On this podcast, Dave DiSalvo, executive director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Tourism Authority, shares why Valdosta is more than a convenient I-75 stop for gas, food, and an overnight stay.
A native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, DiSalvo arrived in Valdosta in 2021 and was pleased to find a community that shares his passion for tourism.
With Georgia on their minds, last year, more than 159 million domestic and international people visited and spent $34.4 billion in the Peach State. In addition, Georgia’s tourism and travel industry generated a total economic impact of $64.5 billion and supported more than 422,600 jobs.
Located on the Georgia-Florida border, Lowndes County received an economic boost from the state's tourism boom with a $389.4 million economic impact, up from $350.3 million in 2019.
Where did visitors spend their money in Lowndes County?
Food Beverage: $122.5 million
Lodging: $77.9 million
Retail: $66 million
Recreation: $63.4 million
Transportation: $59.6 million
Looking at South Georgia’s bigger tourism picture, DiSalvo shared economic data from the 2021 Georgia Day Travel USA Visitor Profile produced by Longwoods International.
The in-depth report examines state and regional numbers for domestic visitors and profile data that includes expenditures, trip purpose, seasonality, origins, activities, and demographics.
While the visitor profile numbers represent the entire South Georgia region, DiSalvo said part of Visit Valdosta's marketing strategy will include a deeper dive into specific Lowndes County numbers.
"We talk about tourism in Lowndes County and Valdosta and are very fortunate. Not only do we have downtown [Valdosta], but we have Hahira downtown, and quite frankly, we need to look at the regional opportunities," he said. "If someone goes shopping and spends the day
in Thomasville, as long as they come back and have dinner and spend the night in Valdosta, that's a win for all of us. It creates that regional reach we would love to have as part of tourism."
Focused on the thousands of visitors that come annually to Wild Adventures Theme Park, DiSalvo said the goal is to get people to spend a second night in Valdosta.
Along with the hub activity in Downtown Valdosta, including the new Unity Park Amphitheater, DeSalvo said Valdosta has a lot of “tourism drivers” like family fun at Recoil Trampoline Park, historical sites, arts and entertainment, golfing, tennis, and wakeboarding.
The Valdosta Tourism Authority recently announced the launch of its "Valdosta ahhh" campaign, which DiSalvo said is about "the experience, excitement, relaxation, anything you want it to be that 'ahhh' moment."
A city with plenty of hidden treasures, Valdosta has lots of 'ahhh' experiences, from roller coasters to dining and shopping, historical sites, outdoor recreational activities, and more.
The campaign launched in August and will feature people sharing their "Valdosta ahhh" moments on social media.
"What better way to help sell it than to have someone who has already experienced it," he said. "We have great opportunities to create those moments and unique experiences."
Find out more at Visit Valdosta.
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