Tourism February '04 in review . . . Volume 24 February Governor Sonny Perdue Glenn Cornell GDITT Commissioner Xavier Roberts with members of GDITT's tourism staff and The Regional Tourism Cabbage Patch Kid Ambassador babies. EVENTS: TOURISM SUMMIT, TOURISM DAY AT CAPITOL Georgia's public and private sector joined forces February 4-5, during the 2004 Tourism Summit and Tourism Day at the Capitol, to support and help make policy changes for the promotion of the state's second largest industry. The resounding theme of the two day event was "Tourism is Economic Development." Over 200 tourism advocates from across the state joined with Georgia leaders, the corporate community, and government officials to discuss policy issues and the importance of tourism's role as an economic driver within Georgia. "I think a case has been made that tourism is the best investment." Glenn Cornell, Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (GDITT) Commissioner, said during the Tourism Summit. "When the economy turns back to a normal level, I think we will see a dramatic increase in the tourism budget." During the Tourism Day at the Capitol activities Governor Sonny Perdue was presented with a ceremonial check for $682,900,000, representing the tourism industry's contribution to state tax revenues, followed by Governor Perdue announcing the creation of the Georgia Tourism Council. He also offered his support to tourism legislation providing more flexibility in public-private partnerships promoting tourism. "Tourism is one of Georgia's leading industries, and we can make it even better by working more cooperatively within state government and with the private sector," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We are fortunate to live in a state with an abundance of tourism destinations. These two initiatives will help us promote the Georgia we all know and love." The council will work to unify Georgia's overall tourism strategy by ensuring coordination, cooperation and communication among all state agencies, their tourism-related programs, and private-sector stakeholders. The council was created through Executive Order. It will work closely with the Commission for a New Georgia and its tourism taskforce. Also during the 2004 Tourism Day at the Georgia Capitol press conference Gov. Perdue praised Xavier Roberts, founder and creator of BabyLand General Hospital and the Cabbage Patch Kids for his contributions to tourism and economic development in Georgia. The BabyLand General staff then made a presentation announcing the Regional Tourism Cabbage Patch Kid Ambassador babies, specially designed for each of Georgia's travel regions, during a special Cabbage Patch Kids 21st Birthday Party at the state capitol. Tourism February '04 in review . . . Volume 24 February MARKETING The Tourism Division's new summer postcard campaign will have a new look thanks to students from the Savannah College of Art and Design. The graphic design class pitched their ideas for a summer postcard series to GDITT as part of a student project. It was a win-win situation, giving students real life client experience, while providing the state with a great creative direct mail campaign. The postcard design was chosen from one of 16 different presentations. Look for the implementation of the students' work coming to a mailbox near you this summer. RESEARCH According to Smith Travel Research Standard Historical Trend report, Georgia's overall hotel revenue for 2003 was down 1.36% over 2002, resulting in $33 million in lost revenues. All regions were up at least 3% except for the Atlanta Metro region, which showed a 4.9% decrease in revenues over 2002, resulting in $73 million in lost revenue for the region. All regions increased their Average Daily Rate (ADR) over 2002, except for the Atlanta Metro region, which showed a $2.56 decrease. Occupancy was also up in all regions except for the Atlanta Metro area which had a 1.1% decrease in occupancy. Georgia = 56.28% Occupancy, ADR $67.33, Revenue down 1.36% over 2002 Nation = 59.2% Occupancy, ADR $83.28, Revenue up 1.5% over 2002 SALES Georgia's first Southern Women's Show in Savannah, Feb. 13-15, was well attended with over 10,600 visitors from South Carolina and the coastal area of Georgia. GDITT Tourism Sales Manager Laurie Rowe and the Savannah Visitor Information Center staff represented the state and distributed information about special events in Georgia. The consumer shows are open to members of the Georgia Tourism industry for co-op, for only a minimal fee to reach this market. For more information on co-op sales opportunities with GDITT please go to www.MarketGeorgia.org. Tourism February '04 in review . . . Volume 24 February INTERNATIONAL GDITT hosted an Atlanta media familiarization (FAM) tour for editors of Germany's largest tourism publications, February 20-22. The FAM is one of three scheduled tours for FTI in 2004, which have chosen Georgia as their featured "Destination of the Year." FTI's catalogue is distributed to consumers in over 2,500 German travel agencies. The FTI Touristik tour included editors from FVW, Travel One, Touristik Aktuell, CASH, ddp GmbH, and Reutlinger General-Anzeiger. Marc Matthews from Delta Airlines in Munich Germany also attended along with GDITT German Tourism Representative Marcel Bodenbenner. The group toured CNN, MLK National Historic Site, Stone Mountain Park, Buckhead, Atlanta History Center, and Virginia Highlands. Also in February, GDITT Global Sales Manager Bob Harris represented Georgia during the Receptive Services of America trade show in New York. Harris had the opportunity to meet with 20 international and domestic receptive tour operators to promote Georgia as a destination. On February 1-3, GDITT's sales team completed a sales blitz in Orlando, Florida calling on 15 tour operators and international receptive tour operators. VICS Two of Georgia's 11 Visitor Information Centers are undergoing facelifts. The bathrooms at the Kingsland and Savannah centers are both being remodeled. Construction started Monday, February 16 and is expected to be completed in eight to 10 weeks. The Georgia Department of Transportation is spearheading the project. On Presidents Day, the Plains Visitor Center played Presidential Trivia with visitors traveling through Georgia. If the visitors answered three questions correct, they were given prizes of sun visors, tote bags, bandannas and peanut pins. Warm wishes go out to JoAnn VanHook, who is retiring on February 27. VanHook has been a member of the Savannah VIC team for the past 11 years and will be greatly missed. Mark your calendars! On April 3, 2004, the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism will host See Georgia First travel show. Join Georgia's sales team at the Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah to help promote state attractions, destinations, events and resorts. Please note that the See Georgia First show does not compete with the Stay & See Georgia Travel Show. This mini travel show will enforce in-state marketing efforts statewide. For more information contact Dorothy Davis, Georgia Visitor Information Center, Savannah at 912-963-2546 or email ddavis@georgia.org . Tourism February '04 in review . . . Volume 24 February FULFILLMENT 930,587 GOMM guides distributed in 2003! Usage of Georgia's state travel guide "Georgia On My Mind" for 2003 increased by 387,005 over 2002. A total of 930,587 travel guides were distributed in 2003 through fulfillment requests, visitor centers, local welcome centers, tourism trade shows, Kroger Host Kit promotions, media and bulk requests from the public. For more detailed information on Georgia travel guide distributions go to www.MarketGeorgia.org. Course at Reynolds Plantation Golf Resort PUBLIC RELATIONS Georgia has long been recognized as the home of some of the world's best vacation destinations and now two of Georgia's finest coastal accommodations have received national attention for their luxury, beauty and comfort. The Ballastone Inn in Savannah and the Lodge on Little St. Simon's Island have each been named among the top 10 destinations in the world. The Ballastone Inn was named by Money magazine as one of the world's top six romantic getaways and The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island was named one of the world's top 10 "great escapes" by the prestigious Robb Report magazine in their February issue. The Zagat Suvey 2004 America's Top Golf Courses has named The RitzCarlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation one of the best golf resorts in the country. According to the survey, guests of The Ritz-Carlton will play the highest-rated courses in the U.S. Reynolds Plantation tied for the number 1 ranking with Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits/Blackwolf Run and Pinehurst Resort. The Reynolds Plantation golf resort includes The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation and 81 holes of golf. Georgia's Tourism division produced several press releases in February including "Georgia's Coast-Home to World-Class Accommodations," "Get Your R&R in Georgia-First Class Spa Treatments Make Indulgent Valentine's Gifts" and "Tourism Day at the Capital / Tourism Summit." Upcoming spring press releases include topics on Georgia golf, entertainment, movies and music trail and unique roadside attractions. Mark your calendar for several GDITT media and public relations projects planned through the remainder of fiscal year 2004. Coordination is well underway for the 2004 Travel Media Marketplace in Athens and four Georgia FAM tours set for March 19-24. The theme is centered on Georgia's movie, music and entertainment destinations. April 19-22, targeted Golf publication writers will take a FAM tour to several of the state's premier golf destinations; May 19-21, will be a New York editorial tour, pitching "What's New in Georgia" to national consumer publications; June 8-10 is the G-8 Summit; and June 23 or 24 will be an editorial tour. Tourism February '04 in review . . . Volume 24 February WHAT'S NEW The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel is now home to the only two peach trees in downtown. Joined by Mayor Shirley Franklin and more than 50 downtown business leaders, the hotel commemorated on February 10 the official groundbreaking of its $8.5 million, 33,000-square-foot conference center addition. Pictured left to right: Steve Houser, director of sales and marketing, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel; Mary Hynes-Talhouk, senior director, Starwood Hotels; A.J. Robinson, president, Central Atlanta Progress; Paul Breslin, managing director, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel; Mayor Shirley Franklin; and Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.