Van tour kicks off during National Travel & Tourism Week
State tourism officials and other Kansas travel enthusiasts (a.k.a “roadies”) will travel the state this summer in a “driving billboard” to promote Kansas tourism as part of the recently announced Faces & Places Tour. The tour’s goal is to foster tourism in Kansas through social media, promote Kansas as a desirable destination and increase tourism expenditures. The announcement was made in conjunction with National Travel & Tourism Week.
“Tourism is a vital part of the Kansas economy and one of the state’s top priorities to grow and expand,” said Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Tourism is the third largest industry in Kansas, supporting a 125,000-strong workforce. We will work very hard in the future to create more tourism opportunities to showcase our great state and what it has to offer.”
The roadies will visit 34 festivals, events and other locations in an elaborately decorated Chevy Suburban and share their adventures using Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Through a unique corporate partnership, Ed Bozarth Chevrolet #1 Buick-GMC is sponsoring the use of the Chevy Suburban for the Faces & Places Tour.
“As the Faces and Places van travels the state, it will bring attention to the wonderful attractions we have in Kansas,” said Commerce Secretary Pat George. “Expanding tourism will be a key component to moving the state forward, growing the Kansas economy and creating jobs.”
National Travel & Tourism Week was started in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan as a way to champion the power of travel. Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries. In Kansas, tourism had a $5.46 million impact on the state’s 2009 economy, according to the most recent economic impact study conducted by the IHS Global Insight Travel & Tourism Group.
The Kansas Travel & Tourism Division is charged with encouraging the traveling public to visit and travel within Kansas by promoting recreational, historic, and natural advantages of the state and its facilities. The Division focuses on measurable goals in all of its marketing and promotional efforts, which includes increasing domestic and international inquiries through advertising and public relations efforts and converting those inquiries into visits to Kansas, increasing group tour visits, and generating positive public perceptions about the state as a travel destination. For more information, visit TravelKS.com
Kansas Travel & Tourism Division’s 2011 Faces & Places Tour Schedule
May 27
Rest Area—TBD
June 3-4
Lawrence—Lawrence Farmer’s Market, www.lawrencefarmersmarket.com
Baldwin—Midland Railway Day Out with Thomas, www.midland-ry.org
Baldwin—John Brown’s Battle of Black Jack, www.blackjackbattlefield.org
June 9-11
Wichita—Riverfest, www.wichitariverfest.com
Salina—Smoky Hill River Festival, www.riverfestival.com/salina
June 18-19
Lindsburg—Midsummer’s Festival, www.midsummersfestival.org
Salina—Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, www.rollinghillswildlife.com
Marquette—Kansas Motorcycle Museum, http://ksmotorcyclemuseum.org
Cottonwood Falls—Emma Chase Café, www.emmachasecafe.com
June 25-26
Great Bend—Cheyenne Bottoms, www.visitgreatbend.com/Cheyenne_Bottoms.asp
Fort Larned—National Historic Site, www.kansastravel.org/fortlarned
Montezuma—Stauth Memorial Museum, www.stauthmemorialmuseum.org
Meade—Dalton Days Wild West Fest, www.oldmeadecounty.com/dalton_days.htm
Greensburg—The Big Well, www.greensburgks.org
July 2011
Kansas City—T-Bones Baseball Game, www.tbonesbaseball.com/
July 1
Rest Area—TBD
July 15-17
Goodland—TIC
Colby—Pickin’ on the Plains, www.colbybluegrass.org
Hays—Blues, BBQ & Bargains, www.chestnutstreetdistrict.com/view.php?id=13
July 29-30
Wilson—Czech Festival, www.wilsonks.com
Dodge City—Dodge City Days, www.dodgecitydays.com.
August 2011
Topeka—Heartland Park Topeka, www.hpt.com/
Aug. 4-6
Phillipsburg – Kansas Biggest Rodeo, www.kansasbiggestrodeo.com
Belleville – Belleville Midget Nationals, www.highbanks.org
Abilene—Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, www.eisenhower.archives.gov
El Dorado—Frontier Western Celebration, www.frontierwesterncelebration.com/#!
Aug. 13
Garnett—Kansas INT Waterski, Wakeboard Championships, www.intleague.com
Sept. 16-18
Hiawatha—U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt, www.ushwy36.com/treasure.htm
Seneca—U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt
Marysville—U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt
Sept. 23-25
McPherson—Scottish Festival & Highland Games, www.macfestival.org/
Medicine Lodge—Indian Peace Treaty, www.peacetreaty.org/
October 2011
Atchison—Haunted Atchison Trolley Tour, www.kansastravel.org/atchisontrolleytour.htm