CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An important tourism event is underway in Charleston and with the recent water emergency the Travel South USA Domestic Showcase is even that much more important when it comes to the future of tourism dollars being spent here.
More than 500 tourism professionals arrived over the weekend and began the showcase Sunday. These are the professionals that book groups to go to specific destinations throughout the country and media members that focus on travel and tourism. A chance to impress them may mean a significant number of motorcoach tours here in the future.
“The group tour market is a gold mine of opportunity for Charleston and the region,” Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Alisa Bailey said in a prepared release. “These tour operators are looking for new product – new reasons to bring their clients to destinations. The Charleston CVB had dropped its efforts in this lucrative tourism sector. Bringing Travel South Showcase to the city is the very best way to introduce or reintroduce Charleston and the state to the operators.”
The CVB has been very concerned about the future of tourism in Charleston and the ability to attract conventions because of the chemical spill and water emergency that began Jan. 9. The CVB has put together a new promotional video with testimonials
The Travel South Marketplace Tour is scheduled for Monday at the Civic Center. The showcase will stretch through Wednesday.