Tuesday, February 07, 2023

Tourism

Local tourism gets back on track in 2022

Bennish Brown is tired of talking about 2019 because much of what has happened in the local tourism industry in 2022 has been compared to that year. On Tuesday, Brown, CEO of Destination Augusta (in the above photo), along with Augusta Sports Council CEO, Michelle Pippin, presented highlights of the local tourism and hospitality industries at…

ByJosh HeathNovember 16, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Tourism

Local agencies to host Augusta tourism event

In April, the Augusta National Golf Club hosted its first full Masters Tournament since 2019, which greatly helped the local tourism industry. Destination Augusta, the Augusta Sports Council, and Film Augusta will host Experience Augusta: An Annual Tourism Celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Miller Theater. Destination Augusta President…

ByJosh HeathNovember 8, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Tourism

Pedestrian bridge draws larger crowds to downtown businesses

Business at a downtown pet boutique has increased significantly, thanks to the reopening of the Fifth Street Bridge, according to Phillip Russum. Russum, a trainer at Fetch 501 located at 501 Broad St., which opened in June, said that’s especially true on weekends. “We’re obviously uniquely poised to take advantage of it because it’s right there,” he…

ByStory and photos by Josh HeathOctober 13, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Tourism

New tourism manager blends his Big Apple experience with Aiken’s southern charm

Eric Gordon has been on the job for almost a month and is already excited about coming to work every day for the City of Aiken’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department. He hails from Queens, New York, where his parents introduced him to the sights and sounds of the city, including the art museums, Broadway shows,…

ByMitzi OxfordAugust 29, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Tourism

Area restaurants, hotels, and companies sponsoring the upcoming regional conference

About 25 marketing, real estate, and other business sponsors are pitching in to make the National Community Development Association 2022 Region IV Conference a success on Sept. 13-16 at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center. The conference will focus on community transformation with success stories like the re-gentrification of blighted areas in the Laney Walker corridor. Transforming Lives…

ByNeil GordonAugust 25, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Top Story Tourism

Simon Says: Leisure and hospitality jobs sluggish, but hotels thrive

Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor Boosted by the Masters Tournament, employment in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 500 in April to stand at 27,000 in the Augusta Metropolitan Area. However, this was the lowest April total since 2014. Between 2014 and 2019, employment increased on average by 3,700 jobs between March and April. The…

ByDr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor June 22, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Economics Tourism

Fifth Street Bridge project expected to draw large crowds to downtown Augusta

Once the Fifth Street Bridge reopens later this month, it’s expected to attract more people to downtown Augusta, and Greg LaBelle looks forward to turning some of those people into customers. LaBelle co-owns Two Dudes and a Boat Kayak Rentals located near the bridge in the Fifth Street Marina. He and his business partner, Steven Cox,…

ByJosh HeathJune 3, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Tourism

New vision for tourism in North Augusta

As the relatively new Tourism and Marketing Director for North Augusta, Randy DuTeau has big plans for the area. He’s been on the job for six months and came out of the gate in the “flow.” He has been a competitive cyclist for much of his life where “flow” is imperative. It involves being in the…

ByMitzi OxfordMay 31, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Economics Tourism

Large events draw thousands to the area, add $6 million to the local economy

The Masters has a massive economic impact on the CSRA, but Augusta is home to many other large events during the rest of the year, such as meetings, conferences, and games. These events bring thousands of people to the CSRA and generate millions of dollars in revenue for local hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other…

ByJosh HeathMay 3, 20220Comments

B2B Stories Networking Tourism

Summit on Georgia’s outdoor recreation business opportunities to be held in Augusta

Economic development and improved community health are the goals of the 2022 Georgia Outdoor Recreation and Trail Summit to be held at the Augusta Convention Center on May 15-16. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, 58 percent of Georgians participate in outdoor activities. Georgia’s outdoor recreation generates $27.3 billion in consumer spending and creates 238,000 jobs. The…

ByGary KauffmanApril 26, 20220Comments