Atlanta,
GA – September 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / Travel
South USA, which in 2015 celebrates its 50th year of marketing its
member states as tourism destinations to both national and international
audiences, is proud to welcome Missouri as its 12th member.
Other
states included in the alliance are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
and West Virginia.
“Travel
South USA is delighted to welcome Missouri into the organization,” commented
Duane Parrish, Director, South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism,
and current Chairman of Travel South USA. “Our founding principles are
focused on cooperation, and the opportunities that this collaborative group
offers ensures each of the member states and their constituencies better
access to the marketplace, better access to travel media, and greater exposure
both at home and abroad.”
Missouri’s
acceptance into Travel South USA, the largest and oldest regional tourism-marketing
alliance in the country, is a somewhat historic move. Only two states have
joined the organization since its inception nearly 50 years ago: Missouri
in 2014 and West Virginia in 1998. Travel South USA was chartered in 1965
by the Southern Governor’s Association to support state tourism offices
in member states.
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As
members of the organization, the Missouri Division of Tourism can expand
its reach by leveraging the collective buying power of the group in advertising
partnerships and co-ops that bring new and varied marketing opportunities
to the Show-Me State.
Among
those opportunities are Travel South’s annual International Showcase which
focuses on connecting suppliers with targeted international operators and
receptive tour operators that feature Southern product. In December 2014,
over 115 international operators from 14 countries will meet with suppliers
to network and build relationships that facilitate more international travelers
visiting the south. Travel South USA also produces Domestic Showcase, where
organizations from member states have the opportunity to bolster their
group tour and public relations efforts by connecting buyers, sellers and
journalists through one-on-one appointments. Domestic
Showcase will be held in Shreveport, Louisiana in March 2015. The two
Showcases are recognized as the best in the industry.
“Sports
fans know Missouri competes with many of these states on the collegiate
level, thanks to the University of Missouri-Columbia’s move to the Southeastern
Conference (SEC),” says Katie Steele Danner, Director of the Missouri Division
of Tourism. “We join Travel South not as competitors, but as partners working
toward the shared goal of bringing more travelers to our region of America
and showcasing Missouri’s history, heritage and culture, along with the
unique, diverse and exciting attractions we have to share with travelers.”
“Thanks
to the support and encouragement of our Missouri Tourism Commission, participation
in this outstanding marketing organization will create and add value for
Missouri communities and provide a strong return on our investment,” added
Danner.
Representatives
from Travel South USA had a kickoff meeting with Missouri Division of Tourism
staff earlier this year and will share more information about the organization
with members of the statewide tourism industry during the Missouri Governor’s
Conference on Tourism, set for October 7-9, in St. Louis.
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, visit www.TravelSouthUSA.com
for consumer information and for travel industry information, www.TravelSouthUSA.org.
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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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