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America's Premier Shopping Places' Dining Experiences Support Growing Trend In Culinary Tourism [May 2011]
America's Premier Shopping Places, a collection of tourism-oriented shopping centers owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc (NYSE: GGP), recognizes the importance of dining to the overall travel experience of both group and leisure visitors. As a result, each of these centers is proud to offer a diverse menu of dining options certain to please every traveler's appetite. Whether visitors are traveling to major destinations, such as Las Vegas, Honolulu or Miami, or exploring regional drive destinations like Birmingham, Portland, or Louisville, each of America's Premier Shopping Places dishes up a variety culinary delights to tempt travelers' palates.
According to the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA), Culinary Tourism is important for many reasons. Research conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America indicates 27 million travelers (17 percent of U.S. leisure travelers) sought culinary and wine related activities while traveling. The study shows culinary travelers are generally younger, affluent, and well educated, who seek unique experiences and cuisines while traveling. In addition, tourists who are interested in wine/cuisine also show a strong affinity for cultural travel, including museums, theater, shopping, music, film, ethnic festivals and adventurous outdoor recreation. As a result of this burgeoning travel trend, many of America's Premier Shopping Places have partnered with restaurants to create and/or enhance programs designed specifically for food-savvy travelers.
"We are proud to have America's Premier Shopping Places as one of our Gourmet Level Strategic Partners. They were the first in the shopping center industry to recognize the relationship between culinary tourism and shopping by joining our organization and working with the industry to provide travelers with unique dining experiences at their properties," said Erik Wolf, President of the International Culinary Tourism Association.
The following is an example of dining programs currently being offered at select centers:
- The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, Fashion Show-Las Vegas and The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio – Offer Shop & Dine packages to both groups and Frequent Individual Travelers (FIT's), which are also commissionable to travel professionals and include a dining voucher valid at participating restaurants as well as a variety of special offers and services from select retail merchants and complimentary gifts. Package details are available at www.shopamericatours.com.
- Harborplace & The Gallery in Baltimore and Fashion Show in Las Vegas - Offer groups pre-paid meal vouchers, which are commissionable to group planners. The vouchers are valid for special meal offers in the Food Court and are especially popular with international groups and students visiting the centers.
In addition to the dining options outlined above, many of America's Premier Shopping Places offer groups private event options onsite with catering by participating restaurants. These programs are popular with meeting and incentive planners looking for a unique alternative to hotel conference rooms. America's Premier Shopping Places offer colorful indoor and outdoor venues that excite the senses with activity and fun, combining the top two travel activities of shopping and dining.
America's Premier Shopping Places is an award-winning collection of tourism-oriented shopping centers located throughout the United States which are owned and/or managed by General Growth Properties, Inc. The centers are located in the heart of America's best-loved cities as well as along America's scenic highways and byways, attracting millions of visitors annually from around the world. For a complete listing of destinations and further information, along with high-resolution photos, visit www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com or contact Kathy Anderson, Travel & Tourism Manager at kathy@retailtourism.com.
