November 2008 e-NewsletterWelcome to TourISm Tucson (pronounced "Tourism Is Tucson"), your monthly e-newsletter from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). Each month, we invite you to use this medium to stay informed of news and other information that will help ensure your success as a partner of Tucson's tourism community.
Local Personalities Share their Love for Tourism
The MTCVB has enlisted the help of seven local personalities to create awareness of tourism's vital role in Tucson's prosperity. The high-profile locals are going on-the-record, for the new Embrace Tourism advertising campaign, with reasons why they appreciate tourism. The first ad features Bonnie Allin, President/CEO of Tucson Airport Authority, reminding travelers to save valuable time and money by choosing Tucson International Airport. The next segments feature Diana Madaras of Madaras Galleries; Suzana Davila of Café Poca Cosa; Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup; Bob Edison of Arizona Sonora Desert Museum; Dr. Andrew Weil, guru of healthy living; and Don Pooley, Senior US Open golf champion.
Local residents already are an important source of visitor referrals. A survey shows 55 percent of leisure travelers to Tucson are influenced by friends and family who live here. The Embrace Tourism campaign is designed to educate locals about their city's reputation as an exciting travel destination so they are better prepared to enjoy it themselves and recommend it to others. The campaign also targets locals who are unaware of how the MTCVB advocates tourism.
The campaign, which was developed by the MTCVB Marketing department, began last month and runs through June 2009. It includes print and radio ads and the Embrace Tourism website.
Work It!
Tucson Ambassadors Program 2008 Class Schedule
Learn more about the Tucson Ambassadors Program. Go to www.CTANetwork.com to register for a class hosted by Radisson Suites Tucson Airport on December 10, 2008. The January-June 2009 class schedule is also available on the CTA Network.
CTA Certification Renewal
Friday, Oct. 31 is the deadline for 2007 Certified Tourism Ambassadors (CTA) to renew their certification (Wed., Dec. 31 is the grace deadline). Information is online at www.CTAnetwork.com. The annual renewal ensures the Tucson Ambassadors Program remains relevant and valuable to participants, visitors, and the city. If you're up for renewal and have questions, contact Laurie White, Partner Services Manager, at lwhite@visitTucson.org. First Tuesday: It's All About Tucson--Marketing Our World-Class Destination
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St. 85719. Featuring Toby Parks, Director of Marketing, MTCVB. Sponsored by Madden Media. For details or to RSVP, click here.
Winter Holiday Super Savers Program Deadline
Monday, Dec. 8 is the final day for Accommodations partners to submit holiday room rates, seasonal packages, and/or special offerings for the Winter Holiday Super Savers program. Submit rates and other information, using a form available through e-mail, by fax (520-884-7804) to Hope Patterson, Executive Assistant to Rick Vaughan, no later than December 8.
'Holiday Happening' at Maynard's Market
Thursday, Dec. 11, 5 to 7 p.m. at Maynard's Market in the Historic Train Depot in Downtown Tucson. Visit downtown Tucson's newest hip bar/market/bistro in the Historic Train Depot. Enjoy samples of bistro specialties, the upstairs "Caboose" dessert room, chic cash bar, and the authentic ambiance of this historic location. More details to follow. To RSVP, click here.
Know It!
Why We Love Tucson Visitors
Why do we love Tucson visitors? Let us count the ways. Here are five of the many reasons featured in our Embrace Tourism campaign:
1.They help support more than 40,000 local jobs.
2. They spend 25 percent of their daily budgets at local restaurants.
3. They keep our area's many golf courses thriving.
4. They support our local art scene for everyone to enjoy.
5. They pay hotel taxes that pump millions into community services.
If you need more reasons to love Tucson visitors, take a look at the Embrace Tourism website. You'll find local tourism statistics and free travel resources you can use to plan your own "staycation." Advertise Winter Holiday Room Rates
Accommodations partners are invited to participate in the 2008 Winter Holiday Tucson Super Savers campaign, from November 20 through December 20. This year's campaign, which promotes value-season hotel rates to Tucsonans expecting holiday visitors, will get extra exposure from its new booking engine, Travelocity. Submit rates now through Monday, Dec. 8 using the one-page form available from Hope Patterson, Executive Assistant to Rick Vaughan, at hpatterson@visitTucson.org or (520) 770-2136. Tucson Temptations on Travelocity
If you haven't seen Travelocity's new Tucson destination page, check it out soon. The ExperienceFinder: Tucson page showcases "Tucson's temptations" that "range from mountain trails and national parks to golf courses and chi-chi spas." Highlights include interactive maps, brilliant images, sample tours, and information about partner hotels and other Tucson travel product. Gem Show Contact Information
Contact information regarding each of Tucson's gem shows is available at our website. Even when we're outside of peak show season, all information is retained on the Tucson Gem Shows page under the Events destination driver. The next time someone asks you for contact information for a specific show, simply refer him or her to the MTCVB website. ADOT I-10 Traffic Alert
For the latest news on the Prince Road to 29th Street I-10 widening project in Tucson, visit the project website at www.i10tucsondistrict.com, or call the I-10 project hotline, (520) 327-6444. 4th Avenue Underpass Update
Traffic alerts related to construction, detours, and closures during the 4th Avenue Underpass construction project in downtown Tucson are issued periodically and are available online. To find out more, click here.
Use It!
'Embrace Tourism' Website
Evey Tucsonan should encourage friends and family to visit Tucson - that's the message of our Embrace Tourism campaign to boost the local economy. As an MTCVB partner, you are an important component of this campaign. You can refer friends, family, and colleagues to the Embrace Tourism website. They will find contests offering great prizes, special events, and other useful Tucson travel information. You can also use this website to plan local adventures of your own and welcome visiting friends and family. 2009 Gem Show Directory Advertising
Restaurants and attractions can increase customer traffic during gem show by advertising a discount, aimed at gem show visitors, in the directory for the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase, January 31 through February 15, 2009. The brochure-size directory is a staple for gem show visitors. It is offered for free at all shows, at the airport, and at select hotels; it lists the more than 40 shows and contains maps of GemRide shuttle routes. Due to the directory's compact size, ad space is limited and can be reserved only at time of payment. To advertise, phone Erica Federico, Convention Services Manager, at (520) 770-2152. Market to Convention Delegates
Here's a cost-saving opportunity to promote your company with meeting and convention delegates. Donate surplus merchandise featuring your logo to the MTCVB. The Convention Services team will consider your merchandise for gift baskets given to clients on site visits and welcome bags provided to delegates at meetings and conventions. Examples of acceptable merchandise include pens, notepads, lapel pins, paperweights, scented sachets and body care products, non-perishable food items, hats, t-shirts, and golf balls. If you're interested, contact Erica Federico, Convention Services Manager, at (520) 770-2152. Promote Your Business in Sonora
The Tucson Visitor Center in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico recently hosted an open house to showcase an expanded reception area for passengers taking its daily shuttle to and from Tucson. The MTCVB opened this Visitor Center in 2006; currently, it serves an average 650 Sonoran travelers every month. These travelers stock up on Tucson travel information, produced in Spanish and supplied by MTCVB Vamos a Tucson partners. The Spanish-speaking staff provides information on trips and tours in Tucson. To find out how you can market your business in Mexico, contact Martha Tadlock, Mexico Projects Manager, at (520) 770-2167 or mtadlock@visitTucson.org. Leverage Bureau Partnership with 'Wowget'
Madden Media and the MTCVB recently partnered to launch the Tucson Travel Network, a community travel network that features Web 2.0 technology. With this network you can leverage your partnership by sharing your content with the same media player posted on the MTCVB website. Picture your own multimedia player, called the "wowget," containing your video, podcasts, RSS feeds, and photographs streaming on the homepage (or any other page) of your website. For more information, contact Allison Cessna of Madden Media, at (520) 297-7178 or acessna@maddenmedia.com. Save on Hometown Fun
Before planning a weekend adventure, be sure to check out the discounts in the Tucson Attractions Passport. The pocket-sized coupon booklet contains deals and two-for-one offers at area museums, galleries, parks, performing arts events, and other attractions. The 2008-09 edition is good through September 15, 2009. You can buy one for $15 at the Tucson Attractions Passport website, participating attractions, Catalina Mart stores in Tucson, and the Tucson Visitor Center in La Placita Village. Links to MTCVB Resources
Follow the links below for information from a variety of MTCVB resources:
Tucson Interactive Travel Guide
MTCVB & Destination Guide
Visitante Tucson
Free Visitor Information
Tucson Ambassadors Program
New Partners & Partner Anniversaries
MTCVB Visitor Inquiries / September 2008
Information requests: 16,125
Walk-in visitors: 2,552
Website unique visitors: 205,093
Year-to-Date (July-September 2008)
Information requests: 28,617
Walk-in visitors: 6,795
Website unique visitors: 631,631 |
