Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•Pg_19-23__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 7:02 AM Page 21 ravel & Tourism WILLIAM D. TALBERT, III, CDMA, PRESIDENT & CEO, is Greater Miami's #1 industry and the top generator of jobs for our community. More than GREATER MIAMI CVB 97% of all visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches arrive by air, and more than 48% of overnight visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches are international, the highest percentage of any destination in the U.S. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) was an early investor in the highly anticipated 2011 launch of Brand USA, a public private partnership with the mission of promoting increased international travel to the United States at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. As the #2 port of entry into the U.S., Greater Miami is well-positioned to benefit from the Brand USA initiative. Additionally, as a U.S. Travel Association (USTA) Board Member and Chair of the USTA Brazil Committee, I'm actively engaged in efforts to secure Visa Waiver status for countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Chile, while encouraging efforts to reduce Visa wait times. Significant progress was made in Brazil this past year with Visa wait times for a 3-minute interview reduced from a high of more than 100 days to just 2 days. We thank the administration for that. With Visit Florida's expanded resources, the GMCVB plans on leveraging fully from additional marketing programs and opportunities to continue to showcase the Miami destination. It's a top priority for the GMCVB to work with our local, state and national government and industry partners to grow the Travel and Tourism industry for our community. More visitors generate more jobs, which ultimately contributes to the economic wellbeing of our destination. T JACK FERGUSON, PRESIDENT & CEO, PHILADELPHIA CVB s a Brand USA partner, the Philadelphia region has and will continue to be a part of the USA destination sell throughout the world. The Brand USA program has reinforced our own marketing efforts to promote Philadelphia globally. The results of the PCVB's five-year marketing strategy (begun in 2009 when the U.S. saw a decline in overall international visitation) are starting to show, with hotel visitation increasing in international length of stay from our top performing markets. Of our top 10 markets, three now include emerging markets where we have channeled our sales and marketing efforts over the last two to three years: China, Brazil and India. The United Kingdom, Germany and France continue to be our stable markets and now Israel is within the top ten. All four countries' visitation to Philadelphia is due in large part to consumer marketing and year-round direct flights from Europe, which impact Philadelphia's top feeder markets and emerging markets. Highly rated for its retail experience, Philadelphia offers tax-free shopping throughout the City. The BYOB (bring your own bottle) dining experience is a Philadelphia treasure, and allows patrons to bring their own bottle of wine, making high dining an economical pleasure. With more than 3,500 murals, sculptures and mosaics integrated into the City landscape, public art is a way of life in Philadelphia that allows international travelers to enjoy the City at no cost. A B M & T ••• January/February2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 21