Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Apr. 2010

April 2010 Issue
In This Issue:
GDEcD MARKETING CO-OP PROGRAM NEWS FOR FY11 GEORGIA'S DREAM PASS PROGRAM IS CHANGING EXPLOREGEORGIA.ORG UPDATES GEORGIA TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE SET TO TAKE PLACE MAY 20 - 25 GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE GEORGIA FEATURED ON MAY 8 SEASON FINALE OF EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION NOMINATE YOUR EVENT FOR STS'S TOP 20 EVENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST DESIGNATION NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK - MAY 8 - MAY 16, 2010 TRAVEL NEWS: AIRLINE PASSENGERS, REVENUE SLID SHARPLY IN 2009 TRAVEL NEWS: ATLANTA'S HOTEL MARKET MAY BE STABILIZING TRAVEL NEWS: HARTSFIELD-JACKSON'S SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO GROWS TO FOUR TRAVEL NEWS: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL CEO TO HEAD U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION TRAVEL NEWS: DEVELOPER PLANS $350M LUXURY HOTEL NEAR HIGH MUSEUM TRAVEL NEWS: COMPANIES MUST DECIDE - IS A BUSINESS TRIP WORTH IT? TRAVEL NEWS: AGENTS SAY U.S. LEISURE TRAVEL SPENDING RECOVERING

........................................................................................................................................ GDEcD MARKETING CO-OP PROGRAM NEWS FOR FY11
The Marketing Co-op Program will undergo significant changes in FY11 (which begins this July 1). Overall tourism marketing funding and funds for the co-op program had both been reduced over the past several years to the point that neither were sufficient on a standalone basis to be effective. At the suggestion of a working group of industry representatives, a solution was identified that makes funds available to each travel region, leverages local and state dollars to mutual benefit and at the same time adds heft to the state's tourism marketing campaign.
GDEcD will allocate funds to the each travel region for print and/or online advertising using region-customized versions of the new "Georgia checklist" ads, allowing each region to promote their respective assets and experiences. The campaign focuses on the wealth of distinctive, best-in-class vacation destinations that Georgia has to offer and how they provide for vacation experiences you, your family or friends will never forget. Print media would be a four-color, full or half page. The state will provide a base of $25,000 for each travel region. There will be an opportunity for each travel region to raise up to $25,000 locally which we will then match 2-to-1 with $50,000 in additional funds for advertising as above. Therefore each region has the opportunity to have $100,000 in advertising buys for a cost of $25,000. For more information, contact Fay Tripp at ftripp@georgia.org.
........................................................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA'S DREAM PASS PROGRAM IS CHANGING
As of May 1, 2010, the Georgia Dream Pass membership rewards program is being combined with the state's newly enhanced special offers section on ExploreGeorgia.org. This new section will be updated weekly and offer hundreds of special offers. Our new special offers page will be coupon-based and the Dream Pass membership card will no longer be required. Visitors can access special offers on www. ExploreGeorgia.org/specialoffers.
............................................................................................................................................ EXPLOREGEORGIA.ORG UPDATES
q Click here to view the new Spring Landing Page.
q Partner Admin updates: Partners now have the ability to add specific keywords to offers and events.
q On April 22, the following regional Landing Pages were launched Historic High Country, Northeast Georgia Mountains, Classic South, Plantation Trace and Magnolia Midlands.

............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE SET TO TAKE PLACE MAY 20 - 25
Coweta and LaGrange-Troup counties will host the state's 2010 Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event May 20-22. 30 travel writers will meet with representatives from around the state during the marketplace and learn about the many new attractions, destinations and events bringing visitors to Georgia. will provide a glimpse into Georgia's rich history, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, worldclass attractions, culinary delights and much more. During the Marketplace, writers will meet with host communities as well as Georgia Tourism's regional tourism team, state travel associations and Georgia's State Parks. As the marketplace concludes, Georgia Tourism staff will escort journalists on themed media familiarization tours around the state May 22 - 25.
.................................................................................................................... GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE
Lodging Numbers show improvement According to recent lodging data, year-to-date occupancy in Georgia is up 3.7 percent in March as compared to the same time period in 2009. The year-to-date U.S. occupancy is also up 2.3 percent. In addition, South Atlantic occupancy is up 3.2 percent. Room demand in Georgia is up 7.5 percent while the U.S. demand is up 5.3 percent and the demand in the South Atlantic is up 6.7 percent.
State Awards Research Contract Longwoods International has been awarded the research RFP to measure visitor demographic and profile for the state of Georgia. For more than 15 years, Longwoods International has been recognized as a leading tourism research consultancy, working with destinations of all sizes, CVBs, attractions, lodging and transportation providers on four continents. Longwoods International has assisted clients in understanding who their customers are today, and how to grow their market in the future. To ensure accuracy of data, Longwoods separates overnight and day visitor studies. The Longwoods Travel USA syndicated study surveys 200,000 American households annually, 50,000 each quarter. Longwoods began this program in 1994. They probe visitors to destinations with custom-tailored, follow-through research, utilizing Travel USA to collect the most comprehensive data in the industry on specific trips to your destination. For more information, click here.
News from the U.S. Travel Association It's According to the U.S. Travel Association, American taxpayers would have to pay an average of $950 more per household on "tax day" if not for the tax revenues generated by travel and tourism to and within the United States."Take a moment to extend some friendly hospitality to the tourists in your city or town today - the money they spend has saved you nearly one thousand dollars in personal taxes this year," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "The leisure or business traveler staying at the nearby hotel, eating at a local restaurant, shopping or visiting a local attraction is keeping your local economy vibrant and putting money in your pocket." The money travelers inject into the economy often means more money for civic development, infrastructure and state and local jobs such as teachers, firefighters and police forces. In 2009, travel spending by U.S. and international visitors resulted in more than $111 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local government. Of that total, $77.3 billion came from leisure travel and $34.2 billion was generated by business travel, including meetings and conventions. For the full press release, click here.

.................................................................................................................... GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE
GROUP SALES:
Travel South Showcase took place in Birmingham, AL from April 10-14. The invitation-only event is open to qualified tour operators and southern suppliers. The Georgia Tourism division participated in Showcase this year with appointments, sponsorship and organizing Team Georgia for the bowling event. From Katie Baasen - "thank you to all thirty-two Georgia supplier companies who attended and participated in the Georgia aisle. We your appointments were beneficial and good business will come your way. Thank you to all the Georgia partners who made the trip to Birmingham to help host the Atlanta/Georgia Monday night event. I hope you all 'found your flair' and had a good time. I appreciate you making the effort to help us put on a good show." In case you haven't heard... If you have any questions, please contact Katie Baasen via email at kbaasen@georgia.org.
Atlanta is set to host the 2011 Travel South Showcase! The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB), Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and the Omni Hotel at CNN Center joined together to serve as official hosts for the annual event. Nearly 700 tourism professionals are expected in Georgia from April 3 - 5, 2011. Information will be available soon on how you can get involved in the 2010 event in Birmingham and in the planning and executing of Showcase 2011 here in Atlanta. We need to show this group what our Georgia partners can do and what wonderful hosts/hostesses we are. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Baasen via email at kbaasen@georgia.org.
ABA Top 100 Events Nominations: Nominations are officially open for the 2011 Top 100 Events in North America. Now in its 29th year, ABA's Top 100 Events in North America recognizes the best group-friendly events for the coming year. Don't miss your chance to showcase the top group tour events in your area. ABA surveyed operators and asked "Do you use the Top 100 booklet in planning your tours/charters?" The answer - an overwhelming 70% of the operators who responded said YES! In addition to the operators' feedback, ABA has recorded nearly 800 main-stream media hits since September 2009 - helping you promote your destination.Please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org for more information on how you can be nominated. As the official tourism office from Georgia, Georgia Tourism can submit a maximum of seven nominations to be considered for this prestigious distinction. Please note that all ABA members are eligible to submit three nominations this year. For the 2011 Top 100 - ABA non-members can submit one nomination for a fee which is then refunded if they join the association in 2010. These nominations are separate from your nominations and have no bearing on them. If you are interested in nominating an event from your area - please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org for a nominations form. Thank you.
Mark your calendars - Group Tour Boot Camp - June 10 & 11 - Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Macon - registration information will be sent out the first week of May as well as a list of topics to be covered. We look forward to you joining us!
Georgia Peach Greet - VICs are the perfect place for a pit stop for tour groups, the state's tourism division is encouraging all group leaders to plan a stop with your group, and so we can showcase our southern hospitality and say "Hey Y'all". All we need is 48 hours advance notice to prepare special Georgia favors. The tourism division is offering Georgia Peach Greet as an added amenity for a tour operator planning a tour to or through Georgia. This program is in conjunction with motorcoach tracking the VIC staff is currently working on. Thank you to the VIC staff for their efforts on this program. Please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org for more information on VIC tracking and if you need updated figures from the monthly tracking report.
"FYI from the Peach State" is sent quarterly to tour operators around the country in our database. If you have any updates or special offers for the tour market and would like to have the information included in the e-newsletter, please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org. The next newsletter is scheduled to go out on May 18.

The Georgia Tourism Division of GDEcD will again be participating as sponsors for the National Tour Association Annual Marketplace (November 13-17, 2010) and the American Bus Association Annual Marketplace (January 9-13, 2011). This sponsorship provides us with a booth on the marketplace floor where we will maximize our exposure into this market to all those who are present and give the state more opportunity to sell our product at the marketplace. To make this a huge success, we are asking for co-sponsorship through monetary donations. As a co-sponsor, your company is afforded a unique opportunity to highlight your Georgia product to hundreds of tourism professionals at these NTA and ABA conferences. The two levels are: Kudzu Sponsorship (NTA/ABA: $750) or Peach Sponsorship (NTA/ABA: $1000). The fee covers both tradeshows - we have done them separately in the past, but are trying to help stretch marketing dollars if possible. If you have any questions or need any clarification on this opportunity, please feel free to contact Katie Baasen at 404-962-4080, or kbaasen@georgia.org. Thank you.
GDEcD staffers Katie Baasen, Bruce Green and Jeffrey Tatum attended Georgia's Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage on April 23. Each community, from Macon to Athens, holds hidden treasures from the past and features stately homes still active and enjoyed. The Pilgrimage feature events and tours along the Trail as well as entrance into private, historic homes not open to the general public. This is the second year the Antebellum Trail has offered the Pilgrimage in the spring. Future Pilgrimage dates are April 27 - May 1, 2011 and April 18 - 22, 2012.
CONSUMER SALES:
Pam Kruseck attended the Southern Women's Show in Nashville April 8 - 11, 2010. 33,480 women attended the 4-day show at the Nashville Convention Center. Babyland General Hospital participated at the show as a partner. Underground Atlanta and Ramada Inn Atlanta Airport participated in the brochure co-op. The Georgia booth received many inquiries about Savannah, Tybee Island and the North Georgia Mountains. Babyland General was a huge hit at the show!
AAA Georgia Specialist Program: GDEcD launched a new program with AAA Auto Club South allowing AAA Travel Counselors the opportunity to become more familiar with Georgia's nine travel regions. Since March, more than 100 travel counselors have signed up to take the exam and become certified specialists. The program provides the travel counselors with current information and travel essentials to help them promote travel in Georgia to their membership. The certification will be valid for two years at which time they will have the chance to renew and take an updated exam. Please contact Pam Kruseck (pkruseck@georgia.org) for more information.
**Show schedule subject to change**
............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA FEATURED ON MAY 8 SEASON FINALE OF EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION
Be sure to watch the season finale of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday, May 8 to see one of Georgia's own. Footage from the Georgia Tourism Division's new tourism video was provided to the producers for inclusion in this episode.

............................................................................................................................................ NOMINATE YOUR EVENT FOR STS'S TOP 20 EVENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST DESIGNATION
The deadline to be nominated for an STS Top 20 Event for events in January, February and March 2011 is Friday, July 9, 2010. The best events across the Southeast compete to receive the prestigious Top 20 Events designation. Through a nomination process, 20 events are selected in the Southeast for each month and publish this list of winners quarterly. The Top 20 Events publication is sent to more than 1,600 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others. The only two requirements are that the event must be in at least its 3rd year in existence and have at least 1,000 attend. You do not have to be a member of STS to apply! For more information and to download an application, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK - MAY 8 - MAY 16, 2010

toolkit.

The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Localized events are presented in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. It was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with "the appropriate ceremonies and activities." The U.S. Travel Association provides a number of free, useful resources to help you plan and stage effective activities in support of National Travel and Tourism Week, including everything that you will need to organize. Click here for the U.S. Travel Association's

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: AIRLINE PASSENGERS, REVENUE SLID SHARPLY IN 2009
The global economic downturn took 68.6 million scheduled airline passengers out of the U.S.' skies over the last two years. Last year, 769.6 million travelers boarded planes in the U.S. or planes bound for the U.S., according to new data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That's down 5.3 percent from 812.3 million passengers in 2008 and down 8.2 percent from the record 838.2 million air travelers in the U.S. market in 2007. For the complete USA Today article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: ATLANTA'S HOTEL MARKET MAY BE STABILIZING
Atlanta area hotels may see an increase in room revenue in 2010, the first increase since 2007. PKF Hospitality Research in Atlanta, a national consulting firm specializing in the hospitality industry, expects Atlanta hotels to see a 1.7 percent increase in revPAR, or revenue per available room, in 2010. That compares with the national trend of hotels seeing a 1.4 percent decrease in revPAR. For the nation, it is the third consecutive year of revPAR decline. For the complete Atlanta Business Chronicle article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: HARTSFIELD-JACKSON'S SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO GROWS TO FOUR
Hartsfield-Jackson continues to expand its efforts to keep customers informed through social media. In addition to connecting with passengers through a YouTube channel, a Facebook fan page and a Flickr Photostream, the Airport now is providing its "followers" with regular updates on a new Twitter page.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL CEO TO HEAD U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION
As Choice Hotels International CEO Stephen Joyce has been named national chairman of the U.S. Travel Association. Joyce succeeds Caroline Beteta, chief executive of the California Travel and Tourism Commission, who served as the association's national chair for the past two years. For the complete Atlanta Business Chronicle article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: DEVELOPER PLANS $350M LUXURY HOTEL NEAR HIGH MUSEUM
An Atlanta developer plans to build a $350 million luxury hotel on Peachtree Street in Midtown, across from the High Museum of Art. Alvin D. James, a veteran broadcasting industry executive, has signed an agreement to purchase the property from metro Atlanta home builder John Wieland, CEO of John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods Inc. James plans a 250-room, five-star hotel on the site of Wieland's proposed One Museum Place condominium project at 1301 Peachtree St. Wieland abandoned his 23-story, $325 million, 92-unit luxury condo tower in 2007, as the metro Atlanta housing market began to falter. James is in talks with three international hotel brands as a flag for the hotel, which he plans to open in spring 2012. For the complete Atlanta Business Chronicle article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: COMPANIES MUST DECIDE - IS A BUSINESS TRIP WORTH IT?

by Jay LePrete for USA Today

Companies are sending more of their workers back on the road this year after having slashed travel budgets and halted trips to save money during the recession. But even as the economy slowly rebounds, many business analysts and advisers say businesses will continue to carefully weigh when travel is necessary and when it makes more financial sense to have a staff member stay put and connect with a client or colleague by video screen or conference call. To make that first sales call, launch a product or close a deal, corporate travel experts say businesses will probably decide a staff member needs to travel and see a client face-to-face. But internal meetings are increasingly taking place through video conferences or webcasts. For the complete USA Today article, click here.
AMT Machine Systems' Greg Knight says his company is using more videoconferencing. But sometimes a meeting is best.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: AGENTS SAY U.S. LEISURE TRAVEL SPENDING RECOVERING
Leisure travel spending is bouncing back in 2010 as U.S. consumer sentiment gradually repairs, but prices are beginning to firm again from recession lows, according to travel agents. Travel specialists said momentum started building in the fourth quarter, and first-quarter travel bookings are well outpacing those of 2009. Per-trip spending is rising, especially on airfare, though lodging perks like free nights and meals are sticking around for now. Recession-era trends like shorter stays are still in place, but travelers are booking further in advance than they were last year. For the complete MarketNews.com article, click here.
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