The American Bus Association (ABA) announced today that the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, to be held on November 28, 2015, has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2015 by an experienced expert tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, according to ABA. 

With the release of the American Bus Association's 2015 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 33 years of the program. What began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public. 

"The attractiveness of the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights as a don't-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for Savannah, GA," said Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA's president and CEO. "The real news here is that the Boat Parade of Lights has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives Savannah an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners." 

According to studies completed by researchers at Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave up to $25,000 in a local destination's economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

"Tour groups spend more and stay longer,” Pantuso said. “That's why the Boat Parade of Lights is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay."

ABA's 2015 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the Boat Parade of Lights from hundreds of event nominations submitted by ABA members. Judges considered the event's broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria. 

The Top 100 Events list is available online at www.buses.org/Top100.