Athens, Georgia- January 27, 2010 - Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Chuck Jones and CVB Leisure Travel Marketing Director Amy Clark were among tourism industry representatives who gathered for the 2010 Tourism Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 27. The annual initiative both educates and celebrates the significant role tourism plays in Georgia's economy. The tourism industry presented a check representing the $850.6 million in state tax revenue generated from tourism-related expenditures. Tourism is the state's second-largest industry, providing 241,500 jobs and $6.9 billion in resident wages.

 

Jones and Clark called on the Athens legislative delegation, met with new Secretary of State Brian Kemp and attended the "Tourism Day Grassroots 101 Seminar." Jones also participated in the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia's board meeting and a tourism dinner for the House and Senate Economic Development Committees.

 

Jones remarks, "Tourism is economic development in its purest form.  The hospitality industry is Georgia's second- largest, and its continued health is key to stimulating small business growth and accompanying jobs.  With continued commitment and funding for the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Tourism Division, all Georgia destinations, including Athens, will benefit from increased visitor spending and tax revenues."

 

As a major destination in our state, Athens plays a critical role in state policy development and reaps the benefits of a strong tourism platform.  Jones is a former Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus president and Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia chair and presently serves on the latter organization's board of directors.

 

The new 2010 annual Georgia Travel Guide was also unveiled to the industry. The 2010 Travel Guide features the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen C. Foster State Park on the cover.  This full-color, magazine-size guide provides visitors with information on hundreds of Georgia cities, towns, attractions and accommodations. The state will distribute 750,000 guides through Visitor Information Centers, www.ExploreGeorgia.org, travel and trade shows and 1-800-VISIT GA. The Georgia Department of Economic Development partners with Emmis Custom Publishing, (publisher of Atlanta Magazine), on the Georgia Travel Guide each year.