Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Feb. 2011

February 2011 Issue
In This Issue:
PAULA DEEN FEATURED ON THE COVER OF GEORGIA'S TRAVEL GUIDE GEORGIA TOURISM INDUSTRY GATHERED AT THE CAPITOL FOR ANNUAL TOURISM DAY EVENT BLUE RIDGE AND ELLIJAY AWARDED STATE'S TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT GEORGIA IS SECOND FASTEST-GROWING STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS, OFFICIAL SAYS HOSPITALITY LEADERS MAKING THEIR CASE TO GEORGIA LEGISLATORS NEW STUDY RELEASED ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN GEORGIA HPD ANNOUNCES NEW HISTORIC THEATER HERITAGE TOURISM GRANT GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY SEES INCREASES IN ALL THREE KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT FOR ANDALUSIA IN MILLEDGEVILLE THE COMFORT INN & SUITES IN BUFORD WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2010 GOLD HOSPITALITY AWARD THE QUALITY INN AND SUITES CONFERENCE CENTER in MCDONOUGH WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2010 PLATINUM HOSPITALITY AWARD GEORGIA NEWS: CONVENTIONS GO TO MEMPHIS, SAVANNAH, OTHER SMALLER CITIES GEORGIA NEWS: TYBEE ISLAND AND CUMBERLAND ISLAND NAMED TOP TWO OUT OF FIVE HIDDEN BEACH DESTINATIONS IN THE U.S. INDUSTRY NEWS: DIGITAL TRAVELER: SOCIAL-MEDIA SITES GIVE TRAVELERS LOCAL INSIGHTS INDUSTRY NEWS: TOP 10 E-COMMERCE INITIATIVES FOR HOTEL MARKETERS IN 2011

........................................................................................................................................................................ PAULA DEEN FEATURED ON THE COVER OF GEORGIA'S TRAVEL GUIDE
2011 Travel Guide
Governor Deal unveiled the new 2011 annual Georgia Travel Guide at Tourism Day at the Capitol on January 25. This full-color, magazine-size guide features Georgia's own Paula, Jamie and Bobby Deen on the cover photographed at Wormsloe Historic Site in Savannah. The guide provides visitors with information on Georgia's tourism assets including attractions, accommodations, events, driving trails, and more. The 750,000 guides are distributed through the state's 11 Visitor Information Centers, www.ExploreGeorgia.org, travel and trade shows and 1-800-VISIT GA. The Georgia Department of Economic Development partnered with Emmis Custom Publishing, (publisher of Atlanta Magazine), on the Georgia Travel Guide. Click here for the press release.
........................................................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA TOURISM INDUSTRY GATHERED AT THE CAPITOL FOR ANNUAL TOURISM DAY EVENT
On January 25, Georgia tourism industry professionals gathered for the annual Tourism Day at the Capitol event to celebrate the significant role tourism plays in Georgia's economy. Representatives from the tourism industry presented Governor Deal with a check representing the $816.3 million in state tax revenue generated from tourism-related expenditures in 2009. Click here to see the printed documents that were shared with legislators as well as economic impact one-pagers for every county in Georgia. To request hard copies please contact Nerissa Serrano at nserrano@georgia.org.
Photo Credit: Alana Joyner
........................................................................................................................................................................ BLUE RIDGE AND ELLIJAY AWARDED STATE'S TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Blue Ridge and Ellijay-Gilmer County will host the state's 2011 Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event May 12-14. Up to 40 travel writers from the United States and Canada will meet with representatives from around the state during the marketplace to get story ideas about Georgia's tourism destinations, attractions and events. Click here for the press release.

............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA IS SECOND FASTEST-GROWING STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS, OFFICIAL SAYS
Who needs the Statue of Liberty to draw tourists when you have the Big Chicken? Georgia's new economic development commissioner, Chris Cummiskey, surprised us when he made this claim during a recent state budget hearing: "We are the second-fastest-growing state for international tourists." Virginia, the commissioner said, is first. Click here for the article.
Commissioner Cummiskey
............................................................................................................................................ HOSPITALITY LEADERS MAKING THEIR CASE TO GEORGIA LEGISLATORS
Atlanta and Georgia hospitality leaders have a message for state legislators: cut with caution. Acutely aware that tourism and related industries like film making are being eyed as for possible savings in the state budget, the leaders have met with elected officials to make a case for sparing as much hospitality funding as possible. Click here for the AJC article.
............................................................................................................................................ NEW STUDY RELEASED ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN GEORGIA
Commissioner Mark Williams of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the recent completion of a study on the impact of historic preservation on the state's economy. Good News in Tough Times: Historic Preservation and the Georgia Economy was prepared by Donovan Rypkema and Caroline Cheong of PlaceEconomics, a real estate and economic development consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Click here for full report.
............................................................................................................................................ HPD ANNOUNCES NEW HISTORIC THEATER HERITAGE TOURISM GRANT
HPD has partnered with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Fox Theatre Institute to offer a new, one-time grant program for historic theaters. The purpose of the grant program is to assist local communities in promoting their historic theaters through heritage tourism. Eligible projects include research and documentation; interpretation and public information; advertising and marketing; workshops and training; special events; and signage. "Bricks and mortar" projects are not eligible for this program. The reimbursable grant funds are 50% state/50% local match and will be awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum grant award will be $2,500; however, there is no minimum amount, and HPD encourages applications for small projects. The application post-mark deadline is April 15, 2011. Grant awards will be announced by June 30, 2011. Click here for more information or call Grants Coordinator Carol Morre at 404-463-8434.

............................................................................................................................................ GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE
Please welcome Jonathan Boisjolie to the Georgia Tourism Team! Jonathan joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism Division's sales team on January 25 as our International Accounts Manager. Jonathan comes to us with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst and 10 years of experience in the Travel/Tour industry - most recently as the Senior Manager of Group Sales and Special Events at the High Museum of Art - Atlanta and before that having his own tour operator firm in Orlando. Jonathan, on International Accounts, will join Pam Kruseck on Domestic Accounts and Joseph Walker, the leader of the sales team. While responsibilities on the team are now broken down between domestic and international, each will aggressively work the group and consumer business segments within their respective market regions. Jonathan's experience in building both group and consumer business at the High Museum and with his tour operator firm will be a valuable addition to the team. Jonathan is available at 404-962-4080 and JBoisjolie@georgia.org.
DOMESTIC:
Pam Kruseck and Nija Torrence attended the American Bus Association (ABA) annual marketplace in Philadelphia, PA from January 8 - 12, 2011. The Georgia Tourism Division had a booth in the Network area on the Marketplace floor. The Georgia Tourism booth featured profile sheets from each of our nine travel regions along with information from our State Parks and our sponsors. Thank you to our three sponsors who had great exposure in our sponsor booth - Jekyll Island Authority, Douglasville CVB and Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
Sharon Alvin and Shawnta Beasley attended the Great Vacations Expo in Columbus, OH January 21 - 23, 2011. Attendance for the show was 14,016! Thank You to Blairsville - Union County Chamber of Commerce, Macon Cherry Blossom Festival, Stay In Savannah and Old Town Trolley Tours for partnering with the Georgia Tourism division on this show.
Margie Chamberlain and Pamela Maynard attended the Southern Women's Show in Savannah February 4 - 6, 2011. It was our first consumer show with our new 2011 Travel Guide and it was a big hit! 11,300 people attended the show. Thank you to St. Simons Island Inn by the Lighthouse and St. Simons Island Trolley Tours for providing a "Girlfriends Getaway trip to Saint Simons Island!"
Pam Kruseck attended North Carolina Motorcoach Annual Meeting and Marketplace February 3 - 6, 2011 in Wilmington, NC. Tour Operators met with suppliers during Marketplace appointments as well as educational seminars and networking events. Thank you to the Cartersville CVB, Athens CVB, Warner Robins CVB and Museum of Aviation for participating in the co-op!
Pam Kruseck attended Bank Travel Conference February 6 - 8, 2011 in Baton Rouge, LA. Bank Directors, Group Leaders and Alumni Associations had appointments with suppliers during scheduled appointments. Thank you to the Athens CVB, Warner Robins CVB and Museum of Aviation for parterning with us!
INTERNATIONAL:
Nouvelles Frontieres, a French Tour Operator, visited Atlanta in late 2010. The visit was made possible by the support of the ACVB and Brandon Barnes. Though the visit occurred during the "Great Snowstorm," they were still able to see many sites and were very upbeat about the potential for Georgia in the French market.

............................................................................................................................................ GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE
December 2010:
q Hotel/motel occupancy increased 6.9 percent statewide in December 2010 from December 2009 q December 2010 room rates (ADR) in Georgia were down slightly at -0.7 perfect from last December q Statewide, RevPAR was up 6.1 percent q Georgia room revenues increased 6.9 percent q Room demand increased 7.7 percent q Room supply increased by 0.8 percent statewide from December 2009 to December 2010
Year-to-date:
q Hotel/motel occupancy is up 6.9 percent statewide q Room rates (ADR) in Georgia were up 4.5 percent q Statewide, RevPAR is up 2.1 percent q Georgia room revenues are up 5.1 percent q Room demand is up 2.6 percent q Room supply is up 1.9 percent
............................................................................................................................................ U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY SEES INCREASES IN ALL THREE KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
The U.S. hotel industry reported increases in all three key performance metrics for fourth-quarter 2010 in year-over-year measurements. According to Smith Travel Research, the industry's occupancy increased 7.1 percent to 53.5 percent, average daily rate rose 1.9 percent to $98.25, and revenue per available room was up 9.1 percent to $52.59. These gains were driven by the highest quarterly occupancy growth (7.1 percent) STR has ever recorded. Five markets experienced occupancy increases of more than 10 percent: Detroit, Michigan (+14.8 percent to 52.8 percent); Orlando, Florida (+12.0 percent to 62.4 percent); Phoenix, Arizona (+11.8 percent to 56.8 percent); Atlanta, Georgia (+11.7 percent to 54.9 percent); and Dallas, Texas (+10.2 percent to 52.9 percent). Two markets reported RevPAR increases of more than 15 percent: Orlando (+17.1 percent to $58.42) and Atlanta (+16.5 percent to $45.80). Nashville was the only top market to report a RevPAR decrease (-1.0 percent to $47.83). To find out more, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT FOR ANDALUSIA IN MILLEDGEVILLE
The National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) announced that the Flannery O'Connor Andalusia Foundation has been awarded a Save America's Treasures grant in the amount of $120,000 to restore the Hill house at Andalusia. The National Park Service (NPS) and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) jointly announced the awarding of $14.3 million in federal competitive Save America's Treasures (SAT) grants. The grants are made in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and Save America's Treasures's private partner, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. With the grants, 61 organizations and agencies will conserve nationally significant cultural and historic sites, buildings, objects, documents, and collections. A list of the recipients and their projects can be found here.
............................................................................................................................................ THE COMFORT INN & SUITES IN BUFORD WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2010 GOLD HOSPITALITY AWARD
The Comfort Inn & Suites Near Lake Lanier hotel of Buford, Georgia was recently announced as a recipient of a prestigious 2010 Gold Hospitality Award from world lodging leader Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), franchisor of the Comfort Inn brand. As a top performing property among the company's more than 4,800 U.S. franchised hotels, it is among the top ten percent of properties within the Comfort Inn brand. As one of the company's top franchised hotels operating under the Comfort Inn flag, the hotel has demonstrated an exceptional focus on guest satisfaction and dedication to providing superior service. Click here for more information on Choicehotels.
............................................................................................................................................ THE QUALITY INN AND SUITES CONFERENCE CENTER in MCDONOUGH WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2010 PLATINUM HOSPITALITY AWARD
The Quality Inn and Suites Conference Center was recently announced as a recipient of a prestigious 2010 Platinum Hospitality Award from world lodging leader Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH), franchisor of the Quality brand. The Quality Inn and Suites commitment to excellence and outstanding guest service has earned it this well deserved recognition as one of the best hotels among the Quality brand. Click here for Choicehotels website.

............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: CONVENTIONS GO TO MEMPHIS, SAVANNAH, OTHER SMALLER CITIES
So-called second-tier convention cities - Memphis, Albuquerque and Omaha - are getting a better look from meeting planners. As companies and associations slowly raise budgets for meetings and conventions, they're giving greater consideration to smaller and less-expensive cities that they once might have bypassed for more glamorous locales. Savannah has become a beneficiary of meeting planners' modest approach, Marinelli says. Savannah had its best tourism year ever in 2010, with the city's hotel tax collection rising 14% despite room rates falling slightly. "It's warm. It's a place people want to go to," Marinelli says. "It has spa and golf, but not perceived as an over-the-top destination."For the full USA Today article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: TYBEE ISLAND AND CUMBERLAND ISLAND NAMED TOP TWO OUT OF FIVE HIDDEN BEACH DESTINATIONS IN THE U.S.

Tybee Island

With the onset of the New Year, many travelers have resolved to lose those winter pounds in preparation to hit the beaches wearing that new bathing suit. While we all know about the famous beaches in Los Angeles and Miami, this article focuses on a few lesser known beaches that may have not been on your radar. So, if you love the beach but don't love the massive crowds then these beaches may be the spot for you. Click here for the article.

............................................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: TOP 10 E-COMMERCE INITIATIVES FOR HOTEL MARKETERS IN 2011
As a hotel marketer, it is important to decide where to focus your energies given the increasing opportunities and channels where you can market your hotels. Click here for a few tips that can help you market smarter and help you embrace innovative tools and technologies to stay ahead of the game.

............................................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: DIGITAL TRAVELER: SOCIAL-MEDIA SITES GIVE TRAVELERS LOCAL INSIGHTS
Can the wisdom of crowds improve your travel experience? That is the premise and promise of several new travel websites that are harnessing social-media energy for answers that otherwise require asking your family and friends or serendipitous encounters with other travelers. Websites such as Gogobot, Afar Connect, Bonvoy, and Vacation Relation seek to connect like-minded travelers for sharing tips and recommendations. They're newer, more targeted versions of travel chat-rooms or forums. Social media as a concept and technology - is hot, and travel dotcom start-ups are eager to seize the trend. Click here for the full USA Today article.

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