Editor’s Marks

BY BRIAN JEWELL

Ihave some friends I want you to meet.

In nearly two decades working in travel journalism, I’ve been privileged to visit hundreds of incredible places around the world. But even more fascinating than the places I have traveled are the people I have met along the way.

The tourism community is full of fun, outgoing and passionate professionals. Many of them are also smart, creative and eager to share their insights.

Some of the people I meet eventually appear in the pages of this magazine. Our team often taps their expertise for articles we publish on a variety of topics. Interviewing them can be both fun and frustrating: I love sharing their knowledge and perspective with you, but I’m always disappointed that space constraints on the printed page force me to leave out so much of what they have to say.

That’s all about to change.

I’m excited to tell you about the debut of “Gather and Go,” a new podcast from our team that’s dedicated to helping you plan, promote and lead better trips.

Each episode of the podcast will feature a conversation with one of the many creative, innovative and engaging friends I’ve met in the tourism community. In our first episode, I talk with Terry Dale of the United States Tour Operators Association about traveling during difficult times. You’ll also hear conversations with leaders such as Jaclyn Leibl-Cote of Collette, Erik Wolf of the World Food Travel Association, Patrick Smith of Ask the Pilot and many more.

Regardless of what role you play in the travel industry, this is a podcast you won’t want to miss.

EDITOR’S MARKS

We’re going to talk about the expanding role of cultural experiences in tourism, building resilient travel brands, leveraging technology to reach new markets and other ideas that will help you design better travel experiences and increase your impact in your community.

In addition to these featured conversations, you’ll also get travel news you may have missed, as well as travel tips from our team and updates on events, FAM tours and other special projects we’re working on. And you’ll want to stay tuned to the end of each episode for “The Hot Minute,” where I’ll give you my unfiltered take on issues impacting tourism every day.

If you’re already a fan of podcasts, you can find “Gather and Go” wherever you listen to your favorite shows. If you’ve never downloaded a podcast before, don’t worry — you can hear every episode online at grouptravelleader.com/podcast.

The first several episodes are available now. Join us for “Gather and Go,” and let’s take your travel organization to the next level.

CUSTOM CONTENT

Much new to do where Kentucky and Ohio meet

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

In Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, aka the Cincy Region where Ohio and Kentucky gaze across the Ohio River at one another, four cities – Cincinnati and Covington, Newport and Florence, Kentucky – entertain with new attractions and new twists on old favorites.

Mid-afternoon’s a bargain on BB Riverboats

To get an eyeful of city skylines, glide down the Ohio aboard one of BB Riverboats’ authentic paddle wheelers. The tour boat company is big on groups, and its dock in Newport is well equipped for motorcoach travelers. New, shorter mid-day and afternoon cruises work well for tight schedules and cost less because they don’t include a meal.

Free art is abundant in Cincinnati

Speaking of deals, art is abundant, and often free in Cincinnati, from the Cincinnati Art Museum to downtown walls splashed with imaginative murals. Tucked into the Aronoff Center for the Arts, where popular touring Broadway shows have returned, the Weston Art Gallery offers free admission and guided tours. October 13-16, city blocks that stretch from Findlay Market in Cincinnati to Covington will light up as BLINK® | Illuminated by ArtsWave returns. Between 1.25 and 1.5 million people experienced Blink in 2019, organizers say, making it the largest event in the region's history.

The riverfront rocks in Newport

In Newport, 50 species of fish brighten the new Coral Reef Tunnel exhibit at the Newport Aquarium while moray eels, lionfish and other seldom-seen sea creatures peek out in Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels. Hands-on encounters with an entourage of African penguins can be arranged. Next door to the aquarium, Newport on the Levee is livelier than ever with new shops, bars and restaurants. At its Bridgeview Box Park, groups grab drinks and food from local purveyors operating out of open-air shipping containers and dine outdoors, next to the river. On Friday nights from April through October, free concerts by local bands add music to the air.

Inspiring stories of struggles for freedom

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati sits above the Ohio River, crossed by so many slaves who sought freedom. By illuminating the struggles for freedom, the museum continues to inspire and remind that freedom must be protected. A newer exhibit, Invisible: Slavery Today, is the world's first permanent museum exhibition about human trafficking. Near the museum, the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame will open in July, in time for the Cincinnati Music Festival. Bootsy Collins, Otis Williams, the Isley Brothers and Charles Fold are the first Cincinnati artists to be honored with stars along the walk.

A trio of gaming options

Gaming is an option on both sides of the river. In Cincinnati, Hard Rock Casino is the biggest game in town, with nearly 100 live table games, 1,600 slots and a poker room. Newport Racing and Gaming combines gaming, historical racing machines, horse racing broadcasts and off-track wagering. Near Florence, Turfway Park will reopen in early fall with live Thoroughbred racing, a new grandstand and clubhouse and 850 historical horse racing machines.

cincyusa.com/group-tours 859-261-4677

By Ross van Pelt

CINCY REGION GINA CHRIST-KOHLER REGIONAL DIRECTOR, LEISURE SALES GKOHLER@MEETNKY.COM OFFICE: 859-261-4677 DIRECT: 859-655-4151 CINCYUSA.COM/GROUP-TOURS