In an effort to increase the number of international travelers to Savannah and Georgia, a mega-familiarization tour (mega-FAM) was hosted by Visit Savannah, Georgia Tourism and Brand USA May 20. 

The FAM brought ten travel agents from the U.K. to Savannah to have them experience several local tours, restaurants and attractions. Brand USA selected the agents after they completed online training about Savannah, which is part of an effort to educate international travel buyers about many of America’s most popular visitor destinations. As the national tourism marketing agency, Brand USA's mission is to market America internationally with the goal of attracting record numbers of international visitors to the U.S.

“Our marketing collaboration with Brand USA and the Georgia Tourism office is part of Visit Savannah’s strategy to increase awareness of Savannah abroad as a visitor destination and to attract more international visitors.  Hosting this group of travel buyers from the U.K. goes a long way towards growing our exposure to folks from that continent,” said Joseph Marinelli, Visit Savannah president.

International visitors to Savannah make up approximately eight to ten percent of overall visitation numbers, with the top international feeder markets comprised of Canada, the U.K., Germany, France and Australia.

“We have traveled to London for sales calls and have hosted groups from there several times over the last eight years and definitely have seen those efforts be fruitful. Travel planners throughout the U.K. are including itineraries to Georgia and specifically Savannah in greater numbers than ever before,” said Mindy Shea, director of international travel sales at Visit Savannah.

For more information, contact Taylor Griffin at 912.644.6429 or [email protected].