ATLANTA, September 22, 2009 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Visitor Information Centers (VICs) were honored with an international marketing award for their tourism partnership promotion program. The National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) announced the winners of the 2009 Mercury Awards program Sept. 1 at the Travel Industry Association’s annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO). The Mercury Award honors the best in state tourism office marketing and promotion programs each year.
“For the third year running, Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers are being recognized for their top-notch programs and commitment to Georgia’s visitors,” said Charlie Gatlin, GDEcD’s deputy commissioner for tourism and marketing. “This program is but one example of the specialized service we offer to the 12 million visitors who stop by our 11 visitor information centers each year seeking travel information.”
The Tourism Partnership Promotion Program was created to give tourism entities more opportunities to partner with the state’s 11 Visitor Information Centers and market their attraction, hotel or destination to travelers stopping at the centers. The Visitor Information Specialists spent time educating the tourism industry to get them involved in the new program. They met with the community members inviting local tourism partners including Convention and Visitors Bureaus, hotels, attractions and even non-traditional tourism businesses to get involved. Tourism partners were encouraged to take advantage of the free opportunities through the center including brochure distribution, special promotions and hotel booking.
“Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers, led by Jeffrey Tatum, are our ‘front door’ to visitors,” said Kevin Langston, GDEcD’s Assistant Commissioner for Tourism. “The Visitor Information Specialists make a great first impression, make them feel at home, and encourage the visitor to stay longer and spend more.”
Last year, Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers were recognized with a Mercury award for their Canadian Visitor Recognition program, which introduces Canadian travelers to Georgia. VIC Information Specialists encourage Canadian travelers to spend the day, stay the night and explore Georgia. Outreach includes a “Georgia Welcomes Canadians” logo on the centers’ counters, doors, and signage. Information specialists also offer Canadian visitors information on tourism attractions that offer discounts for Canadian travelers, and motor coaches (with advance notice) with Canadian visitors receive litter bags, refreshments and goodie bags.
In 2007, Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers were recognized with a Mercury award for the Hurricane Awareness and Sister Center Network programs. The VICs created a network within the tourism industry to provide evacuees and travelers with accurate information when hurricanes threaten Georgia or neighboring states. In addition, GDEcD and GEMA partnered to produce an information booklet that assists hurricane evacuees with emergency information. Through the Sister Center Network VICs partner with the state’s Regional Visitor Information Centers to implement long-term programs for visitors.
Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers serve as a gateway to the state and are located on major travel arteries in Augusta, Columbus, Kingsland, Lavonia, Plains, Ringgold, Savannah, Tallapoosa, Valdosta, West Point and Sylvania. Travelers are greeted by information specialists who provide valuable travel information, book hotel rooms and offer directions. The state travel guide, maps, a variety of brochures and other collateral materials are available to those traveling to or through Georgia. The Georgia Visitor Information Centers work closely with the 36 Regional Visitor Information Centers located throughout the state to create a positive first impression of Georgia to our visitors.
Created in 1985, the Mercury Awards recognize state and territory tourism offices for excellence and creative accomplishment in travel marketing and promotion. The winning programs serve as models to foster imagination and innovation in the development of future destination programs. NCSTD is an industry council of the U.S. Travel Association. The awards were presented during the closing ceremony of the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.exploregeorgia.org or call 404-962-4075.
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