Tour Operator`s Guide to the Grand Canyon

Custom packages are available.
Call now to book the ultimate
Grand Canyon experience.
DISCOVERY
&
ADVENTURE
Tour Operator’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
www.explorethecanyon.com
Vol. 1, Number 1
OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
TOUR OPERATOR PACKAGES
NEW AMENITIES, FEATURES
& RENOVATIONS
For more information, or to book
your group visit, contact:
Group Sales,
National Geographic Visitor Center
(928) 638-2468
or book online at
www.explorethecanyon.com
PRESENTED IN
I N SI D E
2004
2004: CELEBRATING OUR
20TH ANNIVERSARY
It’s hard to imagine that we’re celebrating 20 years of the Grand
PAGE 1
Canyon: The Hidden Secrets IMAX movie. Over the years, there
Celebrating 20 years of the Grand Canyon movie
have been many changes in our organization, but the one thing
Grand opening of the new National Geographic
that stays the same – the one thing that keeps everyone
Visitor Center
focused – is the Grand Canyon film. Over 20 years ago, the
PAGE 2
producers had a vision – to capture the magnificence and
Over 35 million viewers – still catching their breath
glory of the Grand Canyon as it had never been done before.
Destination Cinema – Who we are and what we do
They chose a relatively new film format at the time, called
PAGES 3-4
What critics say about the film and why they keep
coming back
PAGE 5
Visitor services, amenities, tour operator programs
IMAX. The big screen, larger-than-life film not only gives the
viewer the feeling of being there, it allows the filmmaker to tell a
story that will be remembered for a lifetime.
35 million viewers and growing
EXPLORE THE CANYON IN JUST 34 MINUTES
The IMAX experience is the world’s most powerful and
immersing film experience. With breathtaking images six stories
high and wrap-around 12,000-watt digital sound, IMAX
technology takes you to places only
imagined.
Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets takes
viewers where they could never go.
It shows them things they can never see
on their own.
Academy Award winners Kieth Merrill and Reed Smoot. The
music was composed by three-time Emmy and Oscar award
winner Bill Conti, and was performed by the London Symphony
Orchestra. Sprocket Systems, a division of
Lucas Film, Ltd., conducted the sound
design.
For first-time visitors to the Grand Canyon,
the Visitor Center provides a complete
introduction to the Canyon. Some guests
prefer to see the film prior to their Canyon
Consistently in the annual top 10 of mostvisit, while others stop at the Visitor Center
PRESENTED IN
watched IMAX films, Grand Canyon: The
for a quick orientation and refreshments
Hidden Secrets tells the history and
en route to the Canyon rim, returning later for a richer
explores the beauty of this 277-mile canyon via
understanding of the beauty and history of this unparalleled
spectacular cinematography. The film moves through time from
natural wonder.
the mysterious Anasazi who inhabited the Canyon 4,000 years
“I sat glued to my seat in wonder as I watched the film take me
ago, to Major John Wesley Powell’s challenges in conquering the
through time,” said tour operator Wilf McGill. “After it was over,
unexplored Canyon and raging Colorado River in 1869.
I couldn’t move for 5 minutes. I felt like I had to catch my breath.”
Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets was created and filmed by
There’s also a lot that is new at the theater. This June, we
undertook a multi-year project to reposition the theater when
PAGE 6
we announced an expansion to The National Geographic Visitor
Operator benefits for visiting the National Geographic
Visitor Center
Center. Our mission to provide visitors with a deeper experience
PAGE 8
more interpretive areas, new Grand Canyon exhibits from
How to book your group tour
National Geographic, visitor services and amenities not
of the Grand Canyon remains unchanged, but now, we offer
available elsewhere in the Canyon, and a new exclusive coach
operator lounge.
We know that tour groups will now get even more
out of a visit to the new National Geographic
Visitor Center. We welcome all operators to our
new home and trust you’ll join the 15 million plus
visitors we’ve hosted over the past 20 years.
New front entrance to the National Geographic Visitor Center
1
Book on-line at www.explorethecanyon.com or call group sales at (928) 638-2468
ABOUT THE VISITOR CENTER OPERATORS
Destination Cinema, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of
National Geographic, owns and operates
giant screen theaters in tourist destinations
throughout North America, having
pioneered the destination film and theater
concept in 1984. One of the most prolific and
successful producers of giant screen films,
the company owns a film library specializing
in destination topics and distributes giant
screen films to theaters throughout the
world. By combining the roles of theater
owner and film distributor, DCI provides a
unique service and competitive advantage
to its customers.
two newest National Geographic releases,
“Roar: Lions of the Kalahari” and “Forces
of Nature.”
DCI’s film division focuses on the distribution
of giant screen films. The company’s film
library includes some of the most successful
giant screen films in history, including
“Mysteries of Egypt,” “Whales,” “Grand
Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” and “Lewis &
Clark: Great Journey West,” as well as our
DCI operates four giant screen destination
theaters:
• Niagara IMAX Theater & Daredevil Gallery
• National Geographic Victoria IMAX Theater
• National Geographic Theater Hearst Castle
• National Geographic Visitor Center and
IMAX Theater, Grand Canyon.
Book on-line at www.explorethecanyon.com or call group sales at (928) 638-2468
2
“A chill
ran up my spine”
Houston Chronicle, Texas
“Exploration on a grand scale”
Sunday Herald Sun, Australia
“Splendor and awe-inspiring wonder,
this is what IMAX does best.”
The Commercial Appeal, Tennessee
“The best movie depiction
of the sheer massiveness of this natural wonder”
The Toronto Star, Canada
“Up close
as only eagles
& jaguars see it.”
The Sun Sentinel, Florida
PRESENTED IN
Book on-line at www.explorethecanyon.com or call group sales at (928) 638-2468
Book on-line at www.explorethecanyon.com or call group sales at (928) 638-2468
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
VISITOR CENTER
The First Place for Groups to Stop at
The Grand Canyon
Creating Memories That
Last a Lifetime
Groups will experience so much more at the
National Geographic Visitor Center
A world-class facility fit for the wonder of the Grand Canyon itself.
Stop here for a once in a lifetime experience.
The top 10 reasons tour operators like you keep returning to the
National Geographic Visitor Center:
I. The “ultimate Grand Canyon experience” in the magnificence of IMAX
2. Keep guests entertained, informed and engaged for 45 minutes
to 2 hours with National Geographic interpretive exhibits
3. 6 story screen that provides
a richer and deeper
appreciation for the Canyon
4. 12,000 watts of earth
shaking Digital Dolby
surround sound
5. National Geographic
exhibit for pre- and
post- show enjoyment
ULTIMATE CONVENIENCE
• Groups can watch the film and be in and out in under
45 minutes (film runtime: 34 minutes)
• 500+ seat IMAX giant screen theater
• Coach parking located at the theater entrance
• 3 minute drive to Grand Canyon National Park gate
• Full food service facilities for 120+ people featuring
Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Subs +, Rice Bowls
• Full wheelchair access
• Grand Canyon park passes sold on-site
WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITS and SHOPPING
• National Geographic Exhibits
• Two National Geographic Gift Stores
• National Geographic Satellite and 3-D Canyon map displays
• FREE National Geographic Explorers Map
• On-site Grand Canyon National Park Ranger
5
RELAX IN COMFORT IN THE NEW DRIVER & GUIDE LOUNGE
FEATURING COMPLIMENTARY:
• Krispy Kreme doughnuts & coffee
• High-speed Internet access
• Domestic long-distance phone calls
• Satellite TV
• Shiatsu anti-gravity massage chairs
• Air purification system
FREE
CUSTOMIZED TOUR OPERATOR PACKAGES
E
xplorer
• Group ticket commission program
Pack
• Customized group meal packages
• Group food and beverage commissions
• Commissionable gift shop program
• Partners-In-Profit program – earn over $500 per bus
Book on-line at www.explorethecanyon.com or call group sales at (928) 638-2468
6. World Class shopping
featuring local souvenirs and
hard-to-find treasures at the
National Geographic Store
From the National Geographic Photo Gallery inside the Visitor Center
7. VIP treatment by Visitor Center ambassadors
8. Open 365 days a year – customizable programs for your
particular needs
9. Free National Geographic maps and guides
10. Leading commission and incentive programs for operators,
guides and drivers – earn up to $500 per bus
Book on-line at www.explorethecanyon.com or call group sales at (928) 638-2468
6