As Memorial Day weekend unofficially kicked off the summer leisure travel season, you have all seen the reports speculating a downturn in leisure travel due to rising fuel costs. Anecdotal tales of lower traffic volumes and news of slowdowns in bookings at traditional long-haul destinations such as Las Vegas and Florida have naturally made the entire industry nervous. Scientific consumer surveys about travel intentions vary in range from slight to moderate changes in travel planning. So, what to do, what to do?
Continue reading "The Summer of Opportunity" »
Thank you to everyone who turned out for the May 13 unveiling of our new advertising campaign and Ohio Tourism Celebration during Ohio Tourism Month (National Tourism Week) at the Statehouse. Your support and participation brought our industry some great media coverage and awareness and stimulated excitement and discussion about tourism in Ohio!
Continue reading "Ohio Tourism Event Hits Mark with New Ads, Travel Opportunities Close to Home" »
It has been a crazy few weeks, but the Division Marketing Office and Singleton & Partners, Ltd. have launched Ohio’s innovative new multicultural tourism campaign capitalizing on the star power of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, the O’Jays, and their popular song, “Livin’ for the Weekend.” Members of Ohio’s Tourism Industry are invited to join the Tourism Division June 9 for a 3:00 p.m. premier of the new television spot at the House of Blues. A second event will take place June 12 at 1:15 p.m. in Cincinnati to show the television spot and announce a partnership with Macy’s Music Festival.
Continue reading "'Livin’ for the Weekend' Multicultural Campaign Launched, TV Premiere June 9" »
For the third year in a row, the Division Public Relations Office and Fahlgren Mortine Public Relations have been awarded a Bronze Anvil award, a national honor from the Public Relations Society of America. This year’s award recognizes the Ohio Tourism Division’s strategic media relations program as the finest in the country for a government entity for the second year in a row.
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Be part of the 2009 Ohio Travel Planner! All Ohio travel and tourism entities are invited to submit/update their organizations’ information in the Buckeye database by 5 p.m. on Wed., July 23, to have your free listing considered for inclusion in the 2009 Ohio Travel Planner (400,000 printed plus online at www.DiscoverOhio.com).
Continue reading "2009 Ohio Travel Planner Listing Deadline Wednesday, July 23" »
The 2008 Marketing Assistance Program is ramping up for another year of helping Ohio tourism entities leverage their marketing dollars to reach new audiences! The deadline to register for Phase II of MAP ( for marketing activities that take place between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2008) is July 1, 2008. Applications must be submitted in hard copy by 5 p.m., July 1, 2008, and must be accompanied by a licensing agreement and media plan. Late registration forms will not be considered. For those not familiar with MAP, it works essentially like a standard retail co-op. In exchange for businesses and attractions helping to extend the Ohio brand by using the Ohio… So much to Discover! logo, the Tourism Division reimburses participants a percentage of eligible marketing expenses. Though the Division is phasing out the So much to Discover logo, its use is approved for MAP in 2008.
Continue reading "2008 Marketing Assistance Program Now Accepting Applicants for Phase II" »
After a very successful launch in 2007, the Division is ramping up its second year of enhanced consumer e-newsletters with its partner eBrains. For consideration in the e-newsletters, please contact Joe Vargo at jvargo@odod.state.oh.us by July 1.
Continue reading "Participate in the Division’s E-Newsletters for Free" »
Are you looking for ways to target the student, baby-boomer and senior group tour market? Registration is currently underway for the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and National Tour Association’s (NTA) annual conventions, along with sponsorship opportunities. Additional show registrations will go live over the next couple of months.
Continue reading "It’s Group Tour Show Registration Time!" »
It’s important to understand that although the travel industry as a whole is facing some challenges in the form of rising fuel prices and changes in the economy, people are still going to travel. Summer vacations have become an inherent right, so instead of traveling across the country for a week’s vacation, those in close proximity will probably be more likely to choose Ohio as their summer destination: Remember, the state is within 600 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population!
Continue reading "Best Practices: Converting Day-Trippers with Travel Packages" »
The CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) of 2003 was put in place to establish requirements for commercial e-mailers. The rules are pretty simple, but if you don’t follow them the fines are pretty stiff; up to $11,000 per violation!
Continue reading "TechCorner: CAN-SPAM – Are you Compliant?" »
