SOUTH WALTON, Fla. — Visit South Walton is the recipient of 11 creative awards for marketing efforts designed to attract visitors to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast beach destination. The awards, coupled with recently released record tourism revenue for March, reflect the continued success of those efforts.

Visit South Walton Executive Director Dawn Moliterno said the accolades and revenues are the result of careful planning and implementation.

“Many people worked diligently over the past year to establish the South Walton brand in major markets. These awards, combined with revenue for the period, provide third-party validation that our marketing and media strategies are working as intended. Grant funding from BP was enormously helpful in supplementing our core budget, allowing us to pursue strategic concepts not otherwise feasible. Now that the funds have been completely deployed, we can celebrate record revenue for the period and the added bonus of recognition for creative expertise.”

The beach destination received awards from the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) – Northwest Florida and Orlando chapters, and American Advertising Federation (AAF) – Charlotte, NC, and Region 3 (N.C., S.C. and Va.) chapters.

Recently released bed-tax revenues for March 2012 reflect a 33 percent increase over 2011, a 58 percent increase over 2010, and a 31 percent increase over the previous record set in 2008. March marks 13 straight months of double-digit increases.  

The economic impact of tourism in Walton County was an estimated $1 billion in fiscal 2011.

In addition to carrying out its mission to market the destination, Visit South Walton also oversees beach maintenance along its 26 miles of coastline, which includes eight lifeguard locations manned throughout the spring and summer seasons. The organization has also secured more than $10 million in grants for beach nourishment since 1998.

Learn more at VisitSouthWalton.com.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — Delaware North Companies (DNC) Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, authorized concessioner for Yosemite National Park, announced that Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, General Store, and Grill will open for the season on Friday, May 25.

The Tuolumne Meadows Sport Shop and the Tuolumne-based Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service are scheduled to open Friday, June 1.

White Wolf Lodge will open for the season on Friday, June 8, conditions permitting. The mild winter and early opening of the Tioga Road has allowed the earlier than expected openings of popular Tuolumne Meadows accommodations and services including Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and Grill.

“The National Park Service and Delaware North Companies worked closely to achieve an early opening date for High Sierra accommodations and services,” said DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite President Dan Jensen. “We are thankful for the effort from the National Park Service and are thrilled to offer access to services in Tuolumne Meadows so early this year. These early openings provide additional opportunities for people to enjoy Memorial Day Weekend in Yosemite and the beauty of the High Sierra.”

Located in the largest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 8,775 feet, the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge features 69 tent cabins. The canvas-covered units are wood-framed on a cement platform and sleep up to four people. They are equipped with beds and linens, candles and a wood-burning stove with wood. Central shower and restroom facilities are nearby.

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge serves a hearty breakfast and dinner in a central dining tent beside the Tuolumne River. Menu options include a full range of breakfast options with a complete dinner menu selection of beef, chicken and vegetarian choices, salads, soups and special desserts. The mountaineering school, stable, gas station, post office, grill and grocery store are all located at Tuolumne Meadows.

White Wolf Lodge provides accommodations in 24 canvas tent cabins, which include beds with mattresses, linens and wood-burning stoves. Four cabins with private baths are also available. Breakfast and dinner are served in the White Wolf dining room, and there is a small convenience store.

For more information about lodging and activities in Yosemite National Park or to make a reservation, visit www.YosemitePark.com or call (801) 559-4949. Dinner-only reservations can be made at White Wolf Lodge and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge by calling (209) 372-8416 and (209) 372-8413 respectively. Join the conversation at Facebook.com/YosemitePark and Twitter.com/YosemiteDNC. 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tourism executive Jeffrey Hentz has started duties as the new president and chief executive officer of Florida’s Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.   

“We are excited to have Jeff join and lead our tourism marketing team. This is the start of an exciting era for the Daytona Beach area,” said Sean Belgrade, chairman of the Halifax Area Advertising Authority, which oversees the Daytona Beach area's tourism marketing efforts.

Hentz, most recently the executive director and chief executive officer for California's Destination Yosemite/Mariposa County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the travel and tourism industry. He has served as chairman of Visit California's High Sierra Region and as a member of the Visit California Marketing Commission and International Advisory Board.

He is actively involved in several professional industry associations including Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) and Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO). Hentz is a graduate of the University of Central Florida in Orlando.  

 NEW LONDON, Conn. – The newly renovated U.S. Coast Guard Museum reopens to the public Saturday, May 12.

Artifacts document America’s 200-year maritime history in the museum at 15 Mohegan Ave., in
New London, on the grounds of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Models of steamships and modern cutters, Fresnel lenses from the lighthouse at Cape Ann, Mass., and carvings are among the displays. The museum holds in trust approximately 6,800 artifacts, many collected by museum creator Paul Johnson, Coast Guard Academy library director.

The yearlong $297,000 renovation project included abatement and artifact relocation. The Coast Guard Department of Governmental and Public Affairs and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy provided financial assistance, according to information from the CGA Public Affairs office.

The new exhibit provides an overview of the Coast Guard from its origins to the present day, and a smaller temporary gallery features changing exhibits.

For more information, call (860) 444-8511.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commerce Secretary John Bryson and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced President Barack Obama Administration’s national tourism and travel strategy.

The effort is highlighted in a five-point blueprint to expand travel to and within the U.S., including promoting the United States internationally through Brand USA, enabling and enhancing travel and tourism domestically and for international visitors and providing world-class customer services and visitors experiences.

The goal is to increase American jobs by attracting and welcoming 100 million international visitors annually by the end of 2021, a more than 50 percent increase over what is expected this year.

The projections are that international visitors would spend an estimated $250 billion annually.

“Tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America every year.  They stay in our hotels, they eat at our restaurants, they visit our attractions, and they help create jobs,” Obama said in a statement.

“ At a time when too many Americans are still looking for work, we need to make it easier for more people to visit this country and keep our economy growing.”

Bryson said the strategy is “a product of a strong private-public partnership, which will make the U.S. even more welcoming to visitors and reinforce our message to the world: the United States is open for business.” 

Salazar said: “These recommendations will help make the United States a more attractive travel destination for people around the globe.”

In 2011, the U.S. travel and tourism industry generated $1.2 trillion from domestic and international travel and supported 7.6 million jobs, according to the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.

The Commerce Department recently released a travel and tourism forecast projecting the U.S. can expect 4 to 5 percent average annual growth in tourism over the next five years, with 65.4 million foreign visitors expected in 2012.

“Our beautiful coasts, mountains, valleys and exciting cities have captivated the imagination of people all over the world. They want to come here, spend their money and have a good time,” said U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., who is co-chairman of the Travel and Tourism Caucus.

“We need to let those people know that we are open for business.

 PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – California’s desert oasis community is capitalizing on the area’s sunny blue skies to launch its new brand, which aims to unify the nine-city resort area into one destination.

The entire area is rebranded the Greater Palm Springs Oasis with the maxim: “A Brand New Day”.

The rebranding comes with the announcement that Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau is the new name for the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority.

The moniker reflects how the destination has evolved and progressed over the past decade,  according to CVB representatives.

Tourism is the leading industry in Greater Palm Springs, representing 1 in 6 jobs throughout the destination. In 2010, the Greater Palm Springs area welcomed an estimated 4 million domestic and international travelers who contributed more than 2.1 billion in spending to the destination.

“Current research from focus groups and an 11-city image awareness study, plus guidance from our client advisory board and local stakeholders, have underscored both the need and advantages to promoting the Palm Springs area as a single destination,” said Scott White, president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs CVB in a prepared release. “The new Oasis brand is designed to show the unique and authentic experience that the traveler can expect when selecting this destination.”

He said Greater Palm Springs is one of the few true oasis destinations in the world with its incredible underground aquifer, three mountain ranges and year-round sunshine.

“The destination continues to attract world-class events that are now setting record attendance, including international visitors and Hollywood’s elite,” he said.

The brand launch includes the presentation of a new identifying Oasis Infinity logo for the destination, consisting of nine loops symbolizing not only Greater Palm Springs’ nine cities, but also its nine Brand Pillars – the physical and emotional principles on which the brand is built.

The pillars are:

• Sanctuary – Spacious places of escape, from historic to quaint to modern and resort

• Seductive – Enticing the senses and passions

• Sensory – Not just a place, but a collection of experiences that engage all the senses

• Serene – An oasis of calm and quality relaxation

• Spectrum – Alive with color, light, discovery, from sunrise to sunset

• Spirit – Enriching, nourishing, rewarding and connects

• Sport – A Mecca for outdoor adventure and activity

• Style – Timeless, chic, unique lifestyle, architecture, art, fashion and music

• Sunny – Our 360 days of clear blue skies changes your outlook and warms your heart.

For more information, visit www.palmspringsoasis.com 

Tourists and tourism’s impact is being celebrated in the United States.

National Travel and Tourism Week is this week, starting last weekend and running through May 13. It honors travelers and the benefits they yield for communities.

The U.S. tourism industry marks the occasion with rallies and outreach, with events nationwide, according to the U.S. Travel Association and The Power of Travel Coalition. The events include U.S. Travel Rally Day, which was Tuesday.

For instance, in Arkansas a rally coordinated by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism was held Tuesday in Little Rock, Ark., on the Arkansas State Capitol’s front steps. Welcome centers across the state are handing out goodies with performances at some sites. There are four consecutive days of events in North Little Rock, Ark., with activities today at Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and on Friday at the Arkansas Queen riverboat and Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum.

In Pennsylvania, Kane, Pa.-based Flickerwood Wine Cellars unveiled a new wine, Kinzua Journey, with some proceeds to benefit the Bradford, Pa.-based Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau.

In Texas, the Texas Travel Industry Association, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Dallas Arts  District and Dallas-Fort Worth Area Tourism Council held a rally Tuesday at Winspear Opera House in the AT&T Performance Center in Dallas. Midland Convention & Visitors Bureau is holding a housekeeper appreciation celebration on Thursday.

To tie in with U.S. Travel's current campaign, this year's theme is Vote Travel.

First celebrated in 1984, the week was established through a joint resolution by Congress and made official with President Ronald Reagan's signature.

ORLANDO — Leaders in the travel and tourism industry are mourning the loss of Visit Orlando President and CEO Gary Sain, who died suddenly Friday night.

Sain worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years, heading Visit Orlando since 2007. He was 61 years old.

He worked tirelessly on behalf of Orlando and the entire U.S. travel industry, said Roger J. Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

“The industry has lost a true leader whose passion for travel and tourism was second to none and evident in his constant flow of ideas about ways to improve anything he was associated with,” Dow said of Sain.

Sain gave a presentation Friday night at a Boys & Girls Club event at Orlando World Center Marriott, and collapsed shortly after.

The cause of death has not been released.

Sain is credited with being a driving force is making Orlando a No. 1 family destination in the United States.

In 2010, Orlando was the first U.S. destination to surpass 50 million visitors.

He remained bullish and moved forward with aggressive integrated marketing plans during the global economic recession, including the launch of the popular and successful Orlando Makes Me Smile campaign, said Susan Lomax, vice president of Global Publicity for Visit Orlando.

 “Everyone associated with Gary during his three decades-plus in the travel community is better for having the privilege of knowing him,” Dow said,

He spent his entire career working in hospitality, and was honored numerous times for his contributions.  Before joining Visit Orlando, he was a vice president, chief marketing officer and partner with Orlando-based advertising and public relations agency Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Sain; two daughters, Vanessa Sain-Dieguez (and her spouse, Luis) and Olivia Sain; and his mother, Elizabeth Sain.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.

MESA, Ariz. — The Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired Marc Garcia as its president and chief executive officer.  

Friday’s announcement came after a six-month vacancy after Robert Brinton’s death in October.

“We … are excited to have him lead us into the next era of tourism,” Gary Levine, board chairman for the Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), said of Garcia.

“His leadership style and knowledge of the greater Phoenix marketplace are in line with our vision for tourism growth as our community works to further Mesa’s reputation as a leading destination in the Southwest.”

Garcia worked 15 years at the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau. He most recently held the position of vice president of visitor marketing and community development, overseeing travel industry sales, convention services and housing, government affairs and sports sales departments.

He helped lead the Phoenix bureau’s sales and service efforts for Super Bowl XLII, National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend 2009, WrestleMania XXVI and the 2011 Major League Baseball All Star Game.

A graduate of Pitzer College, Garcia has a bachelor’s of arts degree in political studies.

The Arizona native starts work with the Mesa CVB on June 11. 

BOSTON — After the recent spring meeting of the Motorcoach Council’s board of directors, the organization says it is moving forward with a renewed spirit, tools for operators and new board leadership.

Autumn Dipert Brown, president of Dan Dipert Coaches and Tours in Arlington, Texas, is the newly elected board chair.

According to a news release, the board agreed that “it is time to shift its efforts to an external focus by assisting operators to help them market their businesses to the general public and to provide support for those activities.”

"The Motorcoach Council was being built over the past few years. Now that we have the Council firmly in place, it is time to focus efforts on a campaign, with multiple facets, that will truly benefit operators," Autumn Dipert Brown said.

The council's executive director, Heather Horton, resigned during the spring meeting.

Horton expressed gratitude for her opportunity to serve the council and its members.

"The council is well on its way to serving the critical role of expanding awareness of motorcoach travel,” Horton said.

“I was pleased to be an active part of the council's growth and development and have confidence that the efforts I was part of, will continue to expand and improve to benefit the entire industry."

Dipert Brown praised Horton for the former executive director’s accomplishments.

"Heather was a tremendous asset to the Motorcoach Council and her hard work and dedication got us to where we are today," Dipert Brown said.

Horton wishes to stay active in the industry and welcomes operators and industry partners to contact her for assistance with public relations, marketing, social media or other specialty projects to help strengthen their brand.

Dipert Brown noted that for the short term, the council's board will be responsible for assuming various responsibilities including certain day-to-day operations.

The board will be looking for ways to streamline the council's activities and will be taking on a larger role for the strategic direction of the council and for the marketing campaigns.

In addition to Dipert Brown, other members of the Motorcoach Council Board of Directors are Ron Bast, Riteway Bus Lines, vice chair; Elaine Fickett, H & L Charter Co., treasurer; Gladys Gillis, Starline Luxury Coaches, secretary; Brian Annett; past chair; Mike Costa, A Yankee Line; Steve Haddad, Bieber Group; Shannon Kaser, Royal Excursion Coaches; Peter Pantuso, president, American Bus Association; Victor Parra, president, United Motorcoach Association; Lisa Peterson, Northfield Lines; Peter Shelbo, Tour West America; and Bronwyn Wilson, president, International Motor Coach Group.

Earlier this year, the Motorcoach Council embraced the Smart Move campaign under the leadership of former Chair Brian Annett.

Developed in Europe and spreading to all parts of the world with a consumer focus, Smart Move depicts all the benefits of motorcoach travel from the perspective of reducing congestion, reducing the environmental impact of travel and showing the fun of traveling together as groups.

The Motorcoach Council also announced a new Operator Toolbox, available to all council supporters, to help them market and grow their individual businesses.

The toolbox contains a series of professionally developed advertising pieces that operators can use and modify to add their own contact information, photographs and logos.

For additional information, contact Dipert Brown at autumn@motorcoachcouncil.org.