11 Southern US States Highlite Whats New in 2011
by Scott A. Sumner
This year I had the opportunity to attend the Travel South Showcase held in Atlanta Georgia. Eleven southern states were in attendance to high lite what’s new for 2011 in their area.
Stefanie Paupeck, Communication Specialist Georgia
“ The biggest thing is the dolphins at the Atlanta Aquarium with a $110 million expansion opening April 2nd.The original cost of this
project was $290 million with $250 million donated by the Home Depot founder, Barney Markus whose headquarters is 20 minutes away. It is the world’s biggest aquarium by amount of fish and water.”
Edith Parton, Communications Manager, Alabama
“ The biggest thing this year is our year of Alabama music. Our civil war brochure has been updated and we are adding attraction to our Civil Rights tour.”
Wit Tuttel, Public Relations Director, North Carolina
“We have some great events to celebrate including the 150 anniversary of the civil war. In Cherokee Resort they have added a spa to the casino with a historical Indian village. Pinehurst is renovating the No 2 course. It will be back to the Donald Ross feel. The US 1549 jet aircraft that crashed in the Potomac will be located in North Carolina.
Tamara Anderson, Director of Public relations for Virginia
“ We have a brand new Virginia Golf Trail with multiple courses across the state who came together under www.virginiagolf.com be able to book you tee times, hotel and other attractions so it is a one stop shop for a golf vacation.”
Sandy Bynum, Mississippi
“ This is the 100 Anniversary of Robert Johnson, father of the blues and Tennessee Williams, playwright.
Mike Cooper, Commissioner Kentucky
“ In 2011 we host our first ever sprint car race, the first new race since 2001. We are also hosting Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs and the National Horse show, the first time ever out of New York. The PGA Senior golf will be held at Valhalla. Tourism has been good even in a
bad economy. We are a drive destination and near 60% of the population of US.”
Grace Lesort, Consultant South Carolina
“ We have a new boardwalk and a new Dolly Parton show in Myrtle Beach as well as ferris wheel with lights on it for those not on the ferris wheel. Charleston has a toddlers cove area which just opened. Canadian Porter Airlines now fly direct to Myrtle Beach.
Betty Carver, West Virginia
“ We are looking forward to hosting the traveler 4 seasons with ski resorts open til April. We are our preparing for our state hood celebration in 2013.
Joe David Rice, Arkansas
“ The big thing is the Walmart $1 billion art museum which will be the biggest between in the Getty in LA and Washington. There will be hundreds of million of art inside. You can see art in the South. It will put us on the international art map.”
Susan Whitacker, Tennessee
“ The number one is our Discover trails to see the hidden gems like Jack Daniels in Nashville, Memphis. The civil war trail has 250 sites. The roots of Elvis are here high liting his early years. They came here to make their best music. Cheryl Crow and Kid Rock now live in
Nashville. Bristol, Tennessee is the birth place of Country music.
