August 2016 - Welcome to Brand USA's monthly media newsletter with all the top stateside news spanning the next few months. Please include the URL www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.VisitTheUSA.co.uk to entice your readers with more USA adventures.

U.S. Global Entry Enrolment Centre to open in London

Following the announcement in December 2015 that UK citizens are eligible to apply for Global Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will open a Global Entry enrolment centre at the U.S. Embassy in London for 60 days beginning 26th September. The centre will be open Monday through Wednesday from 8am – 4.30pm on an appointment-only basis. Global Entry streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travellers, bypassing the traditional CBP inspection line and using an automated kiosk to expedite admission into the United States. Over 8,800 UK passport holders are already enrolled in the program.  UK citizens should begin their application on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/apply-faster-entry-usa.  Conditionally approved applicants can begin scheduling interviews with a CBP Officer at the London location now through the Global Online Enrolment System (GOES) website. There is a £42 processing fee on the UK side and a $100 fee on the U.S. side.  Once fully enrolled in the program, Global Entry membership is valid for 5 years and membership includes TSA Pre-Check when travelling with participating airlines. www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Dublin Airport unveils 51st & Green for travellers to the U.S.

Dublin Airport now offers travellers to the USA preclearance ease and enhanced comfort with the opening of a new passenger lounge after U.S. Preclearance in Terminal 2. The new lounge is named 51st & Green to reflect the theme of connecting Ireland and the U.S. at Dublin Airport before departure, which is available to transatlantic passengers travelling with Aer Lingus, Delta Airlines, United and American Airlines holding business class tickets and airline club cards. A record one million passengers used Dublin Airport's U.S. Preclearance facility in 2015 with passenger numbers up 19% in the first half of 2016. Four airlines currently fly 276 times to and from 11 destinations in the U.S. on a weekly basis with an average of almost 40 return flights a day. The new lounge holds seating for 180 people, a concierge service, luxury shower rooms and an entertainment area with sports channels. www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.dublinairport.com

Hotel fit for The King now open for bookings

The Guest House at Graceland, built to celebrate Elvis Presley and his legacy, is now taking bookings ahead of its opening on 27th October. Just steps from the gates of Graceland, the unique 450-room hotel will be one of the largest in Memphis and the most significant enhancement to Graceland since it opened to the public in 1982, with unique themed VIP suites with designs supervised by Priscilla Presley. From the southern colonial exterior to the 464-seat theatre for performances, every aspect of The Guest House will reflect Elvis' personal style and the unique character of Graceland. The official opening of the largest hotel project in Memphis for 90 years will take place from 27th – 30th October with a four-day, star-studded Opening Celebration. Rooms are available from $144. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Memphis / www.guesthousegraceland.com

Maui's first ever Hana Rainforest experience with Maverick

Maverick Helicopters has introduced a new air and landing tour in Maui, Hawaii – the island's first ever Hana Rainforest Experience. The exclusive excursion showcases Jurassic Rock (as featured in the original Jurassic Park movie); taking in views of Haleakala, Maui's dormant volcano; the charming beach town of Ho'okipa's north shore, Paia, and the Road to Hana with breath taking sea cliffs, waterfalls and lush vegetation en route. The exclusive rainforest landing spot allows passengers to explore the remote landscape by foot and take in towering waterfalls, streams and natural-growing bananas, coconuts, lemons and ginger plants. The Hana Rainforest Experience is $299 per person. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Hawaii / www.maverickhelicopter.co.uk

From Orlando to The Keys – Florida demand results in new hotels

Universal Orlando has just opened its fifth on-property resort, Loews Sapphire Falls – a  Caribbean-themed property with a 16,000 square-foot pool surrounded by waterfalls and serves 75 different kinds of rum in its Strong Water Tavern. Guests at the new hotel are able to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ an hour before the theme park opens with complimentary water taxis and shuttle buses to the parks and Universal CityWalk™. Meanwhile, subtropical Key Largo is welcoming the first new-build resort in 21 years. Playa Largo Resort & Spa (pictured) is scheduled to open in late summer, comprising a grand beach house and bungalow accommodation set over 14.5 acres with an expansive waterfront pool, beachfront Tiki Bar and a wide range of water sports programmes from the white-sand beach. The increasingly popular Florida Keys saw 84,000 UK visitors in 2015, an annual increase of almost 15% (Source: VisaVUE®). www.VisitTheUSA.com/Florida / www.VisitTheUSA.com/FloridaKeys

Unplug and unwind at the new Restival Arizona

Ancient ceremonies, cultural celebrations and desert adventure create the ultimate nomadic event this September. Set within the four sacred mountains that define Dinetah, the traditional Navajo homeland in Arizona, the first Restival event in the U.S. will take place from 8th – 13th and 16th – 21st September 2016. Restival is an experience whereby visitors unplug, unwind and restore 'physical and mental equilibrium' with specially curated workshops and activities in a truly incredible setting; Arizona's instalment looks out over a vast panorama that includes the Navajo Nation and Hopi mesas, as well as its nearby neighbour, the famous art installation – the Roden Crater.  Rise and shine in a Navajo Tipi to the changing colours of the Painted Desert to the east; then watch the sun set behind the Sacred Mountain of the west, Dook'oo'sliid, also known as the San Francisco peaks. Daily workshops include yoga and meditation, gong baths and body treatments and specific to Arizona, Navajo elders will lead traditional ceremonies such as sweat lodges and Cacao celebrations in an original Hogan dwelling with highlights including healing workshops led by medicine woman Song Bird Grandmother and Navajo Astronomy with evening tribal campfires and dances to celebrate the moon and stars. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Arizona / www.restival.global

Kentucky offers visitors an Ark Encounter

History buffs and families can now step back in time as a life-size Noah's Ark has docked in  Kentucky. The new theme park features the most authentic full-size replica of Noah's Ark in the world, a mile-long time-travel bus ride, zipline tour – with over 10 lines at least 1,000 feet in length – and exotic animals at Ararat Ridge Zoo. Until 15th August visitors can experience the Ark at night, as it opens until midnight, following which the attraction will be open daily until 6pm. Tickets are available from $40 for adults and $28 for children with free admission for children under 5 years old. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Kentucky / www.arkencouter.com

NYC's Museum of Ice Cream allows visitors to swim in sprinkles this August

For the month of August visitors to New York City can keep cool in a pop-up Museum of Ice Cream in the Meatpacking District. Curated by a collective of ice cream obsessed designers and artists, highlights of this new 'scoop' include a swimmable rainbow sprinkle pool, edible balloons, an immersive chocolate room and ice cream tasting created by food futurist Dr. Irwin Adam, founder of Future Food Studio. The museum is open daily (except for Tuesdays) until 31st August with ticket prices including a free 'scoop of the week' ice cream. Single admission is $18, Double admission (2 adults) is $30 and Mini (under 10 and Senior Citizens) is $12. www.VisitTheUSA.com/NewYorkCity  / www.museumoficecream.com

Las Vegas visitors can now become a Gondolier Graduate

The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas has launched the Gondola University for those after an education while in Sin City.  The course is limited to nine students per day and participants are carefully instructed on how to pilot the craft before taking to the canals and rowing their own vessels. Graduates receive a degree certificate from the university in a sash and scarf ceremony, plus their own gondola hat and t-shirt. UK tour operator, Bon Voyage, offers the chance to become a Gondolier with a four-night break staying at the five-star Venetian Hotel with non-stop flights and champagne limousine transfers on arrival from £1,195 per person. www.VisitTheUSA.com/LasVegas / www.bon-voyage.co.uk/whatshot

-ENDS-

Discover this land, like never before VisitTheUSA.com

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organisation's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximise the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com.

For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at VisitTheUSA.com / VisitTheUSA.co.uk

For further Brand USA, UK/Ireland press information, contact:

Polly Beech / Sarah Barnett / Allie Williams

pbeech@thebrandusa.co.uk / sbarnett@thebrandusa.co.uk / awilliams@thebrandusa.co.uk

020 7845 6359 / 020 7845 6378 / 020 7845 6384