SAN JUAN, P.R. — Say goodbye to 2021. At last week’s press conference with Governor Pedro Pierluisi, the Discover Puerto Rico President & CEO Brad Dean shared the news:
“… [We] could not be prouder and more humbled to be the newest countdown dest and the first Spanish-language countdown for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the most watched holiday television broadcast, especially as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The biggest global broadcast ever in the history of Puerto Rico…”
“…And, staying true to our heritage, this countdown will be in Spanish! Beyond the entertaining broadcast hosted by ABC celebrity Ryan Seacrest, this will provide an amazing opportunity to showcase all that our Island paradise offers. 2022 Starts Here!”
Shining a spotlight on the destination, the announcement was made on “Live With Kelly and Ryan,” reaching an audience of millions of mainstream TV viewers. Dean also mentioned 40 sales and trade events throughout North America in the coming weeks as well as messaging support from airlines and other partners.
Watch the press conference here.
“3-2-1 🎉 It’s time to share the news: 2022 starts here! 🥳 🇵🇷
We’re excited to announce that our Island is adding its unique rhythm and flavor to the first-ever Spanish language countdown on Dick Clark’s New Year’s #RockinEve LIVE from Puerto Rico at Distrito T-Mobile.
Join the celebration as we count down to a new spectacular year on December 31st starting at 8/7c on ABC. Start your 2022 in Puerto Rico and welcome the new year from #PRdise. 💃 🕺🏻🎆 #PRxRockinEve #DiscoverPuertoRico“
At the recent Travel South Ultimate Ad Challenge, southern state tourism offices gathered to hear pitches from print and digital marketing companies, including Bandwango, where a new generation of experience-based passports took off.
Creativity was in good supply. Bandwango CEO Monir Parikh said, “The day of the Travel South Ad Challenge was one of the most exciting days in Bandwango history. We have been absolutely thrilled by the ideas these clients have brought to the table, and we’re looking forward to long partnerships with each of them.”
“This type of collaboration on programming offers state tourism offices to co-op regional marketing promotions and leverage their buying power with particular attention to small towns, undiscovered areas, and off-the-beaten-path places,” said Liz Bittner, president & CEO of Travel South USA. “Alabama Tourism, Kentucky Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Missouri Division of Tourism, Tennessee Tourism, West Virginia Tourism, Visit North Carolina, South Carolina Tourism Department, and Visit Mississippi, are planning the most creative collection of passes I have ever seen.”
Kentucky, Louisiana and Tennessee have already launched their first passports with Bandwango.
- Kentucky Tourism’s Parks Pass launched in August 2021 and features 44 state parks and 8 National Park properties. The pass is gamified and encourages all pass holders to check in to win various prizes. Passholders who check in to 5 parks will receive a koozie or pair of sunglasses, while those who check-in at all locations will receive a branded T-shirt and be entered in to win the Ultimate Park Prize package including a Kentucky State Park Overnight, a $100 State Parks Gift Card, plus an adventure prize package of a kayak, paddle, and life jacket.
- Louisiana’s Office of Tourism crafted their “The Unusual is Our Usual Pass” to support their existing brand campaign by the same name. The passport features check-in points that celebrate the weird, kooky and out-there places Louisiana is best known for – including the Castle Tree and the Haunted Gothic Hanging Jail. Passholders who check in to 8 locations win a mystery prize.
- Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development is using the Bandwango platform to take their Ken Burns’ Country Music Passport | TN Vacation digital. In previous years, the initiative leveraged paper passports to guide visitors along the pathway.
In the pipeline: West Virginia’s Department of Tourism will spotlight the state’s 20+ waterfalls. Alabama is curating their state-wide attraction pass. Along with passes for the Missouri Division of Tourism, Visit Mississippi, Visit North Carolina, and South Carolina Tourism, these are expected to launch in winter and early spring 2022.
Did you know? Formed in 1965, Travel South USA is the nation’s oldest and largest regional tourism collaboration, a destination partnership effort involving 12 states.
Awesome!