GO WEST Summit is a premier travel trade convention that connects the tourism organisations and tour suppliers from the western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming to international and U.S. based receptive tour operators, promoting in bound tourism in the USA

by Jenny Tan

Go West Summit is organised by International Tourism Marketing Inc , the Go West Summit was held in Salt Lake City, Utah as the host city this year with an average of more than 800 attendees and 11,000 scheduled meetings.

Delta Air Lines, Inc of the United States of America is one of the world’s most awarded airlines

Dynamic Delta
Delta Air Lines, Inc of the United States of America is one of the world’s most awarded airlines, with an extensive network of international routes from Atlanta, Delta global headquarters and the world’s most traveller airline hub.

One of the largest airline in the world and a founding member of Sky Team Global Alliance, Delta Airlines is a sponsor for Go West Summit, connecting travellers to more than 300 destinations in 60 countries across 6 continents, serving more than 180 million passengers annually.

Sensational Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is an urban metropolis with Ski City and Greatest Snow on Earth moniker. Just 30 minutes from downtown, live life elevated in Utah and arrive at snow powdery paradise and indulge in endless skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and bobsled run at 2002 Olympic Winter Games host city.

The Utah State Capitol Building sits majestically on Capitol Hill, offering visitors a spectacular panorama of Wasatch Range, Oquirrh mountains, Salt Lake Valley and downtown city temple street.

Featuring a neoclassical design with Corinthian columns, Utah’s state emblem beehives, laurel wreaths and lions, symbolizing unity, victory, success,vitality, pride, strength, authority and protection are etched in the ionic beautiful buildings. Take a complimentary guided tour to learn about Utah’s rich heritage, view original artworks, treasured artifacts and historical monuments on displays.

Temple Square in downtown is home to Salt Lake Temple with the iconic Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gothic cathedral gardens and fountains. Visit Family History Library and watch world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform at the Tabernacle.

The swanky City Creek Centre mixed development with residences is just adjacent to Temple Square. Take a walk down the flowing man-made creek, Bellagio inspired fire and water fountain, shop at anchor tenants like Nordstorm, Macy’s and Apple Stores together with more than 100 brands and 11 restaurants for gourmet wine and dine.

Snowy Mountains
No visit to Utah will be complete without stopping by the powdery snowy ski resorts, majestic mountains with charming villages and magnificent national parks. Spot wild bisons and roaming elks against alpine paradise, taste decadent farm to table meals and brews in the sunny chilly weather with apres ski activities for an unforgettable vacation.

Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City Airport, elevate and land on the legendary ski basins at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude with beginners, intermediate and challenging terrains, amazing snow and Wasatch mountain views.

Ski-in or ski-out at Park City Mountain Village with direct ski lift access to the town’s historic Main Street and popular Canyon Village, from North America’s largest ski resort and Olympic Winter games site. Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, the deep powder of Jupiter and McConkey’s bowls and dramatic explorable terrains at Park City is a magnet for celebrities as it is the playground for the famous, rich and wannabe as THE place to be seen.

For VIP outlet shopping experience, visit Traverse Mountain outlets for an extensive range of American and International brands at massive discounts or Tanger outlet Park City in between ski sessions.

Stay at the ultra luxurious Stein Eriksen lodge in Deer Valley, voted as the world’s best ski hotel or live the unforgettable at the renowned Walford Astoria Hotel in Park City.

Continue to Ogden for iFly Utah, dine at the historic 25th street and stop by the rail museum for history insights before skiing stopovers at Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Wolf Mountain.

Unforgettable Utah
Catch glimpses of the wild bisons by the icy meadows at American West Heritage Centre and experience snowmobiling at Beaver Creek Lodge in Logan. Ride on a horse carriage wagon to see roaming Elks in their morning walks at Hardware Ranch WMA in Cache Valley and taste the best cheese on earth.

Unearth the rugged natural beauty of Utah and visit the Greatest five of America West National Parks at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reefs, Canyonlands and Arches.

Beautiful Bryce
Beauty comes in the form of snow capped pink gradient crimson rock intricate metropolis of hoodoos, pinnacles and spires valleys amidst sandstone canyons geology in the Bryce Canyon winter wonderland. Immerse in the grandeur and breath taking splendour on Paunsaugunt Plateau, explore the remarkable Navajo loop, hike pass Silent City to Fairyland Loop and Sunset point for the most unimaginable inspiring instagramable moments.

Zoning Zion
The Zion National Park is an idyllic location to escape to and relax the inner soul in you. Treading pass jewelled Emerald pools with cascading waterfalls, red rock monoliths and desert oases, hike up to Observation point for mesmerizing riding views of white cliffs and Echo canyon. Breathe in the crisp mountain air before taking flight to Angels Landing by scaling high cliffs with only chain bolt rocks for the ultimate jaw-dropping birds eye view, towering sea cliffs and fascinating stellar scenery.

Kaleidoscope Kanab
After the road trips and hiking expeditions from Kanab gateway to Grand Canyon, Buckskin Gulch and Lake Powell, gaze in the wintry night under the starry sky to see the magnificent milky way with up to 14,000 stars, constellations and planets in the magically unspoilt Kanab vast valleys as your final stop before heading for flight back home the next day.

Go West Summit 2019 will be held in Boise, Idaho, land of Spuddy Buddy from February 25 to 28. Visit GoWestSummit.com for updates.

Go West note: The writer attended Go West Summit 2018 as part of the U.S. Embassy Delegation.
Photography note: All photos taken using Canon 7D Mark II with 18-135mm kit lens, courtesy of Canon Singapore.