JUNE 2012


Smo k e S i g n a l s A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION A R E A D I N I N G, L O C A L V I N E YA R D S , T R AV E L & E N T E R TA I NME N T O P P O R T U N I T I E S • J U N E 2 0 1 2


What do tourists hope to find and experience in Georgia? ‘A true Southern feel, Southern charm,’ Selby says without pause. ‘Visitors love to find genuine Southern food served with a smile and sweet tea. They are looking for an authentic experience and warm, friendly people.’


Southern charm, sweet tea and smiles


Destinations Tourists seek authentic


‘Outdoor adventure is up; eco-tourism is in’ By Barbara Schneider, bschneider@bigcanoenews.com


P


aul Selby pays close attention to millions of visitors entering the state of Georgia each year. He wants to know where they come from, where they are going and how much time they’ll spend in the state. If this sounds like a Homeland Security scenario,


Paul Selby


don’t worry. Paul Selby, the very conscientious director of Georgia’s Visitor Information Services, is a new kind of matchmaker. He wants to make sure each and every one of those visitors gets a chance to fall in love with the real Georgia – and, part of the courtship is encouraging visitors to stay an extra day or two in the state. What do tourists hope to find and experience in Georgia? “A true Southern feel, Southern charm,” he says without pause. “Visitors love to find genuine Southern food served with a smile and sweet tea. They are looking for an authentic experience and warm friendly people.” Tourism trends, says Selby, are


toward health and fitness. “Outdoor adventure is up, as is eco-tourism. Visitors today are looking for unique outdoor experiences. This is especially true for the baby boomers, but healthy travelers of all ages are interested in being fit.” Working on farms and u-picks like Merciers Orchards in Ellijay attracts many visitors. Selby and Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers contribute important services to


help fuel the state’s $45 billion tourism revenue. For more than 12 million visitors each year, VICs are the first points of contact for travelers entering Georgia via Augusta, Columbus, Kingsland, Lavonia, Plains, Ringgold, Savannah, Sylvania, Tallapoosa, Valdosta and West Point. It is no coincidence that nine of the 11 centers are located on interstates. Hartsfield Jackson Airport also plays a vital


role, says Selby. “We get a lot of international visitors, thanks to our airport and easy access to interstates.” As an example, he says, “The Atlanta Aquarium draws 65-70 percent of its visitors from


out-of-state and out-of-the-country tourists.” Most of Georgia’s visitors are driving north from Florida, heading south from the Midwest, Canada and Northeast or coming from neighboring Southern states of


Alabama, Tennessee, the Carolinas and Florida. “Drivers will pad their trips,“ says Selby, “and


Logo created for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War commemoration.


Visit GACivilWar.org featuring all the events and activities of the Civil War.


give themselves a week to travel from home to their destination.” Many visitors now traveling 300 miles on


❚ See TOURISTS, Page 2


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Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.


Southern Museum - home of The General. Historic Banning Mills – Tree Flight ECO-Zip Line Canopy Tours.


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