Travel South USA (TSUSA) continues to grow in attendance and evolves its annual Domestic Showcase program.

Held February 24 – 27 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, delegates enjoyed Southern food, networking opportunities, and one-on-one appointments to bring visitors to the South. This year attendees enjoyed a private concert by South Carolina’s own three-time Grammy winner, Darius Rucker! Showcase held at the Myrtle Beach House of Blue’s in Barefoot Landing.  The convention was hosted at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and attendees were housed in both the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel and Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes. The attendees also participated in pre and post familiarization tours of Myrtle Beach and the surrounding regions of South Carolina. 

Myrtle Beach welcomed more than 700 delegates to experience fresh coastal cuisine, a unique flavor of fun, and warm Southern hospitality along 60 miles of beautiful coastline. Delegates gathered for 3-days of intensive meetings with a goal of delivering more visitors, spending more time and money in the South and showcasing the unique destination with the region.

“We’re excited about hosting Travel South Showcase again, and welcoming hundreds of buyers and suppliers to the Palmetto State,” said Duane Parrish, Director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “This is such an important gathering, a time for Showcase delegates to reconnect and do business, and an opportunity for us to demonstrate how accommodating South Carolina can be for group tours.”

The estimated economic impact of group travel is significant. According to the American Bus Association Foundation, approximately $29 billion in overall economic impact (direct, supplier and inducted) was delivered to Travel South members states in 2016 from group travel. It is anticipated that sales in Travel South member states coming from group tourists totals $15.25 billion. Hotels in Travel South Member States provide group tourists with an estimated 14.5 million room nights annually.

Domestic Showcase was estimated to deliver close to $600,000 of economic impact into the city of Myrtle Beach. Along with the state of South Carolina and the city of Myrtle Beach, over 120 partners have come together to illustrate the warm hospitality of this coastal destination to over 180 tour operators and media.

“We are thrilled to host the 2019 Travel South conference in Myrtle Beach,” said Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “Travel South is a remarkable partnership organization that exemplifies the meaning of cooperation. Their annual conference is always stellar, and it will bring hundreds of tourism professionals to our beautiful region. We know our southern hospitality, amenities, attractions and culinary options won’t disappoint, and we’re looking forward to this amazing conference.”

Travel South USA Domestic Showcase has not only continued to grow in attendance but has expanded the programing provided during Showcase. For the first time, Domestic Showcase will be introducing Media Marketplace. 45 highly qualified and vetted journalists will meet one-on-one with Public Relation Suppliers in their own Marketplace. This will give the journalists an opportunity to speak with PR specialists who can present expert knowledge of their destination’s stories, build stronger relationships, and glean even more published results.

For more information on Domestic Showcase, visit: http://industry.travelsouthusa.com/showcase