Jul 5, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Wendy Thomas
wendy@southeasttourism.org
770-542-1523 (office)
770-316-1644 (cell)
ATLANTA, Ga. (July 5, 2016) - The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) today launched an initiative in support of the National Park Service (NPS) Centennial to showcase the special places of the Southeast and the exceptional travel experiences to be found in the region.
"The National Park Service Centennial offers a tremendous promotional hook for state and local communities, particularly in the Southeast, which is home to a number of spectacular yet overlooked national park sites," said Bill Hardman, President and CEO of STS. "We wanted to ensure that local communities had the tools to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Centennial."
The Centennial Initiative is comprised of three elements:
Centennial Flag is a specially designed flag offered for purchase to the tourism community. Flying the Centennial flag would allow tourism offices, welcome centers, and related businesses to show their support for the National Parks and demonstrate the scope of the tourism/outdoor economy. It is also available as a keepsake for individuals looking to commemorate the NPS Centennial. Purchase of the flag supports the mission of the National Park Foundation to protect America's special places, connect new audiences to parks and inspire the next generation of park stewards.
Video Essay, "Celebrating the Special Places of the Southeast," narrated by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV). This video offers a compelling look at the people and places that make the Southeast special and encouragement to visit the region's national parks in this Centennial year.
Happy Birthday NPS Toolkit offers communities ideas for celebrating the national parks in their area.
All three elements are available on the STS website: Visit Here
The Centennial Initiative is made possible through the generosity of Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, whose commitment to community building and connecting travelers to exceptional experiences is unmatched in the travel and tourism industry.
About Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society (southeasttourism.org) is dedicated to promoting and developing tourism to and within its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Its headquarters are in Atlanta. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel-related organizations.
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