Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Nov. 2008

November 2008 Issue
In This Issue:
'AG WEEK 2009' to Take Place March 15 - 22, 2009 at Georgia's Visitor Information Centers Tourism Product Development Grants Announced Save The Date: 2009 Techno Tourism Conference Save The Date: 2009 Winter Chautauqua Hospitality Highway Recognized at State Capitol 'Georgia Holiday Happenings' at the Augusta Visitor Information Center on December 5 'Georgia For The Holidays' at the Lavonia Visitor Information Center Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi Join to Form First-Ever Southern Literary Trail Georgia State Parks' Leaf Watch Wins Award Helen CVB Set to Welcome New Executive Director Delta to Offer More International Service in 2009 Sales Team Update Press Release: Georgia - Your Home for the Holidays Press Release: Georgia Music On My Mind Press Release: Georgia's Presidential Legacies Live On

Press Release: Georgia's Sports Teams Heating Up
Press Release: Industry's Most Competitive Incentives Lure Top Production Companies to Georgia
Merger Gives Delta Worldwide Span
Travel Industry Association Forecasts Stable Leisure Travel Market Despite Rough Economy
Expansion of Visa Waiver Program to Strengthen Economy, Attract Up To One Million New Visitors
Savannah Celebrates a Yearlong Spotlight on Johnny Mercer
Travel Trends: B & B's Try to Draw More Guests with Frequent-Stay Programs
................................................................................................................ 'AG WEEK 2009' To Take Place March 15 - 22, 2009 At Georgia's Visitor Information Centers
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is pleased to partner with the Governor's Agriculture Commission in planning a celebration of 'Ag Week 2009' at the state's Visitor Information Centers (VICs). The week long celebration will take place March 15 - 22, 2009. More than 13 million travelers stop by Georgia's 11 Visitor Information Centers each year to find helpful Information Specialists who offer travel information, directions and much more on Georgia's destinations and attractions. "We believe this is a perfect venue to showcase our state's diverse agricultural products and our growing numbers of agritourism operations", said Gilda Watters, managing director of the Georgia Tourism Foundation. "Additionally, it is an ideal venue to educate tourists and locals on how Georgia's number one industry - agriculture - impacts our economy and environment." More information will be available soon.

................................................................................................................
Tourism Product Development Grants Announced
Applications for the second round of the Tourism Product Development matching grants are being accepted. Eligible recipients include not-for-profits or for-profit entities and can request up to $8,000. Each entity applying for a grant must be sponsored by a city, county, or authority. A broad range of expenditures from feasibility studies to "bricks and mortar" are eligible for funding. The deadline for submitting an application is Tuesday, December 30, 2008. For complete details and application materials, please visit the Tourism Grant Programs section on marketgeorgia.org.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) through the Tourism Division established the Tourism Product Development grant program in early 2008 to partner with local communities, both urban and rural, to increase investment in and development of new tourism products. The objective for this program is to stimulate partnerships to create new and enhanced tourism products that will add depth and breadth to the Georgia visitor's experience. In July 2008, the first round of grants awarded $90,000 to eleven tourism entities across the state. These initial awards supported Georgia's Creative Economies initiative by giving priority to Cultural and Heritage Tourism projects. Click here for more information on Georgia's Creative Economies Initiative.
................................................................................................................
Save The Date: 2009 Techno Tourism Conference
The 2009 Techno Tourism Conference will take place April 20 - 21, 2009 at the Classic Center in Athens. The conference will focus on social networking tools, campaigns and demonstrations showcasing applications on a PC. More information will be available soon.
.......................................................................................................................................... Save The Date: 2009 Winter Chautauqua
Save the Date for the 2009 Winter Chautauqua conference to be held March 1- 2, 2009 in Dalton. The event is organized and co-sponsored by the Historic High Country and Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Associations. More information will be available in January.

........................................................................................................................................ Hospitality Highway Recognized at State Capitol
The Hospitality Highway committee was recognized by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on October 15 at the Georgia State Capitol for receiving the Southeast Tourism Society's (STS) Shining Example Award for Travel Attraction of the Year. Governor Sonny Perdue presented each Hospitality Highway community, along with the Southeast Tourism Society, Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia Department of Economic Development, with a signed proclamation. Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle also recognized the group.
Currently spanning two travel regions and including seven Georgia communities, Hospitality Highway began as the brainchild of Janet Rodgers (Alpharetta CVB) and Dotty Etris (Roswell CVB) in 2005, as an effort to draw visitors from their normal route of interstate travel through Georgia. On July 30, 2007, Governor Sonny Perdue signed into legislation Georgia 400 as the state's official "Hospitality Highway". Click here for more information.
.................................................................................................. 'Georgia Holiday Happenings' at the Augusta Visitor Information Center on December 5
Georgia Holiday Happenings will take place Friday, December 5, 2008 from 1:00pm - 3:00 pm at the August Visitor Information Center on I-20 West. Seasonal events and holiday spirit can be found all across Georgia. It is an opportunity for travelers and locals to learn about holiday events and happenings from attractions, hotels, convention & visitors bureaus and festival organizers. Visitors will enjoy fruit cake, hot chocolate, live performances and a visit by Santa Claus. For more information please call 706-737-1446.

.................................................................................................. 'Georgia For The Holidays' at the Lavonia Visitor Information Center
On November 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 30 and December 5 from 10:00am - 2:00pm, the Lavonia Visitor Information Center will host convention & visitor bureaus, hotels, attractions from all across Georgia who will share holiday events, happenings, hotel discounts and so much more with locals and travelers. The Lavonia Visitor Information Center is located on I-85 South (938 County Rd. #84). For more information please call 706-356-4019.
.................................................................................................. Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi Join to Form First-Ever Southern Literary Trail
The Southern Literary Trail, a historic linking of Southern communities, towns, and landmarks, will host a month-long festival honoring some of the South's greatest authors in March 2009. Commemorating 20thcentury Southern fiction writers and playwrights, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi will create the first tristate trail of its kind. With stops along eighteen Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi towns between Savannah and Natchez, events will take place at various libraries, museums, and courthouses during the entire month of March 2009. Trail towns will present tours, plays, films, readings, and discussion panels celebrating Southern literature and its hometown authors, with special emphasis on the settings that influenced their works.
Georgia Towns and Writers include:
Atlanta: Margaret Mitchell and Joel Chandler Harris Clayton: Lillian Smith Columbus: Carson McCullers Milledgeville: Flannery O'Connor and Alice Walker Moreland: Erskine Caldwell Savannah: Flannery O'Connor
For more information, visit www.southernliterarytrail.org.

.................................................................................................. Georgia State Parks' Leaf Watch Wins Award
The Georgia State Parks' annual Leaf Watch program won a muchrespected Phoenix Award from the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. This PR association is the second largest in the country, and the Phoenix Awards are the most competitive in the country with more than 300 entries for awards. Leaf Watch is a website where park rangers post weekly updates on fall color in their region. While most leaf peepers head to the mountains to enjoy autumn's blanket of color, the website reminds visitors that color can be found throughout middle and southern Georgia as well. Promotional efforts that helped secure the award included feature articles in dozens of publications, including Southern Living magazine. Numerous radio and television stations created photo contests and other Leaf Watching promotions. In addition, several meteorologists across the state touted Leaf Watch during their weather reports. As a result, online traffic to the webcam increased 73% and traffic to the event calendar increased 61% from the previous year. Leaf Watch can be found on the Georgia State Parks website through mid-November and will return again October 1, 2009. Click here for more information.
.......................................................................................................................................... Helen CVB Set to Welcome New Executive Director
After an extensive search and interviews with several finalists, the Helen Convention and Visitors Bureau Board is pleased to announce the selection of Debbie Gagliolo as their new Executive Director. Rita Morgan, Executive Director, will be retiring the end of this year. Debbie brings many years of management experience in lodging, retail and tourism. She also has over a decade of experience serving on the boards of the Helen Chamber and the CVB, most recently as chairman of our board. To take maximum advantage of Debbie's background in marketing, advertising and group travel, the board has combined the positions of executive director and group coordinator.

.................................................................................................. Delta to Offer More International Service in 2009
On November 12, Delta Air Lines announced it is adding 15 new international routes for summer 2009, including service to 12 destinations not flown by any other U.S. carrier. The addition of trans-Pacific, transAtlantic and African routes advances Delta's strategy of taking customers to more unique destinations across the globe and investing in underserved markets.
"The fact that Delta is continuing to expand its network of international destinations is great news for Georgia," said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "The added international connectivity will make it even easier for companies to reach their markets and grow jobs and investment in the state. Delta is a key asset for Georgia as we work to extend our reputation internationally."
Delta's long-haul expansion for 2009 will be focused in three regions:
q Trans-Pacific: Delta plans to add three new nonstop trans-Pacific flights between the United States and Tokyo-Narita, Japan, including new nonstop flights daily flight from Atlanta
q Africa: Delta will expand its industry-leading position in Africa with new flights between Atlanta and Nairobi, Kenya and Cape Town, South Africa (via Dakar, Senegal); between Atlanta and Monrovia, Liberia; Abuja, Nigeria; Luanda, Angola; and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (all via Sal Island, Cape Verde). Delta also will introduce its first daily nonstop service to South Africa with flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg.
q Europe/Middle East: Taking advantage of new opportunities created by its recent merger with Northwest, Delta's proposed new flights between Atlanta, Salt Lake City and New York and its hub at Tokyo-Narita open service to nine of Asia's top 20 markets not served by Delta prior to the combination, including a new flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
According to Kevin Langston, assistant commissioner for tourism, "the additional Tokyo flight, in particular, presents us with an opportunity to reach out to the Japanese market - a market with high disposable income and a real fascination with the American South."

.................................................................................................................. Sales Team Update:
Group Sales:
China International Travel Mart (CITM) - Kevin Langston, Stella Xu and Brandon Barnes (ACVB) attended the CITM event in Shanghai from November 17 - 19, where they had meetings with numerous outbound tour operators and travel media scheduled. This is the 2nd phase of the joint program with ACVB to position Atlanta and Georgia as a top tourism destination for Chinese leisure travelers.
Group Tour Boot Camp - MARK YOUR CALENDARS -The next "edition" of the Group Tour Boot Camp will take place December 11 - 12, 2008 in Macon at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. We plan to expand on topics covered in the first boot camp as well as work on itinerary planning. Sessions will include: Group Tour 101 recap, Profile Sheet Creation, ROI for Today, Tracking 2008, Group Tour Research Dynamics, User Friendly Marketing Tools, Itineraries for You and Me, and Georgia Group Tour Strategy updates (this is a tentative listing). Please keep and eye out for registration information from your Regional Tourism Representative.
American Bus Association (ABA) promises to be an exciting show for Georgia in 2009! GDEcD will once again participate as a sponsor for the American Bus Association Marketplace in Charlotte, NC from January 6-13, 2009. Our theme will be Movies, Music and Munchies which will help to increase Georgia's exposure in the marketplace. For six days, we will distribute collateral as well as the movie and music themed itineraries and giveaways that celebrate Georgia.
National Tour Association (NTA) - Katie Baasenattended NTA's annual marketplace in Pittsburgh from November 15-20. Georgia's Tourism division participated as a sponsor. GDEcD's Tourism division gave National Tour Association members and attendees Movies, Music and Munchies of Georgia. For five days, we distributed collateral as well as information regarding Georgia's rich music history and sites you can see on the big screen.
World Travel Market (WTM) - Katie Baasen attended the annual WTM show in London November 1013. WTM is a four-day travel industry event and brings together worldwide buyers and sellers from every sector of the industry. This year there were 50,000 participants from 200 countries. GDEcD participated in scheduled appointments with tour operators and international media. GDEcD also participated in appointments along with other southern states in the Deep South group (AL, MS, LA, TN, NC, SC).
According to CNN.com, "Turnout at World Travel Market is at record high amid financial downturn." Click

here to read the complete article titled 'Global tourism feels the squeeze'.
Ontario Motorcoach Association (OMCA) Katie Baasen attended OMCA's Annual Marketplace in Toronto October 19-22. Katie met with 22 Canadian tour operators during pre-scheduled appointment sessions and also participated in a tour operator Cracker Barrel session. This was an opportunity to discuss industry trends, focus and strategy with Tour Operators, Coach Operators and Suppliers.
Consumer Sales Shows:
AAA Carolinas 'Superbowl of Knowledge' in Charlotte, NC - November 22 - 23, 2008 - AAA 'Superbowl of Knowledge' is an annual gathering of AAA Carolinas Travel Counselors and staff to learn about new offers and tourism products for their members. AAA Carolinas is expecting 300 employees including Travel Counselors and Drive Vacation Specialists. A lunchtime tradeshow allows Travel Counselors an opportunity to meet with us and gather information.
AAA East Tennessee Travel Expo in Knoxville and Tri-Cities, TN - January 10 - 11, 2009 - In its 12th year, the AAA East Tennessee Cruise and Travel Shows have become the premier travel and sales event in the Southeast. Media coverage from leading print, television and radio outlets will begin in late December to assure travel enthusiasts attend. The expected attendance over two days is 2,800 consumers from the East Tennessee region. Partner co-op and brochure display opportunities are still available. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Atlanta Travel Expo - January 23 - 25, 2009 - The Atlanta Travel Expo will provide Atlantans a unique opportunity to directly interface with destinations, tourism boards and travel packagers from around the world. The Atlanta Travel Expo will also allow Atlanta based tourism professionals an opportunity to gather information about travel destinations. Partner co-op and brochure display opportunities are still available. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Snowbird Extravaganza - at the Lakeland Center in Florida - January 27 - 28, 2009 - They are expecting 30,000 to 35,000 attendees to the 15th Annual Snowbird Extravaganza. 60 percent are Canadian Snowbirds and 40 percent are American Winter Residents. Organizations from the private sector to Tourism Offices, Convention and Visitors Bureaus and other organizations from all over the world have participated and continue to do so. Partner co-op and brochure display opportunities are still available. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.

Southeast American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Tradeshow took place on November 6 at the Holiday Inn Select Perimeter in Atlanta. One hundred twenty Georgia Travel Agents attended the two-hour tradeshow to get information to help their clients plan their next vacation. Three Georgia Tourism partners participated in the co-op program.
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) Travel Managers Conference took place November 2 - 5 in Nashville, TN. 108 CAA Travel Managers attended the three day educational/informational conference to learn about what their travel partners are offering.
AAA Travel Conference took place October 19 - 22 in Rancho Mirage, CA. One hundred fifty six AAA Travel Counselors from across the US attended the three day conference for educational purposes and to learn what their travel partners have to promote to their members. One Travel Association participated in the co-op program at this show.
Georgia National Fair - 407,000 people attended the Georgia National Fair from October 2 - 12, 2008. 2,000 people signed up to receive more information from Georgia. Seven Georgia Tourism participated in the co-op program
Southern Women's Show (SWS): Pam Kruseck attended the SWS show in Charlotte from September 18 - 21, 2008. They had more than 25,000 attendees over four days. Close to 1,000 attendees signed up to receive more information from Georgia. Three Georgia Tourism partners participated in the co-op program.
Pam Kruseck attended the SWS show in Birmingham from October 2 - 5, 2008. They had nearly 25,500 attendees during the four day show. 1,500 attendees signed up to receive more information from Georgia. Three Georgia Tourism partners participated in the co-op program.

.......................................................................................................................................... Press Release: Georgia - Your Home For The Holidays
Always a time for family, friends, and fun, the winter holiday season marks a spectacular time to be out and about in Georgia. Our mild temperatures make going out a pleasure. And with everything from light shows to performances, snow parks to historical home tours, you are sure to capture the joy of the season. Click here to read the complete press release.
........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Georgia Music On My Mind
Georgia's music scene is unparalleled in its diversity and breadth of history. Southern rock, R&B, soul, hip hop, jazz, blues, country, alternative, folk, pop...it is impossible to find a genre that does not have roots here. The Peach State is full of distinctive musical destinations, venues, concerts, bands, festivals, and memories. Click here to read the complete press release.
........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Georgia's Presidential Legacies Live On
With intimate ties to three U.S. presidents, Georgia fulfills the historically curious and excites those who appreciate the great men of our nation. The state's effect on the nation through these men has proven to be the stuff movies are made of. Visit the destinations that shaped these presidents' lives, and discover the state's role in changing the history of America. Click here to read the complete press release.

........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Georgia's Sports Teams Heating Up
From the top of the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world to the turf that is home to the winningest high school football program in history, Georgia's sports teams across the state provide electrifying entertainment for everyone. Grand venues along with great teams impress live audiences and add to the excitement. Click here to read, the complete press release.
........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Industry's Most Competitive Incentives Lure Top Production Companies to Georgia
Georgia's new aggressive 30 percent entertainment tax incentives have resulted in three major production companies filming in Georgia. Filming has begun in various Alpharetta and Atlanta locations. The productions are estimated to have an economic impact of $31 million in Georgia and represent more than 500 jobs. From January to October 2008, an estimated 315 film, TV and video game projects were completed in Georgia with an economic impact of more than $500 million. Click here to read the complete press release.

........................................................................................................................................ Merger Gives Delta Worldwide Span
Delta Air Lines' executives long talked of being in the pilot's seat when the next big wave of consolidation swept the airline industry. Federal regulators cleared Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines, creating the world's largest airline just 18 months after Delta emerged from bankruptcy.
The $2.6 billion stock swap deal gives Delta a global span that could help raise Atlanta's profile as an international hub. Click here for more information.
........................................................................................................................................ Travel Industry Association Forecasts Stable Leisure Travel Market Despite Rough Economy
The Travel Industry Association (TIA) released its annual travel forecast indicating that an uncertain economic climate is leading American and global travelers to change their behaviors. Although leisure travel is stable, business travel is projected to decline and the United States is likely to be hit hard by a further decline in international arrivals. Click here for more information.
........................................................................................................................................ Expansion of Visa Waiver Program to Strengthen Economy, Attract Up To One Million New Visitors
The Travel Industry Association (TIA) announced that the following seven countries will be admitted to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP): the Republic of Korea (South Korea), the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. Expanding and strengthening the VWP will help the United States to welcome hundreds of thousands of new visitors annually, thereby strengthening America's economy and global image. Click here for more information.

........................................................................................................................................ Savannah Celebrates a Yearlong Spotlight on Johnny Mercer
Honoring Johnny Mercer's 100th birthday Savannah spotlights the boyishly talented Johnny Mercer as their 'man of the year' during yearlong events in 2009. Out to prove it is the city who loves Mercer best, lifelong Savannahians and newcomers are busy weaving the spirit and influence of Johnny Mercer into art and music, entertainment, education and history. City of Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson's Johnny Mercer Centennial Committee chaired by Dianne S. Thurman is planning events throughout 2009 in Savannah. "We want to thank Johnny Mercer for introducing Savannah to the world, in his own unique way," shares Dianne Thurman, chair of the Johnny Mercer Centennial (2009). "At the same time, we want to introduce new generations to this endearing man. He changed so many lives for the better." For more information visit, www. johnnymercercentennial.com.
........................................................................................................................................ Travel Trends: B & B's Try to Draw More Guests With Frequent-Stay Program
Bed and Breakfasts around the country are beginning to offer frequent traveler programs to try and generate business and repeat customers as the economy sours. These programs typically offer free nights or discounts after a certain number of nights, while hotel chains usually prefer a points program. B & B's are using these programs in an effort to lure more business travelers, as they are increasingly offering free Wi-Fi and other business friendly amenities. Click here for the complete USA Today article.

........................................................................................................................................ 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 peachbyte@georgia.org.
Email Marketing by