sign in sign up
<<
Home , American Bus Association, Convention (meeting), Wikivoyage

GEORGIA DIVISION Contact: Cheryl Smith, Tourism Project Manager 678-640-4355 [email protected]

TOURISM DIVISION NEWS  Peachbytes is back! Sign up today…To sign up yourself or someone else up for this monthly newsletter, please email [email protected].

 Tourism & Hospitality Day - Tuesday, January 29 at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. For more information, go to www.gacvb.com/home/tourism-hospitality-day-at-the-capitol

 ExploreGeorgia.org Partner Admin Training Sessions January 28 & 29 - Site enhancements are currently being made to www.ExploreGeorgia.org to provide the user with a better overall experience. In addition, Georgia Tourism will be rolling out a new Partner Admin system to support the site. The new system will ensure that Partner listings are detailed and informative to enhance the user experience. Partners are encouraged to participate in one of the ExploreGeorgia.org Partner Admin Training Sessions on Monday, January 28 (1:00pm - 3:00pm) or Tuesday, January 29 (3:00pm - 5:00pm) at the Georgia Department of Economic Development's office in Atlanta. We will also be offering Webinars during these times. Learn how to make the most of this free marketing tool including site enhancements and Partner Admin updates. For Partners that can attend in person, space is limited (limit 50 per session), so please confirm your participation ASAP. Email your information to [email protected] to register.

Why is training necessary? The old Partner Admin will no longer be accessible once the new system is in place on January 21. So it's important that all partners learn how to update and manage their business information using the new Partner Admin.

 American Association Leads - Priti Shah, the Business Development Manager attended the Marketplace in Charlotte recently. Leads were sent out to folks on my Group Leads list. If you would like to be added to that list or if you would like a copy of the list, let me know. Contact Priti at [email protected] if you have any questions on the leads.

 Smith – You can find monthly statewide summaries on www.MarketGeorgia.org from Smith Travel Report which includes statewide trends for / occupancy, RevPAR, Room Demand and Room Supply.

October November  Hotel/motel occupancy increased 3.1%  Hotel/motel occupancy increased 3.1% statewide in October 2012 statewide in November 2012  2012 room rates (ADR) in Georgia were up 3%  2012 room rates (ADR) in Georgia were up 3.5%  Statewide, RevPAR was up 6.2%  Statewide, RevPAR was up 6.6%  Georgia room revenues increased 5.8% in  Georgia room revenues increased 6.2% in October 2012 November 2012  Room Demand increased 2.7% in the state from  Room Demand increased 2.6% in the state from October2011 November 2011  Room Supply was down-0.3%  Room Supply was down-0.4% YTD YTD  Hotel/motel occupancy is up 2% YTD  Hotel/motel occupancy is up 1.9% YTD  YTD room rates (ADR) in Georgia are up 2.7%  YTD room rates (ADR) in Georgia are up 2.8%  Statewide, RevPAR is up 4.7% year-to-date.  Statewide, RevPAR is up 4.8% year-to-date.  Georgia room revenues are up 3.9%  Georgia room revenues are up 3.9%  Room Demand is up 1.1% in the state  Room Demand is up 1.2% in the state  Room Supply is down -0.8% in the state  Room Supply is down -0.8% in the state

 2013 Tourism Product Development Grants - There are 18 awardees out of 65 total eligible applicants, which means we were able to fund 27.7% of the total applications. The total requests were approximately $1 million. In a time a limited budgets, we can be proud that our department is able to financially assist our communities with tourism product development. There were approximately 7 applications that were ineligible. White County/Headwaters Folklife Play at the SNC was the only applicant from NE GA Mtns to receive a grant. Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 1

INDUSTRY RELATED NEWS, WORKSHOPS, & OPPORTUNITIES  TravelTalks....The new way to meet and network with organizers of groups that travel. TravelTalks, designed to create an interactive meeting between the travel and group travel organizers. Held in 40 Cities, TravelTalks brings you face-to-face with the most qualified travel clubs in the area and sets the stage for relationship building that result in sales. At every TravelTalks you gain insight to the needs for the group and interact directly with the organizer. TravelTalks is a morning of round-table discussion and one-on-one talk where you make a difference. I invite to attend the TravelTalks in your area: o Atlanta Tuesday, March 12 2013 o Orlando Wednesday, March 13 2013 o Tampa Thursday, March 14 2013 Click Here for TravelTalks! Contact: Jennifer Ferguson 800-628-0993 [email protected]

 Legislative Assignments The following is the list of Committee Assignments for the House: www.house.ga.gov/Documents/Publications- Downloads/2013_Committee_Assignments.pdf. The following is the list of Committee Assignments for the Senate: www.senate.ga.gov/committees/Documents/2013Committees.pdf

 Georgia Humanities Council Grant - The Georgia Humanities Council is currently seeking applicants for the 2013 GHC Grant – deadline March 15, 2013. Examples of GHC-funded programs include lectures, author presentations, book discussions, film discussions, historical tours, living history programs, exhibits, oral history projects and teacher workshops. Programs should be grounded in humanities content and should include discussion and exchange among participants. As Georgia observes the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the 50th anniversary of key events of the Civil Rights Movement, GHC welcomes proposals for programs that connect to these milestones or to other significant happenings. GHC also welcomes proposals that involve books, authors, or traditions that have affected the world. Quick Facts: o Maximum Grant $2,000 o Organizations that apply must have IRS 501c3 status and a DUNS o Provide for matching support (cash and/or in-kind donations) equal to or greater than the amount requested o Event, exhibit, workshop must be free to the public Please feel free to share this with the appropriate contacts in your community.

 Advertising Opportunity for those interested in Group Travel - Advertise in Student Group Tour magazine to be on the minds of educators when they are planning their next student trip. Top student-friendly suppliers advertise in Student Group Tour magazine to maintain their status as "must-see" destinations. Attracting student groups is easy and economical with Group Tour Media. To learn more, contact Group Tour Media at 1-800-767- 3489 or e-mail [email protected] The deadline for the next issue of Student Group Tour magazine is February 1! Click here to view a Group Tour Media advertising kit

 Arts Ready - ArtsReady is a web-based emergency preparedness platform designed to provide arts and cultural organizations with customized business continuity plans for post crisis sustainability. www.artsready.org

 MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES  Spring events: Festival News is seeking family event listings for its Spring issue (Mar/Apr/May). A new event may be added here or multiple events may be emailed to Keith Robinson. Information requirements for the free calendar listing include the event's name, date and town plus the event's website for a free link from the Festival News website to the event's. Deadline: Jan. 31.  New sports facilities: Small Market Meetings seeks news about new sports facilities (built in the last two years or to be completed in next 18 months) that are expected to significantly affect a city's attractiveness in terms of sports competitions. Respond with descriptions of the facilities and their impact by email only to editor Vicki Mitchell. Deadline: Jan. 11.  New and improved CVB websites: For an upcoming feature story, Small Market Meetings seeks news about meeting-related improvements and upgrades made to and visitor bureau websites. Please respond by email only to editor Vicki Mitchell with a brief description of changes made and how they aid meeting planners or meeting attendees. Deadline: Jan. 11.

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 2

 Looking for best weekend getaways for couples in the U.S - (Rebecca Koch/Travel + Leisure) Send suggestions to [email protected] Deadline: 7:00 PM EST - 19 January - I'm looking for some romantic and affordable locations for couples to escape to in February. These places can be located around the US. If images are available of the locations, please make note. The article will be published online for our company blog and be used as an accompanying piece of literature before launching a Valentines day promotion.  Valentine's Day Getaways on a Budget - Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell for Major Lifestyle and Finance Site - [email protected] Deadline: 5:00 PM EST - 17 January: Seeking some unique, U.S. based Valentine's Day getaways for couples. Please sent me the destination/ (city, state) with package prices, other things to do in the area and complete website url. Responses not containing this info will be deleted. I will be in touch if I can use your destination. PLEASE no product pitches or photos. Thanks.  Book (Perfect Wedding Guide) on Hotspots - Susan Southerland Perfect Wedding Guide [email protected] Deadline: 7:00 PM EST - 23 January: I'm looking for information and high-res photos on honeymoon locations worldwide. I need budget options, ultra luxurious and everything in between. Requirements: Any great honeymoon locations in every price range

 Travel Industry registration to "BankTravel 2013" is now open - Bank Clubs represent the upscale group traveler...The Future of Group Travel. "BankTravel Conference 2013", Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach, Virginia) February 5-7, 2013. Registration will be limited to 300 Travel Industry Delegates. Contact Tammy Knox with any questions. 800-628-0993 M-F 9am-5pm est [email protected] www.banktravel.com

 Georgia Association’s 2013 Conference & Annual Meeting - February 27-March 1 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. For detailed information on sponsorship levels and registration click here. Agritourism in Georgia and the Southeast is alive and thriving! Owners and operators from the state's newest, oldest, and most successful agritourism destinations will gather in Tifton for an extraordinary 2013 Georgia Agritourism Conference. This a great opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, mentor and be mentored, meet new suppliers and service providers to help you succeed, and most importantly, have fun and make new friends. GAA Members save with discounted registration AND an early bird discount! Click here to register online.

The following folks will be on a Panel Discussion: "Georgia Agritourism: Strategic Partnerships, Packaging & Marketing". Attendees will hear firsthand from three regions in the state that have successfully organized, packaged and are marketing s collectively. Sharon Mauney, Jennifer & Scott Glover, Scott Hancock, Ben Dockins, Ed Taylor, Robert & Deborah Bouchard, Roger & Jeff Morris, Kat Stratton, Zan Taylor Zen Greenlee, Lauri Jo Bennett, Chuck & Michelle Taylor, Linda Johnson, Sid Blalock and Jamie Allred. For more information on the upcoming AgriTourism Conference go to www.georgia-agritourism.org/

 Georgia Dept of Agriculture - To find out more about the GDOA’s Agri-Tourism and Georgia Grown programs, contact Cynthia Norton [email protected] - (404) 656-5901 - (404) 295-2159

 Southeast Tourism Society Update  Suzanne Moon finally has some female company. Sharon Broo has joined STS in the new position of director of membership development. She knows the travel industry well (the Biltmore in Asheville, Travel Safe, Travel Guard , Costa Cruise Lines), and her debut STS meeting will be the Spring Symposium in Atlanta. She's already on the job at STS world headquarters in Roswell. You can send her a welcome note at [email protected]  The Top 20 Events in the Southeast for the first quarter of 2013 are getting lots of publicity right now. If you want a chance to get in on some of that publicity in the fourth quarter, start thinking about events to nominate. April 5 is the deadline to nominate October, November and December events.

 Surveys, Industry, Marketing & Travel Trends  Cornell launches free online new media course: eCornell and Cornell University this week announced the launch of a free online course focused on training hospitality professionals in the new media marketing skills needed for professional success. "Marketing the Hospitality Brand through New Media: Social, Mobile & Search" is essentially a virtual toolkit for driving revenue through new media, according to Cornell. The free course is part of the Cornell's School of Hotel Administration and builds on research and real-life social, mobile and new media strategies deployed by hospitality organizations worldwide. eCornell courses, while

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 3

self-paced and 100 percent online, are "instructor-facilitated" to help guide participants through challenging, real-world exercises with practical on-the-job application.  Biz travel forecast: Spending on predicted to rise: U.S. companies are expected to spend more on business trips this year, a sign that they may be feeling more optimistic about the economy, a new business travel forecast being released today finds. A pent-up need to sit face to face with clients, coupled with increased spending on international trips and off-site meetings, is projected to boost overall business travel spending in the U.S. by 4.6 percent this year, to $266.7 billion, according to a report from the Global Business Travel Association, a group of business-travel and meetings managers. The GBTA estimates that for every $1 spent on corporate travel, companies on average have seen $20 in additional profits. While spending is predicted to be up, the number of business trips is projected to be down 1.1 percent from last year, reflecting the desire by many companies to make the most of their staffers' time on the road.  Facebook announces Graph Search - Facebook has announced a new product: Graph Search, essentially a fully-integrated semantic search engine. In the travel space, users can easily find: travel partners for upcoming trips, travel advice for future trips, friends who have traveled recently and friends who work in the travel sphere. Analysts note that DMOs can gain access to all uploaded photos in their particular market, which could allow brands to encourage more connections between visitors to their destination. However, Instagram will not be included in the beta version of Graph Search.  launches - The creators of Wikipedia the global "people's encyclopedia" that relies on volunteer contributors to write and edit articles, are launching a collaborative online travel guide that aims to cover everything from Disney World to Diyarbakir(one of the largest cities in southeastern Turkey). Wikivoyage in test mode for several months but making its official debut today, will compete in a crowded arena that includes guidebook publishers such as Fodors, Frommers and , user-generated reviews and forums such as TripAdvisor, and - a 10-year-old commercial site inspired by the unrelated Wikipedia.  NCR & PayPal working together - NCR and PayPal are working together to make every day easier for consumers when dining out and shopping. Integrating NCR's innovative mobile solutions for hospitality and retail with PayPal's leading digital payment technology provides and retailers an easy, powerful way to offer consumers a rich mobile and digital payment experience when buying the goods and services they want.  PwC: U.S. sector on solid footing at the start of 2013 - Despite the near-term economic challenges, lodging demand and, more importantly, pricing, are expected to remain on positive trajectories. Overall, based on the analysis referenced above, PwC expects lodging demand in 2013 to increase 1.8 percent, which combined with still restrained supply growth of 0.8 percent, is anticipated to boost occupancy levels to 62.0 percent, the highest since 2007. While across the spectrum of price tiers are expected to benefit from this recovery, hotels in the higher-priced segments are expected to experience the strongest gains. Occupancy levels at hotels in the luxury, upper-upscale and upscale segments have already exceeded pre-recession peaks. As stronger business transient and group activity returns to higher-priced hotels, revenue management initiatives are anticipated to drive increased pricing of available hotel rooms, resulting in a continuation of meaningful RevPAR gains. Hotels in the lower-priced segments have not experienced as solid of a recovery in occupancy, but are still expected to realize increased room rates as demand gradually strengthens.  STR: Growth in all areas for U.S hotel industry in 2012 - The U.S. hotel industry reported growth in all three key performance metrics in 2012, according to data from STR. Overall, the U.S. hotel industry's occupancy increased 2.5 percent to 61.4 percent, its average daily rate was up 4.2 percent to $106.10, and its revenue per available room grew 6.8 percent to 65.17.

 New Grant Opportunities for Urban Rivers - Approximately $1,500,000 is available from USFS, EPA, and NOAA through the Federal Urban Waters Partnership, along with funding from NFWF, WHC, EPA, USFS, NOAA, Southern Company, FedEx, among others to improve water quality, increase access, and restore riparian and forest habitat in urban watersheds throughout the United States. Competitive projects will include a focus on one of more of the following priorities: Urban Forest Restoration, Education and Training, Stormwater management, Monitoring, and Outdoor Recreation. All projects submitted for consideration for Urban Waters funding must include a minimum 1:1 match of non-federal funds. Funding is not limited to the designated Urban Waters rivers but they will receive priority. More information on the Federal Urban Waters Partnership is available at www.urbanwaters.gov. Click here to access the application. Deadline Feb. 7th, 2013.

 Winter Chautauqua Tourism Workshop - Winter Chautauqua 2013 is now open for registration! We invite you to Rome on March 3-4 to recharge and gain a fresh approach to tourism! Sunday evening, you'll be reinspired with a behind-the-scenes tour of a world-class museum, downtown development projects, and one of the top

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 4

restaurants in Georgia! Monday will be filled with sessions designed to reinvigorate your approach to tourism and give you ideas to revolutionize your communities, businesses or organizations! This conference is one of the most affordable in the industry, but will feature an incredible line-up of professionals who have mastered the tourism industry. Top off the day with our lunch keynote speaker Hollis Gillespie, Southern author and columnist for Atlanta Magazine. She's hilarious and witty and sure to be entertaining. Visit www.WinterChautauqua.com for our full schedule, registration and more information!.

 Times Welcome Guide - The Times’ annual Welcome Guide spring magazine will publish with the Feb. 24 edition of the paper. The magazine will include bright, entertaining stories and useful information to help both new and old residents learn more about their communities. As always, we will include a comprehensive calendar of spring events from the period Feb. 24 through Memorial Day in the Northeast Georgia area of Hall, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Banks, Jackson, Forsyth, Union, Towns and Rabun counties. We will include information on festivals; art exhibits; musical, dance and stage performances; and educational and cultural events. Please send by email before Feb. 5 to me at [email protected]. Here are some helpful suggestions when submitting calendar items that will help us edit your information accurately and efficiently:  Please clearly indicate the official names of your event and organization.  Please include all key info such as times, dates and locations and indicate a.m. and p.m. times.  Please include full addresses, helpful for new residents and those who use a GPS.  Please provide full contact info, including phone number, website and email, if applicable.  Please indicate admission costs or, if there are none, that the event is free.  Please avoid putting words in ALL CAPS.  Email attachments are fine, preferably in Word format. If you include information with a PDF file, please make it an editable version that allows us to cut and paste copy, which saves time and aids accuracy.  Photos in JPEG formats may be attached to your file as well and we’ll use them if we can. Please include caption information in the file. We appreciate your help in making our Welcome Guide beneficial to our readers and advertisers, and we welcome your suggestions. Keith Albertson, Managing Editor - The Times, Gainesville, Ga. | www.gainesvilletimes.com - 770-718-3400 | [email protected]

 Watson Brown Foundation Grant – Contact me for info.

 USDA Finalizes New Microloan Program – For more information, contact Cindy Norton at [email protected]

 YouTube video explaining the importance of Tourism from a small business viewpoint - www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=09x9WCXKBWA

 Media Lead - Subject: Pet-friendly destinations needed - Email: [email protected] - Media Outlet: Anonymous - Deadline: 7:00 PM PST - 25 January Query: NYT bestselling author is digging for pet-friendly destinations in the U.S. and Canada to be featured in a national book. I'm looking for pet-friendly offerings in the United States and Canada, i.e. pet-friendly hotels, dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly beaches, cat cafes, boutiques, activities for pets and pet parents, etc. This is perfect for tourism boards, etc. Requirements: Please email me your suggestions for destinations and include links. No attachments.

 Georgia Golf & Travel LLC launches effort to brand awareness of Georgia as a premier golf destination Georgia has a long and rich association with the game of golf. A new effort by Georgia Golf & Travel will build on that rich heritage to market Georgia as one of the world’s leading golf destinations.

The mission of the Georgia Golf & Travel programs is to increase travel and visitor expenditures throughout all of Georgia and market the state as one of the leading golf destinations in the world. Georgia Golf & Travel will achieve this goal by increasing awareness and generating inquiries about Georgia’s destination travel opportunities and encouraging the expansion of Georgia’s golf travel capability. Georgia Golf & Travel marketing programs will focus on drawing additional golfers to courses across Georgia and at the same time, drive additional expenditures on accommodations, food service, and activities within the state. “The new programs that Georgia Golf & Travel is preparing will create much higher brand awareness of Georgia as a premier golf destination. Home to some of the most challenging and picturesque courses in the

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 5

world, Georgia also offers courses that are family-friendly, affordable and approachable. These new programs will enable us to share these great experiences with golfers across the country and around the world” said Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Doug Hollandsworth, Founder and CEO of Georgia Golf & Travel LLC., says, “Georgia is one of the leading states for golf anywhere in the country and we feel it is time for the state to be marketed in a way that people not only here in the USA but also around the world will see it for its natural beauty and the many wonderful golf courses that we have to offer. We will be launching in early 2013 some new and exciting programs that will be in place over the next few years that show Georgia in a new light, as one of the leading golf destinations in the world. Georgia has so much to offer golfers, travelers, and companies, not only with our great golf courses and , but also our wonderful cities, hotels, restaurants, and activities across our state, which will be included in our Georgia Golf & Travel programs.”

Doug Hollandsworth, has lived in Georgia his entire life. Doug currently owns GolfLife Marketing, an International Hospitality and Media Company, as well as The JDH GROUP a PR Firm. Doug has owned his companies as well as been a part of the media here in Georgia and across the United States for over 25 years. For more information on The Georgia Golf & Travel Programs, contact us at [email protected] – 770-266-0331.

 Georgia Reading on My Mind - Cathy Hodge is hosting the Governor's Statewide Principals meeting in Athens at the Continuing Ed. Center, next Tuesday and Wednesday where they will premier the new publication, Georgia Reading on My Mind (she partnered with Governor Deal on this project). She was talking to the Governor's Office of Student Achievements' Director and she thought door prizes would be fun. She’d like to know if anyone is interested in donating an overnight stay at a B&B, a gift certificate for ziplining, horseback riding, etc. or an item to go into a gift basket. You can email Cathy a certificate and she will promote them on the website. The new magazine is going on the Governor's Website for Student Achievement. She realizes it is short notice, but would appreciate anything you have to offer. You can contact Cathy Hodge at 404-518-8728 or by email at [email protected].

REGIONAL NEWS  Writer Susan McKee highlighted Crane Creek Vineyards & Winery: Valentines and Wine & Road Trips for Foodies

 Lucille’s Mountain Top & Spa, located in White County, GA, was recently honored by admittance into Select Registry, Distinguished of North America, the premier innkeeping association in the United States and Canada. Out of the thousands of inns in North America, only an elite few will be invited to join Select Registry this year. Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn & Spa joins more than 335 other exceptional properties that are already members of the Association.

 This week Jamie Allred, Chef at the Lake Rabun Hotel in Lakemont was notified that I've been chosen to be included in the 2013 edition of "Best Chefs America" book. Selections for inclusion in the book were made using peer reviews to identify the most influential chefs in the nation. Best Chefs America is considered a chef's guide to chefs. Best Chefs America will be available online and in bookstores in March 2013. It will be an attractive coffee table reference guide, listing the selected chefs and where they can be found, highlighting emerging trends, interesting ingredients and other culinary happenings across the United States.

 North Georgia Canopy Tours is included on the list.. www.ajc.com/news/travel/southeast-travel-calendar/nS8H3/

 New Lodge Furnishings Feature a Sophisticated New Look with Made in America Fabric & Craftsmanship - Georgia’s premier mountain resort, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, has completed an upgrade to all 102 traditional Lodge guestrooms creating a beautiful and calming mountain ambience. The new earth tone color palette of the bedding, draperies, seating, and wall coverings reflect the resort’s surroundings with neutral tones and add to the beautiful natural ambience enjoyed at Brasstown Valley Resort.

 Beechwood Inn's Chef David Darugh has been selected for inclusion in "Best Chefs America." Our nations Chefs were asked a series of proprietary questions that score their peers on a numerical scale. The process was calculated to accurately record the opinions of leading chefs about the talent of their colleagues nationwide. Congrats to our Chef! http://bestchefsamerica.com/

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 6

 Vintage music hall to reopen in Ga. mining town (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) By Jeff Martin www.ajc.com/ap/ap/entertainment/vintage-music-hall-to-reopen-in-gold-mining-town/nTz6N/

 Black Rock is expected to be in the March issue of Southern Living. Thought you might want to keep an eye out for it.

 Wake the Lake Cable Park to open in April at Sunset Cove in Lanier World. For questions or information, please contact Krista Goodrich at [email protected] or by calling 678-409-9053.

 The Oar House in Dahlonega has new owners, brothers Jeffrey and Joe Marshall! Beginning this Sunday, January 27th, The Oar House will be open for brunch from 11:00 am-3:30 pm! (Every Sunday). There will be a very special Valentine's Day menu. Call now to make your reservations! (706)964-9938. MoJoe's on the River, a full service bar, will be added in the very near future! The Oar House, 3072 East Highway 52, [email protected] http://coolbreeze-inc.com/OarHouse

 Rod Charles with Vacay.ca. wrote a story as a direct result of the Governor’s mission to Canada in July. The Governor participated in a tourism media roundtable, arranged by the Tourism Division. He mentioned Lake Lanier. Why Canada is on Georgia’s mind http://vacay.ca/2013/01/why-canada-is-on-georgias-mind/

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Region January 2013 Report Page 7