Tourism in review [Oct. 2002]

Tourism

October '02 in review . . .

Volume 8 October

... Congratulations to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter who won the Nobel Peace Prize Oct. 11 for his world humanitarian efforts. Carter has been a longtime supporter of human rights and economic development through tourism, especially in his hometown of Plains. Carter, who will speak on rural tourism development, will be the Keynote speaker during the upcoming Georgia Tourism Summit set for November 10-12 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain.
... The "Georgia Getaways" summer advertising campaign, launched by The Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT) in June, yielded a $7.63 return on investment for every dollar spent on advertising, according to a newly released conversion study by Longwoods International. The one million dollars in supplemental funding, allocated by the Governor and State Legislature to help bolster Georgia's tourism recovery efforts post 9/11, has proven to be successful.
The Advertising Campaign: Ran on 18 stations (12 TV, 6 Radio) in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North and
South Carolina and Tennessee (drive market) Over 2,500 30- and 60-second spots aired Media outlets donated an added value of $1,366,545 in advertising, raising the
total media value to $2,340,456 45 getaway trips (estimated average value of $300 each) were donated by
industry partners around the State. Interactive elements included website promotions, mall promotions, live radio
remotes and sweepstakes
The Results: 1,370,400 additional trips taken to Georgia due to the campaign 543,000-day trips 827,400 overnight trips (average 3.3 nights) $185.7 million in tourist expenditures $7.4 million in taxes generated $7.63 return on each dollar of investment 122,960 additional trips projected to be taken over the next year, resulting in
$16.8 million in tourist expenditures and $671,331 in tax revenue
... GDITT helped coordinate activities for a group of 30 nursing professionals from the Kings Fund Program in the United Kingdom in October. The group stayed in DeKalb County at the Hilton Garden Inn and visited a number of attractions during their week of meetings in the Atlanta area. Many of the attendees also went on tours throughout the State of Georgia, including the mountain and the coastal regions.

WWW.GEORGIAONMYMIND.ORG

Tourism

October '02 in review . . .

Volume 8 October

... The Rhythms of the South Marketplace was held in Atlanta, October 17-20. GDITT was a participant and sponsor through the co-op program. This event matched 94 international tour operators with over 100 suppliers from Georgia and the Travel South states. The State of Georgia had 26 suppliers participating in the show. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter were the honorary chairpersons of the event. Rhythms of the South participants attended events at Stone Mountain Park's Crossroads, the Marietta Square, the Atlanta Hard Rock Caf and a group of tour operators participated in a post-marketplace FAM tour of Georgia's Coastal region.
... GDITT hosted the Delta Airlines United Kingdom Business Forum in Georgia's Coastal Region in October. The group of 12 northern UK managers and directors of Delta's top producing accounts stayed at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. They also toured the Villas by the Sea, the Cloister and Lodge at Sea Island, the King and the Prince, the Westin Savannah Harbor and The Club at Savannah Harbor. The Brunswick-Golden Isle CVB hosted a tour of Jekyll Island, Brunswick, St. Simons and Sea and a tour of the Savannah area was hosted by Old Savannah Tours.
... The Birmingham Southern Women's Show was held on Oct. 10-13. GDITT representatives Peggy Smith and Nija Vereen were hard at work selling Georgia destinations by handing out nearly 70 cases (2,040) of Georgia travel guides to the 27,854 attendees at the conference. They won second place for Best Travel and Tourism Booth out of approximately 350 exhibitors. Co-op partners for the event were Anna Brostrom, Tour & travel Sales Manager, Alpharetta CVB and Debbie Appling, Sales Director, Bradbury Suites Hotel.
... The Jacksonville Southern Women's Show was held on October 17-20. GDITT also worked this event with 30,639 people in attendance and 304 exhibitors. GDITT handed out 88 cases (2,640) of travel guides. The co-op partner was Margie Chamberlain, Information Specialist with Augusta Visitor Information. Statesboro, Macon, Gwinnett, and Bradbury Suites Hotel all sent brochures.
... According to the latest Visitor Information Center figures, 36% of visitors who stopped at the centers from July through September this year decided to stay longer in Georgia because of the information they received while they were here. This percentage is up 5% from 6 months ago and is 2.5% higher than the national norm. Of the 36% of visitors who extended their stay, 37% stayed a half-day longer, 40% stayed one day/night longer and 15% stayed 2 days/nights longer.
... According to the latest figures from Smith Travel Research, hotel revenue for the entire state of Georgia is up for September 10.45% over September 2001. The Calendar Year 4th Quarter revenue figure is expected to be up. This is due to the significant drop in the 4th quarter of 2001. The rise in revenue should cause the State to finish higher overall in 2002 than 2001. Year-to-date figures show the State has a 1.45% decrease in revenue from 2001.
WWW.GEORGIAONMYMIND.ORG

Tourism

October '02 in review . . .

Volume 8 October

... Rand McNally asked the Tourism Division for help updating and confirming information about Scenic Drive Points of Interest for their revised Georgia map. Our hats are off to the staff of the Augusta VIC for working with GDITT to help confirm information and make changes on the Rand McNally project.
... The Augusta Visitor Center began answering the overflow of 1-800-VISIT GA calls in October. They will assist callers needing detailed information on Georgia. The original call goes to the contractor and then is transferred to Augusta if they are unable to adequately assist the caller. The Sylvania Center has been handling the calls for the past 14 months and has been doing a great job. Both Augusta and the Sylvania Centers currently handle all the website inquiries. Thanks to both centers for their eagerness to handle other responsibilities.
... Swamp Gravy, Georgia's Folk Life Play in Colquitt, celebrated its 10-year anniversary with great fanfare October 4th. GDITT Sales Manager Laurie Rowe, Media Relations Manager Trish Croll, and Regional Representative Mary Jo Dudley represented the State Tourism Division at the event along with Georgia Legislators, dignitaries and local VIPs. Swamp Gravy was created by the community and has "A Story to Tell" about real people. The musical play has created a huge economic impact for the small town and county and brought an entire community together.
... GDITT's latest Bus Tour, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles - Driving Georgia's Prosperity," traveled through the Historic Heartland and the Presidential Pathways tourism regions Oct. 3-4. The group of representatives from Industry, Trade and Tourism stopped in 10 communities along the route. Tourism Division representatives Janis Cannon, Kevin Langston, Ginger Taylor, Carl Eggerson and Molly Gilbert toured a Public Safety Training Facility (where Janis practiced a "controlled" hydroplaning skid), the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Callaway Southern Pine Conference Center and the FDR Little White House.

.

WWW.GEORGIAONMYMIND.ORG