Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Feb. 2012

February 2012 Issue
In This Issue:
STATESBORO AND VIDALIA SET TO HOST STATE'S TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT 2012 GUIDE UNVEILED AT ANNUAL TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY DAY EVENT GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE U.S. TRAVEL'S TOOKLIT TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK 2012 NEW JEKYLL ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER TO PROVIDE POWERFUL ECONOMIC BOOST FOR GEORGIA AND GOLDEN ISLES ATLANTA METRO TRAVEL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AUGUSTA CVB WEBSITE WINS INDUSTRY AWARDS ALLIANCE HOSPITALITY SELECTED TO OPERATE THE 156-SUITE COMFORT SUITES ATLANTA DOWNTOWN CONVENTION CENTER MCCORMICK HOSPITALITY AWARDS "AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, 2011" GEORGIA NEWS: GEORGIA WITH A TWIST: LEADERS USE PHOTOGRAPHY TO SELL STATE TOURISM GEORGIA NEWS: COUNTRY MUSIC HELPS BOOST TOURISM IN PEACH STATE GEORGIA NEWS: "TWISTING THROUGH GEORGIA" HOPES TO BOOST TOURISM GEORGIA NEWS: NEW STATE TOURISM INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN HOUSTON COUNTY GEORGIA NEWS: GSU HOSPITALITY PROGRAM RANKS AMONG TOP 20 GEORGIA NEWS: USA TODAY - 5 THINGS TO DO IN GEORGIA GEORGIA NEWS: 2012 LOOKING GOOD FOR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY NEWS: AMEX SURVEY SHOWS AMERICANS PLANNING TO SPEND MORE ON TRAVEL INDUSTRY NEWS: BUSINESS TRAVEL SPENDING INCREASED IN 2011 INDUSTRY NEWS: NICHE MARKETS TO CONSIDER FROM GROUPTRAVELSUPPLIER.COM

INDUSTRY NEWS: SCHOOL VACATION SCHEDULES AND LEISURE DEMAND
INDUSTRY NEWS: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRENDS FROM UNWTO WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER
...................................................................................................................................................................... STATESBORO AND VIDALIA SET TO HOST STATE'S TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Statesboro and Vidalia will host the state's 2012 Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event May 17 - 19. Up to 30 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. To read the entire press release, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... 2012 GUIDE UNVEILED AT ANNUAL TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY DAY EVENT
Governor Nathan Deal joined Georgia's tourism and hospitality industry for the annual Tourism & Hospitality Day at the state Capitol to highlight the important role tourism plays in Georgia's economy. Representatives from the tourism industry presented Deal with a check representing $1.185 billion in state tax revenue generated from tourism-related expenditures in 2010. Deal also unveiled the new 2012 annual Georgia Travel Guide. This full-color, magazine-size guide features Georgia's own Lady Antebellum on the cover photographed at Evans Town Center Park in Columbia County. The event was done in partnership with the Georgia Regional Travel Associations, Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Georgia Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Entertainment Committee, Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association, Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia Arts Network and Georgia Music Partners. To read the entire press release, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE
Kevin Langston, Stefanie Paupeck and Pam Kruseck will attend Travel South Showcase March 4 - 7, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. Georgia Tourism will have pre-scheduled tour operator and media appointments; participate in a media and tour operator briefing; and attend networking events. For additional information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Pam Kruseck and Nija Torrence attended the American Bus Association (ABA) Annual Marketplace January 6 - 10, 2012 in Grapevine, Texas. Georgia Tourism had the opportunity to meet with tour operators during 54 pre-scheduled appointments. Georgia Tourism also had a sponsor booth on the tradeshow floor allowing partners to network with operators and share some Georgia treats. Appointment notes and leads were sent to the Regional Tourism Representatives on January 23, 2012.
Georgia Tourism attended the Tennessee Motorcoach Operators Association Annual Convention January 22 - 26, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky. Georgia Tourism participated in pre-scheduled appointments with members of each Association, educational seminars and networking opportunities. For additional information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Pam Kruseck attended the Bank Travel Conference in Memphis, Tennessee from February 7 - 9, 2012. Georgia Tourism participated in pre-scheduled appointments with bank directors and networking events. For additional information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at

pkruseck@georgia.org.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE
Have you visited www.marketgeorgia.org recently? You can find a plethora of resources including industry research. Recently updated items include: 2010 county level data sheets; a county level database to compare numbers from 2006-2010; and an event impact calculator (EIC). Contact Nerissa Serrano via email at nserrano@georgia.org for regional hotel occupancy data, 2011 destination insight information and tour operator report for Georgia.
Georgia Hotel Trending Data
December 2011: * Hotel/motel occupancy increased 0.6 percent statewide * Room Rates (ADR) were up statewide 0.2 percent * RevPAR was up 0.7 percent * Room Revenues decreased -0.2 percent * Room Demand decreased -0.3 percent * Room Supply was down 0.9 percent
Year-to-date (YTD) through December 2011: * Hotel/motel occupancy is up 3.4 percent * Room Rates (ADR) are up 0.7 percent * RevPAR is up 4.2 percent * Room Revenues are up 3.7 percent * Room Demand is up 3 percent * Room Supply is down -0.3 percent
................................................................................................................ U.S. TRAVEL'S TOOKLIT TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK 2012
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. National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which will be held May 5-13, 2012, provides a fitting occasion to shine the spotlight on our industry. To align with U.S. Travel's 2012 campaign, this year's theme is Vote Travel. U.S. Travel's toolkit is designed to help you be a strong local advocate. Their resources include marketing and advocacy materials, templates and samples to help you communicate and social media tips. Click here to access U.S. Travel's National Travel and Tourism Week toolkit.

...................................................................................................................................................................... TRAVEL'S WEEK NEW JEKYLL ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER TO PROVIDE POWERFUL ECONOMIC BOOST FOR GEORGIA AND GOLDEN ISLES
The highly anticipated grand opening of the Jekyll Island Convention Center this May promises to significantly increase business travel to the state's coast and provide a substantial boost to Georgia's economy. The new Jekyll Island Convention Center, to be completed on schedule and under budget, has already received a vote of confidence from a large number of events committed to utilize the facility. As of March 2012, more than 200 meetings and events have been booked through 2016, representing more than $40 million in economic impact for the Golden Isles. Historic levels of meetings and conventions are projected to be achieved in 2013 and beyond. For the full press release, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... ATLANTA METRO TRAVEL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
The Atlanta Metro Travel Association (AMTA) presented the prestigious 2011 President's Award and Board of Directors' Award at its annual Christmas Luncheon. Hosted by the Dunwoody Convention & Visitors Bureau at Maggiano's Little Italy in Dunwoody, the AMTA Christmas Luncheon recognized Diane Stone, President of Projects Plus, as recipient of the 2011 President's Award and Rebekah Cline, Director of Marketing & Communications for the Clayton County Convention & Visitors Bureau, as recipient of the 2011 Board of Directors Award. The AMTA Awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and professional excellence from individuals within Atlanta Metro tourism. For more information on the Atlanta Metro Travel Association, please visit www.visitmetroatlanta.com.
...................................................................................................................................................................... AUGUSTA CVB WEBSITE WINS INDUSTRY AWARDS
The Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) website wins top honors in three separate competitions. The awards, presented by a roster of prestigious organizations, included the International Davey Awards and W3 Awards, both hosted by the International Academy of Visual Arts, and the WebAwards, hosted by the Web Marketing Association. The ACVB website received the following awards: Davey Awards - Gold; WebAwards - Standard of Excellence; and W3 Award - Silver. To see the winning website, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... ALLIANCE HOSPITALITY SELECTED TO OPERATE THE 156-SUITE COMFORT SUITES ATLANTA DOWNTOWN CONVENTION CENTER
Alliance Hospitality, a leading hospitality management company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been chosen to manage the 156-suite Comfort Suites Atlanta Downtown Convention Center located in downtown Atlanta. The hotel opened in January 2011 after an extensive renovation of the historic building and conversion for use as a hotel. For more information about the Alliance Hospitality, click here.

...................................................................................................................................................................... MCCORMICK HOSPITALITY AWARDS "AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, 2011"
Tiffany Forrister, Breakfast Attendant at the Best Western Evans Hotel has been selected as the McCormick Hospitality Awards Program "Hospitality Ambassador of the Year, 2011." She was presented the award at the Columbia County Chamber's 7th Annual Banquet Celebration on January 31, 2012. The McCormick Hospitality Awards program, created in 2008 in memory of James O. McCormick, Sr., honors those in the hospitality industry who deliver superior customer service to visitors to and residents living in Columbia County. For information on the program, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: GEORGIA WITH A TWIST: LEADERS USE PHOTOGRAPHY TO SELL STATE TOURISM
State tourism officials are banking on colorful photography of destinations throughout Georgia to help them win over travelers looking for a place to vacation. The state has launched "The South with a Twist," a campaign that uses ads in magazines and on the Web to lure visitors instead of costly TV commercials that states like Texas and Florida use. It's a move borne out of prudence. The state's budget for the campaign is miniscule by advertising standards -- just $2.1 million. Las Vegas' famous "What happens in Vegas" advertising, by comparison, is said to have cost between $60 million and $80 million. For the entire Atlanta Journal Constitution article, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: COUNTRY MUSIC HELPS BOOST TOURISM IN PEACH STATE
Tourism in the Peach State is booming with a little help from some good old fashion country music. The music trio Lady Antebellum is featured on the cover of Georgia tourism board's latest travel guide where the band members list their favorite spots. Both Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley list Athens, where they went to school. Haywood mentioned Augusta as one of his favorite cities to visit, and Hillary Scott dropped her favorite shopping spot - Atlanta. "We were thrilled to have Georgia's own Lady Antebellum on the cover of our 2012 travel guide," said Kevin Langston, the deputy commissioner of the Georgia Tourism Division. "Charles and Dave are both from Columbia County, Georgia and spent most of their lives here. The band is part of Georgia's music history and heritage." To read the entire FoxNews.com article, click here.
.................................................................................................................. GEORGIA NEWS: "TWISTING THROUGH GEORGIA" HOPES TO BOOST TOURISM
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is kicking off its new campaign to boost tourism in the state, "Twisting Through Georgia" with a tour. Thursday they made a stop at the Museum of Aviation. The Twist campaign aims at setting Georgia apart from other states. Researchers discovered that people enjoy Georgia's southern charm, but love the unexpected surprises or "twists" they find. Georgia's tourism sparked $45 billion in total economic impact in 2010, and Deputy Commissioner of Tourism, Kevin Langston, says one twist that contributed to the state's tourism is right in Warner Robins. To watch the 13WMAZ-TV news clip, click here.

................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: NEW STATE TOURISM INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN HOUSTON COUNTY
A state tourism official swinging through Houston County today to help launch a new campaign bringing more visitors, and their dollars, to the Peach State . Deputy Commissioner Kevin Langston spoke to area tourism coordinators gathered at the Museum of Aviation Thursday about the new effort called "The South-With A Twist". The campaign highlights authentic, southern experiences along with unexpected, modern surprises. For the entire The Warner Robins Patriot article, click here.
................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: GSU HOSPITALITY PROGRAM RANKS AMONG TOP 20
Georgia State University's hospitality program is among the nation's top 20, according to a new ranking. The Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality was ranked No. 16 in the country by TheBestSchools.org, an online resource that has no affiliation with any educational entity. For the entire Atlanta Business Chronicle, click here.
................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: USA TODAY - 5 THINGS TO DO IN GEORGIA
Many first-time visitors to Georgia ask "Where are the peach trees?" or "How do I get to Tara?" Perfectly good questions, except you'd be hard-pressed to find a peach tree in the Atlanta area, unless it's the name of a street, and Tara, the plantation from native daughter Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind," exists only in novel and movie form. But in real life, the Peach State may surprise the unsuspecting tourist with all there is to do, from the coast to the mountains. List includes climb Stone Mountain, visit Cumberland Island, tour a historic plantation, hike a legendary trail and see famous film sites. To read the entire USA Today article, click here.
................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: 2012 LOOKING GOOD FOR HOSPITALITY
Atlanta's hospitality industry continues its steady recovery in 2012, hosting 19 of the country's largest conventions and entering the year with almost 100,000 more hotel nights on the books than 2011. To read the entire Atlanta Business Chronicle's Hospitality Quarterly, click here.

................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: ATLANTA HOTEL: GOOD NEWS FOR TRAVELERS, BAD NEWS FOR OWNERS
Of its customers' Top 8 most-visited cities in the U.S., Travel Leaders' corporate travel agency saw rates drop slightly in 2011 vs. the prior year in just a single city: Atlanta. Admittedly, it's a tiny drop - less than 1%. Still, Atlanta's rates didn't surge ahead at a time when rates in Travel Leaders' other most-booked cities rose by 2% or more, the analysis shows. Furthermore, the outlook for higher hotel rates in Atlanta is considered bleak by USA's largest hotel real estate investment trust - Host Hotels & Resorts. To read the entire USA Today article, click here.
................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: AIRLINES HIKE FARES FOR THIRD TIME IN 2012
Airlines are seeking to raise air fares for a third time this year. Last year, airlines tried boosting fares 22 times. Nine of the increases stuck. That followed two years in which fares didn't budge much. But airlines are facing higher fuel costs. To read the entire USA Today article, click here.
................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: AMEX SURVEY SHOWS AMERICANS PLANNING TO SPEND MORE ON TRAVEL
When it comes to spending those discretionary dollars, Americans are planning on fixing up their homes or hitting the road, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker. According to the survey, 61 percent say they plan to spend more on travel and vacations this year. Most leisure travelers (77 percent) will fly to their destination and 27 percent say they'll be on a plane more often than last year. Virtually all Young Professional leisure travelers will fly to their destination this year (94 percent). Nearly half (48 percent) say they will fly more often than last. Half of all Americans plan to travel within the 50 states, 22 percent will venture abroad, and 41 percent will choose a beach vacation to soak in the sun. To read the entire Travel Pulse article, click here.
................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: BUSINESS TRAVEL SPENDING INCREASED IN 2011
Adding to the continuing stream of modest improvements to the economy, business travel expenditures are up across the country, according to The Federal Reserve's Beige Book. The report, which pulls data from 12 districts -- Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas and San Francisco -- noted that most districts had "solid gains or high levels" of travel and tourist activity, in both business and leisure. Two districts, Atlanta and San Francisco, reported business travel levels that were well above rates from a year ago. Boston, which projects a 5 to 8 percent growth in travel spending, expects to see double-digit growth in hotel revenues for this year as well. To read the complete Huffington Post article, click here.

................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: NICHE MARKETS TO CONSIDER FROM GROUPTRAVELSUPPLIER.COM
It's no surprise to any group travel sales person that niche markets offer unique opportunities to grow your overall group sales. However, are you really tapping into all the markets that are available? The key to focusing on niche markets is to provide a product/service/package that will be appealing to these specialty markets. With a lot of unique niches the success is depended on various partners. The traditional niche markets focus on the SMERF market, (Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal), but consider three other market segments to grow your niche business: celebration; girlfriend getaways; and brocations. Click here to read the entire Group Travel Supplier article.
................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: SCHOOL VACATION SCHEDULES AND LEISURE DEMAND
Each year RRC Associates collects and summarizes the school vacation dates of a sample of approximately 550 U. S. school districts and universities. The resulting compilation provides valuable insights for anticipating upcoming leisure travel demand around important holiday periods. The full article that summarizes notable findings regarding school vacation patterns for the remainder of the spring 2012 semester. To read the complete HotelNewsNow.com article, click here.
................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRENDS FROM UNWTO WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER
International tourism hit new records in 2011 with arrivals up 4.4 percent to 980 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. With growth expected to continue in 2012, but at a somewhat slower rate, international tourist arrivals are on track to reach the milestone one billion mark later this year. By region, Europe (+6%) was the best performer but contrary to previous years, growth was higher in advanced economies (+5.0%) than in emerging ones (+3.8%), due largely to the strong results in Europe, and the setbacks in the Middle East and North Africa. In 2012, emerging economies are expected to regain the lead with stronger growth in Asia and the Pacific and Africa (4% to 6%), followed by the Americas and Europe (2% to 4%). For the full report, click here.
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