Welcome to the Peach Byte, the email newsletter from Georgia Tourism! Look for the Peach Byte in your inbox each month with updates on Georgia's tourism industry and news you can use to strengthen your business. Throughout the month, check marketgeorgia.org for resources and information about travel and tourism in the Peach State.

1. Get Involved in the State's Culinary Tourism Initiative

   Celebrating the Flavors of Georgia is the primary focus of Georgia Tourism's marketing and communications strategy for 2015, and five "Big Bang" projects are planned as highlights for the year. There are a number of ways you can get your community involved in each of the exciting projects, and some deadlines are this week. Get plugged into the initiative and see how you can spread the word about your community's culinary assets to Georgia travelers.




2. 2016 Georgia Travel Guide Criteria and Deadlines

   It seems like we just unveiled the 2015 version, but we are already discussing production and editorial ideas for the 2016 Georgia Travel Guide. The criteria for the accommodations and attractions that will be included in the Georgia Travel Guide have changed, and deadlines have been set for critical milestones. Review the changes to the criteria and the deadlines so you don't miss the chance to be included in the guide next year.




3. Georgia Tourism Debuts Experts Program

   Have you seen the new videos of Georgia's Culinary Explorer sampling Savannah's food scene? And, did you see the blog from Georgia's Smart Travel Explorer about low-cost spring break destinations in Georgia? The Explorers are offering first-hand insight into what to see and do across the state on ExploreGeorgia.org. Look at what they've been up to!




4. Gear Up for National Travel & Tourism Week (May 2-10, 2015)

   National Travel and Tourism Week will be May 2-10, 2015, and Travel Rally Day is May 5. The travel community typically marks the week in a number of creative ways, from staging local rallies and conducting media outreach to securing proclamations and resolutions from local governments. Start planning your local events with information and a toolkit from the U.S. Travel Association.




5. Download presentations from the 2015 RVIC Conference in Columbus, Feb. 25-27

   Tourism professionals from Georgia's Visitor Information Centers and Regional Visitor Information Centers met for professional development in Columbus in late February. Attendees enjoyed networking and discovering practical solutions to take their centers to the next level. Find lots of great tips from the presenters in one place on marketgeorgia.org.




6. Welcome, Research Director Andria Godfrey 

   The tourism division is excited to announce the newest member to join our team! On March 2, 2015, Andria Godfrey began her new position as the Research Director for Georgia Tourism. Read more about Andria and welcome her to Georgia!








7. Apply for a scholarship to attend STS Marketing College

   The Georgia Department of Economic Development and Miles, Interactive Agency of Record for the GDEcD, will offer a full scholarship to the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College to a tourism marketing professional working in the state of Georgia. Scholarship applications are now available online. Deadline: April 24, 2015.