Sarasota CVB Joins US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. March 16, 2011

March 16, 2011 - The U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council (USCHT) announces a new strategic partnership with the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau (Sarasota CVB). The goal of this new alliance is to develop and market cultural and heritage packages regionally, nationally and internationally to give visitors even more reason to visit Sarasota County. This innovative partnership is designed to encourage the international and domestic visitor to enjoy the cultural and heritage offerings of the area.

The Sarasota CVB and the USCHT plan to create themed experiential packages to attract new cultural and heritage visitors, as well as encouraging current visitors to extend their stay to experience and learn more about Sarasota County's unique cultural and heritage offerings. This is in response to research indicating that visitors want experiential activities when they travel.

According to a 2009 national research study on cultural and heritage travel conducted by Mandela Research, 78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities while traveling translating to 118.3 million adults each year.

Cultural and heritage visitors spend, on average, $994 per trip compared to $611 for all U.S. travelers. The additional benefits of cultural heritage tourism is the diversification of local economies and preservation of a community's unique character. (Source: Cultural & Heritage Traveler Study, Mandela Research)

"We are excited about offering cultural and heritage packages." said Lynn Hobeck Bates, Cultural and International Tourism Sales Manager of the Sarasota CVB. "This adds a new platform for generating awareness of our cultural and heritage attractions. Partnering with the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council is an initiative to extend visits and to drive new visitor traffic by combining cultural and heritage experiences along with the enjoyment of our beautiful beaches. Research confirms that cultural and heritage visitors stay longer and spend more. By offering unique cultural experiences with value-added benefits we are encouraging our visitors to do both."

In announcing this new partnership, Sheila Armstrong, Executive Director of the USCHT Marketing Council, said, "We are especially pleased to have the Sarasota CVB join as a partner in our organization. This is an ideal opportunity for a vacation destination known for its extensive and appealing outdoor activities to also market its cultural and heritage assets. We are looking forward to working with this organization in packaging and promoting this community's unique, educational and entertaining activities to the cultural traveler."

For additional information about the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau, visit www.SarasotaFL.org or call (800) 502-9799.

For additional information about the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, visit www.uscht.com or call (843) 341-6392. To view the Culture Traveler Tours, visit www.theculturaltraveler.com

About the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau is the sales and marketing organization contracted by the Sarasota County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Sarasota County. For more information, contact Erin M. Duggan at (941) 955-0991, ext. 108, or [email protected].

About the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council The U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council (USCHT) was formed as a direct outcome of the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Summit held in Washington,DC in October 2005. The primary purpose of this travel trade association is to package,market and sell US. Cultural and Heritage Tourism experiences both nationally and internationally. The Marketing Council represents leading U.S. Tourism destinations, attractions and travel partners engaged in marketing U.S. Cultural and Heritage to travelers from throughout the USA and around the world.

The USCHT also co-produces the annual ONE Travel Conference for Shopping, Dining and Cultural Tourism and The Cultural Traveler Guide. www.TheCulturalTraveler.com,www.USCHT.com, www.ONETravelConference.com (843) 341-6392.