Media Alert

Group tour motorcoach trade show in Cincinnati generates millions for region

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Nearly 800 hospitality/tourism professionals attended Heartland Travel Showcase in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 23-25, 2007, including nearly 200 Ohio tourism representatives from 154 Ohio travel organizations.

Now in its 22^nd year, Heartland Travel Showcase is recognized as the Midwest’s largest motorcoach marketplace and showcases the region’s top destinations for group tours. Heartland Travel Showcase has a potential $12.8 million economic impact on the region each year.

During prescheduled appointments at the trade show, group tour operators met with suppliers to develop new group tour products in a matter of minutes, and determine where there buses will tour in the coming year. 

Attendance included 780 representatives from 525 businesses such as Destination Marketing Organizations, Convention and Visitor Bureaus, attractions, hotels and more from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Heartland Travel Showcase provides for-profit group tour operators an opportunity to learn about unique Midwestern tour destinations that are popular and fun for travelers.

The 2007 Heartland Travel Showcase included a 64 percent increase in tour operator registration.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the site for next year’s Heartland Travel Showcase, March 7-9, 2008.  

According to a recent study by researchers at George Washington University, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can generate more than $11,000 for a destination’s local economy.  Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

For more information or to sign up for FREE updates on Heartland Travel Showcase, visit the web site at www.heartlandtravelshowcase.com or call 1-800-896-4682.

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