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DEAR VALUED PARTNERS,
I love summer! I know it is hot, but summers in the South include beach trips, weekends in the mountains, roadside fruit stands, air-conditioned respite in museums and evening-time cold drinks on the back deck as cicadas sing. July and August are also one of our busiest times, as it is planning time. We review the previous fiscal year with state tourism offices and our teams around the world, and we work to ensure our future plans are locked in to be successful for the upcoming fiscal.
After a whirlwind year in 2021-22 of planning, canceling and replanning, we are excited to get back on the road visiting clients. We have missions in Canada in August; Germany in September; Belgium and France in October; and International Showcase & Super Fams in Louisville, Kentucky, in November/December. In 2023, we’ve planned a mission or event every month.
As I reflect on what I learned this year, it can be summed up in three bullet points:
1. Digital Marketing, Trade, PR and Event Activations require strategy and planning and are absolutely necessary. They must work in tandem; one or two without the others isn’t going to move the needle.
2. The opportunities available to do any or all of these four things exceed the resources available, so we have to be selective and focus on results.
3. Being nice to people is the #1 rule.
My very best,
Liz Bittner
President & CEO, Travel South USA |
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| MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES |
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HOTELBEDS/BEDSONLINE
Bedsonline.com is used by travel advisors to find deals and book accommodations and experiences. Travel South destinations can leverage this platform to promote travel products to agents in key markets: Canada, UK, and Germany, with a bonus in the U.S. |
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BONOTEL LUXURY TRAVEL
Travel South destinations can be featured in Bonotel’s Destination of the Month campaign. This includes destination landing pages for agents, advertising, a newsflash feature, brochure inclusion, and a dedicated flyer and marketing toolkit distributed to agents. |
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CONCERT FUN IN PHOTOS
We're still tapping our toes thinking about the All Y'all Are Welcome Concert at IPW last month! We captured some great photos of everyone coming together, dancing, and celebrating. Check 'em out! |
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| SOUTHERN SUCCESSES |
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What’s a NOMADasaurus?
Not a newly discovered species; rather, NOMADasaurus is an award-winning adventure blog that’s soon to be – if not already – on your radar.
With a decade of building loyalty and engagement among world travelers in its homebase of Australia, NOMADasaurus is perfectly positioned to connect Southern destinations with highly motivated Aussie and Kiwi adventurers. See what happened when NOMADasaurus’ founders experienced their first foray into the South. |
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| IN THE NEWS |
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VISITEURS PROMOTION
In 2022, we partnered with VISITEURS to promote 10 destinations. This included an e-brochure, newsletter and posters, web presence, windows on 55 travel agencies, a consumer event in Arles, and social media. |
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GETTING OUR GROOVE ON
Mercados & Eventos, the Brazilian Tourism Portal, showcased some of the best places for music when traveling the South. Highlights include the Mississippi Blues Trail, the WC Handy Birthplace, and the new Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville. |
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TRAVEFY PARTNERSHIP
Last month we announced a new two-year partnership with Travefy – an itinerary builder and collaboration tool for tourism teams. This will help streamline FAMS at International Showcase and Global Summit. |
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| | | | | | | | | BY THE NUMBERS | | | | | The Travel South international traveler plans to spend 14 days on their next U.S. trip, visiting 4.6 destinations while spending $3,653 on international travel this year. *Source: Destination Analysts | | | 14
DAYS | | | | | | 4.6
DESTINATIONS | | | | |
| 3,653
DOLLARS | | | | | | | | | | UPCOMING EVENTS | | | |  | | BRAND USA’S TRAVEL WEEK, FRANKFURT
September 26-29
U.S. exhibitors and UK & European buyers come together for the 4th consecutive year
to discuss trends, challenges, innovations and the opportunity to drive future visitation to the US.
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FRANCE SALES & MEDIA MISSION
October 3-5
On the heels of Brand USA Europe, Travel South is organizing a mission to Brussels &
Paris to build new, and enhance existing, relationships with key tour operators, travel agencies, airlines and media.
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