Sydney, Australia – Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, is proud to partner with Australia's leading integrated travel group, helloworld, to mark the United Nations World Tourism day on 27 September 2015 with an innovative social media initiative, #helloworldRELAY. This history making Instagram relay will curate a visual story of 75 destinations around the world, including 14 U.S. States.

As the sun rises in each destination on September 27, Instagrammers will commence postings until the sun sets in their location. The relay will begin at sunrise in Samoa, the westernmost point of the earth, and travel across the world until it finishes at sunset in the Cook Islands 36 hours later.

The line-up of U.S. locations and influencers taking part includes: 

1. Alaska

2. NYC, New York

3. Los Angeles, CA

4. San Francisco, CA

5. Portland, Oregon

6. Utah

7. Las Vegas, NV

8. Hawaii

9. Montana

10. Michigan

11. Austin, TX

12. Dallas, TX

13. Memphis, TN

14. Miami, FL

The unique itineraries for each Instagrammer have been developed in partnership with helloworld agents and destination partners on the ground, highlighting the unique aspects of each city, state and locale. These incredible moments engineered by helloworld agents truly embody the notion 'holidays worth sharing' and Instagram provides the perfect real-time platform for these inspirational photos.

Each helloworld influencer will host an Instagram meet up (insta-meet) as part of the #helloworldRELAY for two hours during World Tourism Day, inviting other social media enthusiasts and travellers to get involved at each location.

Kim Portrate, Chief Marketing Officer at helloworld, is proud to be leading a movement that will create social media history. “There are approximately five million Australians checking into Instagram every month with 70% of those users active every day. The #helloworldRELAY is a unique opportunity to inspire travellers and show them parts of the world they may have never seen before, in a way they have never experienced and showcase the expertise of helloworld agents and the exciting itineraries that can be created by your local helloworld agent or booked online at helloworld.com.au.”

“Every year helloworld organises millions of trips for Australians around the world and we take great pride in being able to offer our customers holidays that go beyond expectations and showcase the depth of our expertise. This global relay will pay homage to World Tourism Day and the significant role that tourism plays culturally and economically to our world,” said Portrate. 

“This is the first partnership of this type that Brand USA has taken part in. We're really excited to be participating in this innovative project and to be showcasing so many fantastic U.S. destinations during the relay,” said David Whitaker, Brand USA Chief Marketing Officer.  “Brand USA always aims to stimulate conversations about our destinations through inspiring imagery and unique social campaigns, as well as encouraging our audience to share their own travel stories. We hope that this campaign will inspire even more visitors to discover the USA for themselves.”

To be part of the RELAY follow @helloworldAU on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or go online at relay.helloworld.com.au or simply search #helloworldRELAY.

About Brand USA

Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act to spearhead the nation's first global marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. visa and entry policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA. With a mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, Brand USA works in close partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. Brand USA's activities are funded at no cost to U.S. taxpayers through a combination of private-sector investment and matching funds collected by the U.S. Government from international visitors who come to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. Through its call-to-action—Discover America—Brand USA inspires travelers to explore the United States of America's boundless possibilities. 

For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For information about exceptional and unexpected travel experiences in the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at www.DiscoverAmerica.com.

About Gate 7

Founded in 1998, Gate 7 is a marketing and representation agency specialising in the promotion of travel and tourism in Australia and New Zealand. The recipient of multiple travel industry awards Gate 7's services include sales and marketing, public relations, consumer marketing, social networking, MICE services and brand development.