United States

Didn’t join the Race Across California fam trip? Here’s everything you missed

Visit California’s first-ever Race Across California – a self-drive fam trip for travel agents with a twist – was an enormous success. TTG tagged along to find out which destinations, experiences and hotels are best suited to a road trip across the Golden State, so no one need miss out on the action

An agent's guide to booking US World Cup itineraries

The bulk of the matches for the FIFA men's World Cup – kicking off on 11 June – are being played in the US, with Canada and Mexico sharing hosting duties

'These Esta changes are more bark than bite, but the answer cannot be to build higher walls'

USAirtours founder and chair Guy Novik reflects on US proposals to require visitors to provide five years' social media history as part of their Esta application

Tourists to the US could be asked for five years' social media history

Measures set out in Customs and Border Protection filing, and would apply to Esta applicants – including those from the UK and Ireland

Don't lose hope amid bleak geopolitical outlook – but heed cybersecurity warnings, travel told

Ex-British commander Richard Kemp MBE ran Aito conference delegates through a sobering list of challenges, but stressed many were unlikely to materialise – and that the UK was 'in a much better position globally' than in the past

US Travel Association boss compares country's negative image to that of China

US needs to overcome unfriendly image where visitors ‘fear detention’, says Geoff Freeman

'Stay at least five nights, book fast passes and step into the movies': how to sell Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort just hosted a trade fam trip in partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways. Here are the reflections of some of those who took part...

'What should have been a run-of-the-mill trip became a tactical operation'

As a high-profile LGBTQ+ influencer, Jake Graf was apprehensive about travelling to the US for a travel convention – but did his fears become a reality at the border check?

Cuba: 'We could accommodate millions more cruise passengers if the US lifted its embargo'

Cuba's tourism minister Juan Carlos Garcia Granda tells TTG he hopes to one day welcome more cruise lines to the country's ports

'A prompt solution was never likely': trade braces for US flight disruption as government shutdown continues

From domestic flight cancellations to free national park entry, US-specialist travel agents and tour operators have shared how their clients are faring during the shutdown

Las Vegas 'to rethink value messaging' as competition from other markets hots up

Following the success of its five-day 'Fabulous Sale', designed to boost tourism after a decline in visitor numbers, the tourism authority reveals it's a strategy it could deploy again

Destinations that fail to incorporate 'play' into their experiences risk alienating new generation of travellers

Established destinations such as Las Vegas, London and New York, as well as Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya – 'the first city built for play' – warn others to think carefully about new experiences

Fifa World Cup and 2028 Olympics could reverse drop in US travel demand, WTM told

The WTM Global Travel Report 2025 reveals international visitor numbers to the US are expected to remain around 15% below 2019 levels this year

Is this the best time of year to visit the US? These experts think so...

What is it like to travel to the United States during the country's annual national holiday? We ask a bunch of US tourism experts for their top tips

Ocean Florida launches first travel trade guide

US specialist is promoting a glossy new agent brochure, designed to drive bookings across Florida and beyond, and with a dedicated section for Fifa 2026

Florida boosts agent engagement with new UK event

Sunshine State's first dedicated event – held in London last week – for partners to meet one-to-one with the trade has been hailed a great success

Agencies step in at the 11th hour to save holidays hit by spate of Esta issues

One Thorne Travel client found out their Esta had been revoked during the first leg of their trip

New $40 US Esta fee to be charged from the end of September

The new fee is nearly double the previous $21 charged for the visa waiver

17 need-to-know new routes, destinations and updates

As the weather takes a turn, here is TTG's pick of the new routes taking off or being extended this winter and next summer

Seashells, manatees and American history: how to sell Fort Myers and Sanibel

What is the best way to get to your destination?

Customers can fly direct to Tampa from London Heathrow or Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air France, or KLM, followed by a two-hour drive to Fort Myers. Car hire starts at £36 per day or customers can opt for pre-booked transfers.

US tourism demand has withstood Donald Trump's return – but is it the calm before the storm?

UK visitors to the US went up during the first half of the year – will the market perform so well once people start booking for future seasons?

Agents warn 'out of hand' resort fees are putting clients off visiting the US

One agent told TTG she had to stump up an extra $700 in fees during a 16-night itinerary

USA Selling Guide

Doubling Esta fee to $40 'a self-imposed tariff', warns US tourism chief

The US Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or Esta, is set to increase from a current $21 to $40