple Mystery Tours
Which CVB works the hardest to help package tours?
Tie:
Birmingham, Ala. and Philadelphia, Pa.
What play, show, or theater performance are the hot tickets for 2006?
1. Wicked
2. The Color Purple
3. The Lion King
Which hotel chain best accommodates groups?
1. Hampton Inn
2. Drury Inn
What is the best themed restaurant for groups?
1. Hard Rock Café
2. Cracker Barrel
3. Rainforest Café
Besides Las Vegas, what the is best gaming destination for groups?
1. Atlantic City, N.J.
2. Tunica, Miss.
3. Mohegan Sun Casino
What are the most popular tour activities:
1. Theater
2. Shopping
3. Gaming
What is the best roadside attraction for groups?
1. Farmer’s Market
2. Wineries
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