LogoAmerica's Byways®
Bulletin

January 2005 / Vol. 2 No. 2

WHAT'S NEW

America's Byways Gain International Attention

Patricia McNally at TIA's Media Marketplace at World Travel Market in London.
Patricia McNally at TIA's Media Marketplace at World Travel Market in London.

Word of America's Byways® is crossing the Atlantic and the Pacific! In November, Patricia McNally participated in the Travel Industry Association's (TIA) Media Marketplace at World Travel Market in London and, thanks to the Albuquerque CVB, shared a booth on the exhibit floor. From London, Patricia went to Toronto for the National Tour Association's Marketplace and partnered with the Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Domestic Operations. We were given the opportunity to present to the Visit USA Committee in Canada, and briefed the DOC Foreign Commercial Service on the National Scenic Byways Program. In January 2005, Rob Draper and Patricia met with the Japanese Scenic Byways delegation from Hokkaido during the Transportation Research Board Conference in Washington, D.C. They have two pilot Scenic Byways and are planning to expand the program throughout Japan. The America's Byways Resource Center Director, Henry Hanka, visited Japan in the fall of 2004 to assist the byway leaders in planning for the national program, and recently a delegation visited the Creole Nature Trail in Louisiana to learn about their successful marketing program. The delegation congratulated us on our great program, and they hope to continue to work with us in the future.

GREAT IDEA

Partnerships and Possibilities

Awards ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Awards ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • What began in 1992 as one of 17 interpretive sites along the Kancagamus Highway has since evolved into an interpretive center for both the Kancamagus and White Mountains Trail National Scenic Byway. A ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 2004 was the culmination of a 12-year effort. With dedication and cooperation from a variety of federal, state and local agencies, White Mountains Attractions, Timber Framers Guild and a host of volunteers, the new visitor center is providing the public with much-needed interpretation of the Byways. To celebrate this collaborative effort, USDA Forest Service Region 9 Forester Randy Moore presented a special award to the Kancamagus Highway National Scenic Byway for "Supporting increased economic opportunities and improving quality of life in rural areas."

  • Since 1994, the Indiana National Road Association has enjoyed a close partnership with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The Foundation provides a level of financial and professional support that enables the Byway organization to accomplish goals that it could not otherwise. By providing additional salary and benefits to the Byway's full-time executive director, as well as office space and other general operating costs and professional support of preservation advocacy, Historic Landmarks is an integral partner for the Indiana National Road Association.

ON THE WEB

Byway Information Verification System

Ensuring that www.byways.org displays current and accurate information about your Byway is critical to fostering positive traveler experiences. In February, the Web site team will release an easy-to-use online tool for Byway Leaders or designated staff to quickly check their Byways' information. This online tool, called the Byway Information Verification system, will allow authorized Byway personnel to review a page (as it appears to a regular user) and then simply click a checkbox if the data looks correct. And, in case of errors, tools provide a simple mechanism for alerting the Web site team of those problems. With this system, we hope to better focus data maintenance efforts and further improve the quality of online information.

NEWS BRIEFS

  • Alaska's Scenic Byways have a newly redesigned portion of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Web site, as well as a new brochure for byways to use when working with communities. The Web site and brochure detail the National Scenic Byways Program; the ingredients of a successful byway; and the benefits of scenic byways. Check it out at www.alaska.gov/scenic.

  • Good news/bad news: International arrivals for the first ten months of 2004 totaled 32.2M, an increase of 12 percent from the same period last year. The U.S. has experienced growth in visitation for 13 consecutive months. However, the U.S. is losing market share; four out of the five top markets for inbound travel have declined significantly over the last decade. For more information see http://tinet.ita.doc.gov.

  • Incoming national chair, Barbara Richardson, VP, Marketing & Sales at Amtrak, delivered the TIA State of the Industry address. "The key to going forward is to understand that when we work together, we all benefit. And our nation benefits as well." New TIA President & CEO Roger Dow echoed her remarks. For more, see www.tia.org/press/.

  • DOC Office of Travel & Tourism Industries launched the successful $4M "You've seen the film, now visit the set" campaign in the U.K. TV, print and billboard ads feature U.S. movie clips. Additional funds from the Visit America Alliance partners extend the value of the promotion by an estimated $2M. Additional monies have been allocated to continue the campaign for 2006. To find out how to participate, go to www.seeamerica.org.uk.

OPPORTUNITIES