Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Feb. 2010

February 2010 Issue
In This Issue:
COWETA AND LAGRANGE NAMED HOST CITIES OF STATE'S TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT 2010 GEORGIA ON MY MIND DAYS STS SPRING MEETING 2010 "KEY INGREDIENTS - THE GEORGIA TOUR" RECOGNIZED BY THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES NATIONAL TRUST SEEKS NATIONAL PRESERVATION AWARDS NOMINATIONS GEORGIA TRUST'S 26TH ANNUAL PRESERVATION GALA SET FOR MARCH 19 AT ATLANTA'S GOODRUM HOUSE STATEWIDE COMMUNITY LANDMARKS CONFERENCE BRUNSWICK NAMED BEST PLACE TO BUY AN OLD HOUSE GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE TRAVEL TRENDS: NEW MEETINGS INDUSTRY EMERGES AFTER A BOOM AND BUST TRAVEL TRENDS: THE 'NEW NORMAL' IN 2010: FIVE TRENDS TO WATCH TRAVEL NEWS: INTERNATIONAL VISITATION UP ONE PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2009 TRAVEL NEWS: CITIES USE DESTINATION BRANDING TO LURE TOURISTS TRAVEL NEWS: AIRLINE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE THREE YEARS TO RECOVER, IATA SAYS TRAVEL NEWS: U.S. TRAVEL DELIVERS JOB CREATION PROPOSALS TO CONGRESS TRAVEL NEWS: SECRETARY LOCKE ANNOUNCES TRAVEL AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD

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COWETA AND LAGRANGE NAMED HOST CITIES OF STATE'S TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Coweta and LaGrange-Troup counties will host the state's 2010 Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event May 20-22 on February 4. Up to 40 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. As the marketplace concludes, Georgia Tourism staff will escort journalists on themed media familiarization tours around the state May 22 - 25. For the complete press release, click here.
(Photo: Explorations in Antiquity Center, LaGrange)
........................................................................................................................................................................ 2010 GEORGIA ON MY MIND DAYS
The Georgia Visitor Information Center's Georgia On My Mind Days are celebrated by the tourism industry and communities to increase the awareness and celebrate travel and tourism's economic impact to the State. During these annual events the community, tourism partners, and local law enforcement are able to showcase to our visitors the Southern hospitality Georgia is known for. Below please find the 2010 dates:
q Augusta VIC - July 16 q Columbus VIC - June 11 q Kingsland VIC - May 14 q Lavonia VIC - May 28 q Plains VIC - May 1 q Ringgold VIC - June 25 q Savannah VIC - May 7 q Sylvania VIC - April 15 q Tallapoosa VIC - June 4 q Valdosta VIC - March 26 q West Point VIC - June 18
To participate in one or all of the upcoming events, click here.

.................................................................................................................... STS SPRING MEETING 2010
Southeast Tourism Society's spring meeting will be held in Nashville, Tenn., March 22-24. This is an exciting time to network, learn and socialize with others from throughout the Southeast. This year's theme of "Refresh.Renew.Recharge" will focus on sustainable tourism, working with printers, travel trends and what to do when the bed tax disappears. New members have the opportunity to obtain a complimentary registration. For more information, click here.
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"KEY INGREDIENTS - THE GEORGIA TOUR" RECOGNIZED BY THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
"Key Ingredients - the Georgia Tour" was awarded the "Best Special Project" by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries. The Georgia Humanities Council and Center of Public History, University of West Georgia received the award for making a significant impact by generating new discussions about Georgia's history, culture, and food traditions, attracting new audiences, and improving the quality of museum services to its host communities. For more information on the Georgia Humanities Council, click here.
Photo: Sheri Hudson, Indian Springs, Arden Williams, GHC, John Johnson, Agrirama, Dr. Ann McCleary, UWG/ Center for Public History and Kristy Ferguson, Grad Student, UWG/Center Public History)
.................................................................................................................... NATIONAL TRUST SEEKS NATIONAL PRESERVATION AWARDS NOMINATIONS
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking nominations for the 2010 National Preservation Awards. The awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in historic preservation. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org/take-action/awards. Call 202-588-6315 or e-mail awards@nthp.org with any questions. Nominations must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.

........................................................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA TRUST'S 26TH ANNUAL PRESERVATION GALA SET FOR MARCH 19 AT ATLANTA'S GOODRUM HOUSE
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its 26th annual Preservation Gala, A Fine Feathered Fte, at the Goodrum House (also known as the "Peacock House") in Atlanta on Friday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. The annual gala will feature cocktails, live entertainment, dancing and culinary edibles prepared by Atlanta's most prominent caterers. Join the Trust for an evening spent exploring and enjoying the Goodrum House and its extensive grounds where peacocks used to roam. Event chairs Tamara and Ken Bazzle promise a night to remember, with dining and dancing under the stars. Our honorary chairs are Elizabeth and Sheffield Hale, long-standing supporters of The Georgia Trust and preservation statewide. All proceeds benefit The Georgia Trust. For more information, click here.
........................................................................................................................................................................ STATEWIDE COMMUNITY LANDMARKS CONFERENCE
The Statewide Community Landmarks Conference will take place at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Institute on March 25-26, 2010. The event is co-sponsored by the Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Department of Economic Development; Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Council for the Humanities; Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation; Three Rivers Regional Commission and The Fox Theatre Institute. For more information contact, Conference Coordinator Carole Moore at 404-463-8434 or carole. moore@dnr.state.ga.us.
........................................................................................................................................................................ BRUNSWICK NAMED BEST PLACE TO BUY AN OLD HOUSE
The Old Town Historic District in Brunswick has been named a Best Place to Buy an Old House by This Old House magazine. The magazine annually seeks neighborhoods "populated by people who share an appreciation of finely crafted homes that have plenty of past and lots of future." For the complete article, click here.

.................................................................................................................... GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE
THE DAILY IMPACT OF TOURISM ON OUR STATE'S ECONOMY
How often do we think about the daily impact of tourism on our state's economy? Did you know that $56.9 million is generated daily due to tourism-related expenditures? Dr. Steve Morse recently presented the answer to these questions at the 2010 GACVB Winter Meeting in Marietta. We all know the main economic impact figures including $20.8 billion in direct expenditures, 241,500 jobs, $6.3 billion in resident wages and $1.557 billion state and local tax revenue. However, how often do we think about the daily impact of tourism on our state's economy? Check out the other staggering figures below:
q $22.2 million daily in transportation (including air, car/truck, taxi, gas, rentals) q $16.9 million daily in restaurants (including grocery stores and drinking establishments) q $8.4 million daily on lodging (including motels, campgrounds, vacation homes, condos, and bed & breakfasts) q $5.3 million daily on retail trade (including gifts, clothes, souvenirs, incidental retail) q $3.9 million daily on entertainment (including parks, museums, historical sites, amusement parks, performing arts
&shows, golf, fishing, water sports, spectator sports, and theme parks)
.................................................................................................................... GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE
GROUP SALES:
The 2010 Travel South Showcase will take place April 10-14 in Birmingham, AL. If you have not already registered, please do so. WHY TRAVEL SOUTH SHOWCASE? Are you part of the "Who's Who" of Southern Tourism? Did you know that Southern Tourism is a $1.76 billion industry? It is the only regional tourism show focused solely on the southern United States. This invitation-only event is open to qualified Tour Operators and Southern Suppliers. Showcase isn't just a Marketplace - it's a marketing platform. The Georgia Tourism division will be participating in Showcase this year with appointments, sponsorship and organizing Team Georgia for the bowling event. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Baasen via email at kbaasen@georgia.org.
Mark your calendar! 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.
National Tour Association Leadership Committee meeting set for February 5-7, 2010 was canceled due to snow. The

committee will reconvene at a later date. The committee is comprised of industry delegates who are involved with the National Tour Association and who have been invited to serve as a volunteer leader. The committee will meet with the Board of Directors to discuss planning for regional meetings including the 2010 Annual Convention in Montreal. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Baasen via email at kbaasen@georgia.org
Georgia Peach Greet - GDEcD has started a new program for tour companies involving the state's 11 Visitor Information Centers. VICs are the perfect place for a pit stop for tour groups, the state's tourism division is encouraging the group leader to plan a stop with the group, 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 it as an added amenity for a tour operator planning a tour to or through Georgia. This program is in conjunction with the 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.
"FYI from the Peach State" is sent quarterly to tour operators around the country. 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.
CONSUMER SALES:
Pam Kruseck attended the Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland, FL from January 26 - 27, 2010. 30,000 snowbirds attended the show at the Lakeland Center. Babyland General Hospital participated in the Partner Co-op. Participating in the Brochure Co-op was Underground Atlanta, Ghost Tours of Atlanta, Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce and the Dalton Area CVB. Most Snowbirds said they do stop in Georgia for an overnight or meal. The Georgia booth encouraged them to look through the Travel Guide and choose a place to spend a day or two on their way home in the spring!
Pam Kruseck and Nija Torrence attended the Southern Women's Show in Savannah February 5 - 7, 2010. There were 12,082 in attendance at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Babyland General Hospital and Underground Atlanta participated in the Partner Co-op. Ramada Inn Atlanta Airport and Vidalia CVB participated in the Brochure Co-op. The Georgia booth received a lot of inquiries about Atlanta and North Georgia throughout the show - Babyland General was the hit of the booth!
Southern Women's Show - Nashville, TN - April 14 - 17, 2010 The Southern Women's Show attracts more than 12,000 women over a 3-day period. These consumer shows target women with give-a-ways and tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health & well-being, shopping, travel and much more! Consumer Sales Manager Pam Kruseck (pkruseck@georgia.org) will attend. .
**Show schedule subject to change**

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: NEW MEETINGS INDUSTRY EMERGES AFTER A BOOM AND BUST
In the 2007, the meetings industry represented about 44 percent of the roughly $200 billion in business travel spending, according to the U.S. Travel Association. But the meetings business is now in a deep slump. In the first half of 2009, domestic hotels lost $1 billion in revenue from canceled meetings alone, the travel trade group said. For the first 11 months of 2009, convention attendance in Las Vegas was off 25 percent from the same period in 2008, the convention bureau there said. For the complete New York Times article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: THE 'NEW NORMAL' IN 2010: FIVE TRENDS TO WATCH
By now the battle cry of the "new normal" is ubiquitous, but what exactly does this mean for specific sectors of the US hotel industry? We will contemplate, in detail, each of the following five aspects of the market, recall the common wisdom, and define what a "new normal" looks like for 2010 and beyond. Topics discussed are RevPAR recovery; easing supply; contraction in the middle; group rates vs. transient rates and the new value definition. For the complete article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: INTERNATIONAL VISITATION UP ONE PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2009
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on February 3, 2010 that 3.6 million international visitors traveled to the United States in November 2009, an increase of one percent over November 2008. November 2009 marks the second straight month of increases in U.S. arrivals. However, for the first 11 months of 2009, visitation was down six percent compared to the same period in 2008. International visitors spent $10.2 billion in November 2009, seven percent less than in November 2008. In the first 11 months of 2009, visitors spent $111.2 billion, down nearly 15 percent from the same period in 2008. For more information, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: TRAVEL NEWS: CITIES USE DESTINATION BRANDING TO LURE TOURISTS
"Destination branding," is back in vogue as cities and states pursue image makeovers designed to help them stand out in the weak global economy, attract visitors and even lure people who might relocate. Some are adopting new themes. Others are recalibrating messages to portray themselves as an affordable place to visit. For the complete USA Today article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: AIRLINE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE THREE YEARS TO RECOVER, IATA SAYS
The global airline industry will take at least three years to recover from a travel slump caused by the worst recession in six decades, said Giovanni Bisignani, chief executive of the International Air Transport Association. The airline industry globally lost $50 billion in the past 10 years, including $11 billion in 2009 alone. Revenues declined by $80 billion last year, Bisignani said. For the complete Bloomberg.com article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: U.S. TRAVEL DELIVERS JOB CREATION PROPOSALS TO CONGRESS
The U.S. Travel Association sent a letter to Senate leaders in late January with proposals to help put people back to work as part of its continued push to use travel as a vehicle to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The recommendations include travel-related tax deductions, hiring of additional consular officers and creating a promotion program aimed at attracting more international travelers. For more information, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: SECRETARY LOCKE ANNOUNCES TRAVEL AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced his decision to appoint the new members of the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board). The board's new charter expanded membership to include a more diverse and expansive industry representation from private sector participants in the travel and tourism industry. The appointees represent a broad cross-section of the industry including transportation services, financial services, and hotels and restaurants, as well as a mix of small and large firms from across the country. Click here for the full list of members being appointed and other pertinent information is available.

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