Atlanta,
GA – July 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / Travel
South USA is pleased to announce that its twelve state region registered
a record 2.5 million overseas visitor arrivals in 2014. Travel South USA
is the official regional marketing organization for the Southern United
States and its mission is to promote, foster, and encourage travel to and
within the states of Alabama,
Arkansas,
Georgia,
Kentucky,
Louisiana,
Mississippi,
Missouri,
North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee,
Virginia
and West Virginia.
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Additionally,
overseas visitation to the Travel South USA region grew nearly 21% over
2013, almost tripling the overall United States visitation growth, which
was 7.4%. The Travel South USA region received 7.4% of all overseas visitors
in 2014, up from 6.6% in 2013.
A shift
in demand for travel to the South – from strong traditional markets such
as the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy
– led to the Travel South USA region’s growth in visitation. In addition,
the Travel South USA region garnered impressive growth in emerging markets
such as Brazil, China and Australia, a growth market and countries of emphasis
for Travel South USA in 2014.
In
2014 more leisure visitors traveled to and within the region. Student travel
was up, as well as the number of first-time visitors to the Travel South
USA region. Sightseeing, visiting small towns and touring historical locations
were among the top leisure activities that attracted international visitors.
The South’s reputation for fine dining also attracted overseas visitors.
“I’m
delighted that our marketing efforts are resonating with international
audiences and influencing visitation,” said Duane Parrish, Chairman of
the Board of Directors for Travel South USA. “Through strategic, collaborative
campaigns, we showcased the South’s history, culture, food and natural
beauty, and set the stage for more tourism growth.”
Travel
South USA credits collaborative marketing for the significant increase
in international visitation to the Southern United States. The twelve state
region successfully leveraged its resources to present a unified and comprehensive
marketing campaign to the international community. Undertaking a large,
multi-country Pan-European Sales Mission from June 16-June 26, 2015, Travel
South USA President & CEO Liz Bittner, along with partners from the
region, traveled through Milan, Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris to sell the
South as an international tourism destination. This Sales Mission was carried
out through a partnership with Brand USA and the USA Pavilion established
at Expo Milano.
About
Travel South USA
Celebrating
its 50th Anniversary in 2015, Travel South USA is America’s oldest and
largest regional travel promotion organization, formed in 1965 by resolution
presented at the Southern Governor’s Conference. The long-standing regional
collaboration of the state tourism offices of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia provides a foundation to positively
position tourism as a vital and dynamic element in the region’s economic
development. Tourism ranks throughout the region as one of the top three
industries, behind manufacturing and agriculture, and is responsible for
$135.7 billion in spending by visitors, generating 1.33 million direct
jobs, $32.3 billion in worker paychecks, and more than $19 billion in state
and local taxes.
For
more information about International Showcase 2015: www.TravelSouthUSA.org
For
consumer information about travel to the South: www.TravelSouthUSA.com
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Contact:
Sam
Lacy
Digital
Marketing Manager
Travel
South USA
404-231-1790
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Travel
South USA: Facebook
/ Twitter / YouTube
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Travel
South USA
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