Atlanta,
GA – December 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / Close to 400 delegates are gathered
in Charlotte, North Carolina for Travel
South USA International Showcase & Super FAMs, November 29 - December
6, 2015 for a sold out Marketplace. The invitation-only tradeshow hosts
tour operators and travel trade journalists from 16 countries including
Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Netherlands, France, Germany,
Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom, as well as prominent receptive tour operators and southern
destination suppliers from the USA who specialize in organizing international
groups and FIT clients into the South.
“North
Carolina is the 16th most visited state in the US in terms of international
visitation and the international market is very important to economic development
here in North Carolina,” said Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit
North Carolina. “Each year North Carolina welcomes more than one million
international visitors who generate an estimated $453 million in spending
while they are here.” Tuttell went on to say, “We are pleased to partner
with Travel South USA and
excited to see this year’s International Showcase in Charlotte has sold
out. Our state is poised to grow as an international destination in the
near future and the ability to host these tour operators and journalists
will only help further that exposure and growth.”
Now
in its 4th year, Travel South International Showcase & Super FAMs are
not just a trade show. It is the cornerstone of a global marketing
and sales initiative that includes digital marketing, advertising, sales
efforts, travel trade training and an extensive PR and social media program.
At its core, the four day program is focused exclusively on selling southern
destinations and offers educational workshops, global partner meetings
and over 5,800+ pre-scheduled business appointments combined with outstanding
entertainment, city tours, and evening events. Meal functions are considered
the premier marketing opportunity to “showcase” the rich music, food, culture,
history and hospitality of the South.
This
year’s line of talented entertainment offerings to showcase the south include
Larkin Poe from Atlanta, Georgia, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers
from Louisiana, The Blue Dogs from South Carolina and Nicci Canada from
Charlotte, North Carolina. A special Kentucky Bourbon Reception will feature
Buffalo Trace and Four Roses along with Bluegrass music.
In
addition, eight separate Super FAM tours in Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia focus operators beyond
the gateway destinations. “We have over 65 operators boarding motorcoaches
and airplanes to experience the Outer Banks to Norfolk, Asheville, Bristol,
Tennessee and southwest Virginia, Myrtle Beach, The Greenbrier, and Route
66 and many of the authentic Americana destinations along the way. This
is the best way to sell our region” shared Liz Bittner, President &
CEO of Travel South USA. Once an operator or journalist experience our
genuine hospitality and authentic destinations they return home to be our
#1 fans and sales ambassadors.
Travel
South USA experienced a record year of international visitation in 2014,
up 24% over previous year 2013 and topped $2.7 billion in revenue in 2014,
according the US Department of Commerce. The region is set for another
solid increase in 2015 and we expect to continue our growth, beating the
national averages, as international visitation trends look for authentic
destinations with warm hospitality, interesting experiences and global
access.
About
Travel South USA
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 $133 billion in spending by visitors, generating 1.4 million direct
jobs, $30 billion in worker paychecks, and almost $16 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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