It’s now easier than ever for your clients to visit the Cincy Region, as on 5 June British Airways launched its inaugural flight from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Heathrow.

The new service is the only direct flight between the UK and all of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. And as it takes just seven hours, it makes the Cincy Region easily accessible for both short breaks and longer trips. 

A welcoming destination

The Cincy Region is a partnership between Visit Cincy and meetNKY, promoting the central Cincinnati metropolitan area, which straddles three states and encompasses 15 counties. MeetNKY president and chief executive Julie Kirkpatrick was on the inaugural flight from CVG to Heathrow, and says the destination has so much to offer visitors. 

“We have a lot of unique attractions in the Cincy Region, and there’s an experience for everyone,” she explains. “From the National Underground Railroad Freedom Centre, which is the only one of its kind and educates about America’s history with slavery as well as modern-day struggles for freedom, to professional sports with America’s first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds. There’s history, family fun, arts, entertainment, bourbon trails and incredible food.” 

Mature couples are a key market for the destination, especially those who have already visited the USA and are looking for a new adventure. Rates for luxury hotels and food and drink prices are considerably lower than New York and Chicago, helping customers’ budget go further.

Tempting food and drink

The Cincy Region’s remarkable food and drink scene is a huge draw. It’s where beer meets bourbon, and clients can tour underground 19th-century cellars to discover the region’s brewing history, while Northern Kentucky is the official gateway to the self-guided, road trip-style Kentucky Bourbon Trail. There’s also The B-Line, which offers a self-guided trail that visits some of Northern Kentucky’s signature bourbon bars, restaurants and distilleries.

When it comes to food, chilli is a must-try, and can be found in chilli parlours across the Cincy Region, laden with grated cheese and served on spaghetti or in “Coney” hotdogs. Goetta is a local speciality, and locals love these delicious meat patties so much that an annual festival is dedicated to the delicacy. And for a gourmet experience, The Bakers Table in Newport, Kentucky offers award-winning cuisine. 

Activities and experiences for all 

One of Kirkpatrick’s top recommendations for visitors is to join a gangster tour in Newport. “It’s one of our best kept secrets, as it’s a phenomenal tour,” she explains. “During [the 1920s] Prohibition era a lot of gangsters came to the region, bringing casinos with them. It was a gangster’s playground.” Clients will hear how Newport was the original Sin City where corruption was the norm, with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Al Capone all regular visitors.  

Kirkpatrick also recommends the region’s Oktoberfest, which is the biggest outside of Munich and takes place this September, alongside the giant BLINK light festival in Cincinnati in October 2024. The free event displays an array of colourful and eye-catching illuminations, spread across 30 blocks. 

For families, Kirkpatrick highlights the popular BB Riverboats cruises along the Ohio River, and recommends a visit to the Cincinnati Zoo, Newport Aquarium and Kings Island theme park. Ensure clients make time to catch a Cincinnati Reds baseball game or a Bengals football match, too. 

The Cincy Region can also be the starting point for longer USA trips, as clients will be within 4.5 hour’s drive of cities including Chicago, Nashville and Pittsburgh, and they can easily head west and follow Route 66.

Boosting demand 

The new service from BA operates five times weekly during the current summer season and four times a week during the winter. The route will be served by aircraft including the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787, and clients can choose between Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) cabins. 

Kirkpatrick says demand is already high for the route. And with UK travellers proving keen to soak up the sights and sounds of the Cincy Region, Kirkpatrick hopes the new flights will help the UK become the Cincy Region’s largest source market by 2025, up from third place pre-pandemic. And with so much to offer visitors, this vibrant region should certainly be on your clients’ wish lists.