VALDOSTA —
Valdosta/ Lowndes County benefits greatly each year from tourists, according to Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Langston said each year, tourists spend an average of $222 million in Lowndes County, or roughly $610,000 each day.
“Tourism also supports 2,400 jobs locally,” Langston said. “Tourism is really a tremendous economic engine in our state.”
Traveling through the region and visiting various sites in Valdosta, Adel and Nashville on Monday, Langston said this region is full of economic opportunity, such as agri-tourism, Wild Adventures and Horse Creek Winery.
“Farmers don’t always believe that people want to come and work for a few days, picking crops and learning where their food supply comes from. In Atlanta, there is a big disconnect between farm and table, but here, you have farm-to-table restaurants, u-pick farms, and more.”
According to Langston, the international market is heating up and the state is seeing an influx of visitors from Brazil, China and Australia, in addition to the normal flow of traffic from Europe.
“We are hosting a new event this year right after Thanksgiving for the international buyers, so they can come experience first hand some of the things Georgia has to offer,” Langston said.
The average tourist today, driven by the economy, is more likely to come from within the region, either in-state, or from a near-by state. Georgia has revamped its advertising campaign to reach these tourists, and to showcase the more sophisticated side of Southern life. The campaign, “Southern with a Twist,” features all the usual things tourists expect to find in a southern town, but with all the added amenities from the more cosmopolitan lifestyle that can be found throughout the state.
Langston said some tourists are surprised that they can find boutique hotels, upscale restaurants and Wi-Fi pretty much anywhere in the state, while still enjoying the Southern hospitality and ambiance.
“Valdosta is situated perfectly between Orlando and Atlanta, and this is a great area for tourists to learn about the ‘real’ America,” he said.
For more information, go to www.exploregeorgia.org.
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