TDA: Visitors spent $357 million in Haywood County in 2024; director touts marketing recovery Haywood County Tourism Development Authority director Karina Ruffier told commissioners that 2024 visitor spending exceeded $357 million, supporting roughly 2,200 full-time jobs, and highlighted marketing wins, the OpenHaywood campaign and upcoming events including the Society of American Travel Writers visit.

Haywood County saw an astounding $357 million in visitor spending in 2024, fueling local jobs and showcasing the power of strategic marketing recovery!

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #TourismMarketing #CommunityRecovery #HaywoodCountyTourism

5 Digital Marketing Priorities for Travel & Tourism in 2026 | Arival Discover the top digital marketing trends shaping travel and tourism in 2026, from AI-driven personalization to sustainable strategies and emerging tech

Travel marketing isn’t evolving. It’s being rebuilt.

AI = essential
Social = full-funnel
Search = fragmented

The playbook has changed. Are you keeping up?

👉 arival.travel/article/digi...
#toursandactivities #aimarketing #tourismmarketing

ARIVAL | ELEVATE ON-DEMAND:
THE STRATEGY BEHIND STAND-OUT BRANDS
Missed this great session with Blend Marketing’s Brian Nicholson? It’s available on demand for Insider Pro Access members.

Watch Now: arival.travel/sessions/ariva...

#toursandactivties #brandstrategy #tourismmarketing

Meet our Collaborators 🌎

✨ Spotlight on Dr. Bilal Bekhouche ✨

Bridging academia and industry, Dr. Bekhouche continues to inspire innovation, digital transformation, and smarter communication strategies in a rapidly evolving technological world. 🌍📡

#DigitalTransformation #TourismMarketing

Senate committee hears proposal for $5-per-day rental-car fee; industry split on who would pay The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on SB 522, a proposal to add a $5-per-day rental-car fee with at least 20% of receipts earmarked for tourism marketing (subject to appropriations). Sponsors and tourism groups said the fee could boost marketing; rental-car firms warned it would fall on Georgia residents and state agencies. The item was a hearing only; members requested fiscal follow-up.

Georgia's Senate is considering a controversial $5-per-day rental car fee that could fuel tourism marketing—but who will really pay the price?

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#GA #GeorgiaTourism #CitizenPortal #FiscalPolicy #RegulatoryFees #TourismMarketing

State parks present multi‑million bids: capital, welcome centers and beach renourishment among priorities A PRT official told the committee the parks system needs large capital and recurring funds — including facility maintenance, welcome center work and beach renourishment — and described which items the House left unfunded.

South Carolina's Parks agency is seeking a staggering $185 million to modernize parks, open closures, and boost tourism—will they get the funding they need?

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#SC #CitizenPortal #BeachRenourishment #TourismMarketing #SouthCarolinaParks #CapitalFunding

This is how creators pitch paid travel partnerships without a social media following.
Content > clout.
#travelpartnership #tourismmarketing #contentmonetization #wolink #microinfluencers #branddeals #brandcollabration #ugc

Debate over moving tourism promotion to DED exposes split between state and local tourism leaders LB1142 would return administration of Nebraska's tourism promotion to the Department of Economic Development (DED). Supporters say consolidation aligns branding with talent recruitment and increases efficiency; tourism commissioners, hoteliers and regional leaders warned the change could dilute local representation and expertise.

A heated debate brews in Nebraska as lawmakers consider shifting tourism marketing back to the Department of Economic Development, sparking concerns over local representation and effectiveness.

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#NE #CitizenPortal #LocalRepresentation #EconomicDevelopment #TourismMarketing

The IShowSpeed Effect: How 93.1 Billion Impressions Redefined Tourism, Nation Branding, and Digital Diplomacy IShowSpeed's African Tour and the New Era of Influencer Diplomacy Darren Jason Watkins Jr., better known as “IShowSpeed”, is an American YouTuber and livestreaming sensation. His high-energy, unpredic...

93.1 BILLION impressions. That's what one YouTuber generated for Kenya, more than most tourism boards achieve in a decade. We analyzed the "IShowSpeed Effect" across 20 African countries: Are Influencers are the new ambassadors?
financialshub.info/the-ishowspe...
#DigitalDiplomacy
#TourismMarketing

Chamber and regional tourism agency outline marketing partnership for Carter County Local Chamber and Northeast Tennessee Tourism presented a proposed partnership to run the visitor center and a regional marketing effort aimed at converting day‑trippers into overnight visitors; the commission moved to approve a three‑year destination‑marketing contract and allocated Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars for distribution.

Carter County is taking tourism to new heights with a groundbreaking three-year partnership aimed at transforming day-trippers into overnight guests!

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#CarterCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #CarterCountyTourism #TourismMarketing #VisitorCenter

TATO invites to join their ZOOM meeting on Tourism Marketing - ATC News by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome (Posted 17th February 2026)     Dear Tourism stakeholders, marketing staff and colleagues, Following private requests from some of you, I am pleased to announce an online marketing training session tailored for professionals participating in international trade fairs, particularly ITB. The session will take place Today 17th February 2026, from 3:00–4:00 PM. The training […]

atcnews.org/tato-invites...

#Africa
#Tanzania
#TourismMarketing
#ZOOMWebinar

Terisa Siagatonu (@terisasiagatonu) on Threads Wait, the island of Bonaire was so proud to see their flag represented during Bad Bunny’s halftime show that they want to bring the guy who carried the flag to visit Bonaire. The guy saw the post and ...

About #TourismMarketing

www.threads.com/@terisasiaga...

Committee hears bill to make $3 tourism charge permanent for existing TPAs House Bill 22-78 would remove the July 1, 2027, expiration on an additional $3 per-room-per-night charge that some tourism promotion areas (TPAs) impose to fund local tourism marketing. Supporters said the revenue helps local advertising and events; staff said it increases local revenue by about $4 million in the 2027–29 biennium.

A new bill could secure an additional $3 per room charge for local tourism promotion areas, potentially boosting regional revenues by $4 million—will it pass?

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#WA #LocalRevenue #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #TourismMarketing

Subcommittee hears Utah Sports Commission pitch for continuous Olympic legacy ahead of 2034 The Utah Sports Commission told the appropriations subcommittee it wants state support to run a continuous pre‑legacy program that attracts major winter events before the 2034 Games; the commission framed the request as an investment in venues, athletes and tourism marketing.

Utah is gearing up to become a global sports hub with a bold plan to attract major winter events ahead of the 2034 Olympic Games!

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#UT #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #OlympicLegacy #TourismMarketing

Calvert County touts business growth, Armory Square retail project and ferry feasibility study County presenters reported more than 60 new/expanded businesses, $28.5 million in new business permit investments in FY25, launch of a fast‑track permitting program, Armory Square retail development in Prince Frederick, and a grant‑funded ferry implementation study with St. Mary's County.

Calvert County is booming with over 60 new businesses and a groundbreaking retail development, plus exciting plans for a Chesapeake Bay ferry system!

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#CalvertCounty #MD #TourismMarketing #EconomicDevelopment #AgricultureSupport #CitizenPortal

Barnhart Communications reviews 2025 tourism results; Fruita campaign to continue and expand in 2026 Barnhart Communications briefed the Fruita City Council on the 2025 tourism marketing campaign and plans for 2026, reporting millions of earned and paid impressions, a roughly 8,000‑subscriber newsletter, and initiatives to promote culinary events and a mascot‑driven creative push.

Fruita’s tourism marketing is set for an exciting evolution in 2026, with bold plans to spotlight its culinary scene and the quirky charm of “Mike the Headless Chicken”!

Get the details!

#FruitaCityMesaCounty #CO #TourismMarketing #DigitalOutreach #CulinaryEvents #CitizenPortal #FruitaCity

Economic development staff outline Grow Waynesboro program, new website, app and tourism marketing Staff reported a $161,000 initiative package (30% local funds, 70% grants/partners), announced a seven-week free business training and startup grant competition with $58,000 to be awarded at April 28 pitch night, introduced a consolidated Waynesboro Business website and a Visit Waynesboro app (about 1,600 downloads), and described grant-funded tourism videos and marketing plans.

Exciting new initiatives are set to boost Waynesboro's economy, including a free training program and $58,000 in startup grants for local entrepreneurs!

Learn more here

#WaynesboroAugustaCounty #VA #TourismMarketing #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #WaynesboroEconomicDevelopment

Board adopts tourism ad-hoc allocations with quarterly accountability; $5,500 redirected to emergency communications The board approved the tourism ad hoc's recommendation to centralize $70,000 of tourism funding with the Trinity Chamber implementing a quarterly plan and public accountability; the board amended the recommendation to move an unallocated $5,500 to the new emergency communications fund.

Trinity County takes a bold step in tourism funding by centralizing $70,000 and implementing quarterly accountability to boost local marketing efforts!

Learn more here

#TrinityCounty #CA #TourismMarketing #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #PublicAccountability

Marketing reports show high engagement; bed‑tax collections dip and state budget outlook raises concern Marketing vendors reported strong Q4 social engagement and website traffic for Clay County, while tourism staff said 2025 bed‑tax collections are down and Commissioner Scromelow relayed a multi‑year state budget shortfall projection that could affect local tourism funding.

Clay County's marketing efforts soared with impressive Q4 engagement, but looming state budget cuts and declining bed-tax collections could spell trouble for future tourism.

Learn more here

#ClayCounty #FL #TourismMarketing #EconomicTrends #CommunityEngagement #ClayCountyTourism #CitizenPortal

Bothell advisory committee reviews lodging-tax rules, World Cup marketing and available grants City staff briefed the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on how lodging-tax revenues may be used under state law, Bothell's 2% local rate and Snohomish County's separate $2 TPA assessment, and discussed World Cup marketing, grants and regional coordination.

Bothell's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is diving into the details of local lodging taxes and World Cup marketing strategies—are you ready to discover how these funds can boost our community?

Learn more here

#BothellKingCounty #WA #TourismMarketing #BothellLodging #CommunityEngagement

Bothell LTAC reports hotel‑motel tax receipts down about $48,000 year‑to‑date Staff reported year‑to‑date hotel‑motel tax revenue of roughly $75,000 versus $124,000 the prior year, a decline of about $48,000; members discussed impacts from reduced Canadian visitation and competition from new hotels in the region.

Bothell's hotel-motel tax revenue has plummeted by $48,000 this year, raising concerns about tourism and competition from new hotels nearby.

Get the details!

#BothellKingCounty #WA #TourismMarketing #EconomicDevelopment #BothellHotelTax #CitizenPortal #EventStrategy

Port Orchard advisory committee forwards recommended lodging-tax allocations to council ahead of FIFA year The Port Orchard Lodging Tax Advisory Committee reviewed proposals from local tourism and event groups focused on FIFA and year-round promotion, agreed on a slate of recommendations and voted to forward the committee’s proposed 2026 funding allocation to the City Council for consideration. Total pool under discussion: about $130,000.

The Port Orchard Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is making crucial decisions on how to allocate $130,000 in funding for local tourism and events, with an eye on maximizing the FIFA opportunity and supporting community initiatives.

Get the details!

#PortOrchardKitsapCounty #WA #TourismMarketing

Council approves 2026 lodging-tax awards after debate over FIFA Fan Zone allocation Council approved the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 2026 funding recommendations, including a contested allocation for a proposed FIFA fan zone. A motion to reassign the Fan Zone funds to the RAC failed; the full LTAC package passed with one dissenting vote.

The Lacey City Council's heated debate over the controversial FIFA fan zone funding has left many wondering about the future of tourism in the area.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #TourismMarketing #CommunityInvolvement #LaceyTourism #CitizenPortal #EventFunding

TDC reports international campaign impressions, modest room-night gains and October lodging metrics Manatee County marketing staff reported large international campaign exposure (millions of impressions) that produced a modest number of booked room nights; October combined occupancy was 55% with ADR $235 and RevPAR $129, and staff said more detailed quarterly data will be provided in February.

Manatee County's recent international marketing campaigns reached millions, but the actual room bookings tell a different story—are they missing the mark?

Get the details!

#ManateeCounty #FL #TourismMarketing #VisitorEngagement #LuxuryTravel #CitizenPortal

Visitor Guide cover for Visit Muskegon, featuring a person kiteboarding on a vibrant blue lake with a sailboat in the distance. Text reads 'Adventure Begins Here!'

Promotional brochure for Visit Muskegon, featuring information on tourism opportunities in Muskegon. The left side details visitor spending stats, marketing options for local businesses, and services provided. The right side displays "Did You Know?" facts about visitor experiences and satisfaction percentages. Logos for Visit Muskegon and Circulation are included at the top.

Reach travelers planning their Muskegon County trip! Advertise in the Official 2026 Visitors Guide, now published by Hour Media.

○ 45k+ print copies + digital edition
○ Deadline: Dec 22
○ Contact Nick Irwin 616.293.7944 or nirwin@hour-media.com

#TravelMichigan #VisitorsGuide #TourismMarketing

Online travelers search daily.
But are they finding you or your competitors?

#XDMinds turns high-intent searches into direct bookings and reduces OTA dependence.

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#TravelMarketing #DirectBookings #TourismMarketing

LTAC recommends $7,500 for Snoqualmie Days after debate over marketing reach The Snoqualmie Lodging Tax Advisory Committee voted to recommend $7,500 in lodging-tax marketing funds for Snoqualmie Days, while members raised concerns about limited lodging-tax dollars, timing constraints, and ensuring funds benefit both downtown and Ridge businesses.

Snoqualmie Days is set to receive $7,500 in lodging-tax marketing funds, but can it truly boost local business in a World Cup year?

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#SnoqualmieKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #SnoqualmieLodging #TourismMarketing #CommunityEngagement #EconomicDevelopment

Wausau CVB asks room-tax commission for three-year contract and bigger allocation to fund data, marketing and events Tim White of the Wausau Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau asked the commission to approve a three-year contract and increase the CVB’s room-tax allocation from 40% to 45% to pay for data subscriptions, marketing and event attraction. The commission heard the presentation and asked questions but did not vote; members said the request,

The Wausau Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau is pushing for a bigger slice of the room tax pie to fuel marketing and event growth, but will the commission agree?

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #EventAttraction #TourismMarketing #WausauCVB

Council hears lodging-tax process, 2024 awards and options to shift funding toward RACC and city facilities City staff reviewed lodging tax authority, the advisory committee process, 2024 award distribution ($600,000 total awards, city received roughly $300,000), and discussed options for reallocating dollars—council expressed interest in prioritizing the RAC (RAC) and Lacey facilities while preserving support for community events.

Lacey City Council is weighing a major shift in lodging tax funding, potentially directing more resources to enhance the Regional Athletic Complex while debating the fate of beloved community events.

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#LaceyThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LaceyCityCouncil #TourismMarketing

Chaffee County official briefs Buena Vista trustees on proposed 4% lodging-tax increase to fund infrastructure and safety A Chaffee County presentation outlined Ballot Issue 1A, a proposed 4 percentage-point increase to the countywide lodging tax that would expand permitted uses to include roads, public safety and municipal allocations; if passed it would add to the existing 1.9% tax for a total of 5.9% countywide and could generate about $3.35 million annually.

Chaffee County is proposing a 4% increase to the lodging tax, potentially generating $3.35 million annually for vital infrastructure and public safety improvements!

Learn more here

#CO #CitizenPortal #TourismMarketing #PublicInfrastructure