| Athens Now:
The monthly newsletter of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau |
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Spring Travel Season- It Adds Up
Spring is in the air! It's a busy time for pleasure-seekers in Athens. So why is the leisure traveler so important to our community? According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the return on investment (ROI) for tourism advertising is $7.74 in state taxes. This is an immediate return, often within less than three months. Clarke County attracts a significant number of heritage tourists who value the vibrant arts and music scene in Athens. Travelers spend more money on heritage/cultural trips, $994 on average, than is spent on the average U.S. trip ($611).* Even better, we can count on the leisure
heritage/cultural traveler to stay longer. The length of stay for a whole trip is 4.7 nights for a heritage/cultural traveler, while only 3.4 nights for all other travelers (U.S. Travel Assn). Welcome spring! And welcome leisure travelers!
* Source: U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 2009.
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M&C Spotlight
The economy continues to impact the meetings industry. Associations and corporations continue to books events, but some of their meeting budgets and attendance levels have decreased. We are seeing more short-term booked business. The CVB is responding by:
- Collaborating with local hotels and The Classic Center on a three-pronged plan of work, consisting of developing a joint prospect list, contacting the prospects on the list, and touching every one of our existing customers by showing our appreciation.
- Positioning Athens to be the meeting site of choice for education groups.
- Joining additional industry associations and exhibiting at more trade shows to attract more regional business as we prepare for The Classic Center expansion.
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Instituting lead sharing with other Georgia CVBs.
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Hosting numerous luncheons and special events for Atlanta-based meeting planners.
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Promoting Athens to third-party meeting planners at the Conference Direct trade show and through other activities.
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Participating in the Religious Conference Management Assn. convention.
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 | | FAM dinner at East-West Bistro |
Travel South Thanks
The CVB is extremely grateful for the support and participation from partners for the Travel South Showcase held in Atlanta February 22-24. In addition to making contact with 20 tour operators at the Expo in Atlanta, Athens hosted 12 tour operator companies for a familiarization tour and two journalists for press tours. Athens and the Antebellum Trail enjoyed a high level of interest from both operators and media at this event promoting group travel to the southeast.
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 Hospitality Newsmakers - David Dukes has joined Benson Hospitality Group, formerly Motel Enterprises as Vice President of Business Development.
- Robert Jahn, formerly General Manager at Hotel Indigo, has begun a new role with Rialto Property Partners as Director of New Business Development. He will be based in St. Simons Island, GA.
- Local chef and restaurateur Hugh Acheson will appear on Season 3 of Top Chef Masters, premiering April 6 on Bravo.
- Current Bread for Life students recently participated in a familiarization tour of Athens, with stops at the Athens Welcome Center, Foundry Park Inn & Spa, East-West Bistro, and the Lyndon House Arts Center.
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 SAVE THE DATE: |
March 16 Economic Development Summit, with Governor Deal8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dahlonega, GA More info***
April 13 - 14 Georgia Cities Fdn. Heart & Soul Bus Tour comes to Athens More info
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April 20 Georgia Luncheon @ Southern Progress HQBirmingham, AL Contact Amy Clark for more info
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April 20 CVB Advisory Board joint mtg. with DABA
Hotel Indigo 5:30 p.m. RSVP: Venessa Banks706.357.4432 ***
May 12 - 16 Travel Media MarketplaceBlue Ridge/Ellijay Pre- or Post- FAM in Athens More info
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