Be Inspired
40 / USA
Reborn
in the UsA Brits are saddling up and riding back to the USA – and with new experiences on offer alongside timeless classic, there’s never been a more exciting time to visit, says Lauren Jarvis
S
oaring cacti spread shadows across the sandy trail, as I ride through the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Goldfield mountains shimmering in the late afternoon sun. One of the world’s hottest deserts, the Sonoran is also surprisingly one of its richest, home to thousands of species of flowering plants, hundreds of types of bird, and an array of desert critters, along with mountain lions, bobcats and coyotes. My home for the night, Saguaro Lake
Guest Ranch in Mesa, dates back to the 1920s, but humans have been living in the Tucson Basin for around 12,500 years, with some areas believed to be the oldest inhabited region of the USA. Less than an hour away, Arizona’s capital, Phoenix, pulses with hip hotels, urban patio bars and eateries, live music and dazzling street art, but here, on horseback, only the soft padding of hooves and the merest murmur of the wind disturb the sound of silence. We’ve missed you, America: the ancient and the new; the familiar and the unique; the legends of the past and the rich promise of tomorrow.
Welcome back
sEE thE usa by rV
After an 18-month hiatus, the USA threw open its doors to fully-vaccinated UK visitors on November 8, marking the moment with a historic dual take-off by Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, whisking the first Americabound passengers from London Heathrow to JFK in New York.
In 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, 22 million people travelled between the two countries and, after the reopening announcement, bookings rocketed by 83%, with Orlando leading the charge. “November 8 was the real turning point for U.S. recovery as we transitioned from a state of readiness to welcoming the world back,” says Chris Thompson, CEO of Brand USA. “Each and every state and territory has a unique breadth and depth of possibilities for travel that gives the USA a competitive advantage above other destinations...there’s a real sense of optimism, excitement and enthusiasm as we move into 2022.” While the industry waits on tenterhooks to see if the Covid-19 variant Omicron sparks further restrictions in the new year, consumers remain keen to escape the UK. ABTA’s Travel Trends findings reveal that 49% of respondents consider it more important than ever to take a holiday in 2022, while 46% expect to spend more money on their break.
SELLINGTRAVEL.CO.UK
Reborn in usa opening feature V20.indd 40
12/22/21 04:41 PM
