A lot of people are taking advantage of “weekend” trips and are looking to stay relatively close to home or within reasonable driving distance. As a travel professional, you may want to brush up on your knowledge of North America. Below are five facts take from The Travel Institute’s Destination Specialist North America course, that you may want to be aware of should any of your clients propose these U.S. states.
1. THE GREAT LAKES
Did You Know?
To remember the five Great Lakes, think H-O-M-E-S: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. They hold about one-third of the world’s surface water. The lakes are an important part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a complex of natural waterways, deepened channels, locks, and canals. Twelve ports in Canada and 66 in the United States serve the seaway.
2. OHIO
Did You Know?
Eight U.S. presidents hailed from Ohio at the time of their elections, giving rise to its nickname, “Mother of Presidents,” a promotional term it shares with Virginia. Seven presidents were born there; making it second to Virginia’s eight. They are Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding. Virginia-born William Henry Harrison lived there most of his life, thus allowing Ohio to claim him as a native for the term, “Modern Mother of Presidents.”
The phrase First Lady entered the language when an Ohioan newspaper reporter used it to refer to Lucy Webb Hayes.
3. INDIANA
Did You Know?
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is referred to as the Brickyard because it was paved with 3.2 million bricks after its construction in 1909. Today, the track is paved in asphalt, although a one-yard strip of bricks remains at the start/finish line.
4. WISCONSIN
Did You Know?
Distinctive traits of Milwaukee’s residential areas are the neighborhoods full of so-called Polish flats. They are two-family homes with separate entrances, but with the units stacked one on top of another instead of side-by-side.
5. MINNESOTA
Did You Know?
The tam o’shanter hat toss by television character Mary Richards in the opening credits of the Mary Tyler Moore Show was filmed on Nicollet Mall. Entertainment Weekly named this scene one of the greatest in television history.
To explore more of the United States, enroll in The Travel Institute’s online North America Destination Specialist course by 7/10/20 and save 50% (includes course and test). Enter code NAJUL upon checkout.
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