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CO-OP MARKETING REIMBURSEMENT GRANT UPDATE
We are pleased to announce that the Co-Op Marketing Reimbursement Grants program has remained in the state budget for another year, FY 2009-2010. However, as with all of our programs, the amount of funding available has been reduced, to $500,000 -- making this year's application process more competitive. The deadline for applying is July 31, 2009. Announcement of recipients will be made by October 15, 2009. Please look for some changes in the guidelines coming soon. |
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GDEcD's PEGGY SMITH NAMED CALL CENTER CHAMPION OF THE YEAR BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE
 The State Call Center Champions are responsible for guiding and managing customer service improvement within their call centers. They also partner with the Governor's Office of Customer Service and fellow call center champions to make statewide recommendations. The champion of the year award goes to the person who meets specific requirements with the highest percentage. Peggy has managed our state tourism call center (1- 800 VISIT GA) since 1999 and has been with the department since 1988. The Office of Customer Service is a unique program which engages all Agencies and state employees in improving service to citizens. This is done by Speeding up Service Delivery (Faster); being Helpful and Courteous (Friendlier) and Simplifying Access to state services (Easier). In January 2006 Governor Perdue signed an Executive Order creating the Office of Customer Service during the state's first Customer Service Summit. The purpose of the office is to coordinate, manage and guide the implementation of agency plans to elevate the level of customer service experienced by Georgia citizens when working with agencies for state services. The theme of the state's customer service campaign is " Team Georgia. Ready To Serve." |
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GDEcD WINS A 2009 HORIZON INTERACTIVE AWARD
 GDEcD's entry for the 2009 Horizon Interactive awards for the Georgia Dream Pass has won a Bronze award in the Website - Advertising Online category. The Horizon Interactive Awards are a prestigious international competition recognizing outstanding achievement among interactive media producers. In January of each year, the Horizon Interactive Awards receives hundreds of entries from all over the world. A panel of industry professionals, from diverse multi-media, graphic design and marketing backgrounds, review the entries to determine the work that is to be recognized. Entries are given in Gold, Silver, Bronze, and in some cases honorable mention award distinctions. |
.................................................................................................................... GDEcDs SALES TEAM UPDATE
GROUP SALES:
Katie Baasen, Kevin Langston, Anne Young and Wolfgang Streitborgerr attended the International Pow Wow marketplace in Miami, FL from May 16 - 20. Pow Wow is the largest marketplace for International Operators in the United States. GDEcD participated in pre-scheduled appointments with International tour operators, receptive operators and media representatives. Amy Clark with Athens CVB and Jeff Mills with DeKalb CVB joined GDEcD on the tradeshow floor as part of their co-op.
Please mark your calendars! Group Tour Boot Camp will take place June 18-19, 2009 in Macon at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The boot camp will focus on itinerary building in the motorcoach market. Please plan to attend to network with other state partners, hear new ideas and strategies in the group tour market. For more information, contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org. Motorcoach tracking program with the Visitor Information Centers - the VIC staff is working to gather information from companies/coaches that stop in Georgia at the centers. A monthly listing with information for motorcoach groups who stop at our state VICs is being sent out through the regional tourism representatives. Please note - the listing only includes information of the motorcoaches who are willing to share information and those who stop during operating hours. Thank you to the VIC staff for their efforts on this program. Katie Baasen attended the Historic High Country and Classic South Travel Association meetings this month. If you would like to hear what GDEcD is working on in the group market or if we can help in any way, contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org. GDEcD has launched a new e-newsletter targeted towards tour operators. " FYI from the Peach State" will be sent quarterly to tour operators around the country. If you have any updates or special offers for the tour market and would like to have the information included in the e-newsletter, please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org.
CONSUMER SALES:
AARP Life@50+ Expo - Las Vegas, NV - October 22 -24, 2009 They are expecting more than 25,000 members and others from all over the United States and abroad to attend the event. The AARP Vegas@50+ event is a great opportunity for your organization to collaborate with AARP and to reach the 50+ audience. It is an opportunity to increase Georgia's visibility among baby boomers; a demographic comprising 26 percent of the U.S. population and a driving force in the market place. Consumer Sales Manager Pam Kruseck ( pkruseck@georgia.org) will attend. Snowbird Extravaganza - Lakeland, FL - January 26 - 27, 2010 They are expecting 30,000 to 35,000 attendees of which 60% are Canadian Snowbirds and 40% are American Winter Residents. Last year attendees enjoyed the excitement, education, information and variety of activities. Consumer Sales Manager Pam Kruseck ( pkruseck@georgia.org) will attend. Southern Women's Show - Savannah, GA - February 5 - 7, 2010 The Southern Women's Show attracts more than 12,000 women over a 3-day period. These consumer shows target women with give-a-ways and tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health & well-being, shopping, travel and much more! Consumer Sales Manager Pam Kruseck ( pkruseck@georgia.org) will attend. |
................................................................................................................................................................... GDEcD's RESEARCH UPDATE
The 2008 preliminary economic impact data is now available. Despite 2008 being a trying year for the tourism industry, the preliminary economic impact numbers are favorable. Direct tourism expenditures increased by 2 percent with the public transportation sector leading this increase. This information matches with the national data being released by ABA and NTA stating that as consumers get more comfortable with public transportation they are looking towards motor coaches and group tour options as the most economical, environmental and enjoyable way to travel. State and local tax revenue generated by tourism expenditures increased .9 percent. Despite falling state revenues, tourism continued to be a leading and profitable industry for the state of Georgia.
Consumer Travel
The consumer confidence index saw a considerable increase in April up to 39.2 from 26.9 in March. Consumer confidence expectations are also on the rise, the driving factor is the improvement in the short term outlook.
This information coupled with the Traveler Sentiment index suggests that travelers will continue to travel this summer. AAA released their forecast for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and compared to last year, visitor volume is expected to increase 1.5 percent.
A study conducted by U.S. Travel and IPSOS showed that the H1N1outbreak will have a minimal effect on travel plans. This survey conducted in early May found that 99 percent of Americans reported being very or somewhat aware of the outbreak. Nonetheless, 95 perfect of those who had plans to travel between May and August 2009 kept those plans intact.
Group Travel
Ernst & Young released a statement stating the upscale SMERF market has remained impressively strong despite the economy. Please visit the newly redesigned research section of www.marketgeorgia.org. It is user friendly and offers easy access to the multitude of research reports available. You can also find the latest research newsletter that offers a plethora of national and local tourism data. |
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GDEcD's VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER (VIC) UPDATE
Visitation to Georgia's Visitors Information Centers remains strong and was up 4% from this time last year. |
.................................................................................................................... OFFICIAL STATE TRAVEL GUIDE - "TAKE 2"
 Next time you head to a doctor appointment, to get your hair cut, or get your oil changed (or anywhere you have to wait in a waiting room) - take along GDEcD's award-winning State Travel Guides to leave in the waiting room. More Georgians are taking vacations closer to home this year, and having great information at just the right time could have a real impact. "Take 2" to your next appointment! |
.................................................................................................................... GDEcD's TOURISM DIVISION RADIO MEDIA TOUR
We have finalized our Radio Media Tour with Dr. Jeff Ashby featuring, "Affordable Summer Trips" in our feeder markets, placing one or more interviews in each market (Birmingham, Charlotte, Greenville/Spartanburg, Jacksonville and Georgia). In conjunction with Dr. Ashby's radio tour, Kevin Langston and Dr. Ashby conducted a 15-20 minute interview on Georgia News Network that aired on 83 Georgia affiliates on May 4. |
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GDEcD, BRAND ATLANTA AND HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT JOIN FORCES
To capitalize on the millions of travelers passing through the world's busiest airport, the GDEcD partnered with Brand Atlanta on the production of a co-branded video. It showcases the many assets of the city as well as the state. This video, called the 'Story Book Video' is currently playing in the E Concourse, at international arrivals and snippets are being shown on the CNN airport channel. GDEcD's Georgia International Video is also playing in the E Concourse. |
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....................................................................................................................................... GREAT GPS GIVEAWAY SWEEPSTAKES
 GDEcD is sponsoring the Great GPS Giveaway sweepstakes. Every month through October 2009, visitors and residents alike are invited to submit their Georgia vacation photos on www.ExploreGeorgia.org. All submitted photos will also be considered for use in state publications and collateral materials, including the state's official 2010 Travel Guide. The submitted photos may be featured on ExploreGeorgia.org, and a new winner will take home the grand prize each month: a brand-new Garmin GPS. Contestants can upload as many photographs as they wish: the more times they enter, the greater their chances of winning. Visit www.ExploreGeorgia.org for full contest rules and entry forms.
April's Winner: "Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race"
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STATE AWARDS ROUND 2 HERITAGE TOURISM GRANTS FOR CEMETERY PROJECTS
 The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Tourism Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that they jointly awarded six grants totaling $8,000 for heritage tourism cemetery projects located throughout the state. The dual agency grant program was created in response to the increasing interest Georgians have in the preservation and promotion of the historic cemeteries located within their communities. Twenty-three applications requesting $46,614 was received. This Special Historic Cemetery Heritage Tourism Program (Round 2) is funded by GDEcD and administered by HPD. For the complete press release, click here. |
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SAVANNAH NAMED 'MOST MANNERLY CITY'
According to USA Today, they've been rival Southern cities for 276 years, but Savannah and Charleston, S.C., aren't going to risk their courtly reputations by fighting over which one is " America's Most Mannerly City." After a 12-year reign, Charleston officials have agreed with a survey's organizer that it has held the "Most Mannerly" title long enough, opting to cede it to its Colonial-era sister city on the Georgia coast. For the full USA Today article, click here. |
....................................................................................................................................................................... NEW WEB SITE: U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES DISCOVERAMERICA.COM
 A new Web site has been launched to help Americans explore their own country. DiscoverAmerica.com includes an interactive map that gives mileage from city to city, an activity finder listing more than 3,000 experiences, attractions and events, including museums, gardens, ski slopes, festivals and parks; and links to travel booking sites like Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia and Priceline. The site also offers links to tourism information for all 50 states, as well as for more than 100 cities and other destinations. DiscoverAmerica.com is billed as the official tourism site for the U.S. and was created by the U.S. Travel Association, formerly known as the Travel Industry Association, which is based in Washington. For the complete Associated Press article, click here. |
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TUMBLING WATERS RECOGNIZED AS GEORGIA'S BEST CONFERENCE RESORT
Tumbling Waters Retreat & Conference Center has been named the "Official Best Conference Resort of Georgia," and was featured during the Saturday, May 16 airing of the Official Best of Georgia on CBS-WGCL and on the popular OfficialBestOf.com travel website. Tumbling Waters Retreat & Conference Center hosts all-inclusive meetings, conferences, teambuilding retreats, youth and school groups, and special events in the tranquility of the north Georgia mountains in Clayton. For more information, visit www.tumblingwaters.org. |
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........................................................................................................................................... NATIONAL TRAILS DAY EVENTS IN GEORGIA'S STATE PARKS
 Georgians of all ages will lace up their hiking boots and pull out their paddles as they celebrate National Trails Day on June 6. Public events are scheduled in many of the state's most scenic parks and historic sites, such as Skidaway Island, Etowah Indian Mounds and Sweetwater Creek. Sponsored by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day is held the first Saturday of each June and highlights 200,000 miles of trails that crisscross our nation. For more information on Trails Day events, click here. |
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CALL FOR ART: FREE FORM ARTISTIC DESIGN BICYCLE RACK AT THE CLASSIC CENTER
 The Classic Center Cultural Foundation invites professional and amateur Athens artists of all backgrounds to participate in a Request for Proposal for a Call for Art for an artist- designed free-form bicycle rack. The primary goals of this project are to promote energy conservation by encouraging citizens and visitors to safely bike to The Classic Center and to provide public useable art for aesthetically functional bicycle parking. Proposals are due July 17, 2009. For more information, click here. |
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PRESS RELEASE: DISCOVER GEORGIA'S SUMMER HOTSPOTS
 Turn nearby Georgia locations into your favorite summer hotspots and discover the memorable vacations that are in your own backyard. A three-day jaunt to the north Georgia mountains, a fun-filled family weekend in Atlanta, a relaxing visit to the Golden Coast or an outdoor exploration of middle Georgia all offer spectacular experiences for a traveler on a quick getaway. For the complete press release, click here. |
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PRESS RELEASE: EXPLORE GEORGIA FACEBOOK FAN PAGE LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE TOURISM
 The Georgia Department of Economic Development's (GDEcD) Tourism Division has launched the "Explore Georgia" Facebook fan page. The page is updated regularly and encourages fans to travel within the state and discover the many unique and unexpected destinations around Georgia. For the complete press release, click here. |
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PRESS RELEASE: CELEBRATE NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK AT WEEKEND EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE
Whether you hop in a hot air balloon, swap recipes at an annual peach festival or pack your squirt gun and head to the beach, be sure to celebrate some of Georgia's favorite pastimes May 15-17 as a part of the 26th annual National Tourism Week, which has as its theme, "Discover Great American Traditions." For the complete press release, click here. |
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PRESS RELEASE: 26TH ANNUAL NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK RECOGNIZED IN GEORGIA
The Georgia Department of Economic Development's (GDEcD) Tourism Division joins hundreds of cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognition of the 26th annual National Tourism Week, to be held May 9-17. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event celebrates the value and scope of the nation's $740 billion travel and tourism industry, and the economic and social contributions it brings to Georgia.
For the complete press release, click here. |
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PRESS RELEASE: HISTORY MAKERS CALL GEORGIA HOME
Georgia has a long tradition of placing stars on the national and international stages. Drawing on an eclectic mix of personalities, professions and communities, Georgia has produced many famous Americans. U.S. presidents, musicians, literary masters and civil rights leaders have all left their mark on the world after being shaped and influenced by Georgia. Explore these famous Georgians and the sites associated with them and see where history is made. For the complete press release, click here. |
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PRESS RELEASE: EXPLORE GEORGIA BY LAND, WATER AND AIR
 A plethora of entertaining outdoor activities await you in Georgia. For every adventure -biking, skydiving, boating, hiking, rafting and more - the Peach State is the perfect place to head outdoors. And with her mild spring weather coaxing blooms out of azaleas and dogwoods all over the state, now is a beautiful time to head into the sunshine for these land, water and air activities. For the complete press release, click here. |
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........................................................................................................................................... TRAVEL TRENDS: MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRAVEL EXPECTED TO INCREASE EVEN AS GAS PRICES RISE
Even as Americans are being pummeled by dismal details about the economy, the flailing auto industry and job loss, there is some positive news for the travel industry on the horizon: AAA has projected that the number of Americans traveling this Memorial Day weekend will rise slightly from last year. It's expected that approximately 32.4 million people will travel 50 or more miles away from home, up 1.5 percent from last year. For the full article, click here. |
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...................................................................................................................................................................... TRAVEL TRENDS: AMERICAN EXPRESS SURVEY REPORTS TOP SUMMER TRAVEL TRENDS
Provide A new survey of more than 600 American Express Travel agents suggests that while Americans continue to book summer vacations, they are being savvier travelers and making smart tradeoffs to help offset their travel costs. In fact, the vast majority of agents polled say their clients are adjusting to the recession by making slight changes to help offset their summer vacation costs. And according to agents (92 percent), topping the list of popular money-saving strategies is using credit card rewards points and/or frequent flyer miles toward the cost of summer vacations. "Consumers are looking for ways to stretch their travel dollars," said Tracey Beberman, vice president of Membership Rewards Marketing & Partnerships, American Express. "We're certainly seeing this at American Express. Our cardmembers are using Membership Rewards points to book everything from flights to cruises to vacation tour packages. It's a smart strategy to help get more out of a summer vacation while spending less." For more information, click here. |
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........................................................................................................................................... TRAVEL TRENDS: IATA REPORTS PREMIUM TRAVEL NUMBERS CONTINUE TO FALL
 IATA reported that the fall in passenger numbers slowed in March, to a decline of 9.3 percent following February's 9.6 percent fall. However, this slowdown was entirely due to February's fall being exaggerated by the comparison with February 2008, which was boosted by an extra day's traffic due to the leap year. The late Easter this year accentuated the decline in March, but to a lesser degree than the distortion in February. Unlike air freight there is no indication in the data yet that the decline in passenger travel has reached a bottom. The number of passengers traveling on premium tickets was down 19.2 percent, compared with the previous month's decline of 21.1 percent. Economy travel slowed marginally from 8.3 percent to 8.2 percent. Once adjusted for leap year and Easter both travel classes remain in decline. Business confidence is improving and world trade appears to have bottomed but the travel data is consistent with the view that business expectations of recovery remain weak while consumers remain concerned about job security and their highly leveraged balanced sheets. For more information, click here. |
...................................................................................................................................................................... TRAVEL TRENDS: U.S. TRAVELERS - NEARLY 90% TAKING SUMMER VACATION, 27% TAKING MORE TIME THAN LAST YEAR
 TripAdvisor announced the results of its annual summer travel survey of more than 1,800 U.S. respondents. Eighty-nine percent are planning a leisure trip this summer, nearly equal to one year ago. Among those taking summer getaways, 26 percent plan to take between seven to 10 days, 21 percent expect 11 to 14 days, and 18 percent are scheduling two to three weeks. Twenty-seven percent said they will take more vacation time this summer than last, while 56 percent intend to take the same amount. For more information, click here. |
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...................................................................................................................................................................... TRAVEL TRENDS: THE HOTTEST TRAVEL TRENDS FOR SUMMER 2009
In 2009, everything old is new again. Travelers are being more cautious during the economic downturn, and want a summer vacation that's going to give them the best experience for their hard-earned dollars and vacation time. Family vacations, road trips, and classic destinations are popular this summer, and deals are plentiful. High supply and decreased demand has created a buyers' (i.e., travelers') market. For the full article, click here. | |
