Tourism in review [Nov. 2004]

Tourism

November '04 in review . . .

Volume 32 November

The Georgia Department of Economic Development wishes everyone a happy and joyous start to the holiday season.

MARKETING
Residents of the Big Apple and prime time viewers are getting a small taste of the "Peach State" during this Holiday Season. Georgia Tourism's commercial is running on the Time Square NBC Astrovision Board several times per day during the holiday period Nov. 18 to Dec. 6. Georgia's spot has the potential of being viewed by over 21 million consumers. On Thanksgiving Day the commercial ran during the Macy's Day parade, which was televised by NBC.

Janis Cannon Laurie Rowe

GDEcD Deputy Commissioner Janis Cannon, Director of Domestic Group Sales Laurie Rowe, Coastal Regional Representative Carey Farrera, Savannah VIC Manager Elizabeth Boles and Ray Snow, Regional Marketing Manager, met with members of Georgia's Coastal Travel Association, Glynn County business owners and public officials to inform them of GDEcD's sales and marketing efforts. The meeting helped to educate community leaders on advertising, marketing and services provided by GDEcD, as well as their local Chambers of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

Ray Snow

Elizabeth Boles

Carey Ferrara

VICS
Also during the coastal meeting, Elizabeth Boles, Savannah Visitor Information Center (VIC) Manager, spoke on the history of the VIC program and how it has promoted Georgia for 42 years. Year to Date the centers have helped book 25,154 room reservations, which is up 200 % from last year. Coast officials were encouraged to keep information updated on the state tourism website; provide the VICs with an ample supply of brochures and information on attractions; utilize the VICs for event promotion; and to participate in the See Georgia First shows and Georgia On My Mind days.

Tourism

November '04 in review . . .

Volume 32 November

Hotel Revenues
Up 9.57%
All Travel Regions
Up at least 6%

RESEARCH
According to the latest Smith Travel Research Standard Historical TREND report, Georgia hotel revenues are up 9.57 % for the first 10 months of 2004 over 2003. This equals an increase of $186 million in revenues. All travel regions showed an increase of at least 6 %, with Southern Rivers, Coast and Atlanta Metro regions showing 13%, 10.7 % and 10.6 % respectively.
For the month of October, statewide Georgia hotel revenues were up 11.8% over October of 2003. This equals an increase of $25 million in revenues. The Atlanta Metro region showed the highest increase at 14.9 %, with the Southern Rivers region showing the second highest increase of 12.28%.

FULLFILLMENT
up 7.2%
WEBSITE
up 100%

FULFILLMENT
Fulfillment requests for the 2004 calendar year-to-date are up by 7.2% from the same time period in 2003. People are calling in for information, visiting the state website, filling out reader response cards and mailing in requests. Tourism information requests generated from the Tourism Division's www.GeorgiaOnMyMind.org website has increased 100 % over this same time period last year.

SALES/ INTERNATIONAL
The Ontario Motorcoach Association Annual Marketplace and the National Tour Association's Annual Conference were held Nov. 8-15. GDEcD Director of Domestic Group Sales Laurie Rowe met with over 50 tour operators from all over Canada and the U.S. and pitched Georgia as a top travel destination for the Canadian market. "The Canadian economy and dollar are currently on the upswing, creating a renewed interest in travel to the U.S," Rowe said. "We want to be on top of this market as it continues to grow."
continued on page 3

Tourism

November '04 in review . . .

Volume 32 November

SALES / INTERNATIONAL - continued from page 2
Meanwhile, the National Tour Association is changing its name and branding message.
Association members were presented information on the changes during the conference on Nov. 13. The new name is CrossSphere, the global association for packaged travel. For additional information please go to www.crossSphere.com.

Bob Harris and Anne Young

Director of Global Sales Bob Harris, Georgia Tourism United Kingdom Representative Anne Young, and Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau representative Brandon Barnes promoted Georgia during the World Travel Market Trade Show in London, England, Nov. 8-11. The trio held appointments with more than 60 tour operators, wholesalers, airline sales staff and travel writers during the five-day tourism trade show. Interest in Georgia as a destination continues to grow with tour operators reporting continued growth in demand for Georgia and the U.S. South. Many of the tour operators and wholesalers are also working with the state sales team to expand their Georgia product!

Other November shows that Georgia's Tourism Division participated in included the Delta Gateway Showcase Trade Show and Marketplace held in Cincinnati, Ohio and the AAA of the Carolina's Superbowl of Knowledge Trade Show and Marketplace in North Carolina. The Delta Gateway Showcase brings together international meeting, conference and incentive travel planners and pairs them with tourism partners promoting opportunities in each of Delta's primary international gateways, including Atlanta. The AAA of the Carolina's Superbowl of Knowledge Trade Show and Marketplace, Nov. 19-20, offers destinations like Georgia the opportunity to promote new attractions, itineraries and publications to all AAA travel offices in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Tourism

November '04 in review . . .

Volume 32 November

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Georgia's Tourism Division hosted a regional "Golf Writer Tour" Nov. 2-7. Eight national and international journalists who contribute to publications and outlets such as SCOREGolf Magazine, Tee Time Magazine, The Golf Insider, ESPN's "Inside PGA Tour," Travellady.com, Fairways Magazine, TravelGolf.com and much more toured several of Georgia's top golf destinations. Host golf locations included Cuscowilla; The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation; Harbor Club; Port Armor on Lake Oconee; Hampton Club; Sea Island Golf Club; Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Richard B. Russell State Park; Chateau Elan; and City Club Marietta. Special thanks also go out to all host communities, CVBs, The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel, McDonough Hospitality and Tourism Bureau, Simpatico Bistro, Marietta Conference Center, Jack Tyson, Dayna Chambers and all the tourism partners working behind the scenes.

The 2005 Travel Media Marketplace (TMM), March 18-23, planning is well underway and online invitations and registration forms were sent out in mid November to targeted national and regional travel writers and editors. Initial registration responses have been very good. Registration forms were also sent to Georgia's regional representatives, travel association presidents, and sponsors inviting their participation during the day long Media Marketplace, March 20. Macon is the 2005 TMM host city and has two and a half days of events planned to showcase their tourism attractions. Following the formal media marketplace, which showcases all of Georgia's travel regions, writers will depart on a 2.5 day media tour, March 20-23, to travel destinations across Georgia.

On Nov. 19-22, Martin Calvert Productions filmed a family vacation at Barnsley Gardens Resort for a segment they are producing for the Travel Channel's "Vacation Challenge." The show was assisted by GDEcD, Barnsley Gardens Resort, Cartersville-Bartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB). GPB's footage of Barnsley Gardens was first provided to the Travel Channel and it was from this footage that the family chose to come to Georgia for their vacation. The Barnsley Gardens Resort segment will run during the beginning of the New Year.
continued on page 5

Tourism

November '04 in review . . .

Volume 32 November

PUBLIC RELATIONS - continued from page 4
The National Barbecue Festival in Douglas deserves praise for bringing Georgia into the national spotlight. The festival attracted a staggering 25,000 people for their very first year on a national level of competition. The Food Network spent two days filming the event and is expected to air the broadcast in May of 2005.

Georgia Trend Magazine has announced its Spoon Awards for Georgia's Top Ten Dining Destinations as well as their choices for new finds and other note worthy food destinations around Georgia. The winners in Atlanta include: Baccanalia, Seeger's, The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead, Oscars in College Park, Mid-City Cuisine, and Park 75 at the Four Seasons Hotel. Restaurants named outside Atlanta were Glen-Ella Springs, Elizabeth's on 37th in Savannah, Cargo Portside Grill in Brunswick, and Five and Ten in Athens.

AWARDS & CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta for winning two top marketing awards during the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions annual convention and trade show (IAAPA) in Orlando, Florida. The family owned park accepted two coveted Brass Ring awards for excellence in marketing by parks and attractions all over the world. IAAPA's annual convention and trade show meets yearly to discuss all aspects of the amusement park industry, with more than 30-thousand people attending.
Congratulations also go out to Rock City at Lookout Mountain for being named in MSN City Guides "Top 10 Road Trips." Click Link for more information: http://local.msn.com/special/archive/travel_roadtrips. asp?GT1=5699
REGIONAL UPDATE For information about what is happening in Georgia Tourism's Nine Travel Regions go to: http://www.georgia.org/tourism/market_ga/media/ regional_updates.asp