Travel Insider
December 19, 2008 – Issue 25
The Frankfort staff for the Kentucky Department of Travel gathered for a holiday breakfast at the Frankfort Convention Center on Thursday. The menu was prepared by Commissioner Mike Cooper (upper right), Deputy Commissioner Shirley Dexter (second from left in front row), Liz Chewning and Chris Kellogg, division directors, and Cheryl Hatcher, chief marketing officer.
Dear Travel Industry Partners:
Let me wish you Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!
Actually, this is a time for the travel industry in Kentucky to be happy. Overall, we are weathering the economic storm pretty well. Here are some examples:
• One percent revenues for the past few months have been higher than projected.
• The Ryder Cup gave Kentucky phenomenal international exposure, as did our annual special events such as the Kentucky Derby and Rolex Three Day Event.
• Visits to our international website, www.visitkentuckyusa.com are at an all time high.
This year we made a strong push to encourage Kentuckians to” Discover Your Own Backyard,” and it seems to have helped, as evidenced by the one percent numbers. We targeted feeder markets and began a strong international push in advance of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010. We took advantage of our position as Lincoln’s birthplace allowed us to start the bicentennial celebration of his birth.
So far 2009 looks to be positive as well. We are working on new creative ideas to promote the state, as well as certain travel niches. We will intensify our push to draw the feeder market and international travel through our current programs, including an intensified public relations and marketing effort. We also plan to expand our push into the bourbon and adventure travel markets, both of which are exciting and profitable niches for the Kentucky travel industry.
As you know the economy has been struggling and we are all doing more with less, still I’m extremely optimistic about 2009. We have a tremendous team in place and incredible support from our travel partners throughout Kentucky.
I thank you for your help in making my first year as commissioner so rewarding. I hope you and your family enjoy the best holiday season of your lives.
Sincerely,
Mike Cooper
Commissioner
1) 2009 Visitor’s Guides Have Arrived
2) STS Top 20 Events Deadline
3) The Kentucky Office of Creative Services
4) Romantic Places for Valentines Day
5) Media Request – Spiritual Travel Destinations
6) Welcome Center Shipments
7) Congratulations to Marshall County
8) Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Chosen
1) 2009 Visitor’s Guides Have Arrived: The new, stunning guides are hot off the presses and in our warehouse. If you would like a supply, please email the correct shipping address to bill.poynter@ky.gov. There are 42 guides in each box.
2) STS Top 20 Events Deadline: January 9 is the deadline for nominations for your festival or event scheduled for July, August and September of 2009 for the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20. Please remember that your event must be attended by 1,000 people and be in its third year of existence. A $10 fee must accompany the nomination. Forms are available at: http://southeasttourism.org/top20/index.html. If selected an event receives a tremendous amount of free publicity through the STS.
3) The Kentucky Office of Creative Services: An agency within the TAH Cabinet, Creative Services provides award-winning video, photography, graphic design and sound production at very competitive rates. Creative Services can provide services to any state, county or local government agency in Kentucky. To partner with Creative Services to make any creative project a success, visit www.CreativeServices.ky.gov, or call 502-564-8027.
4) Romantic Places for Valentines Day: If you have a romantic spot or event in your town or county, let us know so we can promote it for the month of February. Send all information to Marge Bateman at marge.bateman@ky.gov.
5) Media Request – Spiritual Travel Destinations: EaglesQuest Media is researching a book about U.S.-based spiritual travel destinations. Loosely defined, spiritual tourism adds to the development of people looking for meaning while on vacation. They are interested in everything -- no matter what the faith/belief -- within our geographic area. Examples include: sacred sites and springs, retreats or destinations related to reflection/renewal (either religious or secular with a slant towards healing & spirituality) historic, significant or quirky churches, temples or shrines. Contact Joni Strandquest, joni@eaglesquestmedia.com. Deadline: Jan 10, 2009.
6) Welcome Center Shipments: As of January 1, the Welcome Centers will no longer have post office boxes. Shipments must be made via UPS and FedEx. Shipping addresses and phone numbers are: Bullitt Co Welcome Center, I-65 Southbound at MM114, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, 502-543-5900; Christian Co Welcome Center, I-24 Westbound at MM92, Hopkinsville KY 42240, 270-439-7505; Florence Welcome Center, I-75/I-71 Southbound, Richwood KY 41094, 859-384-3130; Franklin Welcome Center, I-65 Northbound at MM 0, Franklin KY 42134, 270-586-6292; Grayson Welcome Center, I-64 Westbound, Grayson KY 41143, 606-474-4333; Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, 957 Walnut Meadow Rd, Berea KY 40403, 859-985-5448; Shelby Co Welcome Center, 17600 I-64 Eastbound, Shelbyville KY 40065, 502-722-9383; Whitehaven Welcome Center, I-24 Eastbound Exit 7, Paducah KY 42002-8265, 270-554-2077; Williamsburg Welcome Center, I-75 MM1.5 Northbound, Williamsburg KY 40769, 606-786-4474;
Capitol Welcome Desk, 700 Capitol Ave, Frankfort KY 40601, 502-564-3449.
7) Congratulations to Marshall County: Hoopfest was listed in USA Today as one of the best boys tournaments to watch for 2008-09. This 13th annual event which pits top nationally-ranked high school teams in the nation drew a sell-out crowd of over 6,000. The very successful Hoopfest will expand to Laurel County January 22-24, 2009.
8) Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Chosen: The nine landmarks elected to be refurbished in 2009 by Hampton’s Save-A-Landmark Program have been chosen. The Lincoln Boyhood Home is the winner in Kentucky.
Hampton’s 2009 “All-American Landmarks” theme, pays homage to landmarks that celebrate the diverse definitions of what it means to be American. Each site that Save-A-Landmark will refurbish next year reflects the individual personalities of the states and their residents, and signifies defining moments in our country’s past and/or the influential people that ignited these actions.
From all of us at the Department of Travel, to all of you, have a safe and wonderful holiday season and a prosperous 2009.
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The Kentucky Department of Travel, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, exists to promote the Commonwealth as a travel destination, to generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky's economy.
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(The Travel Insider is a bi-weekly publication of the Kentucky Department of Travel.)
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If you would like to receive the Travel Insider, contact Marge Bateman, marge.bateman@ky.gov.