Grapevine, Texas and Travel Oklahoma Drive Route 66 Momentum Across ANZ Trade

March 25, 2026: Two of the USA’s most emerging regional destinations, Grapevine, Texas and Travel Oklahoma, have successfully completed a multi-city sales mission across New Zealand and Australia, connecting with key travel trade to showcase new opportunities for Australian and Kiwi travellers, with the overarching theme centred on a classic Route 66 adventure.

Leading the sales mission were special guests, Heather Egan, Director of Leisure & International Sales for Grapevine, Texas, and Todd Stallbaumer, Consumer & Trade Marketing Director for Travel Oklahoma. The week-long mission spanned Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, combining trade events, product trainings and strategic meetings with leading industry partners. The program engaged a broad cross-section of the travel industry, including retail, wholesale and online distribution partners such as Flight Centre Travel Group, House of Travel, Helloworld Travel, Webjet and Expedia Group.

Todd Stallbaumer - Travel Oklahoma, Shona Bray - House of Travel, Brittany Homan - Fiji Airways, Lily Huch - GO Holidays, Louise Sutton - Flight Centre and Heather Egan - Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Across four dedicated evening showcase events in Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, more than 150 travel advisors and media were introduced to the unique appeal of both destinations — from Oklahoma’s rich Native American heritage, Route 66 nostalgia and wide-open landscapes, to Grapevine’s historic charm, vibrant food and wine experiences, and prime location just a short drive from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, putting travellers within easy reach of Oklahoma’s Route 66 highlights, including the official Capital of Route 66 in Tulsa.

The mission also included a series of in-depth product trainings, webinars and “lunch and learn” sessions, designed to equip frontline agents with practical selling tools and itinerary inspiration. These sessions highlighted how Grapevine and Oklahoma can be seamlessly combined into broader U.S. itineraries, particularly for self-drive and experiential travellers seeking something beyond the traditional gateway cities.

From product trainings, webinars to lunch and learns sessions over four cities.

Speaking on the success of the mission, Canuckiwi Australia/New Zealand Director, Corey Marshall, noted the strong appetite for new U.S. products in the market.

“Agents across Australia and New Zealand are looking for fresh, story-driven experiences to offer their clients. Grapevine delivers a quintessential Texas experience with a walkable historic downtown, wineries and the Vintage Railroad, all just minutes from a major international gateway. While Oklahoma resonates strongly with travellers seeking authenticity — from Tulsa, the official Capital of Route 66, to Oklahoma City, host of the canoe slalom and softball events at the 2028 Olympics. The state also offers rich Native American culture, iconic cowboy heritage, and an impressive musical legacy as the birthplace of some of the U.S.’s most celebrated country music legends. This mission has been invaluable in building awareness and giving agents the confidence to sell a destination that truly surprises.”

The ANZ market continues to be a priority for both destinations, with increasing demand for immersive, off-the-beaten-path U.S. travel. The sales mission marks a continued investment in trade education and partnership development, ensuring key travel professionals are educated and well positioned to convert this demand into bookings for both destinations.

For more information on Grapevine, Texas, visit grapevinetexasusa.comFor more information on Travel Oklahoma, visit travelok.com.

ENDS