Discover the Southern Way!

"The Mission of Travel South USA is to promote, foster and encourage travel to and within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,

Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia."

TRAVEL SOUTH USA ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia - Travel South USA, the official regional destination marketing organization for the 12 Southern state tourism offices, has announced its new Board of Directors.  Chad Prosser, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, has been elected chairman.  Craig Ray, director, Mississippi Development Authority, Tourism Division, has been elected to serve as vice chairman with Betty Carver, commissioner, West Virginia Tourism, serving as secretary, and Chuck Morse, assistant secretary, Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, serving as treasurer for fiscal year 2008-2009.   The new officers and board assume their duties immediately.  

“The board is thrilled to have Chad Prosser to lead our regional organization during the next year,” said Susan Whitaker, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and immediate past chair.  “The Travel South Board of Directors has an important responsibility to make strategic decisions about programs that demonstrate an excellent return on investment for the member states.  Chad has the right credentials to lead the organization to meet the needs of its members and accomplish Travel South’s organizational objectives.” MORE

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR, ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

As the 2007-2008 fiscal year comes to an end, Travel South USA takes on Toronto once again encouraging Canadians to Discover the Flavours of the South. 4 exciting days were spent instructing Canadian consumers how to create some of our region's favorite dishes as well as the culture and history behind these Southern favorites. By joining forces with SUSTA, Longo's and CAA we were able to get a strong message out inviting Canadians to come down and experience all that our 12 states have to offer. On May 8th, Travel South hosted an exclusive reception at the Consul General's Residence bringing together the who's who of Southern tourism, Agriculture as well as local Canadian media. We were privileged to be joined by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins and Consul General John Nay and his wife. See complete details of this campaign, here

26th ANNUAL TRAVEL SOUTH SHOWCASE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES IN GULFPORT-BILOXI MISSISSIPPI

Travel South USA recently completed their 26th Annual Showcase in Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi. Over 600 Southern tourism partners including 148 Travel Buyers, 25 Travel Service Providers, 24 Editorial Media attendees, 12 State Tourism Offices and 273 Appointment taking Suppliers experienced four days of appointments, tours and first class networking opportunities, bringing over half a million dollars of economic impact to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"Hosting Travel South Showcase 2008 provided Mississippi an excellent and effective vehicle to share with the industry how the Mississippi Gulf Coast is bouncing back from the impact of Hurricane Katrina,” says Craig Ray, Director, Mississippi Development Authority, Tourism Division. “Part of the measure of success of an event such as Showcase is the buzz generated by the participants. The feed back I have received has been very positive and encouraging. We appreciate the tremendous support we have received from the industry in our rebuilding efforts."

2008 marked the 26th year of this successful program. In 1983, it began as the first regional, computerized marketplace to bring more group travel business to the South. The goal was to provide the easiest, most efficient way to book business in these states. Tampa, Florida was the first host city with a robust turnout of about 35 tour operators and 65 tourism suppliers meeting in one-on-one appointments.

Today, Showcase has grown to over 600 attendees, with Highlights including:

• Six unique pre-tours for Travel Buyers and Editorial Media
• Exciting Mississippi city tours from sailing to shopping and dining
• Four signature Travel South-style parties hosted by the Mississippi Development Authority, The Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB, Northern Louisiana CVB's, Kissimmee CVB, VISIT FLORIDA, Gaylord Hotels, Arabian Nights, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, Kennedy Space Center and WonderWorks
• Over 38,000 scheduled appointments for Travel Buyers and Suppliers
• State Preview Briefing Session featuring the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the twelve Travel South USA state directors...COMPLETE DETAILS

DON'T FORGET TO JOIN US FOR NEXT YEAR'S SHOWCASE APRIL 4-8, 2009 IN KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA!!!

TRAVEL SOUTH COMPLETES 2ND ANNUAL ULTIMATE ADVERTISING CHALLENGE

Atlanta (January 2008) – Travel South USA is pleased to announce the results of their 2nd Annual Ultimate Advertising Challenge. This program was designed in 2006 to increase advertising dollars spent to promote travel to and within the South.

After spending just over half a million dollars last year, 2008 brought in new proposals, agencies and ideas for this year’s Challenge. It also brought in a larger profit; over $200,000 MORE was spent as 6 out of 10 companies chosen to present to the Travel South delegation received orders up to$113, 500. New online and print advertising can be seen in 2008 and 2009 in Budget Travel, Madden Media, DreamScapes, Blue Lithium, Canadian Geographic Traveller and Toronto Star.

“The Ultimate Advertising Challenge is a well-executed project that creates world-class advertising opportunities and advertising collaborations among the Travel South USA’s 12 southern states,"said Susan Whitaker, Commissioner,Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Travel South Board Chair. "The program is innovative, creative and enormously effective.” More information

TORONTO DISCOVERS "THE FLAVOURS OF THE SOUTH" THIS FALL

Travel South USA recently kicked off their Fall 2007 "Discover the Flavours of the South" campaign with a three-course southern dinner prepared by renowned southern ambassadors,Chef Phil Evans of Herons, The Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary, North Carolina, Chef Ouita Michel, Holly Hill Inn, Midway, Kentucky and Chef Martha Foose, Viking Cooking School, Greenwood, Mississippi.

Each of the Southern states had an opportunity to talk about their state and all the exciting new attractions and events taking place in Fall 2007 as well as upcoming plans for 2008. In attendance were 20 local media constituents ranging from newspapers and magazines to radio, online sources and photographers.

Charmaine Pang, Travel Hot News.com writes," The local food scene is growing in the South, with an emphasis placed on locally sourced, seasonal and artisanal ingredients, and these talented chefs served as perfect ambassadors for the region." More