Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Apr. 2013

Spring 2013 Issue
In This Issue:
GEORGIA LAUNCHES NEW FILM, TV AND MUSIC MICROSITE FOR VISITORS
GEORGIA TOURISM LAUNCHES OFFICIAL EXPLORE GEORGIA BLOG
ARTS SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2014 PLACES IN PERIL
PRESS RELEASE: FILM & MUSIC DAY AT THE CAPITOL SPOTLIGHTS INDUSTRY'S IMPACT IN GEORGIA
PRESS RELEASE: INTERNATIONAL DIGNITARIES TOURED SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S LAKE COUNTRY TO HOST STATE'S ANNUAL TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT
GDEcD TOURISM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE
GDEcD VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER (VIC) UPDATE
GDEcD MARKETING UPDATE
GDEcD PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
ARC MAP GUIDE SEEKING NOMINATIONS
GEORGIA NEWS: GWINNETT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU UNVEILS NEW NAME AND BRANDING AS ATLANTA'S PLAYGROUND
GEORGIA NEWS: HILTON GARDEN INN CARTERSVILLE NAMED HOTEL OF THE YEAR
GEORGIA NEWS: MCCORMICK HOSPITALITY AWARDS "AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, 2012"
GEORGIA NEWS: AMERICUS GARDEN INN BED & BREAKFAST HONORED IN THE 2013 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS' CHOICE HOTELS AWARDS
GEORGIA NEWS: TYBEE ISLAND PIRATE FESTIVAL WINS SOUTHEAST FESTIVAL AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS
GEORGIA NEWS: WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE WINS PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONS AWARDS
GEORGIA NEWS: AUGUSTA'S NEWEST MEETING SPACE IS NOW OPEN
GEORGIA NEWS: TWO EAST GEORGIA STATE PARKS WERE HONORED RECENTLY WITH AWARDS FOR SUPERIOR MAINTENANCE AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
GEORGIA NEWS: ATHENS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND THE CLASSIC CENTER RECEIVE RECOGNITION AS GREEN MEETINGS APPROVED BY CONVENTIONSOUTH
GEORGIA NEWS: 2013 GEORGIA AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
GEORGIA NEWS: HAMILTON RHODODENDRON GARDENS DESIGNATED AN ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS DISPLAY GARDEN
GEORGIA NEWS: ZOMBIE TELEVISION SHOW TURNS GEORGIA TOWN INTO TOURISM HUB
GEORGIA NEWS: BEST WESTERN EVANS HOTEL RECEIVES "STARS OF THE LODGING INDUSTRY" AWARD
GEORGIA NEWS: GEORGIA GOLF TRAIL OFFICALLY LAUNCHED ON APRIL 1
INDUSTRY NEWS: MARKET STRENGTH REFLECTED IN ROBUST BUSINESS TRAVEL OUTLOOK
INDUSTRY NEWS: MARKETING THAT REACHES ALL AGES AND GENERATIONS
INDUSTRY NEWS: WATCH FOR BIG SHIFTS IN LOCAL BUSINESS INTERNET MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
INDUSTRY NEWS: ATLANTA RANKS #2 ON HOTWIRE'S TOP 10 DESTINATIONS
INDUSTRY NEWS: U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION REPORT: FAMILY VACATIONS CREATE LASTING MEMORIES
INDUSTRY NEWS: 2013 CORPORATE TRAVEL INDEX: U.S. PER DIEMS AGAIN UP MARGINALLY
INDUSTRY NEWS: TRAVEL CONTINUES TO LEAD IN THE JOB RECOVERY
INDUSTRY NEWS: TOP TRAVEL RANKINGS RELEASED
INDUSTRY NEWS: 5 THINGS TO KNOW FROM HOTELNEWSNOW.COM
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA LAUNCHES NEW FILM, TV AND MUSIC MICROSITE FOR VISITORS
To attract visitors interested in Georgia's entertainment industry, the state also launched a brand new website today, www.ComeTourGeorgia.com. The new interactive website promotes Georgia's film and music history, film tours, Georgia-filmed productions, film locations, destinations, festivals and other events. By increasing visitation to entertainment-related destinations across the state, the website will enhance the film industry's long-term impact on Georgia tourism.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA TOURISM LAUNCHES OFFICIAL EXPLORE GEORGIA BLOG
Hear from locals and experts about events, food, culture, people, places, attractions, news, recipes, trip ideas and much more on the brand new Explore Georgia blog. If you are interested in guest blogging and/or have blog content suggestions, please email Lauren Cleland at lcleland@georgia.org. Click here to check it out.
...................................................................................................................................................................... ARTS SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE
Georgia Council for the Arts invites all state vehicle owners to support the arts by reserving an arts license plate designed by Georgia artist Steve Penley. Ten dollars from each sale will support arts programs statewide. More arts programs means more jobs, more tourists, and more opportunities for growth. Click here to learn more.
...................................................................................................................................................................... CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2014 PLACES IN PERIL
Do you know of a special irreplaceable historic building or site that is highly threatened by demolition, neglect, inappropriate development or other threats? If so, this is your opportunity to help save it. The Georgia Trust's Places in Peril program seeks to identify historic sites threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or other threats. Postmark Deadline: June 3, 2013. Click here to nominate a Place in Peril.
...................................................................................................................................................................... PRESS RELEASE: FILM & MUSIC DAY AT THE CAPITOL SPOTLIGHTS INDUSTRY'S IMPACT IN GEORGIA
The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) celebrated the 40th anniversary of film and television productions in Georgia during Film & Music Day at the Capitol on March 26. Gov. Nathan Deal, Speaker David Ralston and Rep. Ron Stephens headlined the celebration, an annual recognition of the film and music industry's importance to Georgia's economy. Click here to read the press release.
...................................................................................................................................................................... PRESS RELEASE: INTERNATIONAL DIGNITARIES TOURED SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
More than two dozen consular and trade officials from 23 countries visited business and tourism centers in southwestern Georgia March 20-22 during Georgia's 28th annual International VIP Tour. The tour, conducted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), showcased tourism destinations, businesses and economic development partnerships in the region, and provided Georgia's diplomatic corps opportunities to meet local Georgians in Albany, Americus, Plains, Adel, Lakeland, Thomasville and Tifton. Click here to read the press release.
...................................................................................................................................................................... PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S LAKE COUNTRY TO HOST STATE'S ANNUAL TRAVEL MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Georgia's Lake Country will host the state's 2013 Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event May 16 - 18. Nestled on the shores of Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, up to 30 travel writers from the United States and Canada will explore Eatonton, Greensboro, Madison and Milledgeville. Travel writers will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from around the state during the marketplace to learn about the state's tourism destinations, attractions and events. The writers will then depart on one of three themed familiarization tours around the state through May 21. Click here to read the press release.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD TOURISM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Domestic:
Priti Shah and Nija Torrance attended and exhibited at two major domestic tradeshows in January that produced nearly 100 leads for Georgia partners. The American Bus Association (ABA) (www.buses.org) took place in Charlotte, NC from January 5 - 9 and the National Tour Association (NTA) (www.ntaonline.com) took place in Orlando, FL from January 20 - 24. Both shows proved to be very successful and the overall feedback from domestic operators on travel to Georgia was receptive and positive. We sponsored a booth at both shows. Thirty-five Georgia Tourism partners attended NTA and 25 attended ABA.
The tourism team attended the Travel South Domestic Showcase (www.travelsouthusa.org) in Little Rock, AR from February 17 - 22. Georgia had a great number of partners attend and exhibit as well. This show produced more than 25 leads that we shared with Georgia partners. There were similarities in the findings from the 3 tradeshows; with the bookings for the baby boomer market slowly declining, tour operators are looking to expand on the 'hub & spoke' tour ideas and are constantly looking for the unique and memorable experiences that will entice their clients.
Georgia partners made the cover of NTA's Courier Magazine Pictured here from Left to Right: Kai Williams - Country Inns Savannah, Sharon Dupont -Dekalb CVB, Mandy Livingston Paula Dean Enterprises, Dennis Kemp - Georgia Aquarium, Stacy Sturgis - StayInSavannah.com, Alexis Hankinson - Four Points Historic Savannah
International:
Georgia Tourism attended what is called "The World's largest Travel Show" ITB-Berlin from March 6 - 10 (www.itb-berlin.de). The first three days are trade meetings and the final two days are open to consumers. We pitched story ideas to German Media and met German Tour Operators in collaboration with additional southern states. Many meetings discussed the success of southern itinerary sales and potential FY14 promotions. While attending U.S. Travel's International PowWow (www.powwowonline.com) in June, we will finalize promotional plans for FY14 with many of these operators once the FY14 budget has been approved.
Upcoming International activity in April: UK Golf Operator and UK Media FAM - April 8-11; Italian Media FAM - April 11-18; German Tour Operator FAM - April 13-22 and World Travel Market Latin America - April 21-27.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD RESEARCH UPDATE
Visit the Industry Research page on www.MarketGeorgia.org for a comprehensive look at the latest facts and figures as they relate to tourism in Georgia. Just about everything you would want to know about the industry and how the business is measured can be found on this page. Motorcoach based tourism generates as many as 1,389,670 jobs in communities across the United States, paying almost $55.7 billion in wages and benefits. Georgia companies that provide motorcoach services to intercity travelers and group tours are a critical part of the state's economy. Motorcoach operators, along with the companies that supply services and materials to them, provide well -paying jobs in Georgia and pay significant amounts in tax to federal, state and local governments. The American Bus Foundation released a report that shows the impact of the motorcoach industry in Georgia:
Provided nearly 700 million passenger trips Supported 30,860 jobs $1.175 billion in wages Generated an economic impact of $3.264 billion $175.81 million in state taxes $279 million in federal taxes Most fuel and carbon efficient mode of transportation
Click here for the full report.
Smith Travel Data - Year-to-date
Hotel/motel occupancy increased 6.9 percent 2013 room rates (ADR) in Georgia was up 3.3 percent Statewide, RevPAR was up 10.4 percent Georgia room revenues increased 10.4 percent Room Demand increased 6.9 percent in Georgia
Georgia Tourism Regions by Revenue:
Historic High Country - 15.3 percent Presidential Pathways - 12.7 percent Northeast Georgia Mountains - 12.6 percent Atlanta Metro - 11.5 percent Magnolia Midlands - 9.3 percent Historic Heartland - 8.8 percent Georgia's Coast - 8.2 percent Plantation Trace - 5.4 percent Classic South - 0.5 percent
Georgia Tourism Regions by Occupancy:
Presidential Pathways - 14.1 percent Magnolia Midlands - 8 percent Historic High Country - 7.6 percent Atlanta Metro - 7.1 percent Georgia's Coast - 6.8 percent Northeast Georgia Mountains - 6.6 percent Plantation Trace - 5.7 percent Historic Heartland - 5.6 percent Classic South -1.2 percent
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER (VIC) UPDATE
Dot Davis Awarded Service Leader Award by the Tourism Leadership Council On February 21, the Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) held their 15th Annual Tourism Awards and Scholarship Dinner. The TLC serves as the leading trade organization for tourism, an industry with more than 22,000 employees and a $2 billion economic impact in the Savannah area. Dorothy "Dot" Davis, the manager of the Savannah Visitor Information Center, won the Service Leader Award for her 30 plus years of work dedicated to tourism in Savannah, the Coast, and across the state of Georgia.
2013 Georgia On My Mind Days You are invited to participate in the Georgia Visitor Information Center's 2013 Georgia On My Mind Days. This is a great opportunity for free marketing and exposure to the thousands of travelers who come through the VICs. Showcase your Georgia attraction, hotel, restaurant, destination or product with displays and giveaways. If you are interested in participating - click here for contact information for each of our Visitor Information Centers.
2013 Georgia On My Mind Days are set for:
April 12, 2013 - Kingsland May 4, 2013 - Plains May 24, 2013 - Lavonia May 31, 2013 - Tallapoosa June 7, 2013 - Columbus June 14, 2013 - West Point July 12, 2013 - Augusta October 4, 2013 - Ringgold
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD MARKETING UPDATE
Make plans to attend 'Marketing 101: Intro Lesson to Marketing your Organization' on April 18, 2013 from 3-4 pm in the Georgia Department of Economic Development (75 Fifth Street, NW, Suite 800, Atlanta, 30308). in Atlanta. Why should I use the State Sanctioned Coop program? How do I define my advertising and marketing strategies? What are current tourism media trends? Should I use traditional print or digital ads, outdoor billboards or radio? Get answers to your questions and more. Space is limited - email creativerequest@georgia.org to register. To participate via a free webinar - click here. If you have questions, please contact Haley Hunt at hhunt@georgia.org.
The FY14 Georgia Tourism RTA Co-op Marketing Program Showcase is set for April 19. The goal of the Tourism Co-op Program is to complement the state media buy and enhance the buying power of Georgia Tourism and its partners. Each year, the state marketing team along with the state's advertising agency of record present both the RTA Co-op Marketing Program (formerly known as Grant Program) and State Sanctioned Co-op Advertising Program. Ultimately, the RTA will decide how to invest their advertising dollars and the Georgia Tourism Foundation will provide matching funds to support participating regions. Representatives from the nine Regional Travel Associations along with the State Tourism Project Managers are invited to attend the FY14 RTA Co-op Marketing Program Showcase on April 19 from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm to review the recommended advertising programs and options for FY14. The meeting will take place in the Georgia Tech Auditorium in the Tech Square Research Building located at 85 Fifth Street, NW, Atlanta, 30308. Please contact your Tourism Project Manager for additional information.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:
The Tourism Product Development team presented the product development segment for Georgia Electric Membership Corporation's (GEMC) Economic Development training for elected officials in Moultrie/Colquitt County, Dodge County and the City of Snellville. This team also presented on Tourism Product Development Dahlonega, Tifton, Blackshear/Pierce County, Stone Mountain , Cobb County , Tunnel Hill, Dallas/Paulding County, and Newnan. The team also presented at the Georgia Academy for Economic Development in the following Georgia Department of Community Affairs Regions: Homerville (18 counties represented), Vidalia (17 counties represented), Americus (14 counties represented), Rome (15 counties represented), Smarr (11 counties represented) and Athens (12 counties).
Barry Brown was appointed to the Board of the Mabelton Riverline Historic Area.
Cindy Eidson was appointed to the Georgia Agritourism Advisory Council.
Tourism Product Development Resource Team final reports were presented to each of the following communities: Lakeland/Lanier County (52 attendees) and Homerville/Clinch County (62 attendees).
...................................................................................................................................................................... ARC MAP GUIDE SEEKING NOMINATIONS
The Appalachian Regional Commission and American Heritage Publishing are collaborating on the production of a tourist-oriented "map guide" designed to boost tourism to Appalachia by showcasing its food-heritage and agritourism attractions. Sites to be featured on the map guide will include local farms, farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and other distinctive food-related destinations. The map guide will be available as a free insert in the Spring 2014 issue of American Heritage magazine. Site nominations are now being accepted at www.appfoodguide.com. All nominated sites must be located in the Appalachian Region, be open to visitors and represent a local food experience for travelers. Deadline for submission is May 15. Click here for more information.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: GWINNETT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU UNVEILS NEW NAME AND BRANDING AS ATLANTA'S PLAYGROUND
The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB) announced the new name of the organization, Explore Gwinnett. This new identity encourages visitors to explore all that Atlanta's most vibrant suburb has to offer. The new name is coupled with a new tag line, "Atlanta's Playground", which speaks to Gwinnett's reputation for having no shortage of family-friendly attractions, sports and must-see events. The new logo uses shades of blue and green to convey a feeling of relaxation and leisure. Explore Gwinnett worked with Atlanta -based marketing firm, TG Madison on the new identity. In addition to the new name, colors and tagline, Explore Gwinnett also unveiled a new logo and www.ExploreGwinnett.org.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: HILTON GARDEN INN CARTERSVILLE NAMED HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to the Hilton Garden Inn Cartersville! They were named Hilton brand's 2012 Hotel of the Year.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: MCCORMICK HOSPITALITY AWARDS "AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, 2012"
Shannon Quintanilla, Banquets Supervisor, has been selected as the McCormick Hospitality Awards Program "Hospitality Ambassador of the Year, 2012." Selected from four Quarterly Service Award winners as the final Hospitality Ambassador for 2012, Shannon was recognized and presented her trophy and gifts during a special presentation at the DoubleTree Augusta. For information on the program, visit www.mccormickhospitalityawards.com.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: AMERICUS GARDEN INN BED & BREAKFAST HONORED IN THE 2013 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS' CHOICE HOTELS AWARDS
TripAdvisor has announced its 2013 Travelers' Choice awards and, Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast is a winner in the Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in the United States, placing in the Top 10 in the nation. This is the sixth time in the past seven years that the Americus Garden Inn has been recognized as a leader in hospitality by TripAdvisor. To see all of the 2013 Travelers' Choice winners, go to www.tripadvisorcom/TravelersChoice.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: TYBEE ISLAND PIRATE FESTIVAL WINS SOUTHEAST FESTIVAL AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS
The annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest was awarded Gold for Best T-Shit, Silver for Best Social Media Campaign, silver Best Creative Idea, silver for Best Website and bronze for Best Volunteer. This festival won more awards than any other event. To learn more about the Southeast Festival and Events Association and awards program, visit www.southeastfestivals.org.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE WINS PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONS AWARDS
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources awarded Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah the Most Outstanding Historic Site Operations Award and Most Innovated Special Program Award for its Colonial Cricket games. To learn more, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/wormsloe.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: AUGUSTA'S NEWEST MEETING SPACE IS NOW OPEN
Area leaders celebrated the grand opening of Augusta's newest attraction - a riverfront convention center in the heart of downtown Augusta as a transformative moment for the city on February 28. Designed by architect tvsdesign and built by contractor R.W. Allen and Associates, the $50 million Reynolds Street center incorporates a historic brick cotton warehouse into its design and features 38,000 square feet of open meeting space. The facility, which adjoins the downtown Marriott - now known as Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center - boldly marks Augusta's entry into the Southeastern convention scene, said Butch Gallop, a longtime consultant on the project. Click here to read the Augusta Chronicle article.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: TWO EAST GEORGIA STATE PARKS WERE HONORED RECENTLY WITH AWARDS FOR SUPERIOR MAINTENANCE AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Mistletoe State Park on Thurmond Lake in Columbia County received the Best Year-Round Programming Award by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. A.H. Stephens Historic Park in Crawfordville was awarded the Most Outstanding Maintenance Program Award. Click here to read the Augusta Chronicle article.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: ATHENS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND THE CLASSIC CENTER RECEIVE RECOGNITION AS GREEN MEETINGS APPROVED BY CONVENTIONSOUTH
The new $24 million expansion allows the convention center to host groups as large as 6,000 people - double the size that was previously possible. The expansion is expected to generate an additional $6 million in visitor spending in Athens, as well as create 200 new jobs in the community. The expansion was funded by a voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Visit www.classiccenter.com for more information.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: 2013 GEORGIA AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
The Georgia Agritourism Association hosted the 2013 Georgia Agritourism Conference February 27 -March 1 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, GA. This conference was designed to meet the needs of Georgia's fast-growing agritourism segment with educational sessions, exhibits, networking, and farm tours. 140 representatives from Georgia's oldest, newest and most successful agritourism destinations, along with CVB's, Chambers of Commerce, tourism councils, municipalities, regional commissions, state agencies, associations, and service providers were in attendance over the three days. To learn more about the Georgia Agritourism Association, click here.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: HAMILTON RHODODENDRON GARDENS DESIGNATED AN ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS DISPLAY GARDEN
The Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee has recently been designated as an official AllAmerica Selections Display Garden. Congratulations to the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens for named to this select group of 183 AAS Display Gardens. Click here to find out more about this program.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: ZOMBIE TELEVISION SHOW TURNS GEORGIA TOWN INTO TOURISM HUB
Frank Hollberg III, whose family has sold furniture in Senoia, Georgia since 1894, laughed as he recalled the odd sight of watching a man walk through the idyllic downtown holding a head in his hand. The head was a prop and the man an actor filming "The Walking Dead," the hit zombie-themed television series that has drawn millions of fans worldwide and helped turn the small town 25 miles south of Atlanta into a thriving tourist attraction. Senoia, pronounced "Seh-noy" by its 3,300 residents, had seen its fortunes fade after the local cotton and agricultural industries died off. But the town now boasts a retail district that grew from six to 49 businesses in half a dozen years. Click here to read the Reuters.com article.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: BEST WESTERN EVANS HOTEL RECEIVES "STARS OF THE LODGING INDUSTRY" AWARD
The Best Western Evans Hotel received a "Stars of the Lodging Industry" award (division 1) for "Good Earthkeeping" from the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association on March 19, 2013 in Atlanta. The award was presented for the hotel staff members' efforts in going eco-friendly, creative land use and community-focused recycling efforts.
...................................................................................................................................................................... GEORGIA NEWS: GEORGIA GOLF TRAIL OFFICALLY LAUNCHED ON APRIL 1
Georgia Golf & Travel LLC is pleased to announce the official launch of The Georgia Golf Trail, a collaboration of the state's top resorts and golf clubs, presenting the Peach State as a premier golf haven. Georgia Golf & Travel, a leading-edge golf marketing company in Atlanta, is working with Georgia Tourism, as well as the top golf resort destinations statewide in an effort to increase travel throughout Georgia by marketing the state as one of the leading golf destinations in the world. Georgia Golf & Travel's marketing programs will focus on attracting the traveling golfer and large industry groups, both domestic and worldwide, to Georgia with its world class golf courses and accommodations. Click here for the full press release.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: MARKET STRENGTH REFLECTED IN ROBUST BUSINESS TRAVEL OUTLOOK
Business travel serves as an important barometer for overall economic outlook and sentiment, and consistent with Wall Street's strong first quarter, employers started out the year bullish with 74 percent of business travelers expecting the same amount or more business travel in 2013, compared to last year, according to a survey of business travelers conducted by the Newsweek & The Daily Beast research department in partnership with Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide. Online adoption is also strong with 90 percent of respondents booking travel online at least some of time and 67 percent booking at least three fourths of their trips online. Mobile represents a distinct area of opportunity with only 12 percent of respondents using a mobile device to book flights or hotel rooms. click here to read the Tech Journal article.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: MARKETING THAT REACHES ALL AGES AND GENERATIONS
GACVB Winter Meeting attendees were treated to an amazing session "Marketing That Reaches All Ages and Generations," by Matt Thornhill of SIR's Boomer Project. Click here to access the recommended presentation.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: WATCH FOR BIG SHIFTS IN LOCAL BUSINESS INTERNET MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
Internet marketing these days tends to be like watching that pibal. It's changing direction almost daily and if you take your eye off the balloon, you'll have trouble figuring out where you're going to go, and where you're likely to end up. There's been an announcement of another big shift from Google this week that many small local business owners are likely to have missed. Pinterest also had a big announcement, and Facebook is at it again. Click here to access the full report from Rural Tourism Marketing.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: ATLANTA RANKS #2 ON HOTWIRE'S TOP 10 DESTINATIONS
Using their extensive knowledge of how to get the best travel deals, Hotwire created the Travel Value Index, a listing of the top ten value destinations in the United States. Destinations are ranked for their low rates, discounts, affordable entertainment, and overall appeal. Ranking second on the list is Atlanta, which they say is "consistently rated highly and is home to some of the best travel discounts (Discount Rating: 91), but also some of the country's largest cultural institutions."
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION REPORT: FAMILY VACATIONS CREATE LASTING MEMORIES
Traveling together as a family strengthens bonds and creates a lifetime of memories, according to a new study by Harris Interactive released by the U.S. Travel Association. The "Family Vacations Create Lasting Memories" survey reported many adults said that family vacations are clearly remembered decades after the fact. Sixty-two percent of the adults surveyed said their earliest memories were of family vacations taken when they were between ages 5 and 10, and these memories were significantly stronger than memories of school events or birthday celebrations. Youth participants in the survey strongly agreed that they get to see and do things on vacation that they'll remember for a long time (64 percent) and that vacations bring their family closer together (53 percent). The survey revealed that kids are enthusiastic about traveling with their grandparents. Sixty percent of the children questioned reported feeling closer to their grandparents after a family vacation together.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: 2013 CORPORATE TRAVEL INDEX: U.S. PER DIEMS AGAIN UP MARGINALLY
The average total U.S. per diem in this year's Corporate Travel Index increased by 1.6 percent from a year earlier. Though still modest, that rate of growth exceeds the 0.9 percent increase measured in the 2012 report. This year's per diem increase comprised a 6.6 percent increase in average hotel costs, including taxes and surcharges, which offset a nearly 6 percent drop in the average daily car rental cost (with taxes) and a 2.5 percent decline in the average daily cost of meals while traveling.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: TRAVEL CONTINUES TO LEAD IN THE JOB RECOVERY
David Huether, senior vice president of research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association, provides analysis on the Labor Department announcement that the U.S. economy added 236,000 jobs in February. Click here to read the full press release.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: TOP TRAVEL RANKINGS RELEASED
What is Top Travel Rankings? Top Travel Rankings is an online resource produced by the U.S. Travel Association providing more than 100 downloadable factual travel-related rankings compiled from various reputable sources, including: U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Census Bureau; National Park Service; Richard K. Miller & Associates; World Tourism Organization; and the U.S. Travel Association. Click here to see where Georgia ranks.
...................................................................................................................................................................... INDUSTRY NEWS: 5 THINGS TO KNOW FROM HOTELNEWSNOW.COM
Story Highlights include PKF-HR forecasts profit gains for 2013; MMGY: Travel sentiment surpassed pre-recession peak; Hotel closure analysis reveals interesting insights; Developers target shopping-center demand and Samsung to pre-install TripAdvisor on Galaxy S4. Click here to read the recommended HotelNewsNow.com article.
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