The AJC reported today that Atlanta has moved to 12th on Metropoll’s list of convention cities, according to the latest survey of 1,350 professional meeting planners, up from No. 18 in 2005. Our ranking improved because of the investments made by the City of Atlanta over the past few years.
- Since 2005, Atlanta has invested in Brand Atlanta to market the city to meeting planners and leisure visitors.
- Atlanta hotels have undergone millions of dollars in renovations and many new boutique hotels have come on line in the past couple of years.
- Arts and culture venues and exhibits, such as the Louvre exhibit from Paris at the High Museum, continue to come to Atlanta.
- Atlanta is a popular place for young people to study, work, live and have fun, with over 19 colleges and universities, we are a great urban college town.
- Atlanta has invested in crime prevention and law enforcement, resulting in a 20% decrease in crime, especially within the downtown area.
The survey results demonstrate the value of branding and the importance of our economic development focus on hospitality and tourism. Brand Atlanta reported total direct spend in 2006 by all visitors (leisure and business) was $11.4 billion, a 12% increase over 2005. The strongest growth came from overnight leisure visitors – 13 million more people came to Atlanta in 2006 versus the previous year. Noteworthy, is the fact that leisure visitation now accounts for 54.5% of total direct visitor spend. Since 2002, the overnight leisure visitor segment has overtaken the business traveler segment in terms of direct economic impact.
Atlanta’s restaurant scene has been recognized by publications such as Zagat and Esquire Magazine as having some of the finest restaurants in the country. Brand Atlanta is about to launch a major campaign touting that fact called “The Atlanta Grand Gourmet Adventure.” The program will focus on the awards and accolades that our restaurants have received over the last year, with winning “foodie” prizes and packages to Atlanta.
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For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26