Sweet Home Alabama meets Big Apple with tourism push

BY JALIA LEWIS Alabamanewscenter.com
Posted 8/4/16

MONTGOMERY, AL - With a slice of its sugar-sand beaches and small slices of Belle Chevre cheesecake, the Alabama Tourism Department put together a bus tour to show people in New York what a vacation …

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Sweet Home Alabama meets Big Apple with tourism push

Posted

MONTGOMERY, AL - With a slice of its sugar-sand beaches and small slices of Belle Chevre cheesecake, the Alabama Tourism Department put together a bus tour to show people in New York what a vacation to Alabama would be like.

This Alabama takeover was hosted in several spots around Manhattan, including popular destinations such as the Empire State Building and Times Square. Each stop was set up to allow New Yorkers and tourists in New York to experience a different aspect of Alabama.

The point was to reach out to people who probably don’t hear much about Alabama and to convince them a trip to the state would be worth taking.

As the double-decker bus moved through the streets of New York, riders saw not only how fast-paced and active New York is, but also how relaxing and fun Alabama can be.

The representations of Alabama ranged from a display that conveyed the feeling of being on the beach in Gulf Shores to a taste of Alabama-made cheesecake, potentially a surprise in a city world-famous for its own cheesecake. Meanwhile, radio station 87.9 FM broadcast the smooth sounds of Alabama.

The campaign has been featured in publications like Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Living, Travel & Leisure, Garden & Gun and National Geographic Traveler.

“We feel like we reached a new audience of travelers and educated them on what makes Alabama an ideal travel destination, through distinctive one-of-a-kind experiences and a touch of Southern hospitality,” Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama Tourism Department, said. “We brought the sights and sounds of Alabama with us, and are eager to have people walk away feeling excited about a new vacation destination.”

See more at: alabamanewscenter.com.