Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, July 2008

Georgia Tourism - Peach Byte July 17, 2008
In this issue...
1) 2008 GOVERNOR'S TOURISM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION 2) GEORGIA'S TOURISM PARTNERS AWARDED $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS 3) INAUGURAL TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ANNOUNCED 4) STS MARKETING COLLEGE JULY 27-AUGUST 1 5) THE TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT HAS GARNERED 222 CO-SPONSORS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 6) COBB COUNTY CVB ACHIEVES DESTINATION MARKETING ACCREDITATION 7) CALLAWAY GARDENS ANNOUNCES WILLIAM JUSTUS AS NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF 8) CURRAHEE MILITARY MUSEUM HONORED IN THE BEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE, 2008 9) SAVANNAH MAKES TRAVEL + LEISURE MAGAZINE'S TOP CITIES IN U.S. AND CANADA LIST 10) WINE REPORT 2008 NAMES GEORGIA'S PERSIMMON CREEK VINEYARDS TO TOP 10 "FASTEST IMPROVING PRODUCERS" LIST 11) GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE 12) TRAVEL TRENDS: AIRLINES TURN BOARDING PASSES INTO AD SPACE 13) TRAVEL TRENDS: WHY TIME OFF IS TIME WELL SPENT FOR YOUR HEALTH 14) TRAVEL TRENDS: IN QUEST FOR LESS STRESS, IT'S AUTO OVER AIRPLANE 15) TRAVEL TRENDS: A ROOM, PLUS RELIEF AT PUMP 16) TRAVEL TRENDS: SOCIAL MEDIA CONTINUES TO GROW IN IMPORTANCE 17) GDEcD WELCOMES NEW HISTORIC HEARTLAND REGIONAL TOURISM REP
1) 2008 GOVERNOR'S TOURISM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION The 2008 Governor's Tourism Conference will take place September 10 - 12, 2008 in Albany. Combining the significant resources available to the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (GACVB), the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia (TDAG), the 2008 Governor's Tourism Conference will bring all three organizations together for the first time, providing one unified meeting for our state's tourism industry. This dynamic conference will provide enhanced programs, excellent speakers and fantastic opportunities to network with industry leaders.
The Hilton Garden Inn Albany will serve as the host hotel and main meeting location. To learn more about the conference and to register, visit https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=615949.
2) GEORGIA'S TOURISM PARTNERS AWARDED $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), through the Georgia Tourism Foundation, has awarded $1 million in co-operative tourism marketing reimbursement grants to 86 communities, convention & visitor bureaus, regional travel associations and other non-profit tourism entities across the state.
This year, the Foundation received 101 applications with grant requests totaling more than $1.5 million. The grant program will assist communities in reaching a larger audience through marketing projects that they may not have been able to fund completely on their own. The Georgia Tourism Foundation allows for the creation of new public-private partnerships that merge and strengthen Georgia's tourism marketing efforts, in order to attract more visitors and increase the industry's economic impact throughout the state. To find out more, visit http://www.georgia.org/PressCenter/NewsItems/Travel/Georgias+Tourism+Partners+Awarded+O ne+Million+in+Grant+Funds.htm?Popup=true

3) INAUGURAL TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ANNOUNCED The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has awarded $90,000 in tourism product development grants to 11 tourism entities across the state. The Tourism Division, through the new Tourism Product Development Grant program, seeks to financially support tourism development activities at the local level in both urban and rural areas.
This year, the Tourism Division selected Georgia's Creative Economies, with emphasis on Cultural and Heritage Tourism projects, as the priority funding area. The Office of Product Development received 40 applications for the first-ever Tourism Product Development grant program. To find out more, visit http://www.georgia.org/PressCenter/NewsItems/Travel/Inaugural+Tourism+Product+Developmen t+Grants+Announced.htm?Popup=true
4) STS MARKETING COLLEGE JULY 27-AUGUST 1 For one week each year, tourism industry professionals from all over the Southeast meet on the beautiful campus of North Georgia College & State University for the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College. During this week, students experience a broad-based curriculum of courses designed to teach marketing techniques from all facets of the tourism industry. Marketing College professors are working, experienced professionals from across the U.S. who not only bring expertise, but real-world knowledge and experience, to the classroom. From the time students arrive on Sunday evening until they depart on Friday, they enjoy classes, lectures, discussion groups and one-of-a-kind networking opportunities in an academic environment conducive to learning. Students who attend three years of Marketing College receive a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification, presented at a special graduation ceremony at the STS Spring Meeting. To find out more, visit www.southeasttourism.org
5) THE TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT HAS GARNERED 222 CO-SPONSORS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Travel Promotion Act has garnered 222 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives as the majority of House members see the need for the public-private partnership that would better explain U.S. security policies and attract millions of additional overseas visitors. Overseas travelers (excluding Canada and Mexico) represent 42 percent of U.S. international arrivals, yet account for 79 percent of spending by international travelers in the United States. Despite the weak dollar and a boom in worldwide international travel, two million fewer overseas travelers visited the United States in 2007 than in 2000. The decline has cost America nearly $140 billion in lost visitor spending, $22 billion in lost tax receipts and 230,000 lost jobs. The travel promotion campaign created by the legislation would be financed by the private sector and a matching fee from foreign travelers at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. Currently, the "Travel Promotion Act" has the official support of 222 U.S. Representatives and 47 Senators (including sponsors and cosponsors). To find out more, visit http://www.tia.org/pressmedia/TPA_222.html.
6) COBB COUNTY CVB ACHIEVES DESTINATION MARKETING ACCREDITATION The Cobb County Convention and Visitors Bureau announced on June 19 that it is the second CVB in the state of Georgia to be awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, DC based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). In earning the DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence. The Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau was the first CVB to be awarded accreditation in Georgia. To find out more, visit www.destinationmarketing.org

7) CALLAWAY GARDENS ANNOUNCES WILLIAM JUSTUS AS NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF Callaway Gardens has chosen William Justus as the new executive chef of their luxurious Georgia resort. Joining the Callaway team with a colossal amount of experience, Justus will add an impressive flavor to the 10 casual dining and gourmet restaurants serving up Callaway's famous southern charm. Justus graduated from Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio, where he earned an associate's degree in hospitality management and successfully completed an apprenticeship at the Athletic Club. Prior to accepting his position at Callaway, Justus served as the executive chef at the Hershey Lodge, where he oversaw all aspects of the culinary staff, including ordering, inventory, scheduling and menu development. Justus also held the title of executive chef at Ohio's Brookside Golf & Country Club and executive sous chef at the Opryland Hotel, which had a food and beverage annual volume of more than $65 million. To find out more, visit www.callawaygardens.com/callaway/info/dine.aspx
8) CURRAHEE MILITARY MUSEUM HONORED IN THE BEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE, 2008 Every five years, Blue Ridge Country magazine readers vote on their favorite places to eat, overnight, hike, bike, camp, wildlife watch and more. This year, Currahee Military Museum was voted second, Gold in the category of Museums. The award winners are featured in the July/August issue of Blue Ridge Country, which celebrates the magazine's 20th anniversary.
Currahee Military Museum is located at the restored ninety year old train depot, historic downtown Toccoa. The museum's objective is a tribute to 17,000 paratroopers that trained in Toccoa during WWII. Focal exhibit is a restored seventy foot horse stable, built 1922, Aldbourne, England. Camp Toccoa paratroopers were housed in the stable before and after tine invasion of Normandy. The stable was dissembled flown to the United States and reconstructed in Toccoa in 2005. The museum also has exhibits on the history of Stephens County, showcasing life for the last 100 years. Toccoa was also selected in the Best Places to Go category, To find out more, visit www.blueridgecountry.com/bestof/places.html
9) SAVANNAH MAKES TRAVEL + LEISURE MAGAZINE'S TOP CITIES IN U.S. AND CANADA LIST Savannah was ranked No. 9 on Travel + Leisure's list of Top Ten Cities in the Continental U.S. and Canada, according to the magazine's 2008 World's Best Awards readers' survey announced today. This is the first time that Savannah has made it into the top ten in the thirteen years of the Travel + Leisure Magazine's survey. To find out more, visit www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest
10) WINE REPORT 2008 NAMES GEORGIA'S PERSIMMON CREEK VINEYARDS TO TOP 10 "FASTEST IMPROVING PRODUCERS" LIST The influential insider's wine guide, Wine Report 2008 (DK Adult), by Tom Stevenson has recognized Georgia's own Persimmon Creek Vineyards with a notable "top ten" placement.
Persimmon Creek Vineyards located in Clayton stands out as the Georgia's only vineyard and winery on the list of 10 "Fastest Improving Producers" in the book's section entitled "Other U.S. States." (Large winemaking regions such as California and the Pacific Northwest have their own sections.) The list is written by internationally celebrated wine expert Doug Frost, one of three individuals in the world to have achieved both Master of Wine and Master Sommelier status. To fin out more, visit www.persimmoncreekwine.com.
11) GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE:
GA Motorcoach Operators Association (GMOA) will hold their annual meeting and marketplace in Gwinnett from July 19-22. GDEcD will participate as a co-sponsor and also as a supplier.

Registration for the 2008 NTA (National Tour Association) Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, to be held November 15-19, 2008, is available on www.ntaonline.com. Early registration is very important for all members, but especially tour suppliers and DMOs. It is important to note that you are much more likely to be able to participate in the appointment scheduling process if you register early. And, appointments are matched based upon registration number, so having a lower registration number (which is assigned to early registrants) will help ensure a greater result from your appointment requests and will help you to avoid the waitlist.
ABA (American Bus Association) members will receive Marketplace registration and housing materials on July 11, 2008 for the 2009 ABA Annual Convention in Charlotte, January 7-12, 2009. On-line registration will begin on July 14, 2008. Housing will be open to ALL delegates on July 14 at noon.
Thank you to all of you who attended GDEcD's Group Tour Boot Camp at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame from June 19 - 20, 2008. Please feel free to contact Katie Baasen if you would like to receive a copy of the PowerPoint sessions. The next Group Tour Boot Camp is tentatively scheduled for December 4-5, mark your calendars and details will be forthcoming. For more information, please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org.
12) TRAVEL TRENDS: AIRLINES TURN BOARDING PASSES INTO AD SPACE As a way to generate extra revenue, five major U.S. airlines will start publishing advertisements on the boarding passes that customers print at home. Delta, Northwest, US Airways, United and Continental have signed contracts with Sojern, an Omaha-based start-up, to fill their printed boarding passes with targeted ads, coupons, restaurant and shop recommendations and other tailored lists of events. The information will be based on the destination and duration of stay. The boarding pass is the latest medium for travel ads that target road warriors, long considered a desired demographic because of their disposable income levels. US Airways already puts ads on tray tables, while advertising agencies have also targeted overhead bins and air-sickness bags with varying degrees of success. To find out more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-07-14-boarding-pass-ads_N.htm
13) TRAVEL TRENDS: WHY TIME OFF IS TIME WELL SPENT FOR YOUR HEALTH Sure, vacations can be hazardous to your health: Beachgoers get sunburned, campers get poison ivy, air travelers get headaches. But stay home, as record numbers may be doing this summer, and your health could suffer much more. "Vacation deprivation," as it has been dubbed by Expedia.com, has been spreading for years as Americans' vacations get shorter or are skipped entirely. But this year's high travel costs, flying hassles and spooky economy may be creating a "perfect storm" that keeps people hunkered down as never before, says Geoffrey Godbey, professor emeritus in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Pennsylvania State University. To find out more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-07-13-your-health_N.htm
14) TRAVEL TRENDS: IN QUEST FOR LESS STRESS, IT'S AUTO OVER AIRPLANE Business travelers have been saying they are now driving when they can on trips of 400 miles or even longer. Despite $4-a-gallon gas, it's worth it, they say, because higher air fares now offset gas prices and time extracted by chronic delays and missed connections usually exceeds the time spent driving. To find out more, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/business/15road.html?scp=2&sq=hotel&st=nyt

15) TRAVEL TRENDS: A ROOM, PLUS RELIEF AT PUMP Starwood Hotels is offering a gas credit and reduced hotel rates through September 30 to entice travelers to continue taking road trips with their families this summer. Hotels.com has initiated a similar program entitled "Summer Drive & Save" to give travelers extra money for gasoline this summer as well. The Loews Regency Hotel is offering a "New York City Waterfalls Package" which includes a chance to view Olafur Eliasson's latest exhibit on the city's waterfront. To find out more, visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121608633111753207.html.
16) TRAVEL TRENDS: SOCIAL MEDIA CONTINUES TO GROW IN IMPORTANCE In a recent study, 48% of travelers read user reviews for hotels and lodging before booking their stay, according to AOL/Zogby Travel Survey.
17) GDEcD WELCOMES NEW HISTORIC HEARTLAND REGIONAL TOURISM REP Please join us in welcoming Mandy McCullough as our new Tourism Regional Representative for the Historic Heartland region. Mandy is an experienced tourism professional who knows the region well, having worked for five years at Cuscowilla Resort on Lake Oconee in sales and for one year at the Lodge on Lake Oconee. She also has experience in hotels in Savannah and Charleston. We are excited to have Mandy's experience and enthusiasm on the team. Mandy is available via email at mmccullough@georgia.org.
SHARE THE PEACH BYTE To sign-up yourself or someone else up for this monthly newsletter, please email peachbyte@georgia.org.
FEEDBACK WELCOME We look forward to your feedback and comments. Please contact us at feedback@georgia.org.