Agents discover the Port of Seattle and beyond on a virtual fam trip
Popularly known as the gateway to Alaska, the Port of Seattle is also the front door to a host of fantastic experiences in and around the city, a webinar hosted by the destination revealed. Agents gathered online to hear all about pre- and post-cruise experiences and the highlights of Seattle, Washington, and its surrounding areas from tourist boards, airlines, tour operators and attractions.
A favourite with locals, Whidbey Camano Island is a secret escape just 50 kilometres from the city, its pristine beaches, forests and rural landscapes can be reached by ferry or Deception Pass Bridge by car.
Seattle is also a top destination for food, said Liz Johnson, Director-International Tourism at Visit Seattle. “We have amazing seafood – salmon, halibut, mussels, oysters and more. Because we sit on the Pacific Ocean we have a lot of Asian influence toowe love dim sum and pho.”
Highlighting other experiences across the state, Mike Moe, Director of Strategic Partnership and Tourism Development at the Washington Tourism Alliance, said: “We have Native American experiences all over Washington State, and many are starting to embrace cultural exhibitions. They are such an important part of our story.”
When asked about the best time to visit, Moe answered: “Washington is beautiful year-round, but aim for spring or autumn as there are less people and easier access to many of the sites, and museums charge half-price entry fees in February.”
Keen oenophiles can visit the small town of Walla Walla, part of Washington wine country, located just over a four-hour drive from Seattle. “Our high street is filled with boutiques, winetasting shops and restaurants, all with tasting experiences. The surrounding vineyards are very accessible, and only about 15 minutes apart,” said Guy Glaeser, founder of local tour operator Inquisitours.
And, of course, the port’s cruise offering continues to be solid, hosting over 200 departures each season, with numerous major cruise lines including Norwegian, Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival and Princess sailing from its berths. Access to the city and cruise terminals will be even easier from 2022, as Seattle Tacoma International Airport will open a new international arrivals hall, with direct flights from the UK. Agents also heard that clients can sail round-trip, which distinguishes Seattle from other ports such as Vancouver. Seven-day cruises include stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait. Asked about upcoming fam trips, Johnson said: “We are actively working with the UK travel trade to invite them to see Seattle and the surrounding areas, so get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.” There were plenty of educational moments, with agents hearing about how all the new itineraries are packaged by ground handlers, making it easy to buy a prepackaged tour off-the-shelf to sell on.
They also learned that all of the itineraries are available on the trade and media page of Visit Seattle’s website as well as the ‘plan your holiday’ page, videos and photos. A post-fam quiz saw Bon Voyage’s
Sarah Shepherd rewarded with a case of Washington State wine.
Clients can sail round-trip from Seattle, unlike Vancouver