Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/704649
OMAHA ADDING MORE NONSTOP AIR SERVICE Put American Airlines on the list of air carriers adding service in Omaha. Beginning June 2, 2016 American will add a daily non- stop flight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA). "Adding a dedicated flight to yet another international airport makes Omaha even more accessible and attractive to visitors from all over the world," said Keith Backsen, executive director of the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition to American Airlines, in the last six months Southwest, Alaska and Allegiant Airlines have all announced new non-stop service to Omaha. Allegiant Airlines launched new year- round nonstop service to Orlando, FL's Sanford International Airport on November 5, 2015. Southwest Airlines began non- stop service to Dallas Love Field on August 9, 2015 and new daily service to Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. began in March of this year. Alaska Airlines began daily non-stop service to Portland, OR start- ing February 18, 2016. "Not only will these additional flights better connect Omaha to the West, East and Southern coasts, but it also better connects Omaha to the world," added Backsen. Omaha hosts a number of large international and domestic events including Warren Buffe tt's Annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting, which attracts an international audience; the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials will be held in June of this year; and the FEI World Cup, an interna- tional horse jumping and dressage competition, will be in Omaha in 2017. 11 B M & T ••• March/April 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com TRAVEL CHANNEL NAMES BIRMINGHAM AMONG 'GREAT DESTINATIONS' The Travel has chosen its "Next 11 Great Destinations," and Birmingham is the only U.S. city in the chosen few. The respected TV channel prefaces its list, in part, with this introduction: "For all you true travelers out there looking for the coolest passport stamps for 2016, we bring you the 11 Next Great Destinations." In naming Birmingham, the Travel Channel points to the city's craft breweries and culinary distinc- tions, calling out places such as Good People Brewing and James Beard Foundation favorite Highlands Bar and Grill. Also featured is the newly restored Lyric Theatre, just across the street from the historic and palatial Alabama Theatre. The Lyric has been fully refurbished after a successful fundraising cam- paign and will host a full 2016 schedule of national and international artists in performance. Also mentioned in the piece are Birmingham's Rickwood Field, w hich is America's oldest baseball park, and one of the newest, Regions Field, opened in 2013. "We're delighted the Travel Channel took notice of a U.S. city that has recently received a number of national accolades," Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau president. John Oros, Jr., said. "Food giant Zagat has named Birmingham the number one next hot food city, and now we get this great news as well. We look forward to welcoming those visitors who heed the Travel Channel's rec- ommendations." Among the other destinations recommended were Bolivia, Poland, The Philippines, Estonia, Cuba and Coastal Cambodia.