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."

SOUTH CAROLINA PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM DIRECTOR AND TRAVEL SOUTH CHAIRMAN CHAD PROSSER TESTIFIES AT U.S. SENATE HEARING ON TRAVEL

(SOUTH CAROLINA TOURISM TODAY) Director Chad Prosser of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism testified, Wednesday, May 13, to the U.S. Senate about state and federal efforts needed to encourage tourism.

*HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HEARING*

Prosser will testify at a hearing set for 10 a.m. in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. He will be appearing at the invitation of the Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.  Prosser will share his perspective on the economic impact in dollars and jobs of travel on South Carolina's economy, how the current downturn is affecting the state and region, and what state and federal efforts would help bolster this vital industry.

Tourism is South Carolina's largest single industry, accounting for 12.6 percent of the state's total employment and about $17.2 billion in annual sales. Globally, it's the fourth-largest export industry in the world. [ *Tourism Expenditures were over $157 Billion to the Travel South USA region in 2007, accounting for roughly 21% of all tourism expenditures in the USA . The region is estimated to attract over 400 Million visitors every year, representing an estimated 45% of total visitor volume for the United States. Southern tourism also generates direct employment of 1.84 Million jobs in the region and provides $24.2 Billion in national, state and local taxes. It is an important, vibrant industry and part of the solution to assist the balance of trade.]

Prosser has led South Carolina's statewide tourism efforts through six years of unprecedented growth, and currently serves as Chair of Travel South USA. This will be his second appearance before the Senate in support of South Carolina's travel industry.

C-Span will be broadcasting live coverage of the Senate hearing on tourism in troubled times. The coverage is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am from room 253 of the Russell Office Building. To listen to the coverage, go to Capitolhearings.org and scroll down to Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 10:00 am and click on the SR-253 link. 

*Sources: 2008 Impact of Travel on State Economies Report - Travel Industry Association, US Bureau of Labor Statics, US Bureau of the Census and Office of Travel & Tourism Industries: US Department of Commerce

SOUTHERN TRAVEL ALWAYS IN SEASON FOR CHINA

Travel South hosts Chinese tour operators for lunch during Active America-China

(Atlanta, GA) Travel South USA recently hosted a large and rather curious group of tour operators during the April 2009 Active America - China marketplace at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta. The luncheon is one of several initiatives of the southern states to welcome and educate Chinese visitors on all the exciting attractions and opportunities within the 12 Southern U.S States.
Highlights and Photos

TRAVEL SOUTH SHOWCASE 2009 "YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A HARD TIME TOPPING THIS"

Despite the challenging economy, Showcase 2009 was a HUGE hit for Southern tourism. After thousands of marketplace appointments, millions of connections and outstanding delegate representation, attendees depart Kissimmee, Florida with a confident smile for the upcoming year.

April 2009- In tough economic times, it's nice to know that value doesn't always mean getting less for your dollar. Travel South is proud to have the opportunity to once again host the premier marketplace for those who do business in the South. To us, value means supporting your growth without breaking your budget. By targeting a specific region with an invitation-only show, you have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with your most important clients and numerous potential clients.
We are pleased to report that Showcase 2009 was very successful, bringing in more than $750,000 in economic value to Central Florida. Delegate numbers were strong, numbers for appointments, hosted tours and events were high and most importantly, the feedback we’re receiving has been very positive. This year we implemented a new program for meal functions; Our Sense of Place was a combination of oration, story-telling, visuals and live entertainment with reoccurring actors and singers as we featured the Sights, Sounds, Tastes and Places of the South; instead of meals being hosted by individual states or companies, we introduced multi-sponsor opportunities and were blown away by your enthusiasm. We also began a new tradition of Travel South Ambassadors as 55 outstanding individuals were honored for their leadership and support in promoting the $170 billion dollar Southern travel industry (visit our PARTNERS page for a complete listing of the 2009 Ambassadors).
A special thanks to our wonderful hosts, VISIT FLORIDA, the Kissimmee CVB and the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center for all your hard work and dedication. We appreciate all you do!

For those who say we'll have a hard time topping 2009...be sure to register early for next year. In the meantime, we look forward to and appreciate your feedback as we begin to prepare for
SHOWCASE 2010 IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, APRIL 10-14, 2010!

WELCOME DELTA AIR LINES AND INTERNATIONAL TOUR OPERATORS!

A new strategic alliance between Travel South USA and Delta Air Lines positions the premier regional marketing organization with the world’s largest global airline and connects qualified international tour operators with southern destinations and suppliers. 

Atlanta, Georgia - As always, we want to make certain that the Southern Travel Industry is the first to know about a new strategic marketing partnership which will enhance our 26 year tradition of Travel South Showcase.   We are very pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Delta Air Lines, as a major sponsor for Travel South Showcase in 2009 and 2010.  Despite the global economic slowdown, the southern USA is the #1 destination in the USA for both domestic and international travelers; and Delta Air Lines offers more service to more destinations in the twelve state region than any other US carrier. Therefore, we believe there is no time like the present to invite select international tour operators to participate in the upcoming Showcases in Florida and Alabama. 

In January, Travel South USA will issue invitations to select international tour operators to participate in the 2009 Showcase in Kissimmee, Florida, and 2010 Showcase in Birmingham, Alabama.   Elite International Buyers will have unprecedented opportunity to fly Delta Air Lines and visit our region to experience our famous hospitality.  A specialized program has been created exclusively for the I-Buyers featuring presentations by the 12 state tourism offices, selected appointment scheduling, as well as access to all marketplace functions and social networking opportunities.    We are confident these new I-Buyers provide growth opportunities for southern destinations and it is our job to connect people to generate tourism revenue for the region. CONTINUE 

TRAVEL SOUTH USA DELEGATION TRAVELS ON A MOMENTOUS MISSION TO CHINA

Ten State Travel Directors along with destination partners and Delta Air Lines recently participated in a 10 day business development mission to Beijing and Shanghai

ATLANTA– The Travel South USA delegation of state travel directors and marketing officers partnered with Delta Air Lines to travel to the People’s Republic of China, November 12 – 23, 2008. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee state travel directors participated in a full schedule of business development meetings with the Provincial Tourism Ministers of China, Chinese journalists, and tour operators to discuss new tourism programs. This is the first time Travel South’s regional partnership has organized a mission to China.

Details of the mission include an official reception in Beijing, business meetings, participation in the US-China State Tourism Summit and scheduled appointments during China International Travel Mart (CITM), the largest travel show in China.

“China is currently the most significant emerging market for outbound international travel,” said Chad Prosser, Travel South USA Chairman and Director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism. “This is an excellent opportunity for our Travel South states to establish a positive connection with one of the fastest-growing international leisure travel markets.”The seventeen-person delegation believes this is an important time to promote the region because of the recent changes in Department of Commerce regulations and new airline service, which allows inbound leisure travel from China to the United States not only possible, but imminent.   Under a bilateral travel agreement, signed in December 2007, the United States and China now have the necessary framework to permit group leisure travel from China to the United States. Prior to the agreement, Chinese regulations restricted companies from CONTINUE